Neuroscience & Behaviour
Faculty who study Neuroscience and Behaviour are broadly interested in the structure and function of the nervous system, and the interactions among physical activity and psychological factors such as emotion, cognition and motivation.
Areas of specific focus include self-regulation, behaviour change, decision making, cognitive neuroscience, memory and attention, neural plasticity, brain function, mental health, motor behaviour and gender.
Research methods and techniques include transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional magnetic resonance imaging, electromyography, eletrcoencephalography, eye tracking, metabolic measurements and field-based research.
Information Box Group
Steve Bray
Professor; Acting Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Science
My research examines social-cognitive factors that influence and are influenced by participation in physical activity. Current interests include self-perceptions such as self-efficacy, perceived control, self-regulation, and self-determination. I also investigate people’s perceptions about influential others who interact with them (proxy agents) in their pursuit of behavioural objectives. Understanding relationships between these perceptions and behaviour involves laboratory and field-based research. Challenges faced by people navigating life transitions such as moving away from home to attend college or university, rehabilitating from illness, and becoming a parent are of particular interest.

Steve Bray
Professor; Acting Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Science
Michael Carter
Assistant Professor
Movement is undoubtedly a critical aspect of everyday human life and as such, understanding how humans plan, control, and learn skilled actions is an important line of inquiry for both basic and applied research. Research in the Memory, Action, and Cognition Lab at McMaster University aims to understand the cognitive and neural mechanisms subserving motor learning, with an emphasis on the role of errors, strategies, and the information learners selectively extract for action. This research is investigated using a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach that combines behavioural and neurophysiological techniques. Our findings are relevant for advancing fundamental knowledge regarding motor learning and informing practices in the areas of rehabilitation and coaching. For more information about current research projects, please visit the lab website.
Jennifer Heisz
Associate Professor; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2), Associate Director (Seniors): Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE)
Sabbatical
Dr. Jennifer J. Heisz is an Associate Professor in Kinesiology and Associate Director (Seniors) of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence at McMaster University. Dr. Heisz received her Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience (McMaster) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest. Dr. Heisz directs the NeuroFit Lab (http://neurofitlab.ca/) which is funded by the Alzheimer Society, Banting Foundation, Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada, and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. Dr. Heisz’s research examines the effects of physical activity on brain function to promote mental health and cognition in young adults, older adults and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Recent honours include receiving an Early Researcher Award from the Province of Ontario and the Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award. Follow Dr. Heisz on twitter @jenniferheisz.

Jennifer Heisz
Associate Professor; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2), Associate Director (Seniors): Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE)
Sabbatical
Jim Lyons
Professor
My research interests combine several distinct but somewhat related areas. There are: 1) the nature of, and processes subserving, the distribution of human selective attention relative to goal-directed action, 2) perception and motor control in special populations; and, 3) human factors and cognitive ergonomics. The attention work has focused primarily on the relative influences of visual feedback, distracting information and the spatial orientation of perceptual-motor space on the acquisition and execution of both simple and complex motor skills. This research focus derives primarily from an interest in several theoretical accounts of the ways in which we use environmental information to plan movements and deal with various task constraints. My interest in human factors seeks to compliment and extend this theoretical work into areas that may be considered to be more applied including such issues as may be related to human-computer interaction and the learning of complex motor skills. My research with special populations deals primarily with changes in perception and motor control that may occur with normal aging and those that may be associated with developmental delays such as Down syndrome and Developmental Coordination Disorder.
Aimee Nelson
Professor; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) Sensorimotor Neuroscience
The purpose of my research is to develop fundamental understanding of the cortical control of the human hand and upper limb. My research program is focused on the somatosensory contributions to motor control; human hand control is profoundly dependent on the integrity of somatosensory input that arises from touch and muscle receptors. Multiple cortical areas receive and process somatosensory input yet little is known about the role of these areas in the control of human hand movement. My research program is primarily focused on investigating the role of somatosensory loci in the control of hand movement in healthy and clinical populations. Students in my lab use a combination of neurophysiology techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Aimee Nelson
Professor; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) Sensorimotor Neuroscience
Jeremy Walsh
Assistant Professor
Dr. Walsh’s research is focused on investigating the mechanisms by which daily behaviours (physical activity, diet, screen time, sleep and cognitive stimulation) impact brain function. The overarching goal of this research is to apply this knowledge to develop interventions that optimize brain health across the lifespan. Dr. Walsh’s research is particularly interested in characterizing how exercise increases the neuroactive hormone brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and investigating the effect of BDNF on brain function. The primary measurement outcomes of this research are: 1) measuring neuroactive hormones in the blood, 2) assessing cognitive function, 3) measuring cerebral blood flow.Dr. Walsh is currently accepting graduate students for Fall 2021. If you are interested in a research opportunity with Dr. Walsh, please fill out an application here.
