Clinical Psychologist, Neuropsychology - Rural and Remote Memory Clinic (RRMC)

Associate Member, Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, Medicine

Publications since 2022

Innes, A., O’Connell, M. E., Geoghegan, C, & Fehr, P. (2024). How to live well with dementia: Expert help for people living with dementia and their family, friends, and carer partners. Routledge.

Oremus, M., Tyas, S. L., Newall, N. E. G., Maxwell, C. J., O’Connell, M. E., & Zeng, L. (2025). The association of pre-COVID-19 social isolation and functional social support with loneliness during COVID-19: a longitudinal analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Aging & Mental Health, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2025.2472888

Sun, G.*, Kirk, A., Karunanayake, C., O'Connell, M. E., & Morgan, D. (2025). Quality of life in patients with subjective cognitive impairment referred to a rural and remote memory clinic. The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1017/cjn.2024.368

Jones, A., Ali, M. U., Mayhew, A., Aryal, K., Correia, R. H., Dash, D., Manis, D. R., Rehman, A., O’Connell, M. E., Taler, V., Costa, A. P., Hogan, D. B., Wolfson, C., Raina, P., & Griffith, L. (2025). Environmental risk factors for all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease dementia, vascular dementia, and mild cognitive impairment: An umbrella review and meta-analysis. Environmental Research, 270, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.121007

Grewal, K. S., Grewal, E. S., Cammer, A., McWilliams, L. A., Spiteri, R. J., O’Connell., M. E. (2024). Case reports in the integration of technology with cognitive rehabilitation for individuals with memory concerns and their care partners. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acae115

Grewal, K. S., Gowda-Sookochoff, R., Peacock, S., Cammer, A., McWilliams, L. A, Spiteri, R., Haase, K. R., Harrison, M., Holtslander, L., MacRae, R., Michael, J., Green, S., O’Connell., M. E. (2024). Perspectives on technology use in the context of caregiving for persons with dementia: Qualitative interview study. JMIR Formative Research, 8, e63041. https://doi.org/10.2196/63041

Chertkow, H., Phillips, N., Rockwood, K., Anderson, N., Andrew, M. K., Bartha, R., Beaudoin, C., Bélanger, N., Bellec, P., Belleville, S., Bergman, H., Best, S., Bethell, J., Bherer, L., Black, S., Borrie, M., Camicioli, R., Carrier, J., . . . O’Connell, M. E., . . . & Wittich, W. (2024). Impact of a national dementia research consortium: The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA). Journal of Alzheimer Disease, 102(3), 535-561. https://doi.org/10.1177/13872877241290990

Dumassais, S.*, Grewal, K. S.*, Aubin, G., O'Connell, M. E., Phillips N. A., & Wittich W. (2024). Exploring the qualitative experiences of administering and participating in remote research via telephone using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Blind: A cross-sectional study of older adults in Quebec, Canada. JMIR Formative Research, 8, e58537. https://doi.org/10.2196/58537

Pike, K. E., Li, L., Naismith, S., Bahar-Fuchs, A., Lee, A., Mehrani, I., Bentvelzen, A., Lautenschlager, N., O'Connell, M. E., Blackberry, I., & Mowszowski, L. (2024). Implementation of cognitive (neuropsychological) interventions for older adults in clinical or community settings: A scoping review. Neuropsychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-024-09650-6

Middleton, L., Vucea-Tirabassi, V., Liu, G., Bethell, J., Cooke, H., Keller, H., Liu-Ambrose, T., O'Connell, M. E., Stapleton, J., Waldron, I., Wu, S., Yous, M. L., Aiken, C., Heibein, W., Norman, M., & McAiney, C. (2024). Understanding the impact related to lifestyle interventions for people with dementia: A systematic review protocol. PLOS ONE, 19(9), e0310690. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310690

