I investigate the relationship between brain, behaviour and cognition. My experience in cognitive-behavioural and ethological methods as well as lesion studies, structural analysis of neurons and mathematical analysis of behaviour have been my core skills in investigating such a relationship both theoretically and experimentally. The relationship between brain, behaviour and cognition is a subject of research interest in a variety of disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience and philosophy. I took my first steps in understanding cognition by majoring in psychology. Taking a philosophy course as part of my psychology program early on encouraged me to take philosophy and logic more seriously, while I was also pursuing my personal investigation of geometric-optical illusions. Later, I defended my Master’s thesis in psychology at the University of Tehran. During this period, I also began working as a psychologist in a psychiatric hospital and other clinical settings. This was a significant opportunity for me to make my first observations of psychiatric conditions and provided me with ten years of valuable experience to formulate questions the answers to which were in line with the objective of translational research in improving patients' quality of life. After immigration to Canada, I joined the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge and studied the relationship between brain and behavior at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN). I completed my PhD in 2008 and went on by doing a postdoctoral study until 2012. I have been fortunate enough to conduct experiments in both psychology and neuroscience and discover some facts about the brain and behavior. In addition to this opportunity, I also had the opportunity to direct some of my studies to areas that were of critical importance in translational research.

 

Following the conclusion of my formal training in neuroscience, my investigation of the history and philosophy of science convinced me that the role that a theorist of science can play in such fields is much needed at the present time. While experiments are rich sources of my epistemological approach to understanding natural phenomena, over time the crucial role of theories in such understanding became clearer to me and seemed practically more realizable as well. Later, I decided to find some theoretical and/or methodological solutions for some of the puzzling problems that had attracted my attention. I began investigating the fundamentals of a program of research for a couple of years. This led to the publication of a series of articles, mainly addressing some of the theoretical and methodological problems that were of shared interests among disciplines such as biology [see Cognitive Evolution], the disciplines invested in the investigation of visual perception [see Visual Illusion] and the philosophy of mathematics and science [see Mathematics in Science]. Such contributions, which can be found in more detail in the next pages, include published articles (most full pdf copies or full view-only versions in peer-reviewed journals are accessible in the next respective pages) in the following domains:

 

• Mathematics in Science:

 

1. A theoretical explanation of the effectiveness of mathematics as a matter of cognitive evolution published in 2019.

 

2. A theoretical analysis of the suitability of topology for the investigation of geometric-perceptual phenomena (e.g., the Müller-Lyer illusion) published in 2022.

 

• Cognitive evolution:

 

1. Mathematical analyses in the context of comparative cognition published in 2015 and 2017.

 

2. A methodological formulation of anthropomorphism in the context of scientific activities published in 2023.

 

• Visual illusions:

 

1. A theoretical explanation of geometric-optical illusions published in 2009

 

2. A methodological analysis of investigations of the neural basis of geometric-optical illusions published in 2017

 

3. A theory of moon illusion published in 2022

 

4. A Methodological analysis of the obstacles for formulating mechanistic explanations in the context of psychopathology and suggesting a solution via incorporation of phenomenological methods into experimental psychopathology in 2023

 

In the past few years, I have been involved in pursuing my research projects and sometimes teaching undergraduate students in Toronto.

                                                                       

 

                                                  Publications

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                                                   Full Article

 

Theoretical and Methodological Contributions

 

Nemati, F. (2023). Methodological considerations for the mechanistic explanation of illusory representations in the context of psychopathology. Phenomenology and Cognitive Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11097-023-09935-w

 

Nemati, F. (2023). Anthropomorphism in the Context of Scientific Discovery: Implications for Comparative Cognition. Foundation of Sciences 28, 927–945. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10699-021-09821-1

 

Nemati, F. (2022). The Role of Size Contrast and Empty Space in the Explanation of the Moon Illusion. Foundations of Science. 10.1007/s10699-022-09889-3

 

Nemati, F. (2022). The Suitability of Topology for the Investigation of Geometric-Perceptual Phenomena. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences. 10.1007/s11097-022-09857-z

 

Nemati F. (2019). The role of nature and brain in demystifying the “unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics”, Philosophical Psychology, 32:8, 1221-1245, DOI: 10.1080/09515089.2019.1646895.

 

Nemati F. (2017). Top-down approach to the investigation of the neural basis of geometric-optical illusions: Undrestanding the brain as a theoretical entity. Archives of Neuroscience, 4 (2) : e33683. doi: 10.5812/archneurosci.33683.

 

Nemati F. (2017). A theoretical framework to explain the superior cognitive competence in humans: A role for the division of labour in the brain. Archives of Neuroscience, 4 (1): e36107. doi: 10.5812/archneurosci.36107.

 

Nemati, F. (2015). From parallel mathematical description of action to unparalleled outcome of abstraction: A comparative analysis. Archives of Neuroscience, 2 (4): e2257. doi: 10.5812/archneurosci.22573.

 

Nemati, F. (2009). Size and direction of distortion in geometric-optical illusions: Conciliation between the Müller-Lyer and Titchener configurations. Perception, 38, 1585-1600.

