Current Research
I am interested in exploring the mechanisms underlying social differences in autism. My recent projects are looking at the nature of co-occurring anxiety to understand how it affects social functioning in autism. Previously, I worked on the theory of reduced social motivation in autism and developed novel behavioural tools to quantify social motivation.
Past Research
In 2015, I collaborated with a team at the University of Cologne, Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine, Germany. I completed a project exploring the neuro-biological correlates of social motivation in relation to autistic traits with this team.
In 2016-17, while working with Prof Antonia Hamilton at the University College London, and collaborated with Dr Maddie Groom at the Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham. Together we completed a project exploring the interaction between social anxiety and autistic traits in social information sharing.
In 2017-19 I worked as a post-doc in a large consortium with experts from multiple disciplines including public health, autism research, computer science, and software developers from UK, USA, and India. This project advanced my skills in integrating technology and using a wide variety of scientific approaches to answer a research question.
In 2019, I worked with Prof. Jacqui Rodgers from the University of Newcastle, and Dr Neha Sayeed from the Central Institute of Psychiatry, India, for a collaborative project. Together we have completed the Hindi adaptation of a tool to evaluate anxiety in autism ASC-ASD.
Future Research
I aim to understand how anxiety and autistic features interact and affect with quality of life of people with autism. This would then help develop specific interventions for people with co-occurring anxiety and autism.