About

ABOUT ME

I'm a neuroscience researcher and clinician focused on brainwaves, heart rhythms and micro-movements that influence our ability to self-regulate and build healthy relationships. I have measured electric conductance of the skin (GSR), facial electromyography (EMG), and I currently work with quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), rhythmic sinus arrhythmia (heart rate variability), neurofeedback, and transcranial magnetic stimulation for clinical treatment and PTSD research studies.

My graduate research at New York University and fieldwork at the NYU Phelps lab for neuroscience research, the NYU Institute for Prevention Science and Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine focused on the cross-section of self-directed neuroplasticity, empathy and social justice.  For the past decade, I've been teaching and consulting in countries all over the world by combining scientific insights and my training in monasteries with meditation masters from India, Africa and Vietnam.  From 2017-2018, I delivered a series of workshops for Google's Analytical Academy in London, Chicago, Tel Aviv, Munich and Singapore focused on the Science of Learning.  I'm also a former intelligence analyst, french teacher to diplomats and in the early stages of writing a sci-fi novel about the year 2032.

One of my favorite talks was at the Symposium on Neuroscience and Physiological Perspectives on Design Thinking and Creativity hosted by Stanford University and the Hasso Plattner Institute for Design in Berlin.  The theme was 'Embodied Creativity and Cognition'.

 

 

A bit more about me:

• At NYU, I was honored to be mentored by Zoran Josipovic, whose research on mindfulness and meditation inspired me to train and study at various monasteries with meditation masters from India, Vietnam and Africa.
• I also had the privilege of working with social neuroscientist Lasana Harris, whose passion for promoting human dignity continues to inspire my work today.
• In 2010, I received an award at the annual NYU Graduate Research Conference for my original research on Empathy and Family Emotional Climate.  
• In 2003, I received the Government of Canada Bravo Award for French teaching.
• I've lived in several different cities, including New York, Chicago, Brussels, Copenhagen, Las Vegas, Ottawa, my hometown of Calgary Canada, and spent a year in Central and South America working with young adults.
• I speak fluent French, Spanish and moderate German, as well as a bit of Dutch and Italian.
• I used to play soccer and have recently joined a rec league, but am finding it pretty challenging on my joints!  🙂