Adele Diamond

Adele Diamond, PhD, FRSC Adele has a account Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 500+ connections Contact info The University of British Columbia Yale University School of Medicine About SCIENTIST & INNOVATOR Adele Diamond, PhD, FRSC, is a world leader in developmental cognitive neuroscience and at the forefront of research on 'executive functions’ (EFs). EFs rely on prefrontal cortex (PFC) & interrelated brain regions & include 'thinking outside the box' (cognitive flexibility), mentally relating ideas & facts (working memory), & giving considered responses rather than impulsive ones, resisting temptations & staying focused (inhibitory control, including selective attention). These abilities are crucial for problem-solving, creativity, reasoning, & success in all life’s aspects. Her lab examines fundamental questions about how PFC & EFs are influenced by biological factors (e.g., genes & neurochemistry) & environmental factors (for ill by poverty or stress & improved by creative interventions & programs). She has a track record of discoveries that have improved treatment for medical disorders (PKU & ADHD) & impacted early education, improving millions of children’s lives. PFC is malleable (neuroplasticity). PFC functioning & EFs can be improved by training & practice. But people improve only on what they practice (e.g., training working memory does not improve problem-solving). Thus real world activities that train diverse EF skills should show more widespread cognitive benefits than targeted computerized training. PFC’s striking plasticity results in PFC & EFs suffering first and most if anyone is sad, stressed, lonely, sleep-deprived, or not physically fit. If we ignore stress, loneliness, or lack of sleep/exercise, the unmet emotional, social, &/or physical need will work against any EF intervention working & the person might be erroneously labelled with an EF disorder (like ADHD) or a learning disability. Schools are cutting exercise & the arts in hopes of improving academic outcomes. Dr. Diamond shows, from solid research on the brain, that those very activities may be critical for achieving the best academic & health outcomes. Experience The University of British Columbia Company NameThe University of British Columbia Total Duration16 yrs TitleCanada Research Chair Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Dates EmployedSep 2004 – Present Employment Duration16 yrs 4 mos LocationVancouver, British Columbia TitleProfessor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Dates Employed2004 – Present Employment Duration16 yrs LocationVancouver, British Columbia POSITIONS HELD : ► 2011 - Present - Member, NeuroDevNet, a Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) dedicated to helping children overcome neurodevelopmental disorders ► 2010 - Present - Founding Member, CIRCA (Centre for Interdisciplinary Res. & Collaboration in Autism) at UBC ► 2008 - Present - Head, Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry ► 2008 - Present - Member, BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Institute (BCMHARI) ► 2007 - 2009 - Faculty Fellow, Green College, UBC ► 2006 - Present - Founding Fellow, Institute of Mental Health, UBC ► 2005 - Present - Associate Member of Department of Psychology, UBC ► 2004 - Present - Canada Research Chair Tier 1 Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry … see more TitleProfessor Dates Employed2004 – 2015 Employment Duration11 yrs TitleProfessor Dates Employed2004 – 2015 Employment Duration11 yrs TitleProfessor Dates Employed2004 – 2015 Employment Duration11 yrs UMass Medical School Professor of Psychiatry Company NameUMass Medical School Dates Employed1996 – 2004 Employment Duration8 yrs LocationWorcester, MA POSITIONS HELD: ► 2000 - 2004 Professor of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA ► 1997 - 2004 Director, Center for Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Univ. of Massachusetts Medical School, Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center Campus, Waltham, MA ► 1997 - 1999 Senior Scientist, Division of Psychological Sciences, & Adjunct Senior Scientist, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Waltham, MA ► 1996 - 1997 Associate Scientist, Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Waltham, MA … see more Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Company NameMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Dates Employed1995 – 1996 Employment Duration1 yr LocationCambridge, MA University of Pennsylvania Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology Company NameUniversity of Pennsylvania Dates Employed1988 – 1995 Employment Duration7 yrs LocationGreater Philadelphia Area Washington University in St. Louis Company NameWashington University in St. Louis Total Duration2 yrs TitleAssistant Professor of Psychology Dates Employed1986 – 1988 Employment Duration2 yrs LocationSaint Louis, MO TitleAssistant Professor Dates Employed1986 – 1988 Employment Duration2 yrs Show 1 more experience Education Yale University School of Medicine Yale University School of Medicine Degree NamePost Doctoral FellowField Of StudyNeuroanatomy Dates attended or expected graduation1982 – 1985 Laboratory of Patricia Goldman-Rakic Awards: - Sloan Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Award - NSF travel grant to attend a NATO Advanced Study Institute, Lyons, France - NIMH Postdoctoral Fellowship #F32 MH09007 Harvard University Harvard University Degree NameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)Field Of StudyDevelopmental Psychology (advisor, Jerome Kagan) Dates attended or expected graduation1983 Psychology and Social Relations Dept. Awards: - NSF Graduate Fellowship - Danforth Graduate Fellowship - Graduate Student Research Award, Psychology Department - Radcliffe Grant for Graduate Women - NIMH Pre-doctoral Traineeship in Cross-Cultural Psychological Res. #MH14088-03 - NSF Doctoral Dissertation Grant #BNS 8013-4471978 Swarthmore College Swarthmore College Degree NameBachelor's DegreeField Of StudyPsychology; Sociology & Anthropology Dates attended or expected graduation1975 Graduated Phi Beta Kappa, with highest honors in Course Awards: Swarthmore National Scholarship (4-year, FULL scholarship) The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Field Of StudyPhilosophy of Science (advisor, Imre Lakatos) Dates attended or expected graduation1972 Awards: Hunter Grubb Scholarship John Bowne High School John Bowne High School