Current Lab Members

 Heather Neyedli – Principal Investigator 

Associate Professor – Kinesiology – School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University
Crosslistings: Industrial Engineering, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University

Background:

Post Doc – Plasticity Group – Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB) – University of Oxford
PhD – Action and Attention Lab – Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education – University of Toronto
M.A.Sc – Cognitive Engineering Laboratory  – Mechanical and Industrial Engineering – University of Toronto
B.Sc –Kinesiology – School of Health and Human Performance – Dalhousie University

Science Related Interests: Heather’s research broadly investigates how humans select, plan and execute actions and more particularly how humans optimize their performance in terms of these actions in a variety of environments. She uses statistical decision making models to assess decision making through action selection in laboratory-based tasks as well as in applied settings. Her research also aims to investigate and improve the performance of human and technology systems with previous work investigating a range of applications from combat identification systems to prevent friendly-fire to brain-computer interfaces to provide neurofeedback for stroke patients.

Beyond the Lab Interests: Rugby, Weightlifting and Cooking

Contact: hneyedli@dal.ca / Twitter @HeatherNeyedli

Chris Holland – PhD Student

Educational Background:

MSc kinesiology- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University
BSc kinesiology- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University

Science Related Interests: Chris is a PhD candidate studying Experimental Neuroscience. He ended up in Halifax to peruse an academic background in Kinesiology, taking both his undergraduate and Masters degree programs at Dalhousie. He has been fortunate to be able to pursue his interest in the use of technology in health sciences, specifically with a focus on neuroimaging and machine learning.

Beyond the Lab Interests: Some of Chris’ biggest passions are in visual arts (photography and graphic design specifically), and philanthropy.  When he’s not out on a new adventure, usually he can be found at the library consumed by books or his academic research.

Contact: Chris.holland@dal.ca

Jackie Toner – PhD Candidate

Educational Background:

MSc. Kinesiology – Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick
BScKin. Honours in Kinesiology – Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick

Science Related Interests: Jackie’s main research interests lie in the field of human factors and design, and has worked alongside multiple industries including forestry, automotive, childcare, warehousing and many more. Previously she has focused on using electromyography to assess the present demands of muscles during various workplace tasks. However, more recently Jackie’s passion for research and safety has led her in a new direction of pursuing research-based on the prevention of injury and death of workers. She is hoping to accomplish this through her PhD based on the effects of visual perception training as a method for improving hazard identification in the construction industry.

Beyond the Lab Interests: Woodworking, Dog sports, Drag, and being a huge Lady Gaga Fan.

Contact: jc526075@dal.ca

Christine Ausman – PhD Student

Educational Background:
MA Leisure Studies – School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University
BSc Recreation (Therapeutic Rec.) – School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University
BSc Psychology – University of British Columbia

Science Interests: Christine is a PhD student studying the application of neurofeedback using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to improve motor recovery among stroke survivors. As a recreation therapist, Christine has a special interest in understanding and improving the patient experience within neurorehabilitation.

Beyond the lab interestsDancing, cooking, baking, serious wine tasting, and anything allowing for creativity.

Contact: christine.ausman@dal.ca /Twitter: @ChristineAuz

Cory Munroe – PhD Student (Psychology & Neuroscience)

Background Information: BKin (Honours) from Acadia University. 

Science Interests: Broadly, Cory is interested in the relationship between stress and the gut microbiota. More specifically, he studies whether probiotic treatment can improve HPA stress axis function and related health-outcomes (e.g., mood and cognition), particularly under periods of stress.

Beyond the Lab Interests: Cory coaches and judges gymnastics part time! He also enjoys running and hiking. 

Contact: Cory.Munroe@dal.ca

Grace Barnhart – MSc Candidate

Educational Background: BSc(H), Kinesiology – School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University

Science Related Interests: Grace’s area of research examines the optimization of human-automation teams to improve performance and safety in a number of industries including defence, medical and maritime. Her MSc thesis evaluates the effects of automation level on situational awareness, workload, performance and visual sampling. Grace is also interested in emergency pre-hospital care, and the impacts of physical activity on physical and mental health. 

Beyond the Lab Interests: Anything that gets her outside and active (hiking, soccer, and snowboarding to name a few), as well as exploring Canada’s wilderness, reading by the ocean, and learning new skills. 

Contact: Grace.Barnhart@dal.ca

Brett Feltmate – MSc Candidate

Educational Background:

Science Related Interests:

Beyond the Lab Interests:

Contact:

Ben Rittenberg – MSc candidate

Educational Background: BSc(H), Kinesiology – School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University

Science Related Interests: Ben’s honours research focused on the internal factors that influence golf coaches’ interactions with technology in training. His current interests lie in further exploring the interactions between human operators and automated systems from a motor performance perspective. Ben’s other research interests include investigating the mental health of elite-level performers, such as coaches and athletes. He will begin a Masters of Kinesiology in the Fall of 2021 with a specific focus in sports psychology.

Beyond the Lab Interests: Baseball, hockey, golf, coaching, travelling, and being outdoors!

Contact: ben.rittenberg@dal.ca / Twitter: @benrittenberg

Sierra Gaudreau- Undergraduate Research Student

Educational Pursuits:

BSc. Student- Neuroscience – Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University

Science Related Interests: As a DISP student Sierra developed an interest in human-automation interactions research. She is looking forward to exploring the other facets of research that the cognitive and motor performance field has to offer.

Beyond the Lab Interests: hiking, camping, running and reading!

Contact: sierra.gaudreau@dal.ca

Sophie Inkpen – Undergraduate Honours Research Student

Educational Background: 
Sophie is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences degree at Dalhousie University

Science Related Interests: For her honours, Sophie is exploring the relationship between athletic conditioning and cognitive performance. She is also interested in sports sciences, biomechanics, and neuroscience. 

Beyond the Lab Interests: Outside of the lab, Sophie spends a lot of time in Dartmouth rowing with team NS. She also enjoys cycling and baking. She is currently trying to learn how to knit socks. 

Contact: sp313892@dal.ca

Lindsay Laviolette – Undergraduate Research Student

Educational Background:

Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences at Dalhousie University. 

Science Related Interests: Lindsay is completing her experiential learning program in the lab this semester, focusing on the role of reward feedback in movement. Along the way, she has been exposed to various interesting research areas related to cognitive and motor performance. She hopes to complete an honours program as part of her degree next year in one of these areas. 

Beyond the Lab Interests: Lindsay spends her free time as a volunteer athletic trainer and children’s tutor. She also enjoys travelling, sports, and hiking. 

Contact: Lindsay.Laviolette@dal.ca

Chelsey Hall – Lab coordinator

Educational Background:

MSc kinesiology- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University
BSc kinesiology- University of Prince Edward Island

Science Related Interests: Chelsey has been quite fortunate to have dabbled in a wide array of research over the years (from biomechanics to motor control, to neuroscience and back!) and really enjoys the technical/behind-the-scenes aspects of designing and troubleshooting data acquisition. Chelsey recently graduated from the MSc kinesiology program at Dalhousie where her thesis looked at designing a neurofeedback based intervention to reduce tremor for individuals diagnosed with Essential Tremor. She hopes to further her research career in the CaMPlab through mentoring, assisting and learning from all of the amazing researchers listed above.

Beyond the Lab Interests: Chelsey was a competitive instructor for traditional step dancing for three years at the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada before coming to Halifax to complete her MSc. When she isn’t typing at a keyboard, you can usually find her attached to a ball of yarn crocheting away or spending time at the beach (sometimes both at once!).

Contact: Chelsey.Hall@dal.ca