Professor. Kate Tchanturia
RESEARCH GROUP
I am very privileged to work with a team of young, talented and enthusiastic people from very different academic and cultural backgrounds. I am a great believer in good team work and we learn a lot from each other. Academia and research always requires team effort and I am very proud of all the creative and fascinating projects we are working on. We have lots of fun too...
Lauren Makin
PhD Student, 2024-Present
Supervisors: Prof Kate Tchanturia and Prof Valeria Mondelli
I completed an integrated Master's in Psychology at the University of Bristol in 2022, before working as a Research Assistant at Cardiff University.
My PhD project explores the experiences and needs of neurodiverse individuals with binge eating, bulimia, and/or obesity.
I am dedicated to open science practices and to working with disadvantaged and underserved groups.
Zhuo Li
PhD Student, 2020-Present
Supervisors: Prof Kate Tchanturia and Prof Sarah Byford
Project: Mixed Methods Evaluation of a Novel Clinical Pathway for People with Co-occurring Eating Disorders and Autism
For my PhD I’m conducting a mixed methods (clinical, economic and qualitative) evaluation of the PEACE pathway (more info here: https://www.peacepathway.org/) developed by Professor Kate Tchanturia and her team, a novel clinical pathway developed for autistic people with eating disorders which I also work part-time for. I focus on clinical research of eating disorder interventions, and I’m particularly interested in binge eating disorder and OSFED as well as the link between autism and eating difficulties. Outside of my work I love reading, bouldering, cooking and spending time with my cat.
You can read more about my research here.
Daniel Halls
PhD Student, 2019-Present
Supervisors: Prof Kate Tchanturia and Steven Williams
Project:
I studied medicine and was a practicing NHS doctor, before completing my MSc in neuroscience and moving into academia in 2019. My PhD project is exploring social-emotional and cognitive processing in individuals with AN and the neurobiological links to autism, using mainly functional and structural neuroimaging measures. I am particularly interested in applying modern frameworks to answer biological research questions.
Dr. Dimitri Chubinidze
Post-doctoral researcher, 2023-Present.
Projects: SENSORY Study; SOOTH-ED Study
My current work in Kate's Lab focuses on sensory processing and emotion regulation in individuals with eating disorders and comorbid conditions. Collaborating with technology developers and professionals in translational clinical practice, I am actively involved in the development and testing of innovative mental health technologies.
Phoebe Staab
PhD Student, 2022-Present
Supervisors: Dr Petr Slovak and Prof Kate Tchanturia
Project: I completed an MSc in Computer Science from UCL in 2018 and since then I've worked in industry as a software engineer. I began my PhD in June 2022 and my research focuses on the design and development of technology to support the development of interoceptive awareness (awareness of internal body signals), particularly for those with nonclinical disordered eating.
Jessica Parker
PhD Student, 2022-Present
I studied BSc. (Hons) Applied Psychology and Teaching and have worked for many years within the education arena promoting mental health. I am now specialising in the prevention of eating disorders and disordered eating within school based settings. My PhD is based on an eating disorder prevention programme I helped to write and developed which is being trialled in the South of England. When I am not freelancing as a mental health and education consultant, I enjoy travelling in order to immerse myself in the cultural practices and ways of living in other countries.
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Madeleine Oakley
PhD student 2019-present
Supervisors: Professor Kate Tchanturia, Professor Sukhi Shergill & Dr Vanessa Lawrence
Project: 'Developing Online Interventions for Families with Autism and Concurrent Eating Disorders or Psychosis'.
My clinical background is in psychoanalytic and family systemic psychotherapy. I'm also a family carer of my young adult son who has autism and a learning disability.
I joined Professor Kate Tchanturia on the PEACE Pathway in 2019, where I have piloted and developed online therapeutic support and psychoeducational interventions for carers of family members with autism and concurrent eating disorders. I have replicated this work with carers of family members with concurrent autism and psychosis. I am particularly interested in peer-led research and interventions for family carers of people with autism and concurrent long-term mental health conditions.
Alongside my research, I'm the Deputy Programme Leader of the MSc Mental Health Studies course at KIng's College London.
