Mehjabin Shirin, a PhD scholar in Optometry and Vision Sciences at the School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad (UoH), presented her doctoral research at the 28th Symposium of the International Colour Vision Society (ICVS), held in Brighton, United Kingdom, from 14 to 18 August 2026.
She received the ICVS 2026 Travel Grant Award for her presentation titled “NeuroColor Atlas: Physiological Mapping of Colour–Emotion Signatures in Healthy Aging and Early Dementia.”
Mehjabin is conducting her doctoral research under the supervision of Dr Shiva Ram Male, Assistant Professor, School of Medical Sciences. Her Doctoral Research Committee includes Dr Rashmin Gandhi, Adjunct Honorary Professor, UoH; Dr Baskar Theagarayan, University of Huddersfield; and Dr Phani Krishna P., University of Delhi. The study is being undertaken in collaboration with Dr Surya Prabha of NIMS Hyderabad.
Her research examines how colour perception and colour-related emotional responses vary among individuals with dementia. Although Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by progressive cognitive impairment, different aspects of colour recognition, perception, and interpretation may not be affected uniformly. The study seeks to develop a “NeuroColor Atlas” that maps how individuals with early dementia perceive and interpret colours, offering new insights into the relationship between colour processing, emotion, healthy ageing, and cognitive decline.
The presentation generated considerable interest among professors, vision scientists, and colour-vision researchers attending the symposium.
Prof. Ramesh Kumar Mishra, Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, congratulated Mehjabin and her supervisor on receiving the travel grant and commended the significance of her research on colour perception and dementia. He noted that interdisciplinary research of this nature strengthens UoH’s international visibility while highlighting the growing importance of Optometry and Vision Sciences education and research in India.