I’m a neuroscientist and Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at York University. My goal is to understand how the brain controls movement, from simple everyday behaviours like opening a door, to complex feats like playing piano. I am working to accomplish this goal through a combination of research in human behaviour, primate electrophysiology, computational modelling, and by building artificial systems that help us understand skilled human behaviour and learning.

I did my PhD at the University of Göttingen with Hans Scherberger, a postdoc at Stanford University with Krishna Shenoy, and a postdoc at Western University with Andrew Pruszynski.

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I am a postdoc investigating the neural basis for motor learning and control. Specifically, I am interested in identifying algorithms that best represent the neural computations underlying how individuals learn to perform tasks and to use these algorithms to accelerate motor learning, whether it be adapting existing behaviours to break out of a bad habit or acquiring new skills.

I obtained my PhD at McMaster University with Peter Keir, where I used computational biomechanical models to quantify solution spaces of muscle activations and compared with experimental recordings of muscle activity to identify how individuals confront the degrees of freedom problem.

I am a postdoc working on new methods for tracking populations of neurons over long timescales (weeks to months). I am specifically curious about the idea of an internal ‘cognitive map’, which is thought to be the basis of flexible behavior. I am using primate neurophysiology and computational modeling to study if and how such a map implemented in the brain.

I obtained a PhD from McGill University at the Montreal Neurological Institute with Chris Pack, where I studied the activity of visual neurons during eye-movement in primates, and a postdoc with Mehrdad Jazayeri at MIT where I studied cognitive maps in the hippocampus.

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I’m a research assistant working on neural network modeling and analysis techniques to study movement control. I’m passionate about exploring the intersection of neuroscience and AI, and my goal is to develop computational tools that both advance our understanding of brain function and enable progress in developing brain-computer interfaces.

I earned a Master’s in Neuroscience (Université de Montréal), working with Dr. Paul Cisek on neural circuit modeling of reaching decisions, alongside a Master’s in Applied Mathematics (Sharif University of Technology) and a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering (University of Tehran).

Yadurshana Sivashankar is a cognitive neuroscientist whose research sits at the intersection of memory and visuomotor processes. Her doctoral work examined the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying successful retention of spatial representations. During her graduate career, she developed expertise in virtual reality, fMRI, neuropsychological assessment, and eye-tracking. In her current postdoctoral research, she is investigating the lifespan development of visuomotor processes in healthy populations, with extensions to autism spectrum disorder. She aims to leverage insights from visuomotor research to inform understandings of higher-order functions such as memory. Her research has received funding from NSERC, Mitacs, CPA, WiCS, and Connected Minds.  In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, cooking, and watching thriller and horror films.

Chloé Courdurié is a postdoc developing new polymer coating materials to “bio-camouflage” brain–machine interfaces. The goal is to improve their long-term integration into the brain by reducing glial scarring and promoting neural cell growth through biomimetic films deposited on neuroprobes. I’m particularly interested in optimizing coating structures to tune their physical and biological properties.

I obtained my PhD in Chemistry from the University of Bordeaux in France, where I worked with Prof. Luc Vellutini, Prof. Emilie Genin, and Prof. Vincent Rodriguez to develop new organic optical materials for photonic applications. I then continued at the University of Bordeaux as a postdoc, where I developed optical biosensors.

I am an undergraduate student in the Molecular and Cellular stream of the Neuroscience program at York University. I will be completing my undergraduate capstone under the supervision of Dr. Michaels, and I will be studying motor variability in children on the Autism Spectrum using markerless tracking. For the past year, I have been volunteering at SickKids hospital, in the Rheumatology department, and I am a Crisis Responder with Kids Help Phone. I am passionate about pursuing a career in research, specifically in children with Autism and OCD. 

I’m an undergraduate Neuroscience student in the Behavioural and Cognitive stream at York University. I’m completing my capstone with the lab, studying motor control in adults with ADHD using markerless tracking. Previously, I worked in the MMIG lab at CAMH, studying the effects of psilocybin on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and tDCS on illness awareness in schizophrenia. I hope to continue studying neuropsychiatric conditions, and the neural and cognitive differences that exist between them, pursuing a Master’s degree. Outside the lab, I love listening to music, staying active, and finding new food spots in the city.

As a Biomedical Sciences student, I am interested in the interplay between the body’s various systems during normal functioning. My interest in the nervous system began while facilitating an alcohol-related risk prevention program for youth, where I met individuals living with paralysis following alcohol-related traumatic incidents. This experience prompted me to ask questions about the roles of the brain, spinal cord and sensory systems in reflex responses. I explored these questions through a research experiment examining the effects of delayed visual feedback on the long-latency stretch reflex during my summer placement with the York Science Scholars Award. Moving forward, I am interested in using neuroimaging to investigate brain function in patients with neurological conditions. Outside of academics, I enjoy hiking with my dog, reading, and spending time outdoors.

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