Personal profile
Research Interests
My research focuses on the way sensory information (visual, vestibular and proprioceptive) and cognitive resources are used to control movement. My current work focuses on balance control by assesing sensory integration and cognitive resource allocation in this process in neurotypical, atypical and clinical populations including young and older adults, adults with autism, Parkinson's disease and major depression. The methods I use include posturography, motion capture (Qualisys and xsens), brain stimulation (TMS, tDCS) and neuroimaging (fNIRS).
Open to PhD applications in
1. Investigating sensory integration for balance control in young and older adults using fNIRS
2. The 15 minute city: Speed and gait characteristics in city walking
3. Balance control and sensory integration in autism
4. Walking in the city in people living with Parkinson's
Teaching
I teach in two undergraduate modules and I supervise Undergraduate, Masters and PhD students
PSY2064 Perception and Psychobiology
PSY3098 Ageing: Mind, Brain and Behaviour
Other
Programme Director, MSc in Psychological Science (Conversion)
I supervise the following PhD students
Primary Supervisor
Andrea Bianca Visser (DClin trainee)
Second supervisor
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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R6851PSY: All-island hub of research excellence in Parkinson's disease. Full application budget
Doumas, M. (PI), Hanna, D. (CoI), Latu, I. (CoI), Mitchell, G. (CoI) & Rodger, M. (CoI)
24/02/2026 → …
Project: Research
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R1147MEE: Queen's University Belfast Core Equipment Call 2019
Price, M. (PI), Best, R. (CoI), Dessing, J. C. (CoI), Doumas, M. (CoI), Hamill, G. (CoI), Latu, I. (CoI), Morrow, D. J. (CoI), Riley, D. (CoI), Rodger, M. (CoI) & Taylor, S. (CoI)
28/01/2020 → …
Project: Research
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R1669PSY: Dance for Parkinson’s: Improving quality of life and movement in people living with Parkinson’s in Northern Ireland.
Doumas, M. (PI) & Rodger, M. (CoI)
25/05/2022 → 31/12/2022
Project: Research
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R1067PSY: The role of cognition in older adults' postural adaptation and sensory reweighting
Doumas, M. (PI)
01/08/2011 → 31/12/2014
Project: Research
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Risk factors associated with injurious falls on snow or ice: results from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)
Leadbetter, B., Hennah, C., Diaz, M. F. F., Doumas, M. & Bouchard, D. R., 06 May 2026, (Early online date) In: Innovation in Aging.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Symphony of influence: dark tetrad traits and classical music preference as predictors of stress and cognitive performance
Welsh, C. A., Ferguson, L. M., Cotsarelis, S., Doyle, D., Doumas, M. & Papageorgiou, K. A., 06 Apr 2026, (Accepted) In: International Journal of Stress Management.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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A scoping review of educational and training interventions on Parkinson's disease for staff in care home settings
Finlay, S., Anderson, T., Henderson, E., Brown Wilson, C., Stark, P., Carter, G., Rodger, M., Doumas, M., O'Shea, E., Creighton, L., Craig, S., Crooks, S., Gillis, A. & Mitchell, G., 13 Jan 2025, In: Nursing Reports. 15, 1, 15 p., 20.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)144 Downloads (Pure) -
A systematic review of autistic adults’ experiences of anxiety from a qualitative perspective
Da Silva, A. B., Berry, E., Craig, S. & Doumas, M., 13 Dec 2025, (Early online date) In: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile7 Downloads (Pure) -
Evaluating the short-term effects of dance on motor and non-motor outcomes in people living with Parkinson’s: a crossover study
Carapellotti, A. M., Rodger, M. & Doumas, M., 31 Jul 2025, In: PLOS ONE. 20, 7, 14 p., e0328293.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)23 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Winner, Annual School of Psychology ICARE Awards 2023
Doumas, M. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Presentation on North-South PD LIFE project at the Parkinson's UK RIG
Doumas, M. (Invited speaker) & Rodger, M. (Invited speaker)
17 Feb 2026Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Sensory integration for postural control in healthy ageing and in people living with Parkinson's.
Doumas, M. (Invited speaker)
16 Jan 2026Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Presentation to the Parkinson's UK research event: Introduction to the North-South Parkinson's research network PD LIFE
Doumas, M. (Contributor), Rodger, M. (Contributor) & Loughran, C. (Contributor)
28 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Postural Adaptation and Sensory Reweighting for Postural Control in People Living with Parkinson’s
Doumas, M. (Invited speaker)
12 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Presentation at the Parkinson's UK RIG on Parkinson's research at QUB
Doumas, M. (Invited speaker) & Rodger, M. (Invited speaker)
02 Sept 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
Press/Media
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BBC news: 'A whiskey a day' - is this the secret to reaching 100?
25/10/2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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BBC Newsline: Hands-free phone ban for drivers 'should be considered'
13/08/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Capturing Grace documentary screening
Doumas, M. & Carapellotti, A.
01/05/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
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Cognitively and socially induced stress affects postural control
23/11/2017
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
Impacts
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Contribution to BBC Radio Ulster series: Science and Stuff, part 2, How Music Works
Doumas, M. (Participant) & Carapellotti, A. (Participant)
Impact
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Improving motor and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease through dance
Doumas, M. (Participant) & Carapellotti, A. (Participant)
Impact