The Neuroethics New Emerging Team (NET) was created in 2003 in response to developing neuroscience technology. The NET is funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research, Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction. 

The NET is led by Dr. Jocelyn Downie at Dalhousie University. The NET is split into three projects, each researching different aspects of the legal and ethical issues raised by the paediatric use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). To see more about the specific projects, please see: Project Summaries.  

As is fitting for a discipline grounded in both science and ethics, the NET is comprised of researchers with a wide variety of backgrounds including bioethics, law, medicine, neuroscience, philosophy, physics and psychology.  As well, members come from a variety of Canadian Institutions: in Halifax, the Dalhousie Health Law Institute and Department of Bioethics, the IWK Health Centre; and in Winnipeg, the St. Amant Centre, the University of Manitoba and the NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics.

We are proud to have a broad base of researchers collaborating on these projects, as the diverse perspectives they bring will encourage a complete examination of all the scientific, legal, and ethical issues.

Jocelyn Downie Jocelyn Downie holds a Canadian Research Chair in Health Law and Policy. She is also a Professor in the Faculties of Law and Medicine and a Faculty Associate in the Health Law Institute at Dalhousie University. Professor Downie brings her graduate training in both Philosophy and Law to her work at the intersection of law, ethics, and health care. Her research is interdisciplinary, collaborative and geared both to contributing to the academic literature and affecting change in law, policy, and practice. Topics written on recently in the field of neuroethics include therapeutic misconception, disclosure of risks of MRI, MRI safety, and determination of death. Faculty of Law, Dalhousie University 6061 University Avenue, Halifax, N.S., B3H 4H9 Phone: (902) 494-6883 Fax: (902) 494-1316 E-mail: jocelyn.downie@dal.ca CV

Ryan C.N. D’Arcy Dr. D’Arcy’s research utilizes advanced imaging technologies, such as high-field MRI and high-density EEG to better understand the biological basis of distributed neural systems and to develop novel diagnostic methods in neurological patient populations. Dr. D’Arcy’s participation in the neuroethics NET relates to issues surrounding the use of emerging imaging technologies in neuroscience, health care, and the commercialization of research. Dr. D’Arcy is in charge of NRC’s Institute for Biodiagnostics (Atlantic), which works in partnership with Dalhousie University, the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre (QEII), and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) to build capacity in neuroimaging and clinical neuroscience. This initiative has led to the installation of multi-user, high-field MRI research laboratories at the QEII (Neuroimaging Research Laboratory) and the IWK (Biomedical MRI Research Laboratory). These laboratories provide the opportunity to explore key ethical issues and to develop recommendations based on real world experiences in the lab. Institute for Biodiagnostics (Atlantic) National Research Council (NRC-CNRC) Suite 3900, Neuroimaging Research Laboratory 1796 Summer Street, Halifax Infirmary, Halifax, N.S., B3H 3A7 Phone: (902) 473-1850 Fax: (902) 473-1851 Email: Ryan.D'Arcy@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Shawna Gray, Program Manager Health Law Institute, Dalhousie University 6061 University Avenue, Halifax, N.S., B3H 4H9 Phone:(902) 494-6171                                                        Fax: (902) 494-6879 E-mail: Shawna.Gray@dal.ca

Michael Hadskis Micahel Hadskis is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Law, Dalhousie University, and is the Kermesse Scholar of the IWK Health Centre Auxiliary, Health Law Institute. Dalhousie recently awarded Michael the Health Sciences Research Ethics Board Distinguished Service Award. He teaches health law courses at the Law School, and oversees and delivers teaching in the Faculty of Medicine at the M.D. and post-graduate levels. Additionally, he oversees the health curriculum in the Faculties of Dentistry and Health Professions. His research interests include neuroethics and the regulation of biomedical research. Health Law Institute, Dalhousie University 6061 University Avenue, Halifax, N.S., B3H 4H9 Phone:(902) 494-2534                                                        Fax: (902) 494-1316 E-mail: Michael.Hadskis@dal.ca