Steve Bray
Professor; Acting Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Science
My research examines social-cognitive factors that influence and are influenced by participation in physical activity. Current interests include self-perceptions such as self-efficacy, perceived control, self-regulation, and self-determination. I also investigate people’s perceptions about influential others who interact with them (proxy agents) in their pursuit of behavioural objectives. Understanding relationships between these perceptions and behaviour involves laboratory and field-based research. Challenges faced by people navigating life transitions such as moving away from home to attend college or university, rehabilitating from illness, and becoming a parent are of particular interest.
Steve Bray
Professor; Acting Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Science
My research examines social-cognitive factors that influence and are influenced by participation in physical activity. Current interests include self-perceptions such as self-efficacy, perceived control, self-regulation, and self-determination. I also investigate people’s perceptions about influential others who interact with them (proxy agents) in their pursuit of behavioural objectives. Understanding relationships between these perceptions and behaviour involves laboratory and field-based research. Challenges faced by people navigating life transitions such as moving away from home to attend college or university, rehabilitating from illness, and becoming a parent are of particular interest.
Michael Carter
Assistant Professor
Movement is undoubtedly a critical aspect of everyday human life and as such, understanding how humans plan, control, and learn skilled actions is an important line of inquiry for both basic and applied research. Research in the Memory, Action, and Cognition Lab at McMaster University aims to understand the cognitive and neural mechanisms subserving motor learning, with an emphasis on the role of errors, strategies, and the information learners selectively extract for action. This research is investigated using a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach that combines behavioural and neurophysiological techniques. Our findings are relevant for advancing fundamental knowledge regarding motor learning and informing practices in the areas of rehabilitation and coaching. For more information about current research projects, please visit the lab website.
Michael Carter
Assistant Professor
Movement is undoubtedly a critical aspect of everyday human life and as such, understanding how humans plan, control, and learn skilled actions is an important line of inquiry for both basic and applied research. Research in the Memory, Action, and Cognition Lab at McMaster University aims to understand the cognitive and neural mechanisms subserving motor learning, with an emphasis on the role of errors, strategies, and the information learners selectively extract for action. This research is investigated using a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach that combines behavioural and neurophysiological techniques. Our findings are relevant for advancing fundamental knowledge regarding motor learning and informing practices in the areas of rehabilitation and coaching. For more information about current research projects, please visit the lab website.
Jennifer Heisz
Associate Professor; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2), Associate Director (Seniors): Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE)
Sabbatical
Dr. Jennifer J. Heisz is an Associate Professor in Kinesiology and Associate Director (Seniors) of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence at McMaster University. Dr. Heisz received her Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience (McMaster) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest. Dr. Heisz directs the NeuroFit Lab (http://neurofitlab.ca/) which is funded by the Alzheimer Society, Banting Foundation, Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada, and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. Dr. Heisz’s research examines the effects of physical activity on brain function to promote mental health and cognition in young adults, older adults and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Recent honours include receiving an Early Researcher Award from the Province of Ontario and the Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award. Follow Dr. Heisz on twitter @jenniferheisz.
Jennifer Heisz
Associate Professor; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2), Associate Director (Seniors): Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE)
Sabbatical
Dr. Jennifer J. Heisz is an Associate Professor in Kinesiology and Associate Director (Seniors) of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence at McMaster University. Dr. Heisz received her Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience (McMaster) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest. Dr. Heisz directs the NeuroFit Lab (http://neurofitlab.ca/) which is funded by the Alzheimer Society, Banting Foundation, Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada, and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. Dr. Heisz’s research examines the effects of physical activity on brain function to promote mental health and cognition in young adults, older adults and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Recent honours include receiving an Early Researcher Award from the Province of Ontario and the Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award. Follow Dr. Heisz on twitter @jenniferheisz.
