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My research interests focus on generating a more complete understanding of cognitive aging through the integration of multiple neuroimaging modalities, neurocognitive, behavioral and lifestyle assessments. This research uses a conceptual research model as a systematic guide to explore the multi-faceted effects of advancing age and the role of individual differences on slowing down or accelerating the negative effects of age. This involves the neuroimaging modalities: task-related functional MRI, resting cerebral blood flow, structure and white matter integrity. The integration of neural, cognitive and behavioral measures involves univariate, multivariate and structural statistical modeling. The ultimate goal of this research is the identification of modifiable behaviors that provide protection against age-related pathologies and the mechanism by which such protections operate. 

My education and training is in physics and biomedical engineering with a focus on signal processing. Since 1999 I have been actively engaged in neuroimaging research as a research assistant, a student and as an independent investigator. My experiences have taken advantage of my technical abilities and have focused on data analysis and statistical modeling. The projects I have worked on include studies of cognitive abilities in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome, the perception of pain in those suffering from fibromyalgia, the administration and testing of olfactory perception within the scanner, the study of the effects of healthy aging on neural structure and function. The culmination of these experiences leads me to integrate multiple types of neural measures, cognitive abilities and individual differences in ability and lifestyle to gain a complete understanding of advancing age and what slows and speeds up its effects.

Dr. Jason Steffener

MY LATEST RESEARCH

Neural Cognitive Mapping

The overall aim of this project is to test whether the brains of older adults respond in the same manner as younger adults when all participants are matched based on their perceived cognitive demands.

Cognitive Functioning Among Health Conditions: The Moderating Role of Cognitive Reserve

This project is in collaboration with faculty in the Psychology Department of the University of Ottawa.

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