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The Team.

I completed my PhD in Psychology at uOttawa, followed by fellowships at the University of Calgary (2012-14) and McGill University (2014-17).

In addition to my position as Director of the EEG & Cognitive Research Lab, I am an Assistant Professor (Research) in the Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine at uOttawa and Adjunct Professor in Psychology at both uOttawa and Carleton University. My research focuses on understanding mental illness using imaging and clinical electrophysiology, and how this information can help with treatment.

We are NOT accepting any students from uOttawa's Neuroscience program for 2021-2022.

Natalia Jaworska, PhD
Director/Principal Investigator

I earned a BSc (Honours) in Psychology (2018) from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and am now in my first year of a PhD in Experimental Psychology at the University of Ottawa. Throughout my undergraduate degree I became increasingly passionate about mental health research and using brain-based approaches to research.

My current research is using EEG and fMRI methodologies to examine the effects of a neurostimulation technique called tDCS on auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia patients. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, reading, spending time with friends and family, and travelling and exploring new places.

Bronwen Schryver, BSc
Graduate Student

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the University of Mazandaran, and my Master’s degree in Fundamental Physics (Neurophysics) at Babol Noshirvani University of Technology. I am interested in investigating brain mechanisms using Graph Theory analysis and Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning.
In my Ph.D. work I will explore the relation between simultaneous EEG+fMRI data and sex as well as stress hormones. My interest in investigating brain functional network of patients with brain related disorders was the most important reason for why I chose to complete my Ph.D. at this lab.

​Mojtaba Jouzizadeh, MSc
Research Assistant

As a graduate student with a B.Sc. in both Biomedical Science and Psychology, I have always been fascinated by the interaction of body and mind.

I entered the University of Ottawa’s Neuroscience graduate program with the goal of better understanding the clinical and neurological changes that occur in depressed youth following aerobic exercise. With this research I hope to deepen our understanding of mood disorders and broaden our repertoire of treatment options for those in need. Outside of the lab, I enjoy live music and spending time with friends.

​Justin Piche, BSc
Graduate Student

Following the completion of my Ph.D. (1976) at the University of London and York University (England), I served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Psychopharmacology Unit of the University of Guelph before moving to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre.

At the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, I was Director of the Clinical EEG laboratory until March 2017. Though I am now partially retired, I am still involved in the supervision of graduate and undergraduate students and hold affiliations at both uOttawa and Carleton University.

Verner Knott,PhD
Senior Scientist

I earned my BSc in Psychology at Université Lumière Lyon 2 (France) and a MSc at Université de Tours (France). I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Carleton. The project with which I am involved aims to characterize the distinct and overlapping neural features in healthy males and females, as well as their relationship with sex hormones. This study uses simultaneous EEG coupled with fMRI.

With respect to my research passions, I am interested in using various neuroimaging techniques to better understand brain processes and their association with mental health and sex differences. Thus, working at the EEG & Neuroimaging Research Lab is the perfect opportunity to expand my knowledge. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, cooking, painting, reading, and hiking.

Marie Huc, BSc, MSc
​Graduate Student 

I recently completed my B.Sc. Honours in Psychology (2017) at the University of Ottawa. During my undergraduate degree, I worked on both basic and clinical research projects and discovered a passion for translational neuroscience.

I am currently an M.Sc. student in Neuroscience at the University of Ottawa; my research utilizes multimodal imaging techniques (simultaneous fMRI/EEG) to study cognition in remitted depressed patients. In my spare time, I am a passionate environmentalist and musician who enjoys hiking and travelling.

Emma Lynn, BSc​
Graduate Student

As a doctoral candidate in the Neuroscience program at the University of Ottawa, I study the brain's electrical activity in individuals with schizophrenia, with the objective of improving the prominent cognitive impairments experienced by these individuals.

I have always been intrigued by the brain's capacity to control and regulate all of our biological and psychological processes. I am a mental health advocate passionate about eliminating stigma around mental illness by sharing my knowledge with youth and by participating in the Run for Women in support of women's mental health at The Royal Ottawa.

