Zayba is a Post-doctoral Research Associate and works full-time on the Move2Learn project. She completed her PhD in Developmental Psychology at University College London, where she was awarded a competitive scholarship by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Her research primarily focuses on conceptual development and conceptual progression in young children in areas of scientific thinking.
Her other research interests include the role of executive functions and other domain general capabilities on conceptual progression, naïve theories of learning, how developing language can influence scientific understanding, and the role of technology on learning. She regularly employs advanced statistical methods to inform her research, and has taught on classes including: Research Methods and Advanced Research Methods Child and Adolescence Development, Educational Studies, Developmental Disabilities, and Educational Neuroscience.
Zayba was awarded a grant by the British Psychological Society to undertake an internship at the Ontario Science Centre where she was able to collect data alongside researchers at the University of Toronto. Zayba has also worked as a consultant for UNESCO, writing reports on the challenges girls face worldwide in entering STEM education and STEM professions, and has previously worked as a Senior Analyst for local government.