Applied Cognitive Neuroscience

Applied Cognitive Neuroscience (ACN) at TMU spans 12 active research laboratories specializing in perception, attention, memory, emotion, decision-making, development, and cognitive aging. This research area is unique to TMU, blending the rigour and advanced methodologies of cognitive neuroscience with an emphasis on societal relevance.

ACN faculty use a wide variety of research methods including behavioural methods (accuracy, reaction time, eye tracking), psychophysics, computational modelling, electrophysiology (EEG/ERP), neuroendocrinology, brain stimulation (tRNS, tDCS) and functional neuroimaging (fMRI, fNIRS). Laboratories are housed in the Psychology Research and Training Centre, located in Toronto’s Discovery District, providing excellent opportunities for collaboration with surrounding hospitals, institutes, and industry. Graduate students affiliated with ACN are enrolled in either the Psychological Science program or the Clinical Psychology Program. Students enrolled in the Psychological Science program take complementary courses with an applied focus including Applied and Translational Research Methods, as well as practica that can be completed in non-academic settings (e.g., industry, non-profits, or government).

Participants are typically recruited from the community and the TMU student body. Middle‐aged and senior participants are recruited through ongoing partnerships with TMU's Chang School of Continuing Education, and our in-house TMU Senior Participant Pool. Infant and child participants are recruited through our in-house TMU Infant and Child Database. Through external collaborations we additionally have access to various clinical populations (e.g., Dementia, Hearing Loss, Schizophrenia). ACN labs maintain a high degree of research productivity with funding from NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, Mitacs, the Canada Research Chair Program, Brain and Behavior Foundation, and other agencies. ACN meetings tend to be held biweekly with a mix of in-house and invited guest speakers. The meetings are a lively forum for discussions, collaboration, and promotion of research excellence.

Researchers who are affiliated with this research area include:

• Dr. Alexandra Fiocco
• Dr. Todd Girard
• Dr. Molly Henry
• Dr. Behrang Keshavarz (external link, opens in new window) 
• Dr. Naomi Koerner
• Dr. Lili Ma
• Dr. Margaret Moulson
• Dr. Tisha Ornstein
• Dr. Brandon Paul
• Dr. Natasha Rajah
• Dr. Frank Russo
• Dr. Moriah Sokołowski
• Dr. Julia Spaniol
• Dr. Karl Szpunar
• Dr. Lixia Yang