Research in the Cognitive and Affective Neurodevelopment (CAN) Lab broadly focuses on self-regulation spanning from the preschool years through early adulthood. Central to our work are executive functions and emotion regulation, which together enable us to adapt our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to meet the demands of everyday life. Executive functions are abilities we use in situations that are new, difficult, dangerous, and/or that require a response that differs from our status quo. Some of these abilities emerge early in life and are foundational to purposeful behaviour, like paying attention, keeping track of important information, and stopping ourselves from acting impulsively. Other abilities are more complex and take longer to develop, such as learning how to juggle competing demands for our time, plan effectively, keep ourselves organized, and regulate our emotional responses. Our studies examine how these abilities develop, why they are important for mental health and well-being, and what we can do to strengthen and support them to reduce impairment, prevent or lessen psychopathology, and improve day-to-day functioning.
News
Illuminating student strengths: Student Brianna MacPherson publishes in the Canadian Journal of School Psychology
School psychologists and psychological associates provide psychoeducational assessments to elucidate factors that underlie or contribute to students’ learning, behavioral, and/or socio-emotional difficulties. We have published a new study in the Canadian Journal of School Psychology examining strengths-based psychoeducational assessment practices among Canadian school psychologists. Findings highlight the role of professional beliefs, training, and workload factors in supporting assessment approaches that identify not only students’ challenges, but also their strengths and resources. This work reflects the CAN Lab’s broader commitment to understanding how assessment and intervention practices can better support children, adolescents, and young adults across educational and clinical settings.
Match day 2026!
Congratulations to CAN Lab senior doctoral student, Fatima Wasif, who has secured a predoctoral residency at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario - Child Neuropsychology Track. Fatima, you have been a delight to have in the lab and our program more generally. Though we are sad to see you leave, we're thrilled for you to embark on this next phase of your clinical training!
Student Alexa Nordine examines how childhood adversity shapes adolescent executive function
Congratulations to PhD student Alexa Nordine on the publication of her research in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. This study examined how experiences of childhood adversity influence executive function development during adolescence, with a focus on the role of pubertal timing. Findings highlight the complex ways in which early life experiences and developmental processes interact to shape cognitive skills that support planning, problem-solving, and self-regulation. This work contributes to a better understanding of factors that influence adolescent development and may help inform prevention and intervention efforts aimed at supporting youth who have experienced adversity.