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Who or what inspired you to become a scientist?
My interest in human physiology was progressively built by deep curiosity to understand how the body works, and to use this knowledge to improve health. Along this path, I have been extremely fortunate to have had teachers, mentors, colleagues, and family members who have inspired me, fanned the flames of my curiosity, and encouraged exploration. A major catalyst on this journey was a book that I read during my 4th year of undergraduate studies titled “The Brain that Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge. I was inspired to consider how exercise can be strategically used to exploit mechanisms of brain plasticity for the enhancement of brain function across the lifespan. I proposed these ideas for my Master’s project (Queen’s University, working with Dr. Michael Tschakovsky) that set the foundation for my enthusiasm and excitement for science, and set the trajectory that has led me to McMaster.

What’s the focus of your research?
My overarching research interest is to investigate how behaviours that span the entire day (physical activity, sedentary behaviours, diet, and sleep) impact cognition and brain health. This knowledge will in turn be used to develop interventions for the improvement of brain health across the lifespan in health and disease. My research to date has primarily focused on the psychophysiological responses to exercise, sleep, screen time, fasting, and cognitive training in children, university students, and older adults.

When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
When I’m not in the lab or classroom, you can find me outdoors engaged in some type of activity. In the summer I spend my free time road biking, camping, hiking, and playing soccer. In the winter, I love snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and playing hockey.

Jeremy completed his Honours BA from Wilfrid Laurier University in Kinesiology and Physical Education. He completed MSc and Ph.D. from Queen’s University in Exercise Physiology. Following graduate school, Jeremy completed two post-doctoral fellowships: one at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa with a focus on pediatric brain health and a second at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus with a focus on metabolism and brain health.