Jess Kerr-Gaffney,
Masters and PhD student, 2016-2020
Supervisors: Dr Kate Tchanturia and Dr Amy Harrison
Project: Socio-emotional Cognition in Anorexia Nervosa
I studied Psychology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, before moving to London in 2016, where I began my MSc in Mental Health Studies. For my masters project I worked with Kate and Heather Westwood to test a new measure of alexithymia in women with anorexia nervosa and healthy controls. I completed my PhD 2020, where I investigated the effects of comorbid autistic traits and social anxiety on social cognition in anorexia nervosa. Currently I work as a post-doctoral researcher at KCL and continue collaborating with Kate's group.
You can read more about my research here.
Emma Kinnaird
PhD Student, 2017-2020
Supervisors: Dr Kate Tchanturia and Dr Catherine Stewart
Project: “Beyond the stereotypes: characterising the unique features of under-researched eating disorder populations, and implications for treatment”
After studying English Language and Literature at Oxford University, I completed a psychology conversion MSc at the University of Glasgow. I first became interested in eating disorder research after writing my dissertation on male eating disorders. Working in mental health research in the NHS, and on an eating disorder unit, confirmed that this was an area that I wanted to work in, and led me to apply for a PhD. I am now fully qualified clinical psychologist.
You can read more about my research here.
Lucia Giombini
PhD Student, 2016-2022
Supervisors: Dr Kate Tchanturia, Dr Abigail Easter
Project: “Evaluation of individual Cognitive Remediation Therapy in an inpatient eating disorder service for children and adolescents”.
In my research work I evaluate new treatments for anorexia nervosa focused on improving cognitive and emotional processes. Please, visit the following website for more information about the clinical and research work I conduct: www.luciagiombini.com
I hope that progress in research and treatment will help us to raise young people who appreciate themselves and their own bodies, and treat them with respect.
I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, accredited by the British Psychological Society and recognised as Associate Fellow (AFBPsS). I have considerable experience of treating Eating Disorders (EDs) in all age ranges, and the pathologies associated with them (e.g. Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, Phobias).
You can read more about my research here.
Jenni Leppanen
My principle research interests include examining the neural processes that underlie socio-emotional difficulties in AN, and how these processes contribute to duration of illness and treatment response.
I am a post-doctoral researcher in my home country - Finland. For 10 years I've been working at Kate's lab, first as a PhD student and after as a post-doctoral researcher funded from MRC and Welcome Trust. My research involved exploring neural responses to socio-emotional stimuli in AN as well as the potential of the neuropeptide, oxytocin, in targeting elevated anxiety and socio-emotional difficulties in AN.
You can read more about my research here.
Marcela Marin Dapelo, PhD (2012-2015)
Supervisors: Dr. Kate Tchanturia and Prof. Robin Morris
Project: “Emotion recognition and expression in individuals with Eating Disorders"
I am a Chilean clinical researcher interested in the link between emotions and eating behaviour in people with eating disorders. After working as a research project clinician at the Centre for Overcoming Problem Eating of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh (United States), I came to London to do a PhD with Kate as my supervisor. On 2016 I graduated with the thesis "Emotion recognition and expression in individuals with eating disorders". I enjoyed the experience so much that I stayed in Kate's lab as a postdoc. I got position as a lecturer in my home country - Chile.
You can read more about my research here.
Katie Lang, PhD (2012-2015)
Supervisor: Dr. Kate Tchanturia and Prof. Janet Treasure
My research has focused on investigating neuropsychological and socio-emotional processing in children and adolescents with AN, and improving knowledge of how such characteristics may be important in the pathogenesis and maintenance of AN.
I am currently working as a clinical psychologist in CAMS South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.
You can read more about my research here.
Heather Westwood
PhD Student, 2014-2017
Supervisors: Dr Kate Tchanturia and Dr Will Mandy
Project: An investigation of symptoms associated wtih autism spectrum disorder in females with anorexia nervosa
I have finished my PhD, which focused on the presence and possible clinical implications of elevated symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in females with anorexia nervosa.
My research suggests that ASD is over-represented in eating disorders, particularly in anorexia nervosa, which can be associated with difficulties with social interaction and flexibility. Currently I am working as a fully qualified clinical psychologist in Edinburgh.
You can read more about my research here.
James Adamson, MSc (2015-2020)
I completed my MSc with Kate and worked as a psychology assistant in the inpatient ward as well as PEACE Pathway (The Health Foundation Funded Project).
I am currently fully qualified clinical psychologist.
You can read more about my research here.
