Principle Investigators
Dr Oliver R. Runswick
Dr Oliver R. Runswick
Dr Oliver R. Runswick
Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Performance Psychology
Ollie is co-lead of the MORPH Lab and the Basic Psychological Science Research Theme at KCL. His work focuses on applied research across four themes—exercise and cognition, perceptual-cognitive skill, applied vision, and motor learning and control—often leveraging new technolo
Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Performance Psychology
Ollie is co-lead of the MORPH Lab and the Basic Psychological Science Research Theme at KCL. His work focuses on applied research across four themes—exercise and cognition, perceptual-cognitive skill, applied vision, and motor learning and control—often leveraging new technologies such as virtual reality to enhance learning and performance. He applies this research in sport, education, military, and clinical settings, and has extensive experience delivering consultancy and contract research in these areas.
Connect with Ollie:
E-mail: oliver.runswick@kcl.ac.uk
Dr Myanna Duncan
Dr Oliver R. Runswick
Dr Oliver R. Runswick
Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor)
Myanna is an applied psychologist specialising in Occupational Health Psychology, using mixed-methods and real-world organisational research to understand and improve the links between work, health and wellbeing. Her work spans intervention design and delivery, studies of “at-risk” sectors such as cons
Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor)
Myanna is an applied psychologist specialising in Occupational Health Psychology, using mixed-methods and real-world organisational research to understand and improve the links between work, health and wellbeing. Her work spans intervention design and delivery, studies of “at-risk” sectors such as construction and healthcare, and research on sedentary behaviour (sitting time). A Chartered Occupational Psychologist (BPS), she has partnered with public and private organisations—including the NHS, county councils, schools, BT, Deloitte, Mace and ABN Amro. Myanna channels her interest in performance in her leisure time and is a keen triathlete.
Connect with Myanna:
E-mail: myanna.duncan@kcl.ac.uk
Postgraduate Students
Dave Bright
Wai Lam Leung
Wai Lam Leung
Senior Lecturer / PhD Student
Dave's research focuses on the comparison of different motor learning models within the same task and conditions. Dave previously had a career as a coach, so he has a keen interest in and experience of applying lab-based learning models to real-world environments.
Connect with Dave:
E-mail: d.bright@chi.ac.uk
Wai Lam Leung
Wai Lam Leung
Wai Lam Leung
PhD Student
Wai researches how impairments in different aspects of vision—such as visual acuity and visual fields—shape the perception of medical data visualisations and the decisions that follow, with the goal of informing more accessible and equitable healthcare for people with diverse visual function. Previously a Research Assistant at
PhD Student
Wai researches how impairments in different aspects of vision—such as visual acuity and visual fields—shape the perception of medical data visualisations and the decisions that follow, with the goal of informing more accessible and equitable healthcare for people with diverse visual function. Previously a Research Assistant at UCL, they collaborated with researchers in Human–Computer Interaction and Speech, Hearing & Phonetic Science to investigate cognitive processes in interactions with digital devices, digital sensory experiences, and accessibility across contexts including healthcare and hearing aids.
Connect with Wai Lam:
E-mail: wai_lam.leung@kcl.ac.uk
Natalie Assaf
Wai Lam Leung
Yvonne-Aline Van Hoecke
PhD Student
Natalie's research explores the possibility of a novel non-pharmacological intervention option for adults with ADHD by integrating exercise with virtual reality (VR), combining both cognitive training and physical activity. This approach aims to enhance symptom management through an immersive exercise experience that entails co
PhD Student
Natalie's research explores the possibility of a novel non-pharmacological intervention option for adults with ADHD by integrating exercise with virtual reality (VR), combining both cognitive training and physical activity. This approach aims to enhance symptom management through an immersive exercise experience that entails cognitive engagement.
Natalie has experience in working with patients as well as personal training, including clients who have been diagnosed with ADHD, which led to her interest in the research topic.
Connect with Natalie:
E-mail: natalie.assaf@kcl.ac.uk,
Yvonne-Aline Van Hoecke
Yvonne-Aline Van Hoecke
Yvonne-Aline Van Hoecke
PhD Student
Yvonne's research focuses on using Virtual Reality (VR) technology to foster engagement in exercise within an increasingly sedentary population.
Yvonne previously worked as a research assistant within the Dementia Research Institute, assessing the link between head injuries/concussions in retired professional players and the pot
PhD Student
Yvonne's research focuses on using Virtual Reality (VR) technology to foster engagement in exercise within an increasingly sedentary population.
