Dr Eva Balgova PhD (Bangor University), MSc (Bangor University), BSc (University of Liverpool), FHEA

Profile

Eva is a cognitive neuroscience researcher and lecturer who joined the Department of Psychology at Aberystwyth University in September 2022. Her academic journey includes a BSc in Psychology from the University of Liverpool, followed by an MSc in Clinical and Health Psychology and a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Bangor University. Eva's research interests centre around investigating the relationship between semantic, social and affective processing and the link between semantics and social perception. Eva's teaching skills are also recognised through her appointment as an associate teaching fellow of the Academy of Higher Education. She is responsible for delivering comprehensive course content on modules that focus on biopsychology and psychological research methods. 

Additional Information

Collaborations: 

The Conceptual Knowledge and Communication Lab (Bangor University; Lab Director: Dr Richard Binney)

The Developmental Social Vision Lab (Bangor University; Lab Director: Professor Kami Koldewyn)

Aber Stroke Research Group (Aberystwyth University; Lab Director: Dr Federico Villagra Povina)

Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour (Radboud University: Collaborator: Dr Marco Gandolfo)

The Centre of Ageing & Dementia Research (CADR; Director: Professor Charles Musselwhite)

Memberships & Affiliations: 

The British Neuropsychological Society (BNS)

The Society for Neurobiology of Language (SNL)

The Bangor Imaging Unit (BIU)

Teaching

Module Coordinator
Coordinator
Lecturer

Current Modules: 

PS11220 Brain, Behaviour & Cognition (module coordinator)

PS11520 Applications of Psychology

PS32120 Behavioural Neuroscience

PS33140 Psychology Research Project for Single Honours

PS34120 Psychology Research Project for Joint Honours

With regard to broader pedagogical interests, Eva is keen on improving students' digital literacy and finding ways of enhancing student's well-being.  

Research

Eva has completed studies investigating the underlying neural mechanisms of semantic processing of various types of social concepts. Currently, she is involved in multi-site projects aiming to disentangle the neural underpinnings of social interaction perception and the nature of embodied semantics. She employs a multi-methods approach that includes behavioural testing, structural and functional neuroimaging and non-invasive brain stimulation. 

Research Interests: 

  • Semantic Cognition, Social Cognition & Perception, Affective Processing, Emotion Regulation, Resilience
  • Semantic and Socio-Affective Deficits in Progressive, Developmental and Acquired Neuropsychological Conditions (e.g. dementia, ASD, stroke)
  • Neuropsychology, Cognitive Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology
  • Structural and Functional Neuroanatomy in Health and Disease
  • Neuroimaging and Neurostimulation

 

Responsibilities

Lecturer in Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience

Independent Researcher in Cognitive Neuroscience

Departmental Admissions Lead

Departmental Research Committee Member

Project Supervisor and Personal Tutor

The Social & Affective Meaning (SAM) Research Group Lead

 

Office Hours (Student Contact Times)

  • Wednesday 12:30-14:00
  • Friday 13:00-14:30

Publications

Balgova, E, Diveica, V, Walbrin, J & Binney, R 2022, 'The role of the ventrolateral anterior temporal lobes in social cognition', Human Brain Mapping, vol. 43, no. 15, pp. 4589-4608. 10.1101/2021.09.10.459496, 10.1002/hbm.25976
Gandolfo, M, Abassi, E, Balgova, E, Downing, PE, Papeo, L & Koldewyn, K 2024, 'Converging evidence that left extrastriate body area supports visual sensitivity to social interactions', Current Biology, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 343-351.e5. 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.009
Balgova, E, Diveica, V, Jackson, RL & Binney, RJ 2023 'Overlapping Neural Correlates Underpin Theory of Mind and Semantic Cognition: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis of 344 Functional Neuroimaging Studies' bioRxiv. 10.1101/2023.08.16.553506
More publications on the Research Portal