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The Female Brain Studied at Scale

We study sex-specific patterns in brain structure, cognition, and health outcomes in clinical and population-based cohorts. Our research interests include female transition phases; adolescence, pregnancy, menopause, and ageing, as well as sex differences in risk factors and disease trajectories.

 

We are actively engaged in science communication and advocacy for inclusive, data-driven approaches to brain health research. Our work has been supported by competitive grants from major funders including the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Research Council of Norway.

FEMILAB TEAM

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Dr Ann-Marie de Lange

Leader of FemiLab

a.delange@qmul.ac.uk

Ann-Marie is a neuroscientist and clinical psychologist specialising in population neuroscience and applied machine learning. She is a Lecturer (Teaching & Research) at Queen Mary University of London, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Oxford and University of Oslo.

 

Her research combines neuroimaging (MRI), clinical, genetic, and psychosocial data to study brain health and disease risk, with a particular focus on women’s brain and mental health across the lifespan. Ann-Marie has extensive experience in science communication through high-profile platforms such as TEDx and the BBC, and is the author of a forthcoming popular-science book on the female brain.​​

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Dr Sivaniya Subramaniapillai

Affiliated Research Fellow

sivaniya.Subramaniapillai@unil.ch

Sivaniya is a former FemiLab Postdoctoral Fellow and current PI of the Diverse Brains project at Unisanté in Lausanne, Switzerland.

 

Her research aims to develop inclusive brain health models that better serve diverse populations globally. With expertise in sex differences in brain health and dementia risk, she investigates how intersectionality and environmental influences shape brain ageing — particularly in relation to sex, gender, and women’s health.​

Sivaniya has an award-winning track record in public engagement, including first place in the 2024 international FameLab competition with her talk “A recipe to improve diversity in Alzheimer’s disease”.

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Affiliated PhD students & Research Assistants

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Unisanté

PhD student

Project/lab: Diverse brains: A global, inclusive approach to health equity in brain aging (PI: Dr Sivaniya Subramaniapillai)

Madelene C. Holm

University of Oslo

PhD student

Project/lab: BRAINMINT: Brains and minds in transition (PI: Prof. Lars Westlye)

Previous member | Dr Louise S. Schindler

Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV)

Former PhD student

Project/lab: FemiLab: Women's Brain Health Across the Lifespan (PI Dr de Lange)

Previous member | Pia Lustig

Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV)

Former RA Intern

Project/lab: FemiLab: Women's Brain Health Across the Lifespan (PI Dr de Lange)

Previous member Sara Chergia

Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV)

Former RA Intern

Project/lab: FemiLab: Women's Brain Health Across the Lifespan (PI Dr de Lange)

Previous member | Dr Michelle Jansen

Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV)

Former visiting PhD student

Project/lab: Cognitive AgingDonders Centre for Cognition (PI Prof. Joukje Oosterman)

Previous member | Dr Dani Beck

University of Oslo

Former PhD student

Previous member Dr Irene Voldsbekk

University of Oslo

Former RCN Intern

Team

PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS

publications

PUBLICATION LIST

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