Khatuna Dolidze and Ia Shekriladze
Kate is currently working as a visiting professor of Clinical Psychology in Illia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Khatuna (right) finished her PhD in 2014. Currently she is associate prof. in Ilia State University.
Ia (left), is associate prof. in Ilia State University.
Both Ia and Khatuna have published work in international peer reviewed journals. Kate hope to build a strong team of clinical psychologists in her home country, who can easily communicate and disseminate research internationally.
Hannah Cribben
I completed my undergraduate studies in Experimental Psychology at University of Oxford. I am interested in specialising in eating disorders in the future, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time working in Kate's lab. Throughout my time here I have worked alongside Dr Katie Lang on the BEACON study - a brain imaging study for young people with anorexia nervosa.
The main aim of this study is to examine the neural underpinnings of observed inefficiencies in cognitive and emotional processing in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
Eli Doris, BSc
I worked part time as an assistant psychologist at the SLaM eating disorders unit, under the supervision of Dr Tchanturia. My role involves a combination of conducting neuropsychological assessments, managing the clinical audit, and contributing to new and ongoing research projects. I finished MSc in mental health at King’s College London. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford and have also worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Psychiatry.
Currently I am fully qualified clinical psychologist.
Yasemin Dandil and Katherine Smith, MSc (2018-2020)
Assistant Psychologists / Clinical Researchers
Yasemin and Katherine are now fully qualified clinical psychologists. In the past they contributed in PEACE Pathway development (more info here: https://www.peacepathway.org/).
Nick Lao-Kaim, MSc
I completed my BSc in Psychology at the University of St Andrews before embarking on the Neuroimaging MSc here at KCL. During this time I worked with Kate on the BRCACE fMRI project, aiming to identify the neuro-correlates of working memory in people with Anorexia. My current focus as an RA involves characterising the neural patterns of other well-known cognitive inefficiencies e.g. cognitive flexibility, that people with Anorexia often show, with the hope that this will inform future therapies.
Dr. Amy Harrison, PhD
Completed PhD with Prof Janet Treasure and Kate.
My DClinPsy, supervised by Dr Kate Tchanturia, I have conducted a research project which aimed to explore social anhedonia and work and social functioning in people with eating disorders relative to people who have successfully recovered from an eating disorder and healthy controls. The clinical implications of this work have contributed towards the development of a novel treatment intervention which Dr Tchanturia and I are planning to develop and evaluate in the future. Having completed my PhD and clinical psychology training, I will be going to work at a specialist inpatient unit for young people with eating disorders as a Clinical Psychologist. At the present I am associate professor in UCL.
Olivia and Jenna are qualified clinical psychologists. In 2007-2009, using a qualitative approach, they helped to explore service users' and clinicians' views on newly adapted Cognitive Remediation therapy for anorexia.
This is the graduation ceremony in 2008.
Whitney J. Easter, A. Tchanturia K (2008) Service users' feedback on cognitive training in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: a qualitative study. International Journal of Eating Disorders; 41(6):542-50
Kyriacou O, Easter A, Tchanturia K (2009) Comparing views of patients, parents and clinicians on emotions in anorexia: A qualitative study. Journal of Health Psychology. 14(7) 843–854
Helen Davies, PhD (2008-2011)
Helen Davies worked as a researcher for seven years at the Institute of Psychiatry Eating Disorders Unit, King’s College London. She was involved in translational research, contributing to the development of a cognitive remediation programme for people with anorexia nervosa.
Helen completed her PhD in 2012 on the expression of emotion in eating disorders and is currently undertaking her training in clinical psychology at the University of Exeter.
Currently Helen is senior clinical psychologist.
Samantha Lloyd, PhD (2012-2015)
PhD Student, 2012-2015
Supervisors: Dr Kate Tchanturia and Prof. Ulrike Schmidt
Project: "Exploring Perfectionism in Anorexia Nervosa"
Before starting my PhD I completed my MSc at the IoP in Mental Health Services Research. I have previously worked as Research Assistant at an inpatient adolescent eating disorder unit in Cambridge, as well as at the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Unit at King’s.
Currently I am fully qualified clinical psychologist.
