Dr Alex Sel
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Email
alex.sel@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 873817
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Location
4.719, Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
I completed my BSc (First Class hons) in Psychology and my PhD (Distinction Cum Laude) in electrophysiology at the University Complutense of Madrid, Spain. I then completed a 2-year postdoctoral position at Royal Holloway University of London where I investigated the neural dynamics underpinning embodiment of emotion and self-processing. In 2015 I moved to the University of Oxford where I worked for 4 years on my personal research grant investigating the brain mechanisms underlying action control. I joined the Department of Psychology, 糖心Vlog in June 2019 The overarching aim of my research is to understand how functional and structural brain networks support human behaviour. I am particularly interested in how different neural networks interact and communicate with one another and how the communication dynamics in these neural networks change over the life-span, particularly during ageing. To perform my research, I employ a variety of techniques including high-density electrophysiological recording techniques (EEG/ERPs), functional and structural brain imaging (f-MRI), interventional techniques (TMS/tES) and behavioural measures as indexes of cognitive processes.
Appointments
糖心Vlog
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Lecturer, Psychology, 糖心Vlog (3/6/2019 - present)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Understanding brain networks underpinning higher order cognitive functions in the human brain
Conferences and presentations
My research career in the UK
Keynote presentation, The research career and other scientific jobs in the UK. Areces Foundation. Madrid, Spain, Areces Foundation, Madrid, Spain, 17/11/2019
Invited talk: Advanced Neurostimulation Techniques: Paired-pulse TMS (ppTMS) & Corticocortical Paired Associative Stimulation (ccPAS)
Invited presentation, Donders Toolkit, Donders Institute, Donders Toolkit, 18/9/2018
Cardiac interoceptive inference: evidence from heart-beat evoked brain potentials
Invited presentation, Social Brain and Behavioural Club. Department of Experimental Psychology. University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, 8/11/2017
Changing and adapting brain mechanisms of self-control. Capstone PSSC conference. Florida State University, Tallahassee, US
Invited presentation, Capstone PSSC conference. Florida State University, Tallahassee, US, Tallahassee, United States, 26/7/2017
Heartfelt Self: Cardio-visual stimulation affects self-face recognition and interoceptive cortical processing
Invited presentation, Social and Affective Neuroscience Confrerence, 28/4/2016
The Embodied Mind: brain correlates of Emotion and the Self
Invited presentation, Departmental talk. Department of Psychology, City University London,UK, 26/10/2015
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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The Social Brain (PS106)
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Introduction to Personal Development and Employability (PS117)
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Advanced employability skills and career progression (PS492)
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Body, Senses and Existence (PS502)
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Lifespan Development: Psychology in Society (PS503)
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Special Topics in Individual Differences and Developmental Psychology (PS938)
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Research Experience (PS944)
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Numerical Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience (PS948)
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Theory and Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology (PS949)
Current supervision
Previous supervision
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 21/1/2025
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 4/11/2024
