Catharina's research aims to further the understanding of the neural signatures of movement execution and movement imagination to facilitate human motor plasticity.

Catharina's key research method is mobile and high-density electroencephalography (EEG), but she also uses magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy (f/MRI, fNIRS), and simultaneous EEG-fMRI and EEG-fNIRS recordings. Moreover, she has applied EEG-based neurofeedback, fMRI-based neurofeedback, and non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) to modulate neural activity. 

Catharina leads the MEG work within the Stagg Group.

Daeglau M, Zich C, Welzel J, Saak SK, Scheffels JF, Kranczioch C

Motor Imagery EEG neurofeedback skill acquisition in the context of declarative interference and sleep

Mardell LC, O’Neill GC, Tierney TM, Timms RC, Zich C, Barnes G, Bestmann S

Concurrent spinal and brain imaging with optically pumped magnetometers

Andrushko JW, Levenstein JM, Zich C, Edmond EC, Campbell J, Clarke WT, Emir UE, Farthing JP, Stagg CJ

Repeated unilateral handgrip contractions alter functional connectivity and improve contralateral limb response times: A neuroimaging study