The ensemble of the human brain wiring configuration is known as the connectome. Using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, we can approximate the connectome and use it to increase our understanding of normal function and of neuro-diseases. However, the complex interactions between each steps from brain images to the final wires give rise to many potential […]

Cognitive scientists typically divide cognition between controlled and automatic processes. This framework construes controlled processes as being voluntary and effortful and automatic processes as involuntarily and effortless. Automatic processes are therefore considered outside the scope of voluntary control. Undermining this notion, studies show that hypnosis – an enhanced form of mental absorption and self-regulation – […]

Jogo Do Bicho, also known as the Brazilian Animal Game (BAG), is an immensely popular illegal gambling game in Brazil. Indeed, BAG generates over 60% more in revenues than legal lotteries. This is a concern as the revenue from BAG is used to fund criminal activities. Further, draws for BAG occur more frequently than the […]

The purpose of the funding is to provide initial support towards the establishment of an Inter-disciplinary Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre for Excellence. This center will be initiated between the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), Multi-Health Systems (MHS), Rehabilitation Research, Education and Evaluation Services (RREES), with consultation and data collection support by RTW Integrated Health Management […]

One in five youth exhibit maladaptive (i.e., externalizing, oppositional, explosive, aggressive) behaviours. These behaviours are costly in that they are linked to elevated levels of student, teacher, and familial stress. Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS), developed by Dr. Ross Greene (project collaborator) at Harvard University, teaches individuals to explore cognitive, emotional, social, and learning challenges […]

Corporate improv training is becoming a popular and effective method for enhancing a host of workplace skills such as leadership, communication, problem solving, collaboration, and adaptation. However, there is a lack of empirical research looking at the cognitive impacts of improv training in the workplace. As such, I am proposing to conduct a twelve-week improv […]

Since low health literacy is associated with poor health outcomes (e.g., poor management of chronic diseases – like HIV), which impacts the cost of healthcare in Canada, the current project aims to mitigate the effects of low health literacy. A recent report released by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) highlighted that considering health literacy […]

Researchers have recently proposed the concept of food addiction, postulating that certain foods can provoke addictive symptoms, similar to drugs of abuse. Current understanding of food addiction is, however, limited by a paucity of qualitative research examining the validity of this construct, and of cross-cultural research examining how food addiction is experienced in non-Western societies. […]

Cultural neuroscience is based on the theory that different values and behavioral practices across cultures influence information processing as well as neural structures. More specifically, it has been proposed that individualistic Westerners have an increased sensitivity to process central objects; while interdependent East Asians based on their collectivist culture have a tendency to process information […]

This project is a collaboration between the University of Victoria and Tecnoquímicas S. A., an industry leader in the production of pharmaceutical and household products in South America. The goal of the project is to psychologically characterize the executive leadership of the company (i.e., CEO’s). Specifically, the intern will utilize and further develop her expertise […]

The GeneSight (GS) Psychotropic Test (AssureRx Health, Inc.) measures individual variations in drug-related genes and recommends optimal drug choices for individual patients. A clinical study will be conducted to validate novel gene markers of antipsychotic-induced weight gain for use in an enhanced version of GS. Sarah Groleau will be responsible for genotyping DNA from 600 […]

Historically, executive coaching programs have focused on developing a leader’s competencies. More recently, the character of leaders has received increased attention in the media and in research literature. This can be attributed to the financial crisis of 2008-2009, which shined a spotlight on unethical decision-making by leaders in organizations. As a result, there is a […]