Jim Lyons
Professor
My research interests combine several distinct but somewhat related areas. There are: 1) the nature of, and processes subserving, the distribution of human selective attention relative to goal-directed action, 2) perception and motor control in special populations; and, 3) human factors and cognitive ergonomics. The attention work has focused primarily on the relative influences of visual feedback, distracting information and the spatial orientation of perceptual-motor space on the acquisition and execution of both simple and complex motor skills. This research focus derives primarily from an interest in several theoretical accounts of the ways in which we use environmental information to plan movements and deal with various task constraints. My interest in human factors seeks to compliment and extend this theoretical work into areas that may be considered to be more applied including such issues as may be related to human-computer interaction and the learning of complex motor skills. My research with special populations deals primarily with changes in perception and motor control that may occur with normal aging and those that may be associated with developmental delays such as Down syndrome and Developmental Coordination Disorder.
Jim Lyons
Professor
My research interests combine several distinct but somewhat related areas. There are: 1) the nature of, and processes subserving, the distribution of human selective attention relative to goal-directed action, 2) perception and motor control in special populations; and, 3) human factors and cognitive ergonomics. The attention work has focused primarily on the relative influences of visual feedback, distracting information and the spatial orientation of perceptual-motor space on the acquisition and execution of both simple and complex motor skills. This research focus derives primarily from an interest in several theoretical accounts of the ways in which we use environmental information to plan movements and deal with various task constraints. My interest in human factors seeks to compliment and extend this theoretical work into areas that may be considered to be more applied including such issues as may be related to human-computer interaction and the learning of complex motor skills. My research with special populations deals primarily with changes in perception and motor control that may occur with normal aging and those that may be associated with developmental delays such as Down syndrome and Developmental Coordination Disorder.
Aimee Nelson
Professor; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) Sensorimotor Neuroscience
The purpose of my research is to develop fundamental understanding of the cortical control of the human hand and upper limb. My research program is focused on the somatosensory contributions to motor control; human hand control is profoundly dependent on the integrity of somatosensory input that arises from touch and muscle receptors. Multiple cortical areas receive and process somatosensory input yet little is known about the role of these areas in the control of human hand movement. My research program is primarily focused on investigating the role of somatosensory loci in the control of hand movement in healthy and clinical populations. Students in my lab use a combination of neurophysiology techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Aimee Nelson
Professor; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) Sensorimotor Neuroscience
The purpose of my research is to develop fundamental understanding of the cortical control of the human hand and upper limb. My research program is focused on the somatosensory contributions to motor control; human hand control is profoundly dependent on the integrity of somatosensory input that arises from touch and muscle receptors. Multiple cortical areas receive and process somatosensory input yet little is known about the role of these areas in the control of human hand movement. My research program is primarily focused on investigating the role of somatosensory loci in the control of hand movement in healthy and clinical populations. Students in my lab use a combination of neurophysiology techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Jeremy Walsh
Assistant Professor
Dr. Walsh’s research is focused on investigating the mechanisms by which daily behaviours (physical activity, diet, screen time, sleep and cognitive stimulation) impact brain function. The overarching goal of this research is to apply this knowledge to develop interventions that optimize brain health across the lifespan. Dr. Walsh’s research is particularly interested in characterizing how exercise increases the neuroactive hormone brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and investigating the effect of BDNF on brain function. The primary measurement outcomes of this research are: 1) measuring neuroactive hormones in the blood, 2) assessing cognitive function, 3) measuring cerebral blood flow.Dr. Walsh is currently accepting graduate students for Fall 2021. If you are interested in a research opportunity with Dr. Walsh, please fill out an application here.
Jeremy Walsh
Assistant Professor
Dr. Walsh’s research is focused on investigating the mechanisms by which daily behaviours (physical activity, diet, screen time, sleep and cognitive stimulation) impact brain function. The overarching goal of this research is to apply this knowledge to develop interventions that optimize brain health across the lifespan. Dr. Walsh’s research is particularly interested in characterizing how exercise increases the neuroactive hormone brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and investigating the effect of BDNF on brain function. The primary measurement outcomes of this research are: 1) measuring neuroactive hormones in the blood, 2) assessing cognitive function, 3) measuring cerebral blood flow.Dr. Walsh is currently accepting graduate students for Fall 2021. If you are interested in a research opportunity with Dr. Walsh, please fill out an application here.