Isabelle is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Leiden University with Professor Ineke van der Ham and Associate Professor Antoinette van Laarhoven.

More information about Isabelle Kaiko

Research

Isabelle’s research investigates how individual differences in neuropsychology, attention, and cognition shape the ability to navigate and adapt to our environment. She examines the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying navigational impairments, with the aim of improving assessment and support for individuals with navigation‑related difficulties. In parallel, she studies attention differences in chronic itch and chronic pain, using network‑based analytical approaches to clarify how cognitive processes contribute to symptom perception and maintenance. Across these lines of work, she integrates experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and network methods to understand how perceptual and cognitive systems respond and adapt across varied contexts.

Career

Isabelle completed her Bachelor of Science with a Double Major in Psychology (First Class Honours) at the University of Western Australia in 2019. She then continued her research training and completed her PhD in 2024 under an RTP Stipend Scholarship. Her dissertation, "Getting Stuck Daydreaming: The Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Anxiety While Mind‑Wandering", supervised by Professor Caroline Hunt, Professor Muireann Irish, and Associate Professor Jemma Todd, examined how cognitive flexibility contributes to anxiety during spontaneous thought.

Following her PhD, Isabelle worked as a Senior Data Insights Analyst in the Premier’s Department New South Wales, Department of Aboriginal Affairs. In this role, she contributed to evidence‑informed policy development and helped ensure that Aboriginal community perspectives were accurately represented in government decision‑making processes through research and data insights. Alongside her academic work, Isabelle has supported at‑risk youth as a Mental Health Advocate and contributed to community engagement initiatives through various non‑profit organisations.

Since 2026, Isabelle has been a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Leiden University.