BrainsCAN's Postdoctoral Associates
Through the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, BrainsCAN is bringing the world’s most promising early career cognitive neuroscientists to Western University. Training the next generation of researchers is a key aim of BrainsCAN, and postdoctoral fellows are the engines of innovative research.
In fall 2017, the first set of fellows joined the program under the designation of a BrainsCAN Fellow or Postdoctoral Associate.
Learn about the Postdoctoral Associates and their research.
Current BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associates:
Marieka DeVuono, Roy Haast, Ahmed Hashad, Hiroyuki Igarashi, Jonathan Michaels
Former BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associates:
Justine Cléry, Felix Desmeules-Trudel, Chelsea Ekstrand, Chris Forgaard, Cassandra Lowe, Christina McDonnell, Sasha Reschechtko, Mojtaba Soltanlou, Swathi Swaminathan, Melissa Troyer, Joana Vieira, Jeff Weiler, Yiming Xiao
Current BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associates
Marieka DeVuono
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Psychology and Neuroscience - University of Guelph
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Psychology and Neuroscience - University of Guelph
Investigating sex and dose-dependent cognitive impairments produced by adolescent THC exposure
Supervisor(s): Dr. Steven Laviolette, Dr. Susanne Schmid, Dr. Walter RushlowResearch Information:
Cannabis use during adolescence can lead to long-term cognitive deficits and is associated with an increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders later in life. The primary psychoactive component of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may interrupt normal brain maturation during this critical period of development, leading to long-term cognitive consequences. The specific neurobiological mechanisms of these impairments remain unknown. Using a preclinical model of adolescent THC exposure, this project will investigate the neural pathways and molecular changes underlying cognitive impairments produced by adolescent THC exposure. A variety of THC doses will be investigated because THC is known to produce biphasic effects on multiple cognitive processes, where low and high doses often produce opposite effects. Higher potency cannabis is also associated with greater cognitive risks. Moreover, THC is known to produce sex-specific effects, yet the majority of research on the effect of adolescent THC exposure has been done exclusively in males. This project will also address this knowledge gap and investigate the sex-dependent effects of THC on cognitive development. Results from this study will advance our knowledge of the long-term consequences of adolescent cannabis use and have the potential to influence the development of treatments for disorders with cognitive impairments.
Cannabis use during adolescence can lead to long-term cognitive deficits and is associated with an increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders later in life. The primary psychoactive component of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may interrupt normal brain maturation during this critical period of development, leading to long-term cognitive consequences. The specific neurobiological mechanisms of these impairments remain unknown. Using a preclinical model of adolescent THC exposure, this project will investigate the neural pathways and molecular changes underlying cognitive impairments produced by adolescent THC exposure. A variety of THC doses will be investigated because THC is known to produce biphasic effects on multiple cognitive processes, where low and high doses often produce opposite effects. Higher potency cannabis is also associated with greater cognitive risks. Moreover, THC is known to produce sex-specific effects, yet the majority of research on the effect of adolescent THC exposure has been done exclusively in males. This project will also address this knowledge gap and investigate the sex-dependent effects of THC on cognitive development. Results from this study will advance our knowledge of the long-term consequences of adolescent cannabis use and have the potential to influence the development of treatments for disorders with cognitive impairments.
Roy Haast
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Neuroimaging - Maastricht University
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Neuroimaging - Maastricht University
Hippocampal subregion characterization using vascular ultra-high field MRI
Supervisor(s): Dr. Ali Khan, Dr. Stefan KöhlerResearch Information:
The hippocampal formation is of vital importance for proper daily life functioning as it allows us to store and recall information. During this project, I will mainly focus on the anatomical and vascular differences across different parts of the hippocampal formation and how these relate to their functional specialization with respect to memory processing. The results of this project will (a) contribute to an enhanced understanding of the hippocampal formation, (b) facilitate the development of novel subregion-specific markers, and (c) fill current knowledge gaps to guide the interpretation of the observed structural and functional changes in neurodegenerative and vascular diseases.
The hippocampal formation is of vital importance for proper daily life functioning as it allows us to store and recall information. During this project, I will mainly focus on the anatomical and vascular differences across different parts of the hippocampal formation and how these relate to their functional specialization with respect to memory processing. The results of this project will (a) contribute to an enhanced understanding of the hippocampal formation, (b) facilitate the development of novel subregion-specific markers, and (c) fill current knowledge gaps to guide the interpretation of the observed structural and functional changes in neurodegenerative and vascular diseases.