Nuala Kenny Nuala Kenny is Professor of Bioethics and Paediatrics at Dalhousie University.  After an extensive career in paediatrics, Dr. Kenny founded the Department of Bioethics at Dalhousie University in 1996. She now devotes herself to bioethics full-time. Her areas of interest include: physician ethics, ethics education for physicians with particular attention to role modeling, ethics for heatlh policy at all levels, paediatric ethics and end of life care. Dr. Kenny has particular interest in decisions involving children in clinical care and research.  Her focus is on respectful involvement of children in decisions and empowerment of parents and families to truly informed decision-making. She has served on committees on Biomedical Ethics of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society. She was a founding member of the National Council for Bioethics in Human Research with Human Subjects and the National Science Advisory Board. She was Chair of Values Committee of the Prime Minister's National Forum on Health and is past President of both the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Canadian Bioethics Society. She was a founding member of the Governing Council of the CIHR and chaired the Working Group on Ethics in the new CIHR. Presently, she is a member of the Health Council of Canada and was responsible for its 2006 report on the health status of children. Departments of Bioethics and Pediatrics 849 University Ave, Halifax, N.S., B3H 4H7 Phone: 902-494-3801 Fax: 902-494-3865 E-mail: Nuala.Kenny@dal.ca

Bryan Magwood Bryan Magwood is a paediatrician with specialized training in Intensive Care Medicine and Clinical Ethics.  He works in the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Room at the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg.  Dr. Magwood has participated in neuroscience research for many years and currently is interested in sedation for MRI research in children and minimal risk.  Dr. Magwood also is actively involved in medical education and as an Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba he directs the Medical Humanities Program. Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Room 270 Brodie Centre 727 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5 Phone: (204) 789-3568 Fax: (204) 780-3929                                                      E-mail: magwoodb@cc.umanitoba.ca

Krisztina L. Malisza Dr. Krisztina Malisza is a research officer in the Magnetic Resonance and Development (MRRD) group at the National Research Council of Canada, Institute of Biodiagnostics.  She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of Manitoba.  She heads a paediatric MRI research program in collaboration with local researchers, physicians and psychologists. The focus of this program is development of imaging techniques and utilization of existing protocols for diagnosis of paediatric diseases and disorders.  Her research interests include: 1) Function neuroimaging involving Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and healthy child development, 2) Imaging of the spinal cord, including spinal fMRI, and 3) Neuroethics focused on paediatric issues, minimum risk standards in MRI and perceptions and assessment of risk level in neuroimaging by research ethics boards and institutional research boards. Institute for Biodiagnostics, National Research Council 435 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 1Y6 Phone: (204) 984-6974 Fax: (204) 984-7036 E-mail:  Krisztina.Malisza@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Jennifer Marshall Jennifer Marshall has an MSc in Human Genetics and an MSc in Experimental Medicine (specialization in Bioethics) from McGill University. She is a Research Associate with the NET. Through her work as a Research Associate, she has become engaged with issues surrounding health and medicine such as health inequalities, issues of justice and research ethics decision-making.  Jennifer has also worked with two hospital Research Ethics Boards, at the Health Policy Branch of Health Canada and as a Research Assistant at McGill University and the University of Montreal. Health Law Institute, Dalhousie University 6061 University Avenue, Halifax, N.S., B3H 4H9 Phone:(902) 494-6163 Fax: (902) 494-6879 E-mail: jennifer.marshall@dal.ca

Toby Martin Toby Martin is manager of the St. Amant Research Centre. He works to improve quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities. His interests in the NET focus on empirical research to help children and members of other vulnerable populations participate in neuroimaging research, so as not to be excluded from the benefits of these developing technologies.  He is helping to develop Applied Behaviour Analysis procedures to help these individuals overcome anxiety and excessive motion during MRI scanning.  He also works to describe and quantify the psychological risks of MRI procedures, as well as how these risks may differ in the clinical and research settings.   St. Amant Research Centre, 440 River Road Winnipeg, MB R2M 3Z9 Phone: (204) 256-4301 ext. 5481 Fax: (204) 257-4349 E-mail: tmartin@stamant.mb.ca

