Who am I?

I’m Ala Sharifi, a cognitive neuroscientist and developmental researcher passionate about understanding the complexities of the human mind and social behavior. My academic journey has been shaped by an interdisciplinary approach, integrating developmental studies, social neuroscience, and cutting-edge fNIRS hyperscanning techniques.

I hold a Research Master's in Cognitive Neuropsychology from VU University, where I explored the dynamics of neural synchrony and self-concept adaptation in naturalistic social interactions. My thesis, titled "Neural Synchrony and Self-Concept Dynamics in Naturalistic Social Interaction: a Pilot fNIRS Hyperscanning Study," reflects my dedication to unraveling how our social environments shape the brain’s function and, in turn, our self-concept.

Currently, I am conducting research under the supervision of Dr. Daina Crafa, focusing on fNIRS hyperscanning and its application in understanding interpersonal neural dynamics, with a growing interest in infant studies. My work aims to uncover how early-life interactions impact cognitive and social development.

In addition to my research, I have hands-on experience as a psychologist, working with children aged 11 to 13, helping them navigate emotional and behavioral challenges. This experience has deepened my understanding of how early social experiences influence brain development and psychological well-being.

Through this blog, I share my research insights, reflections on recent advances in neuroscience, and thoughts on how we can apply neuroscience to real-world social interactions. I hope to foster dialogue and collaboration with others in the field, as well as to inspire future researchers passionate about the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and social behavior.

Feel free to reach out for collaboration, academic inquiries, or just to share thoughts on the fascinating world of neuroscience!

Reflections on fNIRS 2024: Insights, Innovations, and New Directions

In September 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the fNIRS 2024 Conference in Birmingham, where researchers from around the world gathered to explore the latest innovations and applications of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). As someone deeply invested in the study of social neuroscience and brain development, this event was both inspiring and energizing, providing new ideas and directions for my own research.

Key Takeaways from fNIRS 2024

One of the most exciting aspects of the conference was seeing how fNIRS technology is evolving and expanding its use in various domains of cognitive neuroscience. A few key themes emerged that I found particularly impactful:

• Advancements in Hyperscanning Techniques
  The discussions around hyperscanning—where multiple brains are scanned simultaneously during social interactions—were especially engaging for me, as it directly relates to my research on neural synchrony. It was fascinating to see how researchers are pushing the boundaries of fNIRS hyperscanning to capture more nuanced social dynamics. These advancements offer new possibilities for understanding how brains "sync up" during naturalistic social interactions, which is central to my work on self-concept adaptation.

• Infant Studies and Early Developmental Research
  My growing interest in infant research found great support at this conference. Several presentations focused on how fNIRS is being used to study brain development in infants and young children, which provided me with valuable insights into early-life neural processes. One particular study demonstrated how early social interactions with caregivers can have lasting impacts on cognitive development, using fNIRS to track these changes in real-time.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations
  A major highlight of fNIRS 2024 was the emphasis on cross-disciplinary work, blending neuroscience, psychology, and even education. This aligns with my passion for interdisciplinary research and reinforced the importance of broadening the scope of my own studies to collaborate with professionals from various fields.

Personal Reflections

Attending fNIRS 2024 reaffirmed my commitment to using neuroimaging tools to explore social cognition and development. I left the conference with a renewed sense of purpose, particularly in my growing interest in studying brain development during the earliest stages of life. The innovations I learned about have already started shaping the way I approach my own research, especially in terms of using hyperscanning techniques to explore how infants and adults synchronize during social exchanges.

A particularly inspiring talk was by Dr. [Speaker Name], who presented groundbreaking research on the neural basis of parent-infant bonding using fNIRS. This session not only deepened my appreciation for the power of neuroimaging in understanding early social relationships but also gave me practical ideas on how I can apply these methods to my own studies.

