Faculty Focus: A New Era in Cognitive Psychology at Memorial

The Department joyously welcomes Dr. Blaire Dube, our new Cognitive Psychologist! Dr. Dube completed her undergraduate degree at Brock University, followed by a Master's degree and PhD from Guelph University. She further honed her expertise through a Postdoctoral fellowship at Ohio State University before selecting Memorial University as the home for her pioneering lab.  

A Warm Welcome 

Originally hailing from southern Ontario, Dr. Dube felt drawn to Newfoundland upon completing her tenure at Ohio State. Her decision was driven by a desire to return to Canada, contribute to education, and embrace a community-oriented environment close to nature and friends – an ideal backdrop for her passion for outdoor activities.   

Dube’s fascination with cognition ignited during her third year at Brock University, where she immersed herself in an attention lab. Her subsequent graduate studies expanded her focus to visual attention, exploring how humans navigate complex environments. She investigates how our perception of the visual environment, often overwhelming in its complexity, is finely tuned to align with our behavioral goals. Dr. Dube’s research zeroes in on the mechanisms enabling us to select pertinent information, crucial for managing cognitive load and avoiding sensory overload.

Nurturing Future Scientists at Memorial 

Her recent work delves into the intricate interplay between visual working memory, attention mechanisms, and distractions, offering fresh insights into cognitive processes typically examined through broader lenses. At Memorial University, Dr. Dube is poised to deepen her exploitation of how distractions shape our interpretation of our visual environment. 

Currently mentoring two Honours students, Dr. Dube plans to expand her team by recruiting Master’s and PhD candidates next year. Her vision at MUN includes nurturing the next generation of scientists, conducting research, and allowing students the freedom to pursue their genuine intellectual passions.  

Welcome Dr. Dube, and we look forward to all the great things to come!