Ahmed Hashad
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences - University of Calgary
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences - University of Calgary
Cortical Microcircuits Underlying Stress-induced Cognitive Impairments
Supervisor(s): Dr. Wataru Inoue, Dr. Julio Martinez-Trujillo, Dr. Lisa Saksida, Dr. Tim BusseyResearch Information:
Stress impairs memory in healthy individuals and worsens it in mental illnesses. These impairments arise from defects in a specific brain region. We propose that a chemical signal that is produced during stress will suppress the activity of this brain region and impair memory. First, we will develop a state-of-the-art technique to sensitively measure this chemical signal in the brain during stress. Next, we will use an advanced memory testing system to examine the effects of this stress signal on specific types of memory. Interestingly, this protein is more abundant in females. So, we will test sex-specific effects of this protein.
Stress impairs memory in healthy individuals and worsens it in mental illnesses. These impairments arise from defects in a specific brain region. We propose that a chemical signal that is produced during stress will suppress the activity of this brain region and impair memory. First, we will develop a state-of-the-art technique to sensitively measure this chemical signal in the brain during stress. Next, we will use an advanced memory testing system to examine the effects of this stress signal on specific types of memory. Interestingly, this protein is more abundant in females. So, we will test sex-specific effects of this protein.
Hiroyuki Igarashi
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Medical Sciences - Tohoku University, Japan
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Medical Sciences - Tohoku University, Japan
Optogenetic manipulation of intracellular calcium ion dynamics to regulate neural plasticity during stress
Supervisor(s): Dr. Wataru Inoue, Dr. Julio Martinez-Trujillo, Dr. Marco PradoResearch Information:
Stress impairs cognitive ability in otherwise healthy individuals and dramatically affects memory and learning in disparate brain disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders and autism. The effects of stress on cognition is due in part to the dysregulation of neural plasticity. This project will explain the spatiotemporal association of internal calcium ion – one of the second messengers – to neural plasticity and their roles in stress-induced cognitive impairment in mouse models.
Stress impairs cognitive ability in otherwise healthy individuals and dramatically affects memory and learning in disparate brain disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders and autism. The effects of stress on cognition is due in part to the dysregulation of neural plasticity. This project will explain the spatiotemporal association of internal calcium ion – one of the second messengers – to neural plasticity and their roles in stress-induced cognitive impairment in mouse models.
Jonathan Michaels
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Systems Neuroscience - University of Göttingen, Germany
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Systems Neuroscience - University of Göttingen, Germany
Neural and Computational Basis of Goal-Dependent Feedback Control
Supervisor(s): Dr. Andrew Pruszynski, Dr. Jörn DiedrichsenResearch Information:
Think fast - a colleague unexpectedly bumps into your arm while you’re carrying your coffee mug. If the cup is full of hot coffee your reaction will look strikingly different than if the cup is empty. Understanding how the brain incorporates high-level contextual information while dealing with unexpected sensory feedback is essential in understanding movement. Yet, the brain regions and computational principles involved remain unclear. In this project we will generate a novel set of behavioural tasks, recording techniques, network models, and biomechanical modeling tools to elucidate the circuits and computations involved in using context and expectation to make feedback corrections in humans and NHP.
Think fast - a colleague unexpectedly bumps into your arm while you’re carrying your coffee mug. If the cup is full of hot coffee your reaction will look strikingly different than if the cup is empty. Understanding how the brain incorporates high-level contextual information while dealing with unexpected sensory feedback is essential in understanding movement. Yet, the brain regions and computational principles involved remain unclear. In this project we will generate a novel set of behavioural tasks, recording techniques, network models, and biomechanical modeling tools to elucidate the circuits and computations involved in using context and expectation to make feedback corrections in humans and NHP.
Former BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associates
Justine Cléry
Assistant Professor
McGill University
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2017 - 2021)
BrainsCAN Fellow (2021 - 2022)
Ultra-high field functional mapping of the multisensory integration network in NHPs
Supervisor(s): Dr. Stefan Everling, Dr. Ravi Menon, Dr. Stefan Everling, Dr. Andrew Pruszynski
PhD, Neurosciences and Cognition - Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, France
Assistant Professor
McGill University
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2017 - 2021)
BrainsCAN Fellow (2021 - 2022)
Ultra-high field functional mapping of the multisensory integration network in NHPs
Supervisor(s): Dr. Stefan Everling, Dr. Ravi Menon, Dr. Stefan Everling, Dr. Andrew Pruszynski
PhD, Neurosciences and Cognition - Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, France
Chelsea Ekstrand
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
University of Lethbridge
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2019 - 2020)
Advancing inter-subject correlation approaches to naturalistic cognition using immersive virtual environments
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jody Culham, Dr. Ingrid Johnsrude
PhD, Psychology, Cognition and Neuroscience - University of Saskatchewan
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
University of Lethbridge
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2019 - 2020)
Advancing inter-subject correlation approaches to naturalistic cognition using immersive virtual environments
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jody Culham, Dr. Ingrid Johnsrude
PhD, Psychology, Cognition and Neuroscience - University of Saskatchewan
Chris Forgaard
Research Officer
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2019 - 2021)
Neuroplasticity in sensorimotor feedback driven by visual observation
Supervisor(s): Dr. Paul Gribble, Dr. Andrew Pruszynski
PhD, Human Motor Control - University of British Columbia
Research Officer
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2019 - 2021)
Neuroplasticity in sensorimotor feedback driven by visual observation
Supervisor(s): Dr. Paul Gribble, Dr. Andrew Pruszynski
PhD, Human Motor Control - University of British Columbia
Cassandra Lowe
Began as a Tier I BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Fellow in August, 2019.