Golshan, F., Lysenko, R., Nabi Zade, M., Alibolandi, P, Block, H., Masiowski, P., O’Connell, M. E., Sun, G., & Mickleborough, M. (2024). Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of neurofeedback mindfulness in chronic migraines. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101362

Dolatshahi, Y., Mayhew, A., O’Connell, M. E., Liu-Ambrose, T., Taler, V. Smith, E. E., Hogan, D. B., Kirkland, S., Costa, A. P., Wolfson, C., Raina, P., Griffith, L. & Jones, A. (2024). Prevalence and population attributable fractions of potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia in Canada: A cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Canadian Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-024-00920-7

Haase, K. R., Kardeh, B., Kilgour, H., Detwyler, D., Verma, R., Cosco, T., Peacock, S., & O'Connell, M. E. (2024). Technology use for social interaction amongst older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 315, 273–277. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI240151

Elliot, V., Kosteniuk, J., O’Connell, M. E., Cameron, C., & Morgan, D. (2024). Services for older adults in rural primary care memory clinic communities and surrounding areas: A qualitative descriptive study. BMC Health Services Research, 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11167-w

Lovo, S., Imeah, B., Sari, N., O’Connell, M. E., Milosavljevic, S., Angarita-Fonseca, A., & Bath, B. (2024) Effectiveness of an interprofessional assessment and management approach for people with chronic low back disorders delivered via virtual care: A randomized controlled trial pilot intervention. Digital Health. 10. doi:10.1177/20552076241260569

Lovo, S., Harrison, L., O’Connell, M. E., Rotter, T., & Bath, B. (2024). A physical therapist and nurse practitioner model of care for chronic back pain using telehealth: Diagnostic and management concordance. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 30(5), 842-850. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X221098904

Kosteniuk, J., Osman, B. A., Osman, M., Quail, J., Islam, N., O’Connell, M. E., Kirk, A., Stewart, N., Karunanayake, C., & Morgan, D. (2024). Rural-urban differences in use of health services before and after dementia diagnosis: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10817-3

Jones, A., Ali, M.U., Kenny, M., Mayhew, A., Mokashi, V., He, H., Lin, S., Yavari, E., Paik, K., Subramanian, D., Dydynsky, R., Aryal, K., Correia, R.H., Dash, D., Manis, D.R., O’Connell, M. E., Liu-Ambrose, T., Taler, V., McMillan, J.M., Hogan, D.B., Kirkland, S., Costa, A.P., Wolfson, C., Raina, P., & Griffith L. (2024). Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Umbrella Review and Meta-Analysis. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1159/000536643

Dal Bello-Haas, V. P. M., O’Connell, M. E., & Ursenbach, J. (2024). Comparison across age groups of causes, circumstances, and consequences of falls among individuals living in Canada: A cross-sectional analysis of participants aged 45 to 85 years from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. PLOS ONE, 19(3): e0300026. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0300026

Joundi, R., O’Connell, M. E., Patten, S., & Smith, E. (2024). Mediation of post-stroke function by cognition in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien Des Sciences Neurologiques, 51(1), 64–72. https://doi.org/10.1017/cjn.2023.6

Bethell, J., Andrew, M. K., Hothi, S., Mick, P., Morgan, D., O'Connell, M. E., Phillips, N. A., Stewart, S., Walker, J. D., Wittich, W., & McGilton, K. (2023). Does social connection mediate the association between neuroticism and cognition? Cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Aging & Mental Health, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2252369

Mayhew, A. J., Hogan, D., Raina, P., Wolfson, C., Costa, A. P., Jones, A., Kirkland, S., O'Connell, M. E., Taler, V., Smith, E. E., Liu-Ambrose, T., Ma, J., Thompson, M., Wu, C., Chertkow, H., Griffith, L. E., & CLSA Memory Study Working Group (2023). Protocol for validating an algorithm to identify neurocognitive disorders in Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging participants: an observational study. BMJ Open, 13(11), e073027. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073027

