Mary Courage

Mary Courage is a University Research Professor at Memorial University, specializing in Developmental and Cognitive Psychology. She holds a B.A. and Ph.D. from Memorial University and an M.Sc. from the University of Alberta. Her work focuses on infant and child development, particularly in visual perception, memory formation, and the impact of media on early cognitive and behavioral outcomes. She has pioneered studies on screen media effects, contrast sensitivity testing in infants, and the neurobehavioral impacts of iron supplementation in early childhood.

Dr. Courage’s research explores how infants and toddlers engage with digital media, the development of attentional mechanisms, and translational applications of cognitive science. She has developed clinically oriented psychophysical tests for assessing spatial contrast sensitivity in pediatric patients and contributed to understanding the role of vision screening in early childhood. Her work bridges developmental psychology with applied research, emphasizing real-world implications of cognitive and sensory development.

Her research portfolio includes over 50 peer-reviewed articles, spanning topics from prospective memory in preschoolers to the effects of background television on infant attention. She has collaborated on projects addressing obesity trends in preschool populations and the economic feasibility of large-scale vision screening programs. Her contributions have advanced methodologies for assessing visual and cognitive functions in infants and young children, with a focus on translational applications to clinical and educational settings.

Dr. Courage’s studies on multitasking and working memory highlight cognitive trade-offs during childhood, while her investigations into color vision and contrast sensitivity have informed pediatric optometry practices. Her work consistently integrates longitudinal studies and experimental methodologies to elucidate foundational aspects of human development.