Eric Racine Eric Racine is the director of the Neuroethics Research Unit at the Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal (IRCM). Dr. Racine holds a PhD in applied human sciences bioethics option from the University of Montreal and was a postdoctoral fellow in neuroethics at the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics from 2004 to 2006. Dr. Racine pursues collaborative interdisciplinary research to improve healthcare, research practices and public health prevention and information in neuroscience and related clinical specialties.  He uses various research methods and approaches such as qualitative interviews, content analysis and media studies to inform ethical approaches to patient care and research.  His current research projects bear on end-of-life decision making for critically ill neurological patients as well as public understanding of neuroscience.  Neuroethics Research Unit Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC H2W 1R7 Phone:(514) 987-5723  Fax:(514) 987-5763 E-mail: eric.racine@ircm.qc.ca

Matthias Helge Schmidt Dr. Matthias Schmidt is a paediatric radiologist with special interest in neuroimaging.  He is Chief of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging at the IWK Health Centre and a member of the Brain Repair Centre at Dalhousie University.  He is involved in research aimed at improving the diagnosis of brain injury in preterm children and understanding the neurochemistry of childhood psychiatric illnesses.  His neuroethics interests include the management of unexpected findings on research scans and the safety of children participating in neuroimaging research.  Phone:(902) 473-5453 E-mail: mhschmid@dal.ca

Deborah Shiloff Dr. Deborah Shiloff is a Scientific Support Officer in the Magnetic Resonance and Development (MRRD) group at the National Research Council of Canada, Institute for Biodiagnostics in Winnipeg.  Her interests in neuroscience are centred around how the human brain (both adult and children) optimally functions around its varied simple to complex daily tasks in comparison to an altered or diseased state under the same conditions.  As part of the NET, Deb is endeavouring to help fill the scientific and ethical voids that currently exist regarding research activities involving both typically healthy children as well as those children who have varied brain disorders and functionality.  Institute for Biodiagnostics, National Research Council 435 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1Y6 Phone: (204) 984-6618 Fax: (204) 984-7036 E-mail: deborah.shiloff@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

CT Yu Dickie Yu received his PhD in psychology in 1984 from the University of Manitoba, specializing in applied behaviour and developmental disabilities.  Since then, he has worked as a psychologist, researcher and educator.  Currently, he is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Manitoba, and the Director of the St. Amant Research Centre.  Behaviour assessment and training in developmental disabilities, including autism, are central to his teaching and research and he has published extensively in these areas. His current research interests include epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders, evaluation of Applied Behaviour Analysis intensive behavioral intervention, choice making, and social skills. University of Manitoba, St. Amant Research Centre 440 River Road, Winnipeg, MB R2M 3Z9 Phone: (204) 256-4301 ext. 5399 Fax: (204) 257-4349 E-mail: yu@stamant.mb.ca

Aaron Newman Aaron Newman is a Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and Assistant Professor in the departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, where he directs the NeuroCognitive Imaging Laboratory. Dr. Newman uses non-invasive neuroimaging methods, including fMRI and EEG, to study neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to adapt to altered experience or damage. Current research projects include comparing the brain areas used in sign language and spoken language; investigating how visual perception is altered in people with long-standing deafness; predicting how brains will adapt to cochlear implants; studying the effects of therapy on recovery of language abilities following stroke; and mapping the brain in patients prior to neurosurgery. Dr. Newman's interests in neuroethics include management of unexpected findings, the involvement of children and brain-damaged patients in neuroimaging research, and issues concerning the adoption of unproven neuroimaging methods in legal settings (e.g., deception detection). Department of Psychology, DalhousieUniversity            Halifax, NS B3H 4H9 Phone: (902) 494-6959 Fax: (902) 494-6585 E-mail: aaron.newman@dal.ca

Victoria Apold, Research Associate Victoria Apold is a Research Associate with the NET. She recieved her LLB and LLM from Dalhousie University. Victoria's Master's thesis was in health law. Prior to joining the NET, Victoria practised litigation law at a firm in Halifax. Health Law Institute, Dalhousie University 6061 University Avenue, Halifax, N.S., B3H 4H9 Phone:(902) 494-6179                                                        Fax: (902) 494-6879 E-mail: Victoria.Apold@dal.ca

Copyright 2005