Research | Baycrest

For general inquiries please e-mail: techtransfer@rotman-baycrest.on.ca

Michael Waterston, Program Manager 
mwaterston@rotman-baycrest.on.ca

At the Centre for Brain Fitness Michael is able to apply his expertise in neuroscience and technical innovation to the exciting problem of creating new commercial science-based ventures.

Michael was previously an engineering manager at Microsoft and Amazon and Director of Development of the electronic payments startup, Fidesic. Driven by an interest in computational neuroscience, he earned his Masters in neuroscience studying neuro-modulation (both transcranial magnetic stimulation and deep brain stimulation) at the Montreal Neurological Institute. He also has a Masters in economics from the University of British Columbia.

Debbie-Ann McLeod, Administrative Secretary
dmcleod@rotman-baycrest.on.ca

Debbie-Ann is responsible for overseeing the administrative processes at the Centre for Brain Fitness. She also plays a key role in facilitating the commercialization of intellectual property from within Baycrest. Currently completing a BA Honours in Psychology, she has a keen interest in how research in rehabilitation and health can transform people's lives.

Sylvain Moreno, Lead Scientist
smoreno@rotman-baycrest.on.ca

Dr. Moreno’s research interest in cognitive neuroscience focuses on brain plasticity and its implications for neurotraining and neurorehabilitation. He is especially interested in how training and rehabilitation can affect higher order processes such as language, memory and intelligence. To this point, he has studied musical training and bilingualism as experiences that depend on brain plasticity to modify cognitive networks. His research has shown that these types of training influences processing related to attention, memory, language, and intelligence. His research program incorporates multiple platforms including behavioural testing, electroencephalography (ERP), magnetoencephalography (MEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neuropsychological studies.

Yunjo Lee, Project Manager
ylee@rotman-baycrest.on.ca

Dr. Yunjo Lee’s research interests are centered on the study of memory, perception, related disorders and cognitive aging using behavioural testing, functional neuroimaging and eye-tracking technology. At the Centre for Brain Fitness, she is investigating how different types of cognitive training modify the brain and behavioural performance and how cognitive training protects individuals against age-related decline in memory and executive processes.  She has obtained PhD and MA in Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Sciences area from Psychology Department at York University.

Diana Smith, Knowledge Translation Specialist
dianasmith@rotman-baycrest.on.ca

Diana earned a specialized Honours B.A. in psychology from York University.  Prior to joining Baycrest she conducted and published clinical research examining the neuropsychological and functional consequences of schizophrenia spectrum disorders in addition to conducting clinical research examining first episode major depression. Since joining Baycrest Diana has been involved with the development and validation of the Diabetes and Brain Health program; the coordination of cognitive rehabilitation programs; and the commercialization of innovations based on cognitive science.

Jim Peters, Entrepreneur in Residence
jpeters@rotman-baycrest.on.ca

Jim has an extensive background in marketing and product management in the technology industry. At Baycrest, Jim is using his experience to drive computerized medical systems such as INCAS and ROBBIA from clinics to the commercial marketplace. This activity requires working closely with doctors and scientists, as well as software developers, investors and potential customers.

Jim has done similar work for large companies like AT&T, HP and Symantec, small companies like UNIX International and HCR, and early stage startups, such as Clustrix and KeyWitness

A native of Montreal, with a degree in computer science and chemistry, most recently Jim spent 13 years in California's silicon valley, driving innovation in companies both large and small.

Brian Gordon, Entrepreneur in Residence
bgordon@rotman-baycrest.on.ca

Brian has several years of experience building collaborations between scientists and industry and brings that experience to the Baycrest Centre for Brain Fitness.  Before taking on this role he was an independent consultant working with technology start-ups, helping them build marketing plans and raise funding.   He had also held technical roles within IBM’s software research lab in Toronto and Nortel’s R&D lab in Ottawa.

Brian has an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and an undergraduate Computer Science degree from York University.