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.
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Department Highlights
Five Questions with Elani Bykowski (BSc '18, MSc '20)
Recipient of the School of Graduate Studies Silver Medal of Merit - Master of Science
Elani Bykowski’s thesis focused on the analysis of urinary and blood-derived biomarkers in patients affected by traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. Elani pursued this research under co-supervision by Dr. Gerlinde Metz and Tony Montina (BSc '08, MSc '10) in collaboration with the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. Elani was supported by a CIHR CGS-M Graduate Award and she received a Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement to spend time at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Elani’s productive academic track record is complemented by outstanding athletic accomplishments as part of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns team.
Mysterious Night Parrots may not see in the dead of night
Australia’s most elusive bird, the Night Parrot, may not be much better at seeing in the dark than other parrots active during the day.
An international collaboration between the University of Lethbridge’s Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk and Flinders University’s Dr. Vera Weisbecker, has revealed the endangered parrot’s visual system is not as well-adapted to life in the dark as would be expected for a nocturnal bird, raising concerns it might be adversely impacted by fencing in the Australian outback.
Gold Medal in Science Kate Chua BSc '20
Kate Chua, who has earned a BSc Neuroscience, has been awarded this year's Faculty of Arts & Science Gold Medal (Science). By taking advantage of some uLethbridge outreach programs, she began to impress faculty at the University of Lethbridge before she even started her final year of high school. While at the university, Kate excelled in many upper level courses, both inside and outside of her own major, showing a great interest in many diverse fields. She is the co-author of one publication and presented her own work at a number of conferences including the NeuroRepair Conference in Dresden, Germany. She has been involved in numerous clubs and other volunteer organizations in the larger community such as cancer awareness groups.
Career Bridge | Co-operative Education & Applied Studies
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 programs available in the Career Bridge office will provide you with a solid foundation for further studies and an excellent framework for a challenging and rewarding career — whatever direction you decide to go. Explore career options, participate in research and develop skills that complement your degree.