John A. E. Anderson

John A. E. Anderson serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Cognitive Science at Carleton University's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, where he directs the Cognition and Neuroscience of Aging Lab (CANAL Lab) and holds the Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Cognition and Wellness.

Education:

• BSc, University of Toronto
• MA, University of Toronto
• PhD, University of Toronto

His research investigates how contextual factors (time of day, caffeine, sleep deprivation, diet) and lifelong experiential factors (exercise, bilingualism, education) interact to delay age-related cognitive decline. Using behavioral and neuroimaging methodologies, the CANAL Lab examines aging, attention, and memory through three core projects: depression's impact on brain microstructure, diurnal cognitive variations in older adults, and bilingual advantages in cognitive aging. This work aims to establish evidence-based guidelines for maintaining cognitive health in later life.

Scientific Awards:

• Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Cognition and Wellness

Dr. Anderson actively mentors student researchers in the CANAL Lab and accepts new graduate and undergraduate students. His research program, supported by the Canada Research Chair, explores translational applications for cognitive wellness in aging populations through ongoing investigations of lifestyle interventions and neurological biomarkers.

Research Infrastructure:

As director of the CANAL Lab, he leads a multidisciplinary team utilizing behavioral testing and neuroimaging to study aging cognition, with current projects examining depression-related brain changes, morning cognitive peaks in elderly populations, and neuroprotective effects of bilingualism.