Scientific Directors
Director: Alan Evans
Associate Director: Doina Precup
Research Themes
Theme 1: Neuroinformatics and Computational Modelling
Leader: Blake Richards
"The human brain is the most sophisticated, adaptable computer known to exist. It still outperforms even the most advanced digital supercomputers in the world in areas like perception, motor control and communication. Understanding this incredible computer and treating it when it suffers problems cannot be achieved without insights from computer science. The task before us will require sophisticated formal models and advanced neuroinformatics for analyzing experimental data."
Associate Leader: Boris Bernhardt
Theme 2: Mechanistic Models of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Leader: Sylvia Villeneuve
“Brain aging is complex. There is often a discrepancy between the amount of brain damage and the severity of cognitive deficits, with more than 25% of cognitively normal older adults meeting the pathological criteria of a neurodegenerative disease. Understanding the brain alterations and related clinical deficits is essential to slow down the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.”
Associate Leader: Jean-Francois Poulin
Theme 3: Applied Cognitive Neuroscience of Brain Plasticity
Leader: Dr. Madeleine Sharp
“Every day and every moment brings us new experiences. This requires us to be highly adaptive — we are constantly learning from the past and applying it to the present. What we learn from and how much we use that learning can really shape our interactions with the world. Studying this adaptability, how it changes across the lifetime and how it is affected by brain disorders will provide key insights into improving brain health.”
Associate Leader: Nathan Spreng
Theme 4: Population Neuroscience and Brain Health
Leader: Martin Lepage
“How do we transform basic research on the brain into helping people with mental health problems or brain disorders? The considerable progress made in brain research in the past few decades needs to be translated into better prevention, care and treatment for those afflicted by mental or brain health conditions. As such, now is the perfect time to invest in the implementation of our knowledge of the brain in order to improve health care.”
Associate Leader: Dr. Jai Shah