O’Connell, M. E., Kadlec, H., Griffith, L. E., Wolfson, C., Maimon, G., Taler, V., Kirkland, S., & Raina, P. (2023). Cognitive impairment indicator for the neuropsychological test batteries in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging: Definition and evidence for validity. Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 15, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-023-01317-3

Kosteniuk, J. G., Morgan, D. G., Osman, B. A., Islam, N., O'Connell, M. E., Kirk, A., Quail, J. M., & Osman, M. (2023). Utilization of health services before and after diagnosis in a specialist rural and remote memory clinic. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 26(3), 350–363. https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.26.653

Blackberry, I., Rasekaba, T., Morgan, D., Royals, K., Greenhill, J., Perkins, D., O’Connell, M. E., Hamiduzzaman, M., Winbolt, M., Robinson, A., Davis, H., & Wilding, C. (2023). Virtual dementia-friendly communities (Verily Connect) stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial: Improving dementia caregiver wellbeing in rural Australia. Geriatrics, 8(5), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics8050085

Cai, S., Kirk, A., Karunanayake, C., O’Connell, M. E., & Morgan, D. (2023). Can depressive symptomatology at diagnosis predict cognitive and functional decline over 1 year in rural Canadian patients with dementia? Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 37(3), 179-183, https://doi.org/10.1097/WAD.0000000000000574

Kosteniuk, J., Morgan, D., Elliot, V., Bayly, M., Froehlich Chow, A., Boden, C., & O'Connell, M. E. (2023). Factors identified as barriers or facilitators to EMR/EHR based interprofessional primary care: a scoping review. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 38(2), 319–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2023.2204890

Mogic, L., Rutter, E.C., Tyas, S. L., Maxwell, C. J., O’Connell, M. E., & Oremus, M. (2023). Functional social support and cognitive function in middle- and older-aged adults: a systematic review of cross-sectional and cohort studies. Systematic Reviews, 12(86), 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02251-z

Grewal, K. S., Gowda-Sookochoff, R., Kirk, A., Morgan, D., & O’Connell, M. E. (2023). Base rates of low neuropsychological test scores in older adults with subjective cognitive impairment: Findings from a tertiary memory clinic. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult. https://doi.org/10.1080/23279095.2023.2208699

Bacsu, J. D., Andrews, M., Azizi, M., Berger, C., Cammer, A., Chasteen, A. L., Fraser, S., Green, S., Grewal, K. S., Gowda-Sookochoff, R., Mah, J. C., McGilton, K. S., Middleton, L., Nanson, K., Spiteri, R. J., Tang, Y., & O’Connell, M. E. (2023). Using Twitter to understand COVID-19 vaccine-related ageism during the pandemic. The Gerontologist, gnad061. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad061

Bacsu, J. D., Kortzman, A., Fraser, S., Chasteen, A., McDonald, J., & O’Connell, M. E. (2023).  Understanding intersectional ageism and stigma of dementia: A systematic scoping review protocol. JMIR Research Protocols, 12, e46093, https://doi.org/10.2196/46093

Scerbe, A., O’Connell, M. E., Astell, A., Morgan, D., Kosteniuk, J., Panyavin, I., DesRoches, A., & Webster, C. (2023). Digital tools for delivery of dementia education for caregivers of persons with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS One, 18(5), e0283600. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283600

O’Connell, M. E., Panyavin, I., Bourque Bearskin, L., Walker, J., & Bourassa, C. (2022).

Neuropsychological assessment with Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan: A lesson in cultural humility. In F. Irani (Ed.), Handbook of cultural diversity in neuropsychological assessment: Developing understanding through global case studies (pp. 119-133). Routledge. *since the time of this work C. Bourassa was found to be a settler who only self-identified as an Indigenous Person but her contribution to this work was minimal and does not diminish its value.

