Employment
February 2024 onwards
Lane Clark & Peacock LLP
Health Analytics Associate Consultant
I build statistical and machine learning models that extract meaningful insights from real-world healthcare data. My responsibilities will also include protocol development, the design and execution of analyses, project management, quality control, report composition, and stakeholder/client engagement.
Education
2020 - 2023
University of Cambridge
PhD in Medical Science at the MRC Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit
My PhD was supervised by Professor Duncan Astle. The goal of my research has been to uncover the neural mechanisms that support different trajectories of brain development, especially in developmental conditions like ADHD and autism. To do this, I used graph-theoretic models and machine learning methods to study the structural topology and functional dynamics of brain networks in humans.
2016-2020
University of St Andrews
MA (Honours) in Psychology (specialism in Cognitive Neuroscience)
Degree Classification Awarded: First Class
Academic Awards and Commendations:
-
Dean’s List (2017-2018 & 2019-2020)
-
Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Contribution to Psychology & Neuroscience (2020)
Technical Skills
-
Highly experienced in using Python and MATLAB for statistical analysis and data visualisation, with a particular focus on:
-
Cleaning and preprocessing large datasets, including questionnaires and cognitive tests, electrophysiological timeseries data, and neurological data from MRI and fMRI.
-
Applying machine learning techniques (such as Hidden Markov Modelling, clustering, and a variety of neural network architectures) to uncover trends in large, high-dimensional datasets.
-
Building neural network models (CNNs, RNNs, and fine-tuned transformers) to perform classification and regression on image, timeseries, and NLP datasets.
-
Constructing, summarising, and analysing network models of complex quantitative datasets using graph-theoretic measures.
-
Using statistical testing to analyse data, construct theoretical models, and falsify results from experimental paradigms.
-
Visualising results clearly using a range of toolboxes and software packages, including ggplot in R, Python Seaborn, PowerPoint, Tableau, and Photoshop.
-
-
Experienced in using the Microsoft Office suite and SQL for data management and the clear presentation of results in the context of individual and collaborative projects.
-
Fully trained in using Electroencephalography (EEG), Magnetoencephalography (MEG), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to collect and process neurophysiological data.
Other areas of expertise
-
Leadership and project management, biotechnology, large-scale outreach projects, and policy creation.
-
Scientific writing and publishing.
-
Public engagement writing and scientific outreach
-
Shortlisted for the MRC Max Perutz Science Writing Award in 2022, with an extensive track record of writing articles and doing informative presentations for academic and lay audiences
-
Academic Publications
Toffoli, L., Zdorovtsova, N., Epihova, G., Duma, G.M., Cristaldi, F.D.P., Pastore, M., Astle, D.E., & Mento, G. (2024). Dynamic transient brain states in preschoolers mirror parental report of behavior and emotion regulation. In preprint on BioRxiv.
Zdorovtsova, N., Young, E.J., Akarca, D., Anwyl-Irvine, A., & Astle, D.E. (2023). The entropy of resting-state neural dynamics is a marker of general cognitive ability in childhood. In preprint on BioRxiv.
Zdorovtsova, N., Jones, J., Akarca, D., Benhamou, E. & Astle, D.E. (2023). Exploring Neural Heterogeneity in Inattention and Hyperactivity. Cortex, 164, 90-111.
General Publications
Zdorovtsova, N. (2023). Inclusive policies for schools. Published by the Bennett Institute for Public Policy.
Zdorovtsova, N., Alcorn, A. M., & Astle, D.E. (2023). Belonging in School Executive Summary: School-level approaches for developing inclusive policy. Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge.
Alcorn, A.M., Zdorovtsova, N., & Astle, D.E. (2023). Belonging in School Part 1: An Introduction to School-level Approaches for Developing Inclusive Policy. Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge.
Alcorn, A.M., Zdorovtsova, N., & Astle, D.E. (2023). Belonging in School Part 2: A Practical Guide to Inclusive Policy Planning. Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge.
Zdorovtsova, N. (2022). Scientists must embrace the reality of neurodiversity. Published in Varsity Magazine.
Zdorovtsova, N. (2021). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Brief Summary of Key Research. Salvesen Mindroom Centre, Edinburgh, UK.
Zdorovtsova, N. (2020). What is Life? A Crash Course to Autopoiesis. Published in Varsity Magazine.
Additional Positions and Internships
September 2022-September 2023
Co-Lead Organiser, Belonging in School initiative
-
Diverse Trajectories to Good Developmental Outcomes Workshop (November 2022): Led the process of organising and facilitating a multi-disciplinary workshop as part of the Global Scientific Conference on Global Flourishing. This event brought together dozens of leaders in academic research, the charity sector, policy, education, and clinical practice to engage in collaborative processes aimed at improving school-level and national policies in the UK. More information about the event can be found here.
-
Belonging in School Initiative (February-September 2023): Following evidence gathered during the Workshop, I collaborated within a small team to produce a free, comprehensive set of evidence-based resources for the development of equitable school policies, as well as organise a launch event for these materials that brought together relevant stakeholders. The resources can be found here.
January 2021-2022
Founder, Cerebrium Technologies
I have experience as a founder in the portable EEG startup space. In 2021, Cerebrium participated in Cohort IV of Conception X, a London-based deep tech startup accelerator. In my time as CEO, my team and I designed a new open-source EEG headset with modern components.
2019-2020
President of the School of Psychology & Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews
I served as the School President for my department, which involved:
-
Representing all students within the School of Psychology & Neuroscience and chairing meetings between students and faculty
-
Managing a team of class representatives
-
Organising training events and workshops centred around career development and postgraduate study
Organising the Psychology, Neuroscience, and Biology Student Conference. An archived version of the 2020 conference website can be found here.
2018-2020
Research Internship: What Kind of Mind? (University of St Andrews)
I conducted a research project centred around investigating public assumptions and biases concerning animal minds and the scientific method with Drs Juan Carlos Gomez, Amanda Seed, and Derek Ball.
May-October 2019
Research Internship: What Kind of Mind? (University of St Andrews)
I conducted a research project focusing on foraging behaviours and navigation in great apes. This involved contributing to ongoing research at Edinburgh Zoo’s Living Links primate lab in collaboration with Dr Josep Call, as well as assisting with a chimpanzee virtual reality foraging task.
Extracurricular
I am a semi-professional painter. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, photography, traditional Ukrainian cooking, and weightlifting.
​
Since 2021, I have also served on the organising committee for Luminomelia Cambridge, an interdisciplinary forum that hosts research talks about advancements in the biological sciences, AI, and more.