Dr. Jude Bek recently completed a Marie Skłodowska-Curie/Research Ireland DOROTHY Fellowship, jointly held between the UCD School of Psychology and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education at the University of Toronto. Her research investigates how motor-cognitive strategies, including motor imagery, action observation, and dance, can be used to improve movement and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease and to support healthy ageing. Using tools such as markerless motion capture, digital health technologies, and non-invasive brain stimulation, Jude aim to develop accessible, evidence-based training and rehabilitation interventions.

Previously, she held postdoctoral research positions at University College Dublin, the University of Toronto, and the University of Manchester. She completed her PhD at the University of Sheffield and her MRes at the University of Birmingham.

Jude’s interdisciplinary research spans cognitive neuroscience, psychology, movement science, and neurorehabilitation. She is particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying motor cognition and translating this knowledge into innovative interventions for Parkinson’s disease and healthy ageing. An important focus of her current work is the development of digitally delivered motor-cognitive training that can increase access to personalised therapeutic activity. Patient and public involvement is integral to her research, ensuring that interventions are developed in partnership with the people they are designed to support.