OUR RESEARCH
The research we conduct in our laboratory can be summarized across 3 streams:
1
Explore-Exploit Decision Making
Decision making is a fundamental cognitive process that underlies much of human behaviour. A major focus of research in our lab examines decision making through the explore-exploit framework, which captures the tension between choosing a familiar, rewarding option or pursuing a novel, less predictable alternative. For example, should I go back to my favourite restaurant or try something new?
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This stream investigates both the neural and behavioural mechanisms of explore-exploit choices using neuroimaging techniques, behavioural experiments, and neuropsychological assessments.
A central goal is to elucidate how these processes evolve with age, particularly in the context of healthy aging
2
Neurocognitive Aging
Our second line of work investigates how brain networks change across the adult lifespan and how these alterations contribute to both successful and pathological aging.
Cognitive aging is increasingly understood as a reorganization of large-scale brain network dynamics. This work aims to develop and test novel models of neurocognitive aging, treating network-level changes as putative mechanisms of age-related cognitive shifts. Building on these discoveries, this research also examines functional and structural brain mechanisms underlying both healthy aging (e.g., creative cognition) and age-related cognitive decline and neurological disease (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease).
The overarching goal is to provide a multi-dimensional account of neurocognitive aging, capturing both gains and losses and their real-world implications.
3
Frontal-executive Functioning & Intervention
Our third line of research focuses on the neural bases of executive control and the development of interventions to support these functions in aging and brain disease.
Executive control processes such as inhibition and task switching are critical for goal-directed behaviour yet are highly vulnerable to age-related decline. Research in this area investigates the neural underpinnings of executive functioning using functional MRI and the development of brain-based strategies to remediate executive control dysfunction. One major outcome of this work has centered on theory-driven interventions such as Goal Management Training, which has been empirically validated using both cognitive and neural outcomes.
These efforts aim to improve everyday goal-directed activity and maintain functional independence in later life and in brain disease.