April 9, 2009
Dozois honoured for depression research
Anxiety and depression cause great personal suffering and place a major burden on the health and economic systems. David Dozois tackles these problems through research on cognitive vulnerability to depression, measurement of depression and anxiety, and their treatment and prevention. This emphasis on cognitive vulnerabilities and, by extension, resources, places the instruments of healing more firmly in the hands of sufferers themselves.
Dozois, of the Department of Psychology, has been the awarded The Ontario Mental Health Foundation’s (OMHF) Dr. John Dewan Prize. The prize recognizes outstanding OMHF-supported scientists whose unique lab or clinical research makes a significant contribution to knowledge that bears on mental health. Dozois was granted the award for his research on cognitive vulnerability to depression, the measurement of depression and anxiety, the treatment of these disorders and their prevention.
His work has resulted in many provincial, national and international grants to conduct research on depression, anxiety disorders, positive parenting, and distance services, over 121 papers, including 48 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 27 book chapters, 3 edited books and 43 non-refereed papers. Dozois has presented 186 professional presentations and workshops at scientific meetings and to the general community.
Integrating education and neuroscience
An article entitled “Can the differences between education and neuroscience be overcome by Mind, Brain and Education?” by Boba Samuels, a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education, appeared in the March 2009 issue of the highly regarded international journal, Mind, Brain, and Education.
The article explores some concerns and possibilities regarding a new field that seeks to integrate education and neuroscience. As a result of her work, Boba was one of only 25 participants invited to attend the summer program at the International School on Mind, Brain, and Education at the Etorre Majorana Centre for Scientific Culture in Erice, Sicily.
The summer program will focus on the ethical, psychological, and philosophical implications of the mind, brain, and education.