Tamara Franklin

Tamara Franklin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. Her research focuses on how environmental factors, social experiences, and stress influence brain function and plasticity. She holds a BSc (Hons) from Dalhousie, an MSc from Dalhousie, a PhD from Switzerland, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Italy.

Her academic journey began with interests in forensic psychology and counseling, but shifted to neuroscience after undergraduate studies. Key research areas include the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior, epigenetic influences, and the brain’s adaptability in response to environmental stressors.

Franklin emphasizes interdisciplinary curiosity, pursuing questions across neuroscience disciplines. She mentors students in her lab and actively contributes to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives at Dalhousie and in the neuroscience community. Notable early support came from the Dr. Carrie Best Scholarship, which enabled her to pursue higher education debt-free.

Her career reflects a commitment to bridging neuroscience with societal impact, including mentorship roles at the Black Student Advising Centre and advocacy for underrepresented groups in STEM.