Aaron Newman

Education

BA(hons) University of Winnipeg
MSc University of Oregon
PhD University of Oregon
PDF University of Rochester

Research Interests

My research examines relationships between brain activity and thought (particularly language) using a variety neuroimaging tools. I direct the NeuroCognitive Imaging Lab (NCIL), where I train students in cognitive neuroscience research as we study how experience affects the brain in contexts such as second language learning and reading development. We also work on developing brain-computer interface technology with applications in learning, gaming, and assistive tech. Our lab also maintains an active collaboration with Dr. Colin Conrad in Dalhousie’s School of Information Management, taking a Neuro Information Systems approach to studying topics such as trust in AI and online learning. I am the author of two textbooks: Research Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neural Data Science in Python.

Another facet of my work is training scientists at all levels to be more creative and critical thinkers, to understand design thinking and entrepreneurship, and to find and solve important problems within and beyond academia. I do this through the SURGE Innovation Sandbox at Dalhousie, where I develop and deliver classes, workshops, hackathons, and other programming.  

About My Lab

The NeuroCognitive Imaging Lab (NCIL) is a multimodal neuroimaging lab equipped with several EEG systems as well as fNIRS and eye tracking. We support trainees at all levels from undergraduate through postdoctoral, in an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages trainees to develop scientific and critical thinking abilities, as well as professional skills that position them for careers in both academia and industry. For more information on joining our lab and the opportunities available, please visit the NCIL website.

Selected Publications

• Newman, Aaron J. (2019). Research Methods for Cognitive Neuroscience. London: SAGE Publishing.
• Newman, A. J.. (2020). Neural Data Science in Python. Open educational resource, published online at https://neuraldatascience.io
• Bailey, L.M., , Matheson, H., Fawcett, J.M., Bodner, G.E., & Newman, A.J.. Differential weighting of information during aloud and silent reading: Evidence from representational similarity analysis of fMRI data. Imaging Neuroscience. doi.org/10.1162/imag_a_00428
• Galilee, A., Beck, L.J., Lownie, C., Veinot, J., Mimeau, C., Dempster, T.,  Elliott, L., Deacon, S.H., & Newman, (2024). A.J.. Ortho-Semantic Learning of Novel Words: An event-related potential study of grade 3 children. Frontiers in Developmental Psychology. 10.3389/fdpys.2024.1340383
• Douglas, C., Tremblay, A., and Newman, A.. (2023).  A two for one special: EEG hyperscanning using a single-person EEG recording setup. MethodsX 10, 102019 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102019
• Nissen, A., Conrad, C., & Newman, A.J.. (2023). Are You Human? Investigating the Perceptions and Evaluations of Virtual Versus Human Instagram Influencers. 2023 ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2023). Hamburg, Germany. 10.1145/3544548.3580943
• Lazar-Kurz, Z., Aziz, J., McKearney, K.J., Hamon-Hill, C., MacDonald, A., Newman, A.J., & Eskes, G.. (2023) Age-related changes to electroencephalographic markers of visuomotor error processing and learning in prism adaptation. Neuropsychologia. 184, 108546. 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108546
• Sayehli, S., Gullberg, M., Newman, A.J., and Andersson, A.. (2022). Native word order processing is not uniform: An ERP-study of verb-second word order. Frontiers in Psychology - Language Sciences. 13. 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.668276
• Conrad, C., Aziz, J, Henneberry, J., and Newman, A.J.. (2022). Do emotions influence safe browsing? Towards an EEG marker of affective responses to cybersecurity notifications. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14 July. 10.3389/fnins.2022.922960
• Bailey, L.M., , Bodner, G.E., Matheson, H., Stewart, B.M., Roddick, K., O'Neil, K., Simmons, M., Lambert, A.M., Krigolson, O.E., Newman, A.J.,  & Fawcett, J.M.. (2021). The neural correlates of the production effect: An fMRI study. Brain and Cognition. 152, 105757. 10.1016/j.bandc.2021.105757
• Conrad, C., and Newman, A.J.. (2021). Measuring Mind Wandering during Online Lectures Assessed with EEG. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 15, 455. 10.3389/fnhum.2021.697532