Yvonne previously worked as a research assistant within the Dementia Research Institute, assessing the link between head injuries/concussions in retired professional players and the potential link with neurodegenerative diseases such as Dementia and Parkinson's.
Connect with Yvonne:
E-mail: yvonne.a.van_hoecke@kcl.ac.uk
Maria Efremova
Yvonne-Aline Van Hoecke
Maria Efremova
MPhil/PhD Student
Maria is researching AI and burnout among employed emerging adults in the UK.
Maria has experience working as a Research Psychologist for AssessFirst, has published in Frontiers in Psychology, and reviews submissions for BJPsych Open.
Connect with Maria:
E-mail: maria.efremova@kcl.ac.uk
James Feist
Yvonne-Aline Van Hoecke
Maria Efremova
PhD Student
James researches visual exploratory activity in women’s football, developing evidence-based recommendations for practice design. He is completing a part-time PhD on this topic, is a UEFA C Licence coach with a semi-professional men’s team, and teaches performance analysis, research methods, and skill acquisition as a full-time
PhD Student
James researches visual exploratory activity in women’s football, developing evidence-based recommendations for practice design. He is completing a part-time PhD on this topic, is a UEFA C Licence coach with a semi-professional men’s team, and teaches performance analysis, research methods, and skill acquisition as a full-time staff member in the Institute of Applied Sciences at the University of Chichester. His wider interests span sports performance analysis and sport psychology—particularly skill acquisition—and he contributes to projects on visual exploration in both women’s and men’s football, as well as pattern recognition and game reading in men’s football.
Connect with James:
E-mail: J.Feist@chi.ac.uk
Katherine Wheatley
Teodora-Simina Drăgoiu
Teodora-Simina Drăgoiu
Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Kat is currently completing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. This involves developing specialized skills in the diagnosis, psychological treatment, and research of mental health issues across the lifespan. Kat's current research focuses on eating disorders within athletes.
Kat has experience delivering psych
Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Kat is currently completing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. This involves developing specialized skills in the diagnosis, psychological treatment, and research of mental health issues across the lifespan. Kat's current research focuses on eating disorders within athletes.
Kat has experience delivering psychological therapies and supporting longitudinal research in NHS mental health services. She is also a qualified climbing wall instructor who is experienced in working with youth climbing athletes and applying psychological theory to athlete performance.
Connect with Kat:
E-mail: katherine.wheatley@kcl.ac.uk
Teodora-Simina Drăgoiu
Teodora-Simina Drăgoiu
Teodora-Simina Drăgoiu
PhD Student And Resident Doctor
Teodora is currently interested in the mental health of elite athletes.
Teodora is also currently completing her specialty training in Sports Medicine. Her pre-participation examination includes mental health screening.
Connect with Teodora:
Kieran Hayes
Teodora-Simina Drăgoiu
Kieran Hayes
PhD Student
Kieran is currently researching Immersive Learning and Sport Performance.
Kieran has a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, with over a year of industry experience in strength and conditioning, working with Swansea AFC Academy and Acceleration Australia.
Connect with Kieran:
Emily Lowery
Panagiotis Athanasopoulos
Kieran Hayes
PhD Student
Emily’s research focuses on Neurodiversity in sport, spanning from physical education settings to elite competition. She is developing an evidence-based understanding of the experiences of neurodiverse individuals in sport, with the goal of creating best practice guidance for neurodiverse-inclusive participation and performance
PhD Student
Emily’s research focuses on Neurodiversity in sport, spanning from physical education settings to elite competition. She is developing an evidence-based understanding of the experiences of neurodiverse individuals in sport, with the goal of creating best practice guidance for neurodiverse-inclusive participation and performance.
Before joining the Lab, Emily worked as a Clinical Trial Assistant at King’s College London, contributing to research on treatment-resistant depression within the field of affective disorders. She also completed her Master’s degree at KCL, where she conducted a structural MRI analysis comparing patients with Functional Neurological Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Emily’s project reflects her long-standing passion for both sport and neuroscience, combining these interests to promote inclusion and understanding within athletic contexts
Connect with Emily:
E-mail: emily.lowery@kcl.ac.uk
Molly Lancaster
Panagiotis Athanasopoulos
Panagiotis Athanasopoulos
PhD Student
Molly’s research focuses on establishing the design and feasibility of an exercise programme for adolescent girls with ADHD in a school setting. Her work aims to promote resilience, mental health, and overall well-being through tailored physical activity interventions.