 

Experimental Contributions

 

Nemati, F., Kolb, B., & Metz, G. A. (2013). Stress and risk avoidance by exploring rats: Implications for stress management in fear-related behaviors. Behavioral Processes, 94, 89-98.

 

Nemati, F., & Kolb, B. (2012). Recovery from medial prefrontal cortex injury during adolescence: Implications for age-dependent plasticity. Behavioural Brain Research, 229, 168-175.

 

Nemati, F., & Kolb, B. (2011). FGF-2 induces behavioral recovery after early adolescent injury to the motor cortex of rats. Behavioral Brain Research, 225, 184-191.

 

Nemati, F., & Kolb, B. (2010). Motor cortex injury has different behavioral and anatomical effects in early and late adolescence. Behavioral Neuroscience, 124, 612-622.

 

Nemati, F., & Whishaw, I. Q. (2007). The point of entry contributes to the organization of exploratory behavior of rats on an open field: An example of spontaneous episodic memory. Behavioral Brain Research, 182, 119-128.

 

Clinically Oriented Contributions

 

Nemati, F. (2005). Recovery in therapeutic communities. Hamrah, 20, 15-16 (in Farsi).

 

Nemati, F. (2002). Relapse prevention: An introduction to Marlatt’s Cognitive-behavioural model. Research on Addiction, 1, 87-104 (in Farsi including an English abstract).

 

Nemati, F. (2002). Addiction: Prevention and treatment strategies. Symposium of Social Deviation,1st Annual Meeting, 279-295 (in Farsi).

 

Nemati, F. (1999). One classification, multiple frameworks: A critical analysis of culturally modified DSM-IV in Iran. Prevention Message, 7, 3-4 (in Farsi).

 

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                                                                  Abstract

Theoretical Contributions

 

Nemati, F. (2013). Parallel mathematical description of spatial behaviour in human infants and in rats. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 67, 280.

 

Nemati, F. (2012). Scientific progress in psychology and neuroscience of perception: Computation, realization and reduction. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 66, 317.

 

Experimental Contributions

 

Nemati, F., & Kolb, B. (2012). Adult brain as a reflection of experience and cortical constraints during adolescence. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 66, 272.

 

Nemati, F., & Kolb, B. (2012). A rapid change of response to nicotine/complex environment from early to late adolescence: Implications for the role of prefrontal cortex. Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain, 2.

 

Nemati, F., & Kolb, B. (2011). An age-area dependent model for prognosis of brain injury during early and late adolescence. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 65, 318.

 

Nemati, F., & Whishaw, I. Q. (2007). Modular control of visual exploration in the rat. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 61, 371.

 

Clinically Oriented Contributions

 

Nemati, F. (2002). Relapse prevention: An introduction to Marlatt’s Cognitive-behavioural model. Research on Addiction, 1, 168 (in English).

 

Vaeszi A. & Nemati F. (1996). Selective processing of threat cues in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” The 3rd National Symposium on Stress, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Psychiatric Institute [3rd Annual Meeting], Page 37.

 

Book Chapters

 

Book Chapter Translation: De Leon, G. (1999). Therapeutic community. In M. D. Glantz, & C. R. Hartel (Eds.), Drug abuse: Origins & Intervention, Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association. Translated from English to Farsi by Nemati, F. (2007). Tehran: DCHQ.

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                                                     Scientific Presentation

Conferences

 

• "Parallel mathematical description of spatial behaviour in human infants and in rats” The Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science.

 

• “Scientific progress in psychology and neuroscience of perception: Computation, realization and reduction” The Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science.

 

• “Adult brain as a reflection of experience and cortical constraints during adolescence” The Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science.

 

• “A rapid change of response to nicotine/complex environment from early to late adolescence: Implications for the role of prefrontal cortex” The Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain.

 

• “An age-area dependent model for prognosis of brain injury during early and late adolescence” The Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science (Symposium).

 

• “Structural and behavioral changes in adult rats following unilateral motor cortex lesion in adolescence” The Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain.

 

• "Fear memory and risk assessment in exploring rats” The Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain.

 

• “Modular control of visual exploration in the rat” The Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science.

 

• “Analysis of rats’ visual function in an open field test” The Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain.

 

• “Instantaneous home base formation by rats” The Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain.

 

• “Addiction: Prevention and treatment strategies” Symposium of Social Deviation [1st Annual Meeting].

 

• “Piaget’s contributions to developmental neuropsychology” International conference of developmental psychology in memory of Jean Piaget (in collaboration with the University of Geneva).

 

• “Selective processing of threat cues in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” The National Symposium on Stress, Iran University of Medical Sciences [3rd Annual Meeting].

 

Invited Talks

 

• "Controlled respiration as a technique for modification of anxiety and autonomic responses in patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” Razi Educational and Psychiatric Centre; The University of Rehabilitation Sciences.

 

• “Schizophrenia and reality distortion” Razi Educational and Psychiatric Centre; The University of Rehabilitation Sciences.

 

• “Neuropsychology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” Razi Educational and Psychiatric Centre; University of Rehabilitation Sciences.

 

• "Perceptual organization and schizophrenia” Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.