Looking Ahead: How fNIRS 2024 Will Shape My Research

This conference has opened up new pathways for my current and future work. I’m excited to apply some of the latest hyperscanning techniques I learned about to explore neural synchrony in early childhood social interactions. Additionally, I plan to integrate some of the collaborative research models discussed at the conference, which will allow me to engage with experts across disciplines to gain a more holistic understanding of brain development.

Moving forward, I aim to expand my research into infant studies, exploring how early social experiences with caregivers influence neural development and shape social cognition. The insights I gained from fNIRS 2024 have already started influencing how I think about designing my experiments and interpreting results in a more dynamic, real-world context.

Workshop Reflections from fNIRS 2024

As part of the fNIRS 2024 conference, I had the opportunity to attend several in-depth workshops that provided hands-on experience with the latest techniques in fNIRS and multimodal analysis. These sessions were incredibly valuable for enhancing my understanding of advanced data analysis, probe design, and the integration of AI-driven methods into fNIRS research. Here’s a recap of the workshops I attended:

• AI-Driven Methods for Interpreting fNIRS Signals (8:00 - 9:50, led by Andreu-Perez et al.)
  One of the most cutting-edge sessions, this workshop focused on applying AI-driven methods to fNIRS signal analysis using Python. We explored how machine learning algorithms can help make fNIRS data more interpretable, which could significantly streamline the analysis process in my research.

• Advanced Data Analysis Using Brain AnalyzIR Toolbox (10:00 - 11:50, led by Huppert)
  This workshop took us through advanced statistical and theoretical approaches to fNIRS data analysis using the Brain AnalyzIR toolbox. The hands-on experience with this tool gave me a better understanding of how to handle complex datasets and develop more robust analyses in my ongoing studies.

• Cedalion: A Python-Based Framework for Multimodal fNIRS & DOT Data Analysis (13:00 - 15:50, led by von Lühmann et al.)
  In this session, we explored Cedalion, a framework that integrates multimodal fNIRS and DOT data analysis with machine learning approaches. It was fascinating to see how Python-based tools can be leveraged for large-scale, multimodal data processing, which is directly applicable to my research on neural synchrony and developmental neuroscience.

A Journey of Discovery: Celebrating Achievement and Growth

Graduation Celebration

On October 18th, I had the incredible honor of graduating from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam with my second Master’s degree in Cognitive Neuropsychology. This journey, which began in September 2022, has been one of intense learning, growth, and self-discovery, and celebrating with my professors, friends, and mentors made the milestone even more meaningful.

The graduation ceremony was a wonderful occasion, filled with reflections on the countless hours spent researching, studying, and connecting with incredible people from around the world. My thesis, Neural Synchrony and Self-Concept Dynamics in Social Interaction, focused on how our brains synchronize during social interactions, using advanced neuroimaging techniques. This research was challenging yet immensely rewarding, opening up new insights into how self-concept is shaped in social contexts. Now, I’m excited to share these findings with the broader research community as I work on publishing my results.

Reflecting on this journey, I am incredibly grateful for the support of my family, friends, and mentors, who encouraged me at every step. Moving from Iran to the Netherlands to pursue this degree was both challenging and transformative, and it taught me the importance of resilience, curiosity, and community.

With this chapter complete, I look forward to the next steps—continuing my research in neuropsychology and taking on new challenges in my pursuit of a PhD. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Here’s to more discoveries and growth ahead!

Here is the video where my supervisor’s message was read aloud, a moment that I will cherish forever

This message is a reminder of the support, belief, and mentorship that have been pivotal to my achievements. I am profoundly grateful to have had a supervisor who has been such a remarkable influence on my path.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this journey. This recognition motivates me to continue my work with the same passion and dedication!

A Heartfelt Tribute: My Supervisor’s Words at Graduation

During the ceremony, a heartfelt message from my supervisor Dr. Daina Crafa was shared, expressing their view on my work, dedication, and growth throughout my studies. Hearing these words meant the world to me, capturing the journey we've taken together and the impact of their guidance on my academic and personal development.