Her previous research explored the impact of exercise on res
PhD Student
Molly’s research focuses on establishing the design and feasibility of an exercise programme for adolescent girls with ADHD in a school setting. Her work aims to promote resilience, mental health, and overall well-being through tailored physical activity interventions.
Her previous research explored the impact of exercise on resilience and mental health, which she now builds upon by combining academic research with her real-world experience as a teacher. This interdisciplinary approach seeks to enhance the well-being and resilience of adolescent females with ADHD through inclusive and evidence-based practice in educational environments.
Connect with Molly:
E-mail: molly.lancaster@kcl.ac.uk
Panagiotis Athanasopoulos
Panagiotis Athanasopoulos
Panagiotis Athanasopoulos
PhD Student
Panagiotis' research focuses on identifying the best ways to implement exercise for autistic individuals, aiming to establish clear guidelines that prioritize enjoyment and adherence. Over the past decade, he has worked with autistic individuals and their families across both non-profit organizations and private support setting
PhD Student
Panagiotis' research focuses on identifying the best ways to implement exercise for autistic individuals, aiming to establish clear guidelines that prioritize enjoyment and adherence. Over the past decade, he has worked with autistic individuals and their families across both non-profit organizations and private support settings, offering a wide range of services that promote inclusion and well-being. Through his work, he aims to develop evidence-based approaches that use exercise as a bridge to improving quality of life for autistic individuals and their families.
Connect with Panagiotis:
Undergraduate students
Zahra Kuliev
Zahra Kuliev
Zahra Kuliev
BSc Psychology Student
Zahra is currently in her final year of BSc in Psychology at King's College London, with a placement year as a research assistant in the sports and performance industry. Her independent research focuses on vision in space. Looking ahead, she aspires to pursue a career in sports psychology.performance. Zahra's primary
BSc Psychology Student
Zahra is currently in her final year of BSc in Psychology at King's College London, with a placement year as a research assistant in the sports and performance industry. Her independent research focuses on vision in space. Looking ahead, she aspires to pursue a career in sports psychology.performance. Zahra's primary passion is running, though she also enjoys participating in team sports like basketball.
Connect with Zahra:
E-mail: zahra.kuliev@kcl.ac.uk
Henry Kaplan
Zahra Kuliev
Zahra Kuliev
BSc Psychology Student
Henry is currently pursuing their final year of BSc in Psychology at King's College London, with a placement year as a research assistant in the sports and performance industry.
Henry also currently works as an eSports coach, trying to bring fundamental coaching knowledge to this new scene.
Connect with Henry:
E-mail: henry.kaplan@kcl.ac.uk
Ruyi Cheng
Rachel Roediger
Rachel Roediger
BSc Neuroscience and Psychology Student
Ruyi is in her final year of the BSc in Neuroscience and Psychology at King’s College London. Her research interests focus on sleep, dreams, and cognition, particularly the role of sleep in memory and decision making. At MORPH lab, she is currently investigating how simulated low vision in virtual r
BSc Neuroscience and Psychology Student
Ruyi is in her final year of the BSc in Neuroscience and Psychology at King’s College London. Her research interests focus on sleep, dreams, and cognition, particularly the role of sleep in memory and decision making. At MORPH lab, she is currently investigating how simulated low vision in virtual reality affects patient decision-making, integrating eye-tracking and fuzzy-trace theory to improve accessibility and risk communication in clinical interfaces.
Connect with Ruyi:
E-mail: ruyi.cheng@kcl.ac.uk
Rachel Roediger
Rachel Roediger
Rachel Roediger
Mental Health Nursing Student
Rachel is studying Mental Health Nursing at King’s College London and is researching mental health in elite athletes, with a particular focus on issues relevant to women’s sports. She is passionate about this much-needed area and wants to pursue a master’s degree in sports.that lead to lasting results.
Connect with Rachel:
E-mail: Rachel.Roediger@kcl.ac.uk
Research Assistants
Flaminia Maltese
Placement Student
Flaminia is a BSc Psychology student at King's College London. She is currently in her placement year working as a research assistant in the MORPH
lab. In her current role she gains hands-on experience with various ongoing studies, website design, and sport psychology.
Connect with Flaminia:
E-mail: flaminia.maltese@kcl.ac.uk