Dr Nada Yousif

Reader in Computational Neuroscience, University of Hertfordshire

Research 

Understanding the human nervous system in health and disease is at the heart of my research. In particular, I am interested in biologically accurate computational modelling of neurons and systems of neurons, and the alliance between experimental, theoretical and clinical work.

At present I am using such techniques to address clinical questions about the mechanism of therapeutic interventions, specifically magnetic resonance guided focussed ultrasound, deep brain stimulation and sacral nerve stimulation. With the view to engineer optimal approaches to these treatments.

For example, my recent work explains the difference in the electric fields created by commonly used stimulation approaches, and therefore can help clinicians to better target the abnormal neural activity that exists as a result of movement disorders. The challenge will be to use such models within routine clinical practice in order to predict the best settings for each individual patient.

Teaching

My teaching interests focus on programming, simulation and computer aided engineering, as well as supervising undergraduate, MSc and PhD projects.