Research Focus
The primary aims of my research are to improve our ability to monitor brain health as we age and to identify effective methods to promote optimal perceptual and cognitive function in older adults. To address the first aim, I am studying how visual and attentional functions are affected in healthy aging, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, using both behavioural measures and electroencephalography (EEG). This research may lead to the development of simple vision-based tests that can assist in the screening or diagnosis of age-related brain disorders, or in the monitoring of brain health. This research will also help us understand how different types of visual functions are affected at different stages of the dementia continuum. To address the second aim, I am conducting intervention studies examining the effect of mindfulness meditation on cognition and psychological well-being of older adults. I am also testing whether directly training perceptual abilities can counteract age-related declines in those abilities, and whether it can also improve performance in contexts relevant for daily life.