PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Canada Research Chair (Tier II)
Member, Hotchkiss Brain Institute

Jackson did his undergraduate studies in Molecular and Cell BIology at UC Berkeley. He then joined Dr. Mitchell Roitman’s lab at the University of Illinois, Chicago where he earned a PhD in Neuroscience. He did his postdoctoral studies in Dr. John Maunsell’s lab at the University of Chicago. He opened the lab at UCalgary in July 2022. Outside the lab, Jackson spends time outdoors (hiking, snowboarding, cycling), plays drums, makes art, and spends time with his partner and their menagerie of pets. He is also working on an MSc degree in Analytics from Georgia Tech (expected 2024).

jackson.cone@ucalgary.ca

Link to CV

GRADUATE STUDENT

PhD student in Biomedical Engineering

Amira is a young medical doctor (MBBS) who is currently pursuing her MSc in Biomedical Engineering in Dr. Cone’s lab. Amira is interested in systems and computational neuroscience, particularly in studying the dynamics of brain activity in sensory processing, both locally and across large-scale networks. Her research aims to estimate precise spatiotemporal mappings of neuronal activity in visual areas that contribute to visually-guided behaviors. As an aspiring physician-scientist, Amira is passionate about applying computational and engineering tools to neuroscience research while bridging the gap between fundamental discoveries and clinical applications.

amira.fadl1@ucalgary.ca

GRADUATE STUDENT

MSc student in Biomedical Engineering

Kiana, a master’s student in Biomedical Engineering, is deeply passionate about the convergence of data science and neuroscience. She's a firm believer in the transformative power of understanding the brain, viewing it as a key to significant advances in machine intelligence. Her research applies data science tools to unravel interactions between attention, arousal, and neuronal population activity in visual cortex. Outside academia, Kiana enjoys the serenity of piano playing and loves diving into the diverse worlds of movies and TV shows - her perfect escape into different worlds and stories.

kiana.kazeminejad1@ucalgary.ca

GRADUATE STUDENT

MSc student in Psychology

Bertrand (Bert) is a second year masters student with a strong interest in the visually guided aspects of behavioural neuroscience. By using cutting edge tools such as optogenetics and fibre photometry Bert hopes to shed some light on dopamine and the role it plays in reinforcement and perceptual learning. Bert also enjoys snowboarding, basketball, and hiking with his dogs. His work is supported by an Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES).

bykwon@ucalgary.ca

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

BSc student in Psychology (Hons)

Faye completed her degree in Psychology in 2024 and conducted her honors thesis research in the lab. Her honours thesis leveraged computational and machine learning tools to assess how fluctuations in task engagement affect measured relationships between brain perturbations and task performance in a large experimental dataset. She is now preparing her work for publication. Faye is deeply intrigued by the cognitive functions of the brain and is preparing applications for graduate studies. Outside the lab, Faye enjoys playing video games, learning new languages, and immersing herself in books.

ab.arellano@ucalgary.ca

GRADUATE STUDENT

MSc Student in Psychology

Jamie is currently volunteering as a research assistant and plans to pursue graduate studies in the near future. With a background in psychology, Jamie supports ongoing projects and aspires to delve deeper into the field. Outside the lab, Jamie works as a volunteer firefighter, enjoys learning new languages, and competes in powerlifting

jamie.sanson@ucalgary.ca

UNDERGRADUATE HONOURS STUDENT

PURE Fellow

BSc student in Psychology (Hons)

Adriana is a Psychology Honours student interested in the neurological underpinnings of behavior. Adriana’s project delves into the attentional mechanisms of mice through sensory tasks, aiming to understand how they integrate auditory and visual stimuli. Adriana’s project hopes to unravel how mice integrate auditory and visual stimuli, offering insights into the nuances of attentional processes and their neural underpinnings. Adriana plans to further her educational journey in the field of behavioral neuroscience and medicine. Outside the lab, Adriana works as a volunteer at South Health Campus and likes traveling around the world while immersing herself in new cultures.

adriana.quinteronarv@ucalgary.ca

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Safir is recently graduated from UCalgary with a degree in Psychology and aspires to attend medical school in the near future. He is interested in supporting ongoing projects and creating a deeper understanding of the biological nature of behavioural neuroscience. Outside the lab, Safir works as a crisis line responder, he enjoys spending time with his cats, working out at the gym, and exploring different food places around the city.

safir.ali@ucalgary.ca

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

BSc student in Software Engineering

Jose is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering at the University of Calgary, where he actively engages in technical and leadership initiatives. His research interests focus on the integration of embedded systems with neuroscience, leveraging software engineering principles to solve complex problems, and understanding the power of artificial intelligence for innovative engineering solutions. Through his academic work and practical experiences, such as his internships at VCPU and BitLearns, as well as his leadership as President of BRASA at the University of Calgary, Jose has developed a robust foundation in both technical and managerial skills.

josepaulo.pereirajun@ucalgary.ca