Sonia Bishop

Sonia Bishop is an esteemed Associate Professor in the Vision Science department at the University of California, Berkeley. With a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of London, UK, she has carved a niche for herself in the field of Cognitive Neuroscience, with a particular focus on cognition. Her research is primarily centered on understanding how anxiety and other trait characteristics, alongside genetic variations, influence the neural mechanisms involved in the controlled processing of salient stimuli. Professor Bishop employs a diverse array of methodologies to explore her research questions, including cognitive-behavioral studies, functional neuro-imaging, functional genetics, and investigations involving clinical populations. Her work is pivotal in unraveling the complexities of how attention and emotion are supported by neural mechanisms and how these processes interact with one another. Her research interests are broad yet interconnected, encompassing the neural mechanisms that underpin attention and emotion, individual differences in cognitive control, and emotional responsivity. She is particularly intrigued by the neural substrates of anxiety and the genetic factors that modulate the recruitment of cortical control and limbic affective mechanisms. Through her innovative research, Sonia Bishop contributes significantly to the understanding of individual differences in cognitive and emotional processing. Her work not only advances theoretical knowledge but also has practical implications for developing interventions for anxiety and related disorders. Her dedication to exploring the intricate interplay between emotion, cognition, and neural mechanisms continues to inspire both her peers and students in the field of psychology.