MARISE PARENT, PH.D

I was born and raised in a suburb of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I graduated from Vanier College in 1984 with an associate degree in Special Care Counselling. This training allowed me to work in a group home teaching independent living skills to clients with brain damage while obtaining my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Concordia University. My interest in scientific research and neuroscience was fostered during that time when I had the pleasure of conducting research with Peter Shizgal, Donna White, and Jane Stewart.

After graduating from Concordia in 1989 I moved to beautiful Orange County, California to obtain my doctoral degree in biology in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at the University of California, Irvine. I had the incredible good fortune of studying under James L. McGaugh, a distinguished resaercher in the field of learning and memory. At that time I did not understand the implications of his membership in the National Academy of Sciences. I just knew his research was exciting and that he was an incredibly wonderful person. I have tremendous respect and admiration for him and his family and remain very close to him.

In 1993 I obtained my doctorate and moved to Charlottesville, Virginia to continue my postdoctoral training at the University of Virginia with another highly esteemed researcher, Paul Gold.

In 1996 I started my own laboratory and research program in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, before moving to Georgia State University in 2000. The Neuroscience Institute is a great place to work and I love living in the South. I think I’m here to stay!

On a personal note, I am married and have one son and a Goldendoodle named Molly. When I am not being a researcher, teacher, mentor, or administrator, I like to spend my time with my family and friends. I am grateful for Iyengar yoga, travel, and low brow television. I love me my housewives!