Learn more about Psychology Research Facilities
Location: Room A222H
Lab Director: Dr. Steven Arnocky
Dr. Arnocky's lab is dedicated to the study of human evolution and is funded by the CFI, SSHRC, and NSERC. It is indisputable that nature and sexual selection have shaped many aspects of human biology and behaviour. The Human Evolution Lab seeks to understand how evolutionary pressures may have influenced various aspects of human immune function and hormones, and how these biological factors affect physical attractiveness as well as mating and conflict strategies (competition and aggression) employed both within and between the sexes.
Neuroimaging Interpersonal Connections via E-communication/Neuroimaging Information-processing Cannabis Effects (NICE)
Location: NICE Lab
Lab Director: Dr. Darren Campbell
- If your are brain-oriented, you can become a NICE investigator.
- If you are more behaviourally oriented, you can become an ICE investigator.
The NICE lab focuses on two key research areas: the human relationship formation process and chronic cannabis use effects in humans. Their research on the acquaintanceship process includes investigating online communication and social evaluation and utilizes functional MRI brain imaging. They are also interested in the "get-to-know-you" process that occurs online and how people display interest or disinterest within online conversations. Their cannabis research primarily targets spatial memory functions, emotional attention bias, and functional brain imaging responses in chronic cannabis users.
Nipissing University Research on Neuroscience (NURON) Laboratory
Location: NURON Lab
Lab Directors: Dr. Andrew Weeks and Dr. Matti Saari
Dr. Weeks and his team study the neural basis of learning and memory in the Nipissing University Research on Neuroscience (NURON) lab. They are interested in how the synapses between neurons change following learning events, stress, or drug use (e.g. cannabis). Quantifying and understanding the physical imprint that learning leaves on these ultra-microscopic brain structures is the primary goal of the NURON lab's current research.
Dr. Matti Saari's team focuses on simpler neural systems like that of the planarian flatworm. Some of their research focuses on how neural behaviour plasticity are manifested in these animals. They have documented, for example, that housing the worms in isolation versus in groups has a profound impact on their activity level.
NURON labs are located on the 1st floor of the R-wing at Nipissing University. The facility includes imaging rooms, dry labs, wet labs, technologist offices, animal facilities, a dark room, and the Central Analytical Facility (CAF). In the facility you will find a transmission electron microscope (TEM), a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and many other research tools. Undergraduate students who work in the lab can get experience in Electron-microscopy as well as all major aspects of research methods in behavioural neuroscience.
Location: Room A145B
Lab Director: Dr. Dana Murphy
Dr. Murphy's lab studies the effects of ageing on auditory processing and cognitive function and how these factors might interact and influence the older adult's ability to understand and remember spoken words. Thus, they investigate age-related changes in cognitive abilities and their capacity to understand spoken language. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how age-related changes influence communication skills.
Program Evaluation and Applied Research Lab
Lab Director: Dr. Roxana Vernescu
Dr. Vernescu’s research is applied, spanning individual- and systems-level interests. Across this continuum, Dr. Vernescu’s projects range from the more empirical, basic questions of information and cognitive processing, including attention, memory, and executive functioning; to intervention research such as cognitive rehabilitation and behavioural analysis with individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (ARNDs, ASDs, ADHD); to the more formative and evaluative systems-level questions that seek to improve processes and outcomes for services and programs across sectors - NFP, Health, Social/Community Services, Education, Government, Corporate. Students interested in applied research may also be interested in experiential learning opportunities via the Applied Certificate practicum placements in ABA or PEAR.
Location: Room A227
Lab Director: Dr. Peter Chow
Dr. Chow is a statistics and measurement specialist and his research looks at the assessment of cognitive dissonance, which is defined as the negative state of mind generated by a contradiction when a collective general belief is not experienced. He and his team have created a 200-item Cognitive Dissonance Test that they are now looking to shorten while maintaining its reliability. Dr. Chow's team also studies in the field of gender diversity, specifically, looking at both sex and gender is lying on a continuum rather than being dichotomous.
Location: Room A222
Lab Director: Dr. Tracey Curwen
Dr. Curwen's research is applied and related to child abuse victims and children who harm others; much of this research is conducted in collaboration with community-based treatment agencies. Specifically, Curwen's lab is focused on increasing knowledge about children and concerning sexual behaviours (CSB) and improving early identification and services for these children and families. Over the past few years, student research assistants have completed studies related to identifying risk factors for repeating CSB, understanding why some child victims engage in CSB, and determining family and personal factors that may increase risk.
