About me
I am a Physics PhD graduate with a vast variety of research interests comprising renewable energy, seismology, physical activity and neuroimaging. Overall, I have worked in various laboratories and conducted a broad range of experiments in a transdisciplinary environment. In my current role at the Division of Physiotherapy at Karolinska Institute, I manage data obtained from activity monitors and develop various automated algorithms for analysis of raw physical activity data. Additionally, I develop protocols for assessment of cortical brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. I am proficient in various programming software’s and skilled in digital signal processing.
Research description
My research focuses include understanding physical activity behavior in people with neurological diseases by analyzing data obtained from activity monitors. Additionally, I am investigating the feasibility of using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) - a non-invasive brain imaging method, in different healthy populations across the life-span and clinical populations (e.g. Parkinson’s disease (PD), Multiple sclerosis (MS) and stroke) with mobility impairments. I am also developing and testing a new conceptual framework to portray physical activity which integrates objective assessed physical activity using accelerometry, with the contextual setting where the activity is performed using global positioning systems (GPS) and environmental layers (e.g. google earth).
Education
2018 PhD (Physics) – Thesis Title: Using ambient noise tomography to image the Eastern Cape-Karoo and Karoo regions, South Africa. Nelson Mandela University.
2013 MSc (Physics) – Thesis Title: On the characterization of photovoltaic device parameters using light beam induced current measurement. Nelson Mandela University.
2011 BScHons (Physics). Nelson Mandela University.
2010 BSc (Applied Mathematics and Physics). Nelson Mandela University.
Academic honours, awards and prizes
2019: ICE Telford Premium Prize publishing award
2011; 2014-2017: National Research Foundation (Innovation) Grant.
2011-2017: Nelson Mandela University post graduate Grant.
2012-2013: Centre for Energy Research Grant.
2013: Erasmus Mundus Action to Europe Scholarship.