Dr Po Ling (Polly) Chen is an Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology. Her research focuses on the ageing brain and age-related neuropsychological conditions. She investigates early detection of cognitive decline using innovative methods such as saccadic eye movement testing, with particular emphasis on whether these types of eye movement performance can serve as a predictor of brain and cognitive health, as well as an objective marker of mental fatigue.

Dr Chen also examines potential therapeutic approaches to slow or mitigate brain deterioration, with a focus on the efficacy of neuromodulation techniques, including non-invasive electrical stimulation, in alleviating age-related cognitive deficits and reducing the behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia, including psychotic symptoms. In addition, her work also explores social ageing and wellbeing, dementia care, caregivers burden and the support system.

Dr Chen has established the Nottingham Psychological Assessments Library at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, a research initiative dedicated to addressing the validity of neuropsychological assessments in Malaysia. This work involves the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of psychological assessment tools to ensure their suitability for multicultural and multilingual populations.