Dr Melina Nicole Kyranides

Lecturer

Background

Prior to joining the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology in Edinburgh, I held a Visiting Lecturer position at the University of Cyprus.  

Previous to this appointment, I held a postdoctoral position for young researchers at the University of Cyprus. The project focused on examining the profile (physiologically, emotional and cognitive) diferences of children aged 5-7, with varying levels of callous unemotional traits and the effectiveness of different  parent focused interventions for these children.

My research has been influenced by my applied clinical experience as well as from the following fields of research: Developmental Psychopathology, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, and Neuro-psychophysiology. Drawing from these lines of research, I employ a multidomain approach (collecting observational, quantitative, and neurophysiological data to examine both environmental and physiological influences) to identify the neurobiological mechanisms of behavioral problems and personality traits that can inform prevention and treatment efforts.

 

Qualifications

Ph.D.  in Psychology at the University of Cyprus

MA in Applied School Psychology at the Unicersity of Cyprus

BA in Psychology at the University of Cyprus

 

Postgraduate teaching

Course organiser for Conceptual and Theoretical Psychology for the MSc in Psychology of Mental Health (Conversion)

Course organiser for Developmental Wellbeing for the MSc in Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches (Online Learning)

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Research summary

My research emphasis lies on identifying children’s deviation from normative development from childhood to adulthood with a focus on externalizing problems and personality traits. My research has been influenced by my applied clinical experience as well as from the following fields of research: Developmental Psychopathology, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, and Neuro-psychophysiology. Drawing from these lines of research, I employ a multidomain approach (collecting observational, quantitative, and neurophysiological data to examine both environmental and physiological influences) to identify the neurobiological mechanisms of behavioral problems and personality traits that can inform prevention and treatment efforts.

 

Current research interests

Identifying biomarkers (heart rate, skin conductance, startle reflex, oxygenation of the prefrontal cortex), attentional (eye gaze duration) and behavioral differences in individuals with different psychopathology profiles and how these can be used in prevention programs.

Past research interests

In the past I have explored the psychophysiological and attention differences in individuals that were identified during adolescence with elevated levels of externalizing problems namely, conduct problems and callous unemotional traits.