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Improving Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults: Challenging the Declines Associated with Aging Brains

Carleton University cognitive science researcher John Anderson, director of the Cognition and Neuroscience of Aging Lab, wants to help optimize the cognitive performance of older adults.

Carleton Experts Available: Two-Year Anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic

With the second anniversary of COVID-19 being declared a pandemic, as well as the first reported case in Ottawa, Carleton experts are available to discuss and reflect on what has happened over the last two years. Mehdi Ammi Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University Email: Mehdi.Ammi@Carleton.ca Ammi is available to discuss the impact of COVID on the healthcare system and on the organization and financing of public health. Jacquie Ballantine PhD Candidate, School of Linguistics and Language Studies at Carleton University Email: jacquieballantine@cmail.carleton.ca Ballantine has been researching the COVID-19 pandemic experiences of autistic university students in terms of academic and social interactions on campus and online. Ballantine is a retired speech-language clinician. Her research involves autistic…

Carleton University and the The Royal Announce Second Term of Research Chair in Culture and Gender

Regional leaders in research partner once again to further explore the influence of culture and gender on mental health Carleton University and The Royal are proud to announce that the Culture and Gender Mental Health Research Chair has been renewed for a second term. Led by Dr. Kim Matheson, a professor in Carleton University’s Department of Neuroscience, this enables new exploration of the social determinants of mental health, with specific focus on health inequities in underserved communities. “We are thrilled to renew this important research chair,” Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, president of the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at The Royal and vice president of research, said. “We still have so much to learn about the intersection of…

Carleton Experts Available: The Holidays

The holiday season is approaching, and Carleton experts are available to discuss related topics, including stress and food (including alcoholic beverages); Christmas, Hanukkah, and Yule; the science of Santa Claus; and New Year’s resolutions. Alfonso Abizaid Professor, Neuroscience Email: Alfonso_Abizaid@carleton.ca Abizaid is available to discuss topics related to stress and food, as well as spending time with family and loneliness during the holidays. For more information on Abizaid, please visit: https://carleton.ca/neuroscience/profile/alfonso-abizaid/ Kimberly Stratton Associate Professor, College of the Humanities Email: Kim.Stratton@carleton.ca Stratton is available to discuss the historical authenticity of the Christmas story in the Bible, the true origins of Hanukkah and Wiccan Yule. For more information on Stratton, please visit: https://carleton.ca/bhum/people/kimberly-b-stratton/ Zeba Crook Professor, Religion Email: Zeba.Crook@gmail.com Crook is…

Carleton Experts Available: World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day, Oct. 10, is a day to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. Carleton experts are available to discuss related topics. Kim Hellemans Professor, Neuroscience Email: Kim.Hellemans@carleton.ca Hellemans is available to discuss young adult and university student mental health; substance use and addictions; stigma related to mental health and substance use; cannabis use and mental health; as well as social media use and mental health. She is also available to discuss the gender differences for these mental health topics. Hellemans’ research on the factors contributing to mental health and academic challenges among students with a focus on current life stressors, cannabis use and social media. She…

Carleton University Researcher Erin Tolley Named New Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race, and Inclusive Politics

Carleton University is adding to its roster of Canada Research Chairs (CRC) with Political Science Prof. Erin Tolley, the new CRC (Tier II) in Gender, Race, and Inclusive Politics. “The study of societal issues such as race and gender has never been more important,” said Rafik Goubran, vice-president (Research and International). “Adding Prof. Tolley’s research to our existing expertise in this area will advance knowledge and understanding of current trends and identify ways to improve our political processes that will benefit society as a whole.” Prof. Erin Tolley Tolley’s research will generate new knowledge on the representation of race and gender in Canadian politics. Collaboratively, she will develop new ways to track diversity among electoral candidates, undertake a significant project…

Carleton Experts Available – CMHA Mental Health Week

May 3-9 is the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Week. Carleton experts are available to comment on related topics and research. Argel Aguilar-Valles Professor, Neuroscience Email: Argel.AguilaValles@carleton.ca Aguilar-Valles oversees the Aguilar-Valles Lab, which focuses on the molecular mechanisms that underlie psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. They use a combination of biochemistry, molecular biology and animal models to understand how genetic risk factors contribute to mental illness. They are investigating how genetic mutations affect brain development and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) pathophysiology and how antidepressant activation of the mTORC1 pathway contributes to major depressive disorder (MDD) treatment. Amedeo D'Angiulli Professor, Neuroscience Email: amedeo.dangiulli@carleton.ca D'Angiulli is available to discuss the social determinants of mental health and wellness. He can also comment on…

Carleton University’s Life Sciences Day 4.1 Investigates Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health

COVID-19 hasn’t just been a crisis of physical health, it has had enormous mental health consequences for too many. Brent Moloughney “In fall 2020, 40 per cent of people in Ottawa reported their mental health as only ‘fair’ or ‘poor,’” says Ottawa’s Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Brent Moloughney. “Prior to the pandemic, it was around nine per cent.” At Carleton’s Life Sciences Day 4.1, Moloughney shared insights about how Ottawa Public Health has approached the mental health challenges created by the pandemic. COVID-19 has pushed the boundaries of resilience in every demographic, but some have more stressors than others. Many parents have struggled to cope with the increased workload of home-schooling. Some seniors have been isolated for many months.…

Bringing Generations Together: Carleton Poses Student Challenge on Disconnection

To address the vulnerability and social isolation of older Canadians, Carleton undergraduate students devised ways to build cross-generational connections between older and younger adults. On March 18, 2021, they aimed to solve one of the world’s most complicated health problems through interdisciplinary collaboration during the fourth One HEALtH (Human Environment Animal Links to Health) Student Challenge. Hosted by the Canadian Health Adaptations, Innovations & Mobilizations (CHAIM) Centre, the evening event saw 10 student teams pitch ideas they had developed over six weeks to address a longstanding problem that worsened during the pandemic. “That problem is the disconnection between younger and older adults, resulting in stigma, isolation and sometimes diminished meaning in life,” said Neuroscience Prof. Kim Matheson, founding director of…

Carleton Experts Available – Brain Awareness Week

This week marks Brain Awareness Week and the 10th anniversary of the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University. Carleton experts are available to speak on related topics. Argel Aguilar-Valles Professor, Neuroscience Email: Argel.AguilaValles@carleton.ca Aguilar-Valles oversees the Aguilar-Valles Lab, which focuses on the molecular mechanisms that underlie psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. They use a combination of biochemistry, molecular biology, and animal models to understand how genetic risk factors contribute to mental illness. They are investigating how genetic mutations affect brain development and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) pathophysiology and how antidepressant activation of the mTORC1 pathway contributes to major depressive disorder (MDD) treatment. Shawn Hayley Professor, Neuroscience Email: Shawn.Hayley@carleton.ca Hayley is an active researcher in many facets of depression and Parkinson's disease.…