The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is proud to announce that Psychology’s Dr. John McDonald has been appointed Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and Dr. Marlene Moretti  has been appointed Canada Research Chair in Youth Clinical Psychological Science. 

On February 9th, the Government of Canada announced 305 new and renewed Canada Research Chair (CRC) positions at 53 postsecondary institutions across the country. “Investments are creating knowledge, spurring innovation and ensuring economic growth and quality jobs for Canadians in a highly competitive global landscape,” says the government in a press release from the CRC website.

Indeed, McDonald and Moretti are established and innovative scholars in their respective fields. Working on human electrophysiology, attention and multisensory perception, McDonald’s research has made great strides in learning about the brain’s anti-distraction system. Moretti is a long-time leader in the field of adolescent psychology, specializing in sex and gender differences, attachment, and intervention for children and adolescents, and she is co-developer of the Connect© program, which helps teach attachment concepts to caregivers of pre-teens and teens with behavioural or mental health struggles.