Dragana Manasova, PhD

I'm a postdoctoral researcher at the Lewis Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). I study sleep-wake regulation in humans using multimodal neuroimaging (high-field fMRI, EEG, physiological signals) combined with novel AI methods. 

My overall research focuses on systems and cognitive neuroscience, particularly in the context of global states of consciousness (such as sleep and disorders of consciousness). Specifically, I explore the emerging paradigm of understanding global states of consciousness as a heterogeneous continuum. In my research, I'm committed to advancing our understanding of consciousness from a multidisciplinary perspective. I use various methods, ranging from behavioral investigations to advanced multimodal neuroimaging (EEG, MEG, fMRI, PET), and machine learning. 

Previously, I was at the Paris Brain Institute (ICM/PBI) in the DreamTeam - Sleep Lab, working with Dr. Thomas Andrillon, where I worked on multimodal studies of local-sleep-like activity during sleep deprivation. I completed my PhD in the same institute in the PICNIC lab, building on a dual background in biomedical engineering and cognitive neuroscience. My academic journey has been enriched by international experiences, including PhD exchanges and lab visits at McGill University in Canada, the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.

Volunteering has been an integral part of my studies and academic career. I strive to create positive changes in my environment through active participation in various organizations and initiatives.  Recently, I was part of the Young Researchers Organization at ICM (Ajités).