Hi, I’m Nazia.

I’m a postdoctoral researcher in cognitive neuroscience at the Prediction and Learning Lab, University of Cambridge, UK.

I’m interested in how humans perceive, learn, and make decisions across different environmental contexts and how these processes relate to mental health and neurodiversity. My research combines computational models of cognition with behavioural and cognitive neuroscience methods—including ultra high-resolution 7T MRI and MR Spectroscopy—to investigate the neurocomputational mechanisms underlying human behaviour and individual differences.

Previously, as part of the Parke-Davis Postdoctoral Exchange Fellowship, I was hosted by the Psychiatry, Embodiment and Computation Lab at the Carney Institute of Brain Science, Brown University, USA where I trained in computational modelling. During my PhD at the Autism Research Centre (ARC), University of Cambridge, I investigated the neurocognitive mechanisms of perceptual inference in autism. As an Honorary Research Associate at the ARC, I continue to collaborate with the Lab on projects related to perception and cognition in autism.

Outside of work, I like to unwind with my cat Sultan of Cambridge aka Sully, horror movies, spicy food, and 90s music (The profile picture may have misled you into thinking I’m a cool, outdoorsy person… I’m not).

I’m originally from Chennai, a coastal city in South India, known for its sweltering summers and scrumptious breakfast foods.