Kosteniuk J., Acan Osman, B., Osman, M., Quail, J., Islam, N., O’Connell M. E., Kirk, A., Stewart, N., & Morgan D. (2022). Health service use before and after dementia diagnosis: A retrospective matched case-control study. BMJ Open, 12(11), e067363. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067363

Bacsu, J., Cammer, A., Ahmadi, S., Azizi, M., Grewal, K. S., Green, S., Berger, C., Gowda-Sookochoff, R., Knight, S., Spiteri, R. J., & O'Connell, M. E. (2022). Examining the Twitter discourse on dementia during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in Canada: Infodemiology study. JMIR Formative Research, 6(10), e40049. https://doi.org/10.2196/40049

Bacsu J., O'Connell, M.E., Cammer, A., Ahmadi, S., Berger, C., Azizi, M., Gowda-Sookochoff, R., Grewal, K. S., Green, S., Knight, S., & Spiteri, R.J. (2022). Examining the evolving COVID-19 impact on people with dementia from the perspective of family and friends. JMIR Aging, 5(2), e38363. https://doi.org/10.2196/38363

Morgan, D., Kosteniuk, J., O'Connell, M. E., Stewart, N. J., Kirk, A., Cammer, A., Dal Bello-Haas, V., Minish, D. P., Elliot, V., Bayly, M., Froehlich Chow, A., Bracken, J., Parrott, E., & Bronner, T. (2022). A stakeholder engagement strategy for an ongoing research program in rural dementia care: Stakeholder and researcher perspectives. PLOS ONE, 17(9), e0274769. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274769

Quan, S., Menec, V., O’Connell, M. E., Cloutier, D., Newall, N., Tate, R., & St. John, P. (2022). Prevalence of obesity and elevated body mass index along a progression of rurality: A cross-sectional study – The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine, 27(4), 148-157. https://doi.org/10.4103/cjrm.cjrm_55_21

Kosteniuk, J. G., Morgan, D., O’Connell, M. E., Seitz, D., Elliott, V., Bayly, M., Cameron, C., & Froehlich Chow, A. (2022). Dementia-related continuing education for interprofessional primary health care: Perceptions and needs of webinar participants. Primary Healthcare Research and Development, 23, e32. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1463423622000226

Grewal, K. S., Trites, M., Kirk, A., MacDonald, S. W. S., Morgan, D., Gowda-Sookochoff, R., & O’Connell, M. E. (2022). CVLT-II short form forced choice recognition in a clinical dementia sample: Cautions for performance validity assessment. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, 31(5), 839–848. https://doi.org/10.1080/23279095.2022.2079088

Wilding, C., Morgan, D., Greenhill, J., Perkins, D., O’Connell, M. E., Bauer, M., Farmer, J., Morley, C., & Blackberry, I. (2022). Web-based technologies to support carers of people living with dementia: Protocol for a mixed-methods stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 11(5), e33203.

Bacsu, J. D. R., O’Connell, M. E., & Wighton, M. B. (2022). Improving the health equity and the human rights of Canadians with dementia through a social determinants approach: A call to action in the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 113(2), 204-208. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-022-00618-8

Peacock, S., Fletcher, S., Gibson, K., MacRae, R., Jack-Waugh, A., Haase, K., Bally, J., Duggleby, W., Hall, S., Holtslander, L., McAiney, C., Michael, J., Morgan, D., O'Connell, M. E., Ploeg, J., Rohatinsky, N., Thompson, G., & Vedel, I. (2022). Championing dementia education: Adapting an effective Scottish dementia education programme for Canadian acute health care providers. Canadian Journal on Aging, 42(2). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980822000484

Bacsu, J., Fraser, S., Chasteen, A. L., Cammer, A., Grewal, K. S., Bechard, L. E., Bethell, J., Green, S., McGilton, K. S., Morgan, D., O’Rourke, H. M., Poole, L., Spiteri, R. J., & O’Connell, M. E. (2022). Using Twitter to examine stigma against people with dementia during COVID-19: Infodemiology study. JMIR Aging, 5(1), e35677. https://doi.org/10.2196/35677