Charlotte Rhind, PhD (2012-2015)
PhD Student 2012-2015
Supervisors: Prof Janet Treasure and Dr Kate Tchanturia
Project: “An examination of the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a skills based intervention for adolescents with eating disorders”
After studying Psychology at Durham University I completed the MSc Research Methods in Psychology at UCL. I’ve worked in varying roles across mental health services and more recently as an Assistant Psychologist at an inpatient service for young people with eating disorders. This provided me with fantastic experience in preparation for my PhD - a multi-site randomized controlled trial evaluating the ‘Experienced Carers Helping Others’ intervention as a treatment “add-on” for adolescent anorexia nervosa sufferers. This NIHR RfPB-funded project hopes to improve patient outcomes by reducing caregiver distress and ameliorating interpersonal maintaining factors.
Currently I am principal clinical psychologist at Maudsley child adolescent team.
Carolina Lopez, PhD (2005-2008)
Project: “An examination of central coherence in eating disorders and its clinical implications"
Supervisors: Prof. Janet Treasure and Dr. Kate Tchanturia
Carolina has returned to Chile and continues to work in clinical psychology, teaching and research.
Leon Fonville, MSc
I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands and went on to do a postgraduate degree in Neuroimaging at King's College London. After the MSc I started working with Dr. Kate Tchanturia in the eating disorders department as a researcher on the BRCACE project, funded by the Swiss Anorexia Foundation. I’ve been able to analyse and write up study results on brain anatomy, as well as assessing brain function using tasks measuring emotion processing and central coherence. With the BRCACE project we’re trying to gain more insight into the neurocognitive profile of anorexia nervosa and a better understanding of the brain in anorexia nervosa. Currently I am senior lecturer in Imperial College London.
Marion Roberts, PhD (2006-2009)
Project: "Cognitive flexibility and weak coherence as neurocognitive endophenotypes of anorexia and bulimia nervosa"
Supervisors Prof. Janet Treasure and Dr. Kate Tchanturia
After a post-doc at the University of London, Marion returned to her native New Zealand and is currently she is a director of eating disorder's treatment program and continuing her
academic work.
Naima Lounes, MSc, DClin Trainee
Dissertation title: "Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Anorexia - inpatient setting"
Supervisor: Dr. Kate Tchanturia
After completing her masters degree in Mental Health Studies at King’s College London, Naima is qualified clinical psychologist.
David Hambrook, MSc, DClin Psy
MSc 2006-2007: “Empathy, Systemising, Autistic Traits and Machiavellian Intelligence in Anorexia Nervosa".
Supervisor: Dr Kate Tchanturia
DClinPsy 2008-2011: “A Pilot Study Exploring Performance-based Emotional Intelligence in Anorexia Nervosa”.
Supervisors: Dr Kate Tchanturia and Dr Gary Brown
Currently working as a Clinical Psychologist for the South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Antonia Koskina, DClinPsy Trainee
Supervisors: Dr Vicki Mountford and Dr Kate Tchanturia
Project: "Somatoform Dissociation and Body Image Instability in Eating Disorders"
I completed my BSc in Psychology at the University of Newcastle and gained a number of years experience working in eating disorders as a Support Worker in an inpatient eating disorder unit in York, my hometown. After a brief spell as an Assistant Psychologist in adult services, I returned as a Research Worker within the Section of Eating Disorders at the IoPPN. Currently I am working in New Zealand as a clinical psychologist.
Felicitas Weineck & Eliz Fidanboylu
MSc Students from the Mental Health Studies Program.
Felicitas' dissertation focuses on the exploration of similarities between anorexia and autism.
Eliz is evaluating and carrying out an audit of the day care treatment programme.
Both students took the "women’s mental health" module, which Kate leads, and conducted their research and clinical placements with Kate in 2012-2013.
Emma Smith
I spent a year working as an assistant Psychologist in the inpatient EDU, with clinical responsibilities that included managing the clinical audit, working with individuals using CRT and CREST manualised interventions and conducting neuropsychological assessments. I was also able to contribute to ongoing research within the department and helped supervise MSc projects. I have gained a huge amount during my time working with Kate; learning how to work motivationally with patients, juggling clinical and research tasks and experiencing the academic publication and peer review process. I will miss the wonderful team.
Amanda Waldman, DClin Psy
DClinPsy 2008-2012: “Haptic Perception, Perfectionism and Body Image in Anorexia Nervosa”
Supervisors: Dr. Kate Tchanturia and Dr. Victoria Mountford
After completing clinical training at the Institute of Psychiatry, Amanda is now working as a clinical psychologist with a "Looked After Children’s Team" in London.