Director (CCN Lab)
Email: aqeel.1924@fui.edu.pk

Dr. Muhammad Aqeel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Foundation University Islamabad, Pakistan, and serves as the Director and focal person of the Cognitive and Neuroscience Lab. A distinguished academic and researcher, Dr. Aqeel completed his PhD in Clinical Psychology at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, Pakistan. In 2023, he joined the University of York, UK, as an Experimental Psychology Society (EPS) and European Research Council (ERC) Research Fellow. During his tenure, he conducted groundbreaking research on disorders of semantic cognition and emotions in individuals affected by stroke and dementia. Employing advanced neuroscientific techniques, particularly functional neuroimaging, he explored the neural mechanisms underlying semantic cognition through rigorous patient-based studies. At the University of York, Dr. Aqeel advanced the use of complementary neuroscientific methodologies to investigate the neural basis of semantic cognition and language, delving into hypotheses generated by ongoing clinical research. His work provided novel insights into the interplay between brain regions and their roles in semantic processing. In late 2023, Dr. Aqeel transitioned to the Department of Psychology at Foundation University Islamabad, where he established the first Cognitive and Neuroscience Lab. This cutting-edge facility introduced advanced research methods to study cognitive and emotional processes in various populations, including healthy individuals and patients with depression, dementia, stroke, acute hippocampal damage, and schizophrenia. Under his leadership, the lab has become a hub for pioneering research, leveraging sophisticated neuroimaging tools to explore intricate brain-behavior relationships. Dr. Aqeel’s current research focuses on the large-scale neural organization of memory-guided and controlled cognition. Specifically, he investigates the dynamic connectivity patterns that underpin these cognitive states using an array of methodologies, including task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and intrinsic connectivity analyses. His work examines how the brain retrieves diverse meanings for words and objects based on contextual goals and how these mechanisms are altered in stroke patients. Additionally, he explores the neural basis of externally-oriented semantic tasks in comparison to internally-driven cognitive states, such as mind-wandering. He has hands-on experience in neuroimaging analysis using FSL software and CONN toolbox, which she applies to investigate functional connectivity patterns during pain modulation through rs-fMRI analysis.

Dr. Aqeel has an exceptional research portfolio, comprising over 100 peer-reviewed publications, with more than 5,600 citations and a cumulative impact factor exceeding 500. His contributions have significantly advanced the fields of neuropsychological assessment, cognitive disorders, and intervention strategies. By integrating state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques, his research addresses complex challenges in brain and behavioral sciences, offering innovative solutions for improving health outcomes.

With extensive experience leading interdisciplinary projects, Dr. Aqeel has played a transformative role in enhancing neuroscience research in Pakistan. His visionary leadership and commitment to fostering global collaboration have earned him national and international recognition. Through his dedication to academic excellence and clinical innovation, Dr. Aqeel continues to drive advancements in cognitive neuroscience, solidifying his position as a leader in the field.

Collaborators

Beth Jefferies,

Department of Psychology, University of York, UK

Professor, BARTOŠ Aleš,

Charles University, Department of Neurology, Prague, Czech Republic

Prof. Dr. Rafia Rafique,

President Pakistan Psychological Association of Pakistan.
Director Institute of Applied Psychology University of the Punjab, Pakistan

Prof. Dr. Yasir Waheed,

Head of the Department of Research at the NUST School of Health Sciences,
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan.