Collaborators
Charlie Stagg (University of Oxford)
Melanie Fleming (University of Oxford)
Mark Woolrich (University of Oxford)
Sven Bestmann (University College London)
Nick Ward (University College London)
Sebastian Sporn (University College London)
Andrew Quinn (University of Birmingham)
Alex Sel (University of Essex)
Catharina Zich
PhD
Postdoctoral Scientist
I am a postdoctoral scientist in the Physiological Neuroimaging Group (PiNG) headed by Charlie Stagg.
Research Topics
Motor (re-)learning
We (re-)learn motor skills every day: from mastering a new music piece to learning how to use a fork and knife again following injury. However, there is much we still do not understand about the behaviour and the neural mechanisms underlying complex motor (re-)learning.
Stroke rehabilitation
Stroke is the commonest cause of adult complex disability in the world. A major opportunity for improving outcomes is to target the mechanisms of brain recovery and repair. I currently work on biomarkers for spontaneous recovery in the acute stage and therapy-induced recovery in the chronic stage post-stroke.
Research Methods
I use multi-modal neuroimaging with a strong focus on electrophysiology. To study naturalistic movements in naturalistic environments I use high-quality mobile EEG. To investigate high-frequency activity (i.e., gamma activity) or examine spatial properties in more detail I use MEG.
Focussing on more complex movements we use the Kinarm to capture detailed kinematic information and link these to brain signals.
Potential research projects
I offer shorter research projects for undergraduate and postgraduate theses and internships. I welcome enquiries from potential DPhil (PhD) students. Please email me.
Teaching
I teach in B.A. Biomedical Sciences (Module: Brain & Behaviour: Brain) and M.Sc. Neuroscience (Module: Motor Systems).
Key publications
Spatiotemporal organisation of human sensorimotor beta burst activity.
Journal article
Zich C. et al, (2023), Elife, 12
Self-modulation of motor cortex activity after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.
Journal article
Sanders Z-B. et al, (2022), Brain, 145, 3391 - 3404
Dissecting Transient Burst Events.
Journal article
Zich C. et al, (2020), Trends Cogn Sci, 24, 784 - 788
Neurophysiological signatures of hand motor response to dual-transcranial direct current stimulation in subacute stroke: a TMS and MEG study.
Journal article
Kuo I-J. et al, (2020), J Neuroeng Rehabil, 17
Real-time EEG feedback during simultaneous EEG-fMRI identifies the cortical signature of motor imagery.
Journal article
Zich C. et al, (2015), Neuroimage, 114, 438 - 447
Recent publications
The Effects of Varying Intensities of Unilateral Handgrip Fatigue on Bilateral Movement.
Journal article
Knorz AL. et al, (2025), Brain Sci, 16
Standardisation in acute stroke research: A scoping review of upper limb assessments against Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable (SRRR) benchmarks.
Journal article
Doric M. et al, (2025), Clin Rehabil
Differential Beta and Gamma Activity Modulation during Unimanual and Bimanual Motor Learning.
Journal article
Wu M. et al, (2025), J Neurosci, 45
Nature documentaries vs. quiet rest: no evidence for an impact on event-related desynchronization during motor imagery and neurofeedback.
Journal article
Decker J. et al, (2025), Front Hum Neurosci, 19
Human motor cortical gamma activity relates to GABAergic intracortical inhibition and motor learning.
Journal article
Zich C. et al, (2025), Imaging Neurosci (Camb), 3