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2018 - 2019)
Assessment of the neural mechanisms underlying self-regulation, and the factors that influence the development of these mechanisms
Supervisor(s): Dr. J. Bruce Morton
PhD, Public Health and Health Systems - University of Waterloo
Began as a Tier I BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Fellow in August, 2019.
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2018 - 2019)
Assessment of the neural mechanisms underlying self-regulation, and the factors that influence the development of these mechanisms
Supervisor(s): Dr. J. Bruce Morton
PhD, Public Health and Health Systems - University of Waterloo
Christina McDonnell
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology, Clinical Science Area
Faculty Affiliate, VT Center for Autism Research
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, United States
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2018 - 2019)
The Neurobiology of Autobiographical Memory and Emotion Socialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Supervisor(s): Dr. Ryan Stevenson, Dr. Elizabeth Hayden
PhD, Clinical Psychology - University of Notre Dame
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology, Clinical Science Area
Faculty Affiliate, VT Center for Autism Research
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, United States
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2018 - 2019)
The Neurobiology of Autobiographical Memory and Emotion Socialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Supervisor(s): Dr. Ryan Stevenson, Dr. Elizabeth Hayden
PhD, Clinical Psychology - University of Notre Dame
Mojtaba Soltanlou
Began as a Tier I BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Fellow in June, 2020.
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2019 - 2020)
How do we know “2” but not “3” means “two”? Neural correlates of symbolic number knowledge in kindergarteners
Supervisor(s): Dr. Daniel Ansari, Dr. Marc Joanisse
PhD, Neuroscience – University of Tübingen
Began as a Tier I BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Fellow in June, 2020.
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2019 - 2020)
How do we know “2” but not “3” means “two”? Neural correlates of symbolic number knowledge in kindergarteners
Supervisor(s): Dr. Daniel Ansari, Dr. Marc Joanisse
PhD, Neuroscience – University of Tübingen
Swathi Swaminathan
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2020 - 2022)
Travelling through time with music: Assessing the use of music to support autobiographical memory in older adults with and without Alzheimer’s disease
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jessica Grahn, Dr. Stefan Köhler, Dr. Elizabeth Finger
PhD, Psychology – University of Toronto
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2020 - 2022)
Travelling through time with music: Assessing the use of music to support autobiographical memory in older adults with and without Alzheimer’s disease
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jessica Grahn, Dr. Stefan Köhler, Dr. Elizabeth Finger
PhD, Psychology – University of Toronto
Melissa Troyer
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Illinois
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2019 - 2020)
Integrating big data and neuroimaging to understand variation in knowledge organization and its influence on language comprehension
Supervisor(s): Dr. Ken McRae, Dr. Marc Joanisse, Dr. Stefan Köhler
PhD, Cognitive Science - University of California, San Diego
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Illinois
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2019 - 2020)
Integrating big data and neuroimaging to understand variation in knowledge organization and its influence on language comprehension
Supervisor(s): Dr. Ken McRae, Dr. Marc Joanisse, Dr. Stefan Köhler
PhD, Cognitive Science - University of California, San Diego
Joana Vieira (top-up)
Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2017 - 2018)
Does sensitivity to others’ fear promote the willingness to help them in threatening situations?
Supervisor(s): Dr. Derek Mitchell
PhD, Neuroscience - University of Porto, Portugal
Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2017 - 2018)
Does sensitivity to others’ fear promote the willingness to help them in threatening situations?
Supervisor(s): Dr. Derek Mitchell
PhD, Neuroscience - University of Porto, Portugal
Yiming Xiao
Began as a Tier I BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Fellow in June, 2020.
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2018 - 2020)
Incorporating human brain connectome in planning deep brain stimulation to treat Parkinson's disease
Supervisor(s): Dr. Terry Peters, Dr. Ali Khan
PhD, Biomedical Engineering - McGill University
Began as a Tier I BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Fellow in June, 2020.
BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Associate (2018 - 2020)
Incorporating human brain connectome in planning deep brain stimulation to treat Parkinson's disease
Supervisor(s): Dr. Terry Peters, Dr. Ali Khan
PhD, Biomedical Engineering - McGill University
