Projects

Ongoing research projects

Project 1: EFFECTS OF MENTAL STRESS AND CAFFEINE INTAKE ON HUMAN BRAIN AND PHYSIOLOGY ASSESSED BY SIMULTANEOUS EEG-FMRI

  • Supporting Agency: TÜBİTAK 2232 International Felllowship for Outstanding Researchers
  • Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Pınar Senay Özbay
  • Description: This research project aims to investigate real-time interactions between spatio-temporal brain dynamics and physiological responses. Utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques, such as simultaneous EEG-fMRI, the study seeks to identify specific brain regions modulated by stress and caffeine intake. The goal is to contribute to a nuanced understanding of how these factors impact cognitive and physiological processes in humans.

Project 2: MEMORY, ATTENTION, AND COGNITION: MULTI-MODAL INSIGHTS FROM EEG AND PHYSIOLOGY

  • Supporting Agency: Boğaziçi University BAP Start-Up 
  • Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Pınar Senay Özbay
  • Description: This project presents an innovative research design aimed at understanding the complex relationships between cognitive functions and physiological states, with a particular focus on memory and attention. Through an in-depth analysis using EEG and physiological measurements, including heart rate, respiration, galvanic skin conductance and temperature, we will explore how cognitive processes are related to brain activity and physiological responses under varying levels of cognitive load.

Project 3: MimPhy: INVESTIGATION OF COGNITIVE PROCESSES AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DYNAMICS THROUGH SIMULTANEOUS EEG-FMRI AND MULTILAYER NETWORK ANALYSES

  • Supporting Agency: TÜBİTAK 3501 Career Development Award
  • Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Pınar Senay Özbay
  • Description: This project investigates how cognitive tasks influence brain function and physiology through simultaneous EEG-fMRI. Using multilayer network analysis and machine learning, we aim to map spatiotemporal brain dynamics, classify cognitive load, and develop a toolbox called MimPhy that integrates our analysis and approach to advance biomarker discovery in neuroscience and clinical applications.

Project 4: IDENTIFYING BIOMARKERS CHARACTERIZING AGING THROUGH MULTIPARAMETRIC MRI IN ANIMAL STUDIES

  • Supporting Agency: TÜBİTAK 1004 Program – Neurotechnological Solutions Platform
  • Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI): Dr. Pınar Senay Özbay
  • Description: This project focuses on conducting multiparametric mapping of the aging brain using preclinical high field MRI technology. By integrating advanced quantitative MRI biomarkers, including traditional T1 and T2 mapping, R2* mapping, and Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM), the research aims to develop a comprehensive and user-friendly software for characterizing structural changes associated with aging in the brain. The utilization of preclinical high field (7 T) MRI technology from MR Solutions is part of the infrastructure. The ultimate objective is to gain valuable insights into the physiological and pathological characteristics of aging, with a particular emphasis on enhancing contrast and refining data processing steps for optimal interpretation. This project lays the foundation for future research and potential clinical applications related to understanding the aging process in the brain.

Project 5: DEVELOPMENT OF NEUROTECHNOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS AND COMPUTER-ASSISTED TURKISH LINGUISTIC-COGNITIVE MEASUREMENT TOOLS FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF READING AND MATH-BASED LEARNING DIFFICULTIES IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

  • Supporting Agency: TÜBİTAK 1004 Program – Neurotechnological Solutions Platform
  • Investigator: Dr. Pınar Senay Özbay
  • Description: This project aims to compare school-aged children (grades 1-4) with those experiencing difficulties in Turkish reading and mathematics skills. It involves developing tasks and tests to measure cognitive skills related to reading and mathematics. As MIMLAB, our contribution will include monitoring eye movements and collection of physiological signals while conducting EEG measurements during reading and mathematical tasks to evaluate these children linguistically, cognitively, and neurally.

Project 6: EEG-BASED AUTOMATED SEIZURE DETECTION AND SLEEP SCORING IN PASSIVE TRANSFER RAT MODEL OF AUTOIMMUNE EPILEPSY

  • Supporting Agency: TÜSEB Group B R&D Project Call
  • Investigator: Dr. Pınar Senay Özbay
  • Description: This project is conducted as part of the broader research grant “Investigation of the Pathogenic Roles of Autoantibodies Against Neuronal Surface Antigens in Autoimmune Epilepsy.” (PI: Assoc. Prof. Nihan Çarçak Yılmaz) It aims to develop automated seizure detection and sleep scoring frameworks based on electroencephalography (EEG) recordings obtained from a passive transfer rat model of autoimmune encephalitis. By applying artificial intelligence techniques to long-term EEG data, the study focuses on identifying seizure-related temporal and spectral patterns associated with neuronal surface autoantibodies, particularly those targeting NMDAR and GABAB receptors. The ultimate goal is to enable objective, scalable EEG analysis and to support the characterization of epileptogenic mechanisms in autoimmune epilepsy.