Department of Neuroscience (CCBN)

LEARNING. MEMORY. COGNITION.

Welcome to the Department of Neuroscience

We are a group of neuroscientists who approach the study of the brain from the point of view of the behavioural and cognitive function of distributed neural systems.

Our Department at the University of Lethbridge was the first established neuroscience department in the country and home to some of Canada’s most famous neuroscientists. Our faculty have a wide range of interests that span topics such as memory, neuroplasticity, comparative neurology, brain development, neurodegenerative disease, recovery after injury, decision making, gambling, play, sleep and stress. And all of our faculty have national and international reputations for their work. The Department is located in the Science Commons, Canada's more advanced faility for science education and research. This new $280-million facility truly puts science on display and will inspire the next generation of researchers, entrepreneurs and leaders. With open and flexible laboratories, makerspaces and specialized outreach spaces, students from kindergarten to PhD-level, faculty and community members will have boundless opportunities for hands-on learning, collaboration and discovery.
 

Department Highlights

Gerlinde Metz

Dr. Gerlinde Metz named a Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Fellow

Acknowledging her exceptional contributions to health sciences, neuroscientist Dr. Gerlinde Metz has become the University of Lethbridge’s first professor to be named a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Fellow (CAHS). Fellows are recognized by their peers nationally and internationally for their contributions to health sciences and have demonstrated leadership, distinctive competencies and a commitment to advance health sciences.

Rob McDonald

University of Lethbridge researchers receive grant for further exploration into the causes of Alzheimer’s disease

Most of the research into Alzheimer’s disease has focused on the familial type where the disease has a strong genetic component. What might come as a surprise is that 90 to 95 per cent of cases are late-onset or sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (SAD), an area where researchers at the University of Lethbridge are focusing their efforts.

SAD is much more difficult to research because of the presumed interactions between genetics and lifestyle factors, which can vary from person to person. Regardless of how complicated it might be, Dr. Rob McDonald, a neuroscientist with the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, believes that’s precisely the direction research needs to take.

Bryan Kolb

The latest weapon against Alzheimer’s disease could be as simple as touch

A study by a team of University of Lethbridge neuroscientists has shown that tactile stimulation shows much promise as a non-invasive method of slowing the onset of dementia in aging mice and could be an additional therapeutic intervention for people with Alzheimer’s disease.

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and the Alzheimer Society encourages everyone to learn more about dementia and its impact on Canadians. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and represents a global health crisis.

Shining Student Devanshi Sharma

Drawn to the University of Lethbridge by its outstanding neuroscience program and hands-on research opportunities, Devanshi Sharma initially aspired to attend medical school. However, through engaging in independent studies, she discovered her …

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Despite his many successes, Dr. Rob Sutherland says the value of failure shouldn’t be overlooked

The Sutherland team’s research has led to several breakthroughs which might some day help discover a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

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Shining Graduate Behroo Mirza Agha

From her very first class at the University of Lethbridge Dr. Behroo Mirza Agha (BSc '16, MSc '18, PhD '23) knew she made a great choice of study and post-secondary institution.

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Ty Dudas finds the formula for success in the lab

Ty Dudas, a third-year neuroscience student at the University of Lethbridge, has truly embraced the institution's liberal education philosophy. While majoring in neuroscience, Ty's curiosity led him to explore other fields, particularly organic …

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Faculty of Arts & Science Gold Medal (Science) winner Emily Hagens found her passion in synthetic biology

Emily Hagens (BSc '23) has an exciting future ahead of her. She plans to complete an MSc in genomic medicine at Oxford next year and then begin a PhD program in bioengineering at …

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Shining Student Ty Dudas

Third-year neuroscience student Ty Dudas embraces ULethbridge’s liberal education philosophy and takes courses outside his major. This discovery led him to organic chemistry and research he hopes will be used to make …

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Career Bridge: Centre for Work-Integrated Learning and Career Development

Career Bridge

 

Put Your Knowledge to Work 

Whether you’re looking for a more in-depth learning experience by assisting with research projects on campus or by testing your knowledge in a real-life work setting, we can help! The University of Lethbridge is proud to offer you an exceptional opportunity to explore professional development through academic programs and services designed to give you a competitive edge in a fast-changing world.

You have a bright future — experience it via Career Bridge at uLethbridge!

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