Department of Psychology

Studies

• Postdoctoral Researcher. Department of Psychology. School of Social Sciences. University of Crete (Enrollment date 11/01/2023).
• PhD in Neuroscience. Department of Medicine. University of Crete (2016-2021, Successful Defense Date 25/05/2021).
• Master’s Degree in Neuroscience. Department of Medicine. University of Crete. (2014-2016).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Department of Psychology. Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. (2010-2014).

Postdoctoral Research Title

The duration of the effects of near and far transfer after working memory training in humans: interactions with anxiety and schizotypal traits

Brief Presentation

The study focuses on investigating the effects of near and far transfer after working memory training in healthy participants. Working memory and cognitive flexibility were selected as they are essential for daily life and play a significant role in the sense of well-being that is necessary for humans. Working memory training, as a cognitive intervention method, has been shown to improve cognitive abilities, but the duration and generalization of its effects are still not well understood. Furthermore, the study examines the interaction of anxiety and schizotypal traits with working memory training effects, as these factors may modulate training outcomes.

Funding 

The research is funded by the Special Account of Research Funds, University of Crete

Postdoctoral Research Supervisor

Giakoumaki G. Stella, Associate Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology

Publications

• Stavroulaki, V., Sidiropoulou, K., Bitsios, P., & Giakoumaki, S. G. (2022). Far transfer effects of executive working memory training on cognitive flexibility. Current Psychology, 1-9.
  
  •Stavroulaki, V., Ioakeimidis, V., Konstantoudaki, X., & Sidiropoulou, K. (2021). Enhanced synaptic properties of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus after learning a spatial working memory task in adult male mice. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 99(7), 1802-1814.
• Stavroulaki, V., Giakoumaki, S. G., & Sidiropoulou, K. (2021). Working memory training effects across the lifespan: Evidence from human and experimental animal studies. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 194, 111415.

Conference presentations

• Stavroulaki, V., Bitsios, B., Sidiropoulou, K., & Giakoumaki, S. G. Differences in cognitive flexibility after adaptive training of executive working memory between men and women. 32nd ECNP congress, 07 – 10 September 2019, Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Stavroulaki, V., Zafeiri, M., Bitsios, B., Giakoumaki, S. G. & Sidiropoulou, K. Working memory training on cognitive flexibility in women and female mice: Training gains, transfer and the neurobiological background. Fens Regional meeting (FRM), 10 – 13 July 2019, Belgrade, Sebia.
• Stavroulaki, V., Koufalis, V., Kazantzaki, E., Bitsios, P., Giakoumaki, S. G. & Sidiropoulou, K. Effects of working memory training on cognitive flexibility on both men and mouse. Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), 7 – 11 July 2018, Berlin, German.
• Stavroulaki, V., Kazantzaki, E., Bitsios, P., Giakoumaki, S. G. & Sidiropoulou, K. Effects of working memory training on cognitive flexibility on both men and women participants. 1st-Panhellenic Conference on Neuropsychology, 27-29 April 2018, Athens, Greece.
• Stavroulaki, V., Koufalis, V., Kazantzaki, E., Bitsios, P., Giakoumaki, S. G. & Sidiropoulou, K. Effects of working memory training on cognitive flexibility in both man and mouse. EBPS Biennial Meeting 2017, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.