Vonk, J. M. J., Gross, A. L., Zammit, A. R., Bertola, L., Avila., J., Jutten, R., Gaynor, L., Suemoto, C., Kobayashi, L. C., O’Connell., M. E., Elugbadebo, O., Amofsa Sr, P. A., Staffaroni, A., Arce Reteria, M., Turney, I. C., Jones, R. N., Manly, J. L., Lee, J., & Zahodne, L. B. (2022). Cross-national harmonization of cognitive measures across the HRS HCAP (USA) and LASI-DAD (India). PLOS ONE, 17(2), e0264166. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264166

Morgan, D., Kosteniuk, J., O'Connell, M. E., Seitz, D., Elliot, V., Bayly, M., Froehlich Chow, A., & Cameron, C. (2022). Factors influencing sustainability and scale-up of rural primary healthcare memory clinics: Perspectives of clinic team members. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), 148. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07550-0

 Stoliker, B. E., Kerodal, A. G., Jewell, L. M., Brown, K., Kent-Wilkinson, A., Peacock, S., O’Connell, M. E., & Wormith, J. S. (2022). Older people in custody in a forensic psychiatric facility, prevalence of dementia, and community reintegration needs: An exploratory analysis. Health and Justice, 10(3), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-022-00168-8

Active Grants

Walker, J. (NPI), Mercieca, E. (co-PI), Bartel, R., Bethell, J., Dame, J.,  Davis Hill, L., Edgar-Webkamigad, E., McGilton, K., Mushquash, C., Naponse, N., O'Connell, M. E., Pilon, R., Powless, J., Richmond, C., Roach, P., Webkamigad, S. (co-Is), Balaz, P., Dudley, M., Dunn, K., Garrett, N., Lewis, J., Raina, P., Smith, K. (Collaborators). (2024-2030). Weaving Indigenous Community-led and Interdisciplinary Research to Develop Culturally Safer Wholistic Brain Health Assessment. $24,000,000 CAD. New Frontiers in Research Fund, Transformation Grant.

Raina, P. (NPI), Beauchamp, M., (co-PI), Carvalhal, A., Ewa, V., Feldman, S., Godard-Sebillotte, C., Iroanyah, N., Ismail, Z., Karunananthan, Levinson A., S., Main, S., O’Connell, M. E., Rajah, N., Roach, P., Sivananthan, S., Walker, J. (co-Is), Armstrong, J., Bailey, P., Barrick, C., Chambers, L., Checkland, C., Chow, C., Dhillon, N., Gauthier, S., Guest, T., Kadungure, C., McKenna, B., Mehta, A., Phelps, F., Saeed, H., Semeniuk, R., Shultz, J., Webster, C. (Collaborators). (2024-2030). Mobilizing brain health and dementia guidelines for practical information and a well trained workforce with cultural competencies - the BRAID Hub - Brain health Resources And Integrated Diversity Hub. $2,125,000 CAD. CIHR Team Grant: Canadian Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging Research Knowledge Mobilization (KM) Hub.

O’Rourke, H. M. (NPI), Hoben, M., (co-PI), Peacock, S. (co-PI), Bethell, J., Boscart, V.,

Chamberlain, S., Cranley, L., Ghosh, S., Hopper, T., McGilton, K., O’Connell, M. E. (Co-Is), Chaskavich, K., Checkland, C., Cornell, J., Drimer, N., Duncan, D., Eager, C., Friesen, S., Gregory, D., Haugen, L., Huhn, A., Iartseva, R., Jeannotte, A., Maisey, S., Michael, J., Peck, S., Sinden, D., Stainbrook, V., Wong, A. (Collaborators). (Oct 1 2024-Sept 30 2026). Connecting Today to combat social isolation and loneliness: An evaluation of a remote visiting program for care home residents living with dementia. $300,000 CAD. Project Grant Pandemics and Health Emergencies Research – Multi-Year, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Kosteniuk, J. (PI), O’Connell, M. E., Cammer, A., Seitz, D., Kirk, A., Zorn, C., Klapak,

D., Wiley, M., Acan Osman, B. (Co-Is). (July 2024-June 2027). Exploring opportunities to increase rural primary care readiness for dementia care. $149,909 CAD. Establishment Grant, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF).

