Undergraduate Students

New Research from Prof. Rose Bagot's Lab uncovers how GABAergic neurons encode experienced rewards

anthony.otto@mcgill.ca — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:26:58 +0000

New work from Dr. Rosemary Bagot's lab: inhibitory "GABAergic" neurons — long treated as supporting players in the brain — turn out to help track the recent history of rewards in two key decision-making regions (shown in mice). The work reshapes which neurons we think are keeping score of our past outcomes.

Read the paper in Cell Reports

Department Research Featured Among Quebec’s Top Discoveries

stephanie.larocque@mcgill.ca — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:59:54 +0000

We’re proud to share that a paper on pain research, featuring Professor Caroline Palmer, Professor Roy, and PhD student Wenbo Yi, has been recognized as one of Quebec Science’s Top 10 Discoveries of the Year. This achievement highlights the innovative work being done in our department to advance understanding of pain mechanisms and perception.

Remembering Morton Mendelson (1949-2025)

joshua.starr@mail.mcgill.ca — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:32:52 +0000

The Department of Psychology is mourning the passing of Professor Morton Mendelson, a longstanding faculty member who joined the department in 1977. Professor Mendelson demonstrated a deep commitment to education and student well-being, and served as 91˿��Ƶ's first Deputy Provost of Student Life and Learning. He will be missed by many.

Professor Emerita Debbie Moskowitz offered these words about Professor Mendelson:

New publication in PAIN by PhD student Wenbo Yi, Prof. Caroline Palmer, and Prof. Mathieu Roy

joshua.starr@mail.mcgill.ca — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 08:12:04 +0000

Congratulations to PhD student Wenbo Yi, Prof. Caroline Palmer, and Prof. Mathieu Roy for their recent publication in PAIN! The paper is titled, Individualizing musical tempo to spontaneous rates maximizes music-induced hypoalgesia, and a recent news article on this work can be found here. The full publication can be accessed here.

New publication in Cognitive Science by postdoc Bavo van Kerrebroeck and Prof. Caroline Palmer

joshua.starr@mail.mcgill.ca — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 05:36:56 +0000

Congratulations to postdoctoral researcher Bavo van Kerrebroeck and Prof. Palmer for their recent publication in Cognitive Science! The paper is titled, Virtual Partners Improve Synchronization in Human−Machine Trios, and more information (including the full article) can be found here. Great work!

Prof. Jelena Ristic presents TEDx talk at the Amazing Brain Science Talks

joshua.starr@mail.mcgill.ca — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 19:05:16 +0000

On October 17, 2024, Prof. Jelena Ristic presented a TEDx talk entitled, Eyes speak louder than words, at the Amazing Brain Science Talks hosted by Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL), which is an interdisciplinary neuroscience program at 91˿��Ƶ. This event brought together leading Canadian brain health experts to showcase some of the latest advances in brain health research. For more information on the event, see here. To watch Prof.

New publication in the International Journal of Eating Disorders by graduate student Adrienne Mehak and Prof. Sarah Racine

joshua.starr@mail.mcgill.ca — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 08:46:51 +0000

Congratulations to PhD candidate Adrienne Mehak and Prof. Racine for their recent publication in the International Journal of Eating Disorders! The paper is titled, A Psychophysiological Investigation of Mechanisms Underlying “Feeling Fat” in Women With and Without Binge Eating, and more information (including the full article) can be found here. Great work!

New publication in Nature Communications Psychology by graduate student Florence Mayrand and Prof. Jelena Ristic

joshua.starr@mail.mcgill.ca — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 07:06:45 +0000

Congratulations to graduate student Florence Mayrand, postdoc Dr. Sarah McCrackin, and Prof. Ristic for their recent publication in Nature Communications Psychology! The paper is titled, Intentional looks facilitate faster responding in observers, and can be found here. This work represents one of the first experimental demonstrations that humans can “read” information regarding mental states from others’ eyes. Great work!