Dr Carmel Mevorach

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Psychology, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Dr Carmel Mevorach is a cognitive neuroscientist focusing on mechanisms of top-down attention control, which lie at the heart of various cognitive functions. His research also aims to unravel how individual factors (such as autistic traits or normal aging) mediate mechanisms of attention, including on the neural level.

Website: https://mevorach-lab.weebly.com/

Dr Mevorach uses a variety of methodologies including brain stimulation (TMS/ tDCS) and brain imaging (fMRI) to better understand brain mechanisms of attention control.

One aspect of his research focuses on the interaction between attention control and implementation in the brain (e.g., Mevorach et al., 2010 JoN) in order to provide a neurocognitive marker of attention performance. Consequently, these markers are used in investigating atypical attention: in patients with brain lesion, neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ADHD or Autism) and normal ageing. By better understanding the circuitry of top-down attentional selection in health he aims to elucidate attentional functioning in these atypical scenarios so that the difficulties and also the way they might be ameliorated can be unveiled.

Other lines of his research focus on how visual attention processes are intertwined with motor control (e.g., Mevorach et al., 2016, JoV) and how they interact with perceptual learning (Chang et al., 2014, Curr Biol). Taken together the work in his lab also paves the way for a more translational approach to how computerised attention training (CPAT, Sampanis et al., 2015) as well as perceptual learning can be beneficially utilised in a variety of contexts (e.g., after stroke, in ADHD, in Autism and in aging).

Scientific Inspiration

The late Professor Glyn Humphreys, I think he always remembered what is important and what isn’t...

Research Groups

Mevorach Lab

Perception, Cognition and Action

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: I’m a proud dad – my ultimate goal is for my students to grow and become smarter and more knowledgeable than I am and to maintain in the process the sparkle in their eye. No pain no gain though…

Provision of Training

I prefer to take responsibility for your technical training only at first, leading to more independence later. Ideally during the process it becomes a 2-way exchange. But importantly, the Centre of Human Brain Health has a hugely collaborative ethos and atmosphere and students learn from others all the time.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I like to be kept up to date, and will expect to see evidence of method development/data generation results on a weekly basis – I do like to push my students to their full potential. Having said that, pursuing a PhD always has its challenges and we will discuss a plan of action together to overcome these challenges when needed.

Communication

The lab has an MS Teams group we use for lab work and communication. Whilst I expect you to keep up with these communications I will also expect (and urge) you to maintain a healthy work/life balance.

I am also happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or our expectations.

In a group meeting

At least once per fortnight

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per week

The meetings will be a mixture of face to face, via video chat or telephone and I am usually contactable for an instant response (if required) on every working day.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Current Projects (2025-26)

Primary supervisor for:

Brain mechanisms of atypical attention in autism and the broader autistic phenotype

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Brain mechanisms of atypical attention in autism and the broader autistic phenotype

Secondary Supervisor(s): Professor Andrew Bagshaw

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes: Understanding the Rules of Life (Neuroscience and Behaviour)

Project Outline

The perceptual saliency of distracting non-target information presents a major challenge for attention selection processes, which are required to bias selection away from distracting, non-target items. Consequently, when atypicality in these processes is present it can have an overarching effect on human behaviour from basic cognitive functions to mental health. Previous research in autism and the broader spectrum of autistic traits in neurotypical participants provides extensive evidence for attention atypicality (sometimes from as early as the first year of life). Our previous research (e.g., Abu-akel et al., 2018, Spaniol et al., 2018) further points to a specific (but nuanced) attention profile in autism along the static/dynamic attention control continuum. These attention tendencies not only fit with the pattern of behaviour we documented previously (e.g., in the attention tasks we test) but may also be associated with more complex behaviours linked to autism. Specifically, it is possible that the attention profile utilised in an individual could provide the cognitive drive behind certain forms of anxiety.

This possible modulation of the attention system may be linked to previously observed neuronal signatures of autism. For instance, studies have identified the DMN (and the Precuneus specifically) as a network which is hypo-activated and under-connected in autism (show reduced within network connectivity during resting state). Similarly, the TPJ (which is strongly associated with attention shifting and dynamic reactive control) has also been argued to show reduced volatility in autism, especially in respect to the link between dynamic attention control and theory of mind (e.g., Bravo Balsa et al., 2024).

The proposed research will apply converging operations including, individual differences, computational modelling, brain stimulation and fMRI recordings as well as their combination in the same study (e.g., Mevorach et al., 2010) to provide a functional brain mechanistic framework for understanding attention atypicality in autism and the broader autistic phenotype (in neurotypical participants). This work may also pave the way for future intervention targets in autism both from a behaviour and neuroscience perspectives.

References

Abu-Akel, A., Apperly, I., Sapniol, M.M., Geng, J.J., & Mevorach, C. (2018). Diametric effects of autism tendencies and psychosis proneness on attention control irrespective of task demands. Scientific Reports, 8, Article Number 8478.

Bravo Balsa, L., Abu-Akel, A., & Mevorach, C. (2024). Dynamic functional connectivity in the right temporoparietal junction captures variations in male autistic trait expression. Autism Research, 17(4), 702-715.

Spaniol, M., Shalev, L., & Mevorach, C. (2018). Reduced distractor interference in neurotypical adults with high expression of autistic traits irrespective of stimulus type. Autism Research, 11(10), 1345-1355.

Mevorach, C., Hodsoll, J., Allen H. A., Shalev, L., Humphreys, G. W. (2010). Ignoring the Elephant in the Room: A Neural Circuit to Down-regulate Salience. Journal of Neuroscience, 30, 6072-6079.