About
About the Foundation
The Memory and Anxiety Research Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Founded out of a deep commitment to advancing knowledge of the human mind – with applications to mental health – our mission is to support student-driven research and public education focused on the science of memory and anxiety. By investing in the next generation of researchers, especially those studying at Memorial University of Newfoundland, we aim to foster innovation, encourage curiosity, and support academic growth within our community.
Meet the Directors
Dr. Jonathan Fawcett
Jonathan is a Cognitive Psychologist by training who has studied a great deal of topics throughout his career. From early on his primary interests have been in understanding the neurocognitive mechanisms through which we control unwanted memories. He has approached this and related topics using tools borrowed from Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychophysiology, and Clinical Epidemiology. In addition to understanding the basic mechanisms through which memory control functions, he is also interested in understanding how these processes relate to mental disorders characterized by an inability to control unwanted thoughts (e.g., OCD, PTSD). In addition to being the principal investigator of the NeuroFog Laboratory, Jonathan is also an avid reader, musician, and gamer.
Dr. Emily Fawcett
Emily completed her B.Sc. (Hons) in Psychology at Acadia University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Following her doctoral residency, she joined Memorial University’s Student Wellness and Counselling Centre (SWCC) as an Assistant Professor in 2016, and is now an Associate Professor of Psychology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Emily runs the Anxiety and Related Disorders, Women’s Health, and Epidemiology (AWE) lab, and teaches at both the undergraduate (PSYC 4654: Seminar in Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders) and graduate level (PSYC 7010: Practicum in Ethics and Relationship Skills; PSYC 6611: Ethics of Professional Practice).
Elizabeth (Betty) Bouchie
Betty completed her B.Sc. in Developmental Psychology and Biology at Dalhousie University. Over the years, she ha s worked in many different venues, gathering multiple experiences andinterests along the way. She retired as a Senior Systems Analyst, managing enterprise computersystems for the Nova Scotia Health Authority. During her work years and after, she volunteered teaching and mentoring groups, from seniors to children. Her greatest passion is travelling, and continues to do so as often as she can. She enjoys reading and an assortment of hobby crafts.