Joelle Choueiry, BSc
Graduate Student

I completed my B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Psychology at the University of Ottawa and conducted my honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Verner Knott. I am currently in my 5th year of my M.A.-Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology at the University of Ottawa.

My thesis is examining the early neural correlates and predictors of the rapid antidepressant response to repeated ketamine infusions in treatment-resistant depression. Outside the lab, I enjoy gardening, travelling, and playing with my cats!

​Sara de la Salle, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

​I recently completed my B.A. Honours in Psychology (Minor in Neuroscience) at Carleton University. I joined the Clinical EEG Lab for my undergraduate thesis project, which sparked my interest in research on the effects of exercise on mental health and depressive symptoms.

I am currently completing my M.Sc. (Neuroscience) at the University of Ottawa. My research aims to examine the efficacy of a 12-week exercise intervention for youth with depression, using EEG to clarify the effects of aerobic exercise on the function of the brain as well as examine its effects on psychosocial and cognitive functioning. We hope to assess if exercise improves ERPs related to cognitive processes. Outside of the lab, I am the drummer of ODBC Premier Women dragonboat team. I also enjoy reading, gaming, and taking care of my houseplants and cat.

Corrine Staff, BA
Graduate Student

I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Simon Fraser University and my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia. I am currently doing my PhD in Forensic Psychology at Carleton University.

My research interests lie in the area of mental health across a broad range of populations, including people with lived experience with bipolar disorder, military personnel, and individuals who have come in conflict with the law. In my spare time I love to ride my bike on the Ottawa trails, play music, garden and read about history.

​Sara Lapsley, MA
Research Assistant

Honours Students

Alumni

Katie Bush (BA Psychology)
Lara Comisso (BA Psychology)

Fiona Tang, Honours Student, 2017-2018
Lawrence Torkan, Honours Student, 2017-2018
Isabel Shore, Honours Student, 2017-2018
Kelsey Fillier, Honours Student, 2017-2018
Kayleigh Anstey, Honours Student, 2018-2019
Molly Hyde, Masters Student, 2017-2019
Grace-Ann Gordon, Honours Student 2019-2020
Crisanna Sotiropoulos, Honours Student 2019-2020
Julia Bedard, Honours Student 2020-2021
Ayotola Ogunlana, Honour's Student and Research Assistant 2018-2021
Brooke Caroll
Ashley Baddeley

​          Collaborators         

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INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH & UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA, ON, CANADA: 

          Pierre Blier, MD, PhD (Mood Disorders, Neuropsychopharmacology)

​          Jennifer Phillips, PhD (Imaging, Suicide)

          Stuart Fogel, PhD (Sleep, EEG)

         ​ Alain Labelle, MD (Schizophrenia)

          David Attwood, MD (Schizophrenia)

          Vadim Llivitsky, MD (Schizophrenia)
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          Michael Seto, PhD (Forensics)

          Jennifer Brunet, PhD (Exercise & Health Psychology)

          Jason Steffener, PhD (Neuroimaging, Mathematical Modelling)

         Gary Goldfield, PhD (Childhood Obesity, Physical Activity)



MCGILL UNIVERSITY, MONTREAL, QC, CANADA:

           Marco Leyton, PhD (Imaging, Addictions)

           Sylvia Cox, PhD (Imaging, Addictions, Reward Processing)



UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY, AB, CANADA:

           Frank MacMaster, PhD (Imaging, Youth Mental Health, Stimulation)

           Glenda MacQueen, MD, PhD (Imaging, Mood Disorders, Interventions)
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ST. FRANCIS XAVIER UNIVERSITY, NS, CANADA:

           Lindsay Berrigan, PhD (Cognition, MS, Imaging, EEG)
 
           Derek Fisher, PhD (EEG, Auditory Hallucinations)

Join the Team 

Dr. Jaworska is affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa. She is also affiliated with the Neuroscience Department and the Department of Psychology at Carleton University.
Dr. Jaworska is not permitted to supervise any Clinical Psychology students.

Fall 2022: Dr. Jaworska will NOT be taking on any graduate-level students. All undergraduate student positions have been filled.

​If interested, please send a brief description and CV to: natalia.jaworska@theroyal.ca