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A Word from the Vice-Dean of Undergraduate Studies

It is an honour to begin my mandate as Vice-Dean of Undergraduate Studies within a Faculty that places critical thinking, interdisciplinarity, and social transformation at the heart of its mission. As a professor of psychology and researcher in computational neuroscience, my academic journey has been driven by a desire to understand how the brain learns, adapts, and makes meaning of the world. This perspective continues to shape how I envision the undergraduate experience in our Faculty.`

I believe that our students thrive when we challenge them not only to build knowledge, but to apply it, question it, and use it to engage with the world around them. In this spirit, I am especially inspired by the growing potential of technologies to enrich teaching, personalize learning, and broaden access to transformative education. I look forward to working alongside our faculty, staff, and students to ensure that our programs remain bold, inclusive, and grounded in the values that define us—bilingualism, reconciliation, and real-world impact. Together, we will continue to build a dynamic and empowering academic community.

About Professor Jean-Philippe Thivierge

Professor Jean-Philippe Thivierge is a Full Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa and was Associate Vice-Dean, Undergraduate studies at Faculty of Social Sciences. His research focuses on computational and quantitative investigations of how synaptic circuit activity contributes to cognitive outcomes, including perception, learning, memory, and decision-making. He leads the Computational and Biological Neuroscience Laboratory (ComBiNe Lab).

Professor Thivierge earned his Ph.D. from McGill University in 2006 and completed postdoctoral research at Université de Montréal, Indiana University and the National Research Council before joining the University of Ottawa. His interdisciplinary approach bridges neuroscience, psychology, and computational modeling, reflecting the Faculty's commitment to critical thinking and social innovation. Beyond his academic pursuits, Professor Thivierge has demonstrated resilience and dedication by integrating his personal health experiences into collaborative research on brain cancer treatments. His leadership and commitment to student success exemplify the Faculty's mission to foster inclusive and transformative education.