People
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Dr. Chelsea Ekstrand
Principle Investigator
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Chelsea is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge. She completed her Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Saskatchewan, and her postdoctoral training at Western University. Before that, she received a B.Sc. in Psychology, also from the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on understanding how the brain processes the "real-world" by using naturalistic stimuli during neuroimaging to examine patterns of brain activity associated with complex cognitive processing. When she's not studying brains and coding, she can often be found walking her dog, Philly, and exploring the beautiful landscapes Alberta has to offer, or cooking elaborate meals with her partner, Matthew.
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Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Shaylyn Kress
Postdoctoral Fellow
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Shaylyn is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Ekstrand Neuroimaging Lab at the University of Lethbridge, co-supervised by Dr. Jody Culham at Western University. She previously completed her undergraduate and graduate training at the University of Saskatchewan under the supervision of Dr. Ron Borowsky. Shaylyn's past work explored the intersections of reading and attentional processes through video game experience. Her current postdoctoral research dives into the emerging realm of digital neuroscience, investigating how perception and action in the brain operate when faced with virtual environments. Beyond the lab, Shaylyn can be found enjoying her hobbies, reading sci-fi novels, or spending time outside. |
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Graduate Students
Joshua Craig
Ph.D. Student Josh is a Ph.D. student at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge, where he also completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Neuroscience. His NSERC PGS-D funded research delves into the complex effects of stress on the brain, particularly focusing on how stress alters perception and processing in the brain through the use of naturalistic stimuli to better understand real-world implications. An avid movie buff, Josh always has a top-notch film recommendation at the ready, whether it’s a classic or a hidden gem. Outside of academia, he enjoys unwinding on the golf course, staying active at the gym, or hitting the hockey rink.
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Keva Klamer
Ph.D. Student Keva is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Neuroscience at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge. She completed her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Neuroscience also from the University of Lethbridge. Her NSERC PGS-D funded research delves into how various facets of human experience (e.g., emotions, migraine status, psychological well-being levels, and somatic anxiety levels) influence complex cognitive processing. To do so, she conducts functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) studies while participants watch movies. When she’s not researching, she spends her free time doing yoga, pilates, reading, playing piano, and going on hikes with her partner, Devon.
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Alireza Taheritorbati
M.Sc. Student Alireza is a M.Sc. student in the Department of Neuroscience at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge. He earned his B.Sc. in Psychology from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. His research utilizes Electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate neural activity during memory encoding, contrasting "real-world" active experiences with passive memorization tasks. Additionally, he explores age-related differences in memory performance. Outside the lab, Alireza enjoys playing and watching sports, exploring the scenic parks of Lethbridge, and cooking with his wife, Niayesh.
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Sara Asadi
M.Sc. Student Sara is a M.Sc. student in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Her NSERC CREATE and Alberta Innovates funded research focuses on applying Deep Learning methods to 4D fMRI data classification, bridging the fields of artificial intelligence and neuroscience. Currently, Sara is developing techniques to analyze brain activity patterns during naturalistic paradigms such as movie-watching, combining 3D CNN and RNN approaches to capture spatial and temporal patterns. In her free time, she enjoys watching series and sitcoms, cycling, listening to podcasts, and coloring.
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Niayesh Allahdad
M.Sc. Student Niayesh is a M.Sc. student in the Department of Neuroscience at the Canadian Cantre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge. She graduated with a B.Sc. in Psychology from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Her research focuses on investigating neural synchrony in romantic couples, the factors affecting it, and what makes it unique from neural synchrony in other dyads such as friends. She is interested in integrating neuroscience, psychology, and social studies. Other times, Niayesh enjoys reading books, spending time with friends, and photographing beautiful sceneries of Lethbridge alongside her husband, Alireza.
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Jane O'Connor
M.Sc. Student Jane is a M.Sc. student in the Ekstrand Neuroimaging Lab at the University of Lethbridge. She previously completed her B.Sc. and B.Ed. at the University of Lethbridge in 2019. Before starting her Master’s she taught highschool and junior high math and science in Livingstone Range School Division. Her current research focuses on using naturalistic stimuli to study episodic memory. Jane’s thesis will utilize functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to study sex differences in functional connectivity of memory networks. Outside of the lab Jane likes to go climbing, do pottery, play rugby and travel.
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Undergraduate Lab Members
Rylee Wevers
NSERC USRA/Honours Student Rylee is a B.Sc. Psychology student with a Neuroscience minor at the University of Lethbridge. She will begin her Honours Thesis in Fall 2025, investigating how cannabis use alters neural synchrony during audiovisual movie watching using EEG. Her research interests include how psychoactive substances affect neural processing, emotional regulation, and sensory integration. She is particularly interested in how neuroimaging can inform clinical interventions and support evidence-based drug policy reform. Outside of academics, Rylee enjoys powerlifting, hiking, running, playing piano and chess, DJing, spending time in nature, and reading about consciousness. After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology.
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Sabrina Werner
NSERC USRA Sabrina is an undergraduate student in the 4th year of her B.Sc. in Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge. She completed her Medical Laboratory Assistant certificate from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in 2021. Her research interests include, but are not limited to, migraines and chronic pain, investigating neurophysiological parallels between physical and emotional discomfort, the effect of different encoding modalities on memory retrieval, and novel treatments for mental health disorders. She is also passionate about education, science communication, and outreach. In her spare time, she can be found stargazing with her telescope on warm nights, spending quality time with the cats at Analog Books, sketching, making jewelry, and writing science fiction.
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Previous Masters Students
KiAnna Sullivan
M.Sc. Neuroscience KiAnna has recently been accepted into medical school at the University of Alberta |
Christina Haines
M.Sc. Neuroscience Christina currently works as an MRI Research Associate at the University of Calgary |
Previous Trainees
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Leanne Watson
Previous B.Sc. Honours Student Leanne is currently completing her Master's in Occupational Therapy |
Piper Shamanski
Previous B.Sc. Honours Student Piper is currently completing her Master's in Speech Language Pathology at Dalhousie University |
