Kirk Graff

Biography

About me

Hi, I’m Kirk. I’m a born and raised Calgarian. I’m currently working on my PhD in neuroscience under Dr. Signe Bray. I previously completed a BSc in Natural Science and a BEd in Secondary Science, both at the University of Calgary.

My research

I’m using fMRI to research functional connectivity individualization in both typically developing children and children born very preterm, in the 4-7 year age range. I am also looking at methods to preprocessing fMRI data. Once upon a time I was a field assistant, studying bats in northern Alberta.

Supervisor: Dr. Signe Bray

BRAIN CREATE Program aspirations

I’m hoping through the BRAIN CREATE program I can find opportunities for after the completion of my PhD. I’d like to explore a variety of potential avenues, whether they are research-based or industry-based.

Commercialization

Neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities require early intervention, but are poorly understood. Improvements in understanding individual differences with fMRI offers better diagnostic potential for struggling learners to specifically show what areas of their brain are different. This can be used to guide the formation of personalized interventions.

Awards

AGES scholarship - 2019

NSERC BRAIN CREATE Graduate Scholarship