ARC Network
Dr. Paula Di Nota received her Ph.D. in Psychology from York University in 2017, specializing in Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Sciences. Paula’s research used multiple neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, EEG) and behavioural experiments to show how training and expertise impact performance and manifest in the brain.
As a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto Mississauga, Paula’s current research focuses on learning-related changes to performance, resilience, and health in police. She has trained samples of frontline, tactical, and military personnel from around the world and evaluated biological and psychological measures of stress. Paula is also actively collaborating with the Police University College of Finland to establish operational definitions and effective educational practices for situational awareness and lethal force decision-making.
Supported by priority funding in public safety wellness by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), Paula’s current research aligns with CIPSRT’s mandate to help develop evidence-based interventions that support wellness and functioning in police and other public safety personnel (firefighters, paramedics, emergency communications officials, etc.). Paula’s interdisciplinary research is published in top peer-reviewed journals in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, policing, and occupational health, and has been presented at various local, national, and international conferences and workshops.
As a subject matter expert Paula has also translated her work into actionable policy reports and has consulted on numerous public inquiries concerning mass casualty response, anti-Black racism, and use of force training in Canadian police.
Researcher
University of Toronto Mississauga
Website
Sectors:
- Paramedics
- Police
- Public Safety Communicators
Regions:
- Ontario
Research Focus:
- Police
- Police education
- Stress, cognition and performance
Networking:
Current Projects:
- Autonomic modulation training: A biological approach to building resilience and wellness capacity among police exposed to posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSI)
- Neurophysiological Mechanisms Underlying Stress Cognition & Performance in Police - Collaboration with Police University College of Finland
- Mitigating Psychological Injuries Among Public Safety Personnel - Collaborations with CIPSRT members
Willing to be contacted for collaboration.