Degree subject: Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 25/1/2024
Degree subject: Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 20/12/2023
Publications
Journal articles (25)
Camara, CF., Sel, A., de Klerk, CCJM. and Hanel, PHP., (2025). . Personality and Individual Differences. 232, 112836-112836
Aprile, F., Sim玫es, M., Henriques, J., Carvalho, P., Castelo-Branco, M., Sel, A. and Ribeiro, MJ., (2025). . Psychophysiology. 62 (4), e70057-
Tarasi, L., Turrini, S., Sel, A., Avenanti, A. and Romei, V., (2024). . Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences. 56, 101359-101359
Fouragnan, EF., Hosking, B., Cheung, Y., Prakash, B., Rushworth, M. and Sel, A., (2024). . Nature Communications. 15 (1), 2976-
Di Luzio, P., Brady, L., Turrini, S., Romei, V., Avenanti, A. and Sel, A., (2024). . Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 167, 105933-105933
Trajkovic, J., Romei, V., Rushworth, MFS. and Sel, A., (2023). . Progress in Neurobiology. 228, 102487-102487
Wallace, D., Cooper, NR., Sel, A. and Russo, R., (2023). . PLoS One. 18 (12), e0295943-e0295943
Wallace, D., Cooper, NR., Sel, A. and Russo, R., (2023). . PLoS One. 18 (11), e0290635-e0290635
Chiappini, E., Sel, A., Hibbard, P., Avenanti, A. and Romei, V., (2022). . Current Biology. 32 (18), 4064-4070.e3
Wittmann, MK., Trudel, N., Trier, HA., Klein-Fl眉gge, MC., Sel, A., Verhagen, L. and Rushworth, MFS., (2021). . Neuron. 109 (14), 2353-2361.e11
Sel, A., Verhagen, L., Angerer, K., David, R., Klein-Fl眉gge, MC. and Rushworth, MFS., (2021). . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 118 (37), e2100652118-
Sel, A., Calvo-Merino, B., Tsakiris, M. and Forster, B., (2020). . Cortex. 129, 11-22
Sel, A., Sui, J., Sheppard, J. and Humphreys, G., (2019). . Review of Philosophy and Psychology. 10 (4), 735-746
Gentsch, A., Sel, A., Marshall, AC. and Sch眉tz-Bosbach, S., (2019). . Human Brain Mapping. 40 (1), 20-33
Sel, A., Azevedo, RT. and Tsakiris, M., (2017). . Cerebral Cortex. 27 (11), 5144-5155
Sel, A., Harding, R. and Tsakiris, M., (2016). . NeuroImage. 125, 13-24
Sel, A., Calvo-Merino, B., Tuettenberg, S. and Forster, B., (2015). . Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. 10 (10), 1316-1322
Sel, A., (2014). . Frontiers in Psychology. 5 (MAR), 189-
Sel, A., Forster, B. and Calvo-Merino, B., (2014). . The Journal of Neuroscience. 34 (9), 3263-3267
Sel, A. and Calvo-Merino, B., (2013). . Revista de Neurologia. 56 (5), 289-297
Jim茅nez-Ortega, L., Mart铆n-Loeches, M., Casado, P., Sel, A., Fondevila, S., de Tejada, PH., Schacht, A. and Sommer, W., (2012). . PLoS One. 7 (3), e33718-e33718
Fondevila, S., Mart铆n-Loeches, M., Jim茅nez-Ortega, L., Casado, P., Sel, A., Fern谩ndez-Hern谩ndez, A. and Sommer, W., (2012). . Social Neuroscience. 7 (5), 445-457
Schacht, A., Mart铆n-Loeches, M., Casado, P., Abdel Rahman, R., Sel, A. and Sommer, W., (2010). . PLoS ONE. 5 (3), e9742-e9742
Mart铆n-Loeches, M., Sel, A., Casado, P., Jim茅nez, L. and Castellanos, L., (2009). . PLoS One. 4 (6), e5920-e5920
Mart铆n Loeches, M., Casado Mart铆nez, P. and Sel, A., (2008). . Revista de Neurologia. 46 (12), 731-741
Books (1)
Sel, A., M煤sica, Emociones y Lenguaje: Una vision desde el cerebro. [Music, Emotion and Language: A view from the brain]. Saarbr眉cken, EAE
Book chapters (2)
Sel, A. and Shepherd, J., Inhibitory control and self-control
Vibell, J., Gillmeister, H., Sel, A., Haggarty, CJ., Van Velzen, J. and Forster, B., (2023). . In: Neuromethods. Springer US. 431- 449. 9781071630679
Conferences (1)
Forster, B., Dixon, G., Sel, A., Villar, H. and Flaxman, P., (2024). MINDFULNESS TRAINING MODULATES EARLY SOMATOSENSORY PROCESSING
Reports and Papers (1)
Sel, A., Verhagen, L., Angerer, K., David, R., Klein-Fl眉gge, M. and Rushworth, M., (2020). Entraining corticocortical plasticity changes oscillatory activity in action control and inhibition
Grants and funding
2023
Measuring the impact of ageing on the physiological mechanisms of action control
Academy of Medical Sciences
Developing novel interventions to ameliorate age-related movement decline
UOE Participatory Research Fund
Contact
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