Dr. Donald Mabbott received his PhD in developmental psychology at the University of Alberta in 1998 and then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in paediatric neuropsychology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Dr. Mabbott initially worked as a clinical psychologist with the Northern Alberta Children’s Cancer Program at the Cross Cancer Institute/Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta before returning to SickKids in 2001, where he has held multiple roles.

Currently he is Head of the Neurosciences and Mental Health Program at the SickKids Research Institute. He is a psychologist with the Paediatric Brain Tumour Program in the Division of Haematology/Oncology and a Senior Scientist at SickKids. He is also a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Mabbott provides clinical neuropsychology services to children with brain tumours and their families and has a research program in developmental neuropsychology.

Education:

Present: PhD, Dept. of Psychology, University of Toronto

2020: MA, Dept. of Psychology, Ryerson University

2017: Hons. B.Sc., Dept. of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychology, University of Toronto

Research Interests:

Forty years ago, a childhood diagnosis of a malignant brain tumour was a terminal prognosis but recent advances in treatment have drastically risen the survival rate to 85%. However, with this new increase in life the long-term emotion related ramifications of these curative interventions, like facial emotion recognition deficits, have only just recently begun to be elucidated leaving the root neural causes of emotion related cognitive deficits mostly unknown.

My research focuses lie in establishing a needed and essential physical representation of how the brain changes in response to paediatric tumour treatments. Today, I investigate the effect of observed white matter damage on the ability to correctly recognize facial emotion recognition in paediatric brain tumour survivors.

This research will provide the crucial groundwork necessary for identifying specific neurophysiological points of interest linked to emotional deficits in paediatric brain tumour survivors as well as aid in creating targeted intervention plans to slow or halt further emotion processing declines essential for restoring survivors’ social-emotional development and quality of life.

Other Interests:

In my spare time, I enjoy curating recipes for my cooking themed Instagram page @WhatsCookinLiz, reading about the stock and cryptocurrency markets, drawing and painting, learning new languages on Duolingo, fundraising for amazing causes like the Canadian Cancer Society, and planning trips and events to spend time with friends and family.

Education:

Present: PhD, Dept. of Psychology, University of Toronto

2022: HBSc, Psychology Research Specialist – Thesis and Neuroscience Major, University of Toronto

Research Interests:

I am broadly interested in research with the potential to inform educational practice and policy. My current research explores whether neural synchrony patterns in the developing brain enable broader attention and learning in childhood, addressing intriguing theoretical questions about how the nature of learning might change across development in ways that are adaptive. I am also interested in how cognitive and neural development vary based on contextual factors like socioeconomic status.

Other Interests:

Outside of the lab, I love to sing, play piano, draw, bake, and spend time running and biking outdoors!

Education:

Present: PhD, Dept. of Psychology, University of Toronto

2019: MS., Neuroscience and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University 

2014: BSc (Hons) in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Nottingham 

Research Interests:

My research interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience, developmental psychology, and clinical trials. I have previously examined how socioeconomic factors, such as family income and parental education, interact with stress to influence brain development and cognition in children. Additionally, I have explored how variations in parenting styles relate to brain structure and mental health outcomes during middle childhood. 

Currently, my work focuses on clinical trials testing the efficacy of pharmacological agents aimed at cognitive and brain recovery in pediatric brain tumor survivors. I am also interested in how parent-child interactions may support recovery in these children. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to the development of targeted interventions that promote resilience and healthy development in pediatric populations. 

Other Interests:

I like traveling and reading about aviation, going to cultural and jazz shows, and exploring neighborhoods in the city on foot.