Anderson, G. M. (PI), Abdel-Qadir, H., Calderon Anyosa, R., Chicco, D., Fisher, S.,

Hermann, N., Liu, K., Lu, Z., O’Connell, M. E., Shakeri Hossein Abad, Z. (Co-Is). (March 2024-March 2026). Identifying risk factors and informing preventative strategies to reduce the incidence of mild cognitive impairment and subsequent dementia by Analysing the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging using advanced statistical methods and machine learning. $371,025 (CAD). Project Grant, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Chertkow, H. (NPI), Co-Is include 37 researchers from across Canada, including O’Connell, M. E. (2024-2029). Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging: Application for Phase III CCNA Operations Centre. $20,555,200 (CAD). Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR).

O’Connell, M. E., Walker, J. (Co-PIs), Middleton, L., Roach, P. (Co-Is), Sivananthan, S. (Knowledge User), Mercieca, E., Caporossi, T., Spadafora, C. (Collaborators). (November 1, 2023 – October 31, 2026). Supporting Indigenous Caregivers: Barriers and facilitators to implementing culturally safe dementia caregiver support groups with Indigenous communities and local Alzheimer Societies. $748,085 (CAD). Operating Grant: Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Anand, S. S. (NPI), Friedrich, M. G. (PI), Azab, S., Bangdiwala, S. I., Britz-Mckibbin, P., Brook, J. R., De Souza, R. J., Dehghan, M., Joundi, R., Kandasamy, S., Larose, E., Lear, S. A., Lee, D. S., Luu, J. M., Moody, A. R., O'Connell, M. E., Paré, G., Pigeyre, M., & Smith, E. E. (Co-Is). (2023-2028). Canadian Alliance of Healthy Hearts and Minds: Dissecting the Pathways Linking Ectopic Adipose Tissue to Cognitive Dysfunction. $1,617,976 (CAD). Project Grant, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Cammer, A. (PI), O’Connell, M. E., & Jeffery, B. (2023-2025). The Cognitive Kitchen: A culinary nutrition intervention to support community-dwelling caregivers of persons with dementia. $19,030 (CAD). Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research.

Kent-Wilkinson, A. (PI), Lagimodiere, K. (Co-PI), Jewel, L., Stoliker, B., Kerodal, A., O’Connell, M. E., Peacock, S., & Mela, M. (2023-2025). Dementia screening and diagnosis for older persons in custody at the Regional Psychiatric Centre. $134,827 (CAD). Impact Grant, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF)/Alzheimer Society of SK.

O’Connell, M. E., Michael, J., Marcinkiw, K., Peacock, S, & Cammer, A. (2023-2025). Increasing capacity of Alzheimer Society of SK care partner support group facilitators in virtual care and interpersonal therapy: The CCAPS Project. $148,953.40 (CAD). Impact Grant, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF)/Alzheimer Society of SK.

Raina, P., & (Co-PIs) Wolfson, C., Kirkland, S., Balion, CM., Griffith, L., Liu-Ambrose, T., Smith, E., Surette, M., & (Co-Is) Hogan, D., Menec, V., Taler, V., Bartha, R., Duchesne, S., Noseworthy, M., Hoge, R., Descoteaux, M., MacKay, A., Tam, R., Lim, A., Beauchamp, M., McIlroy, W.,  O’Connell, M. E., Thompson, M., Wu, C., McNicholas, P., Corbeil, J., Cossette, B., Costa, A. (2021-2028). CLSA Healthy Brains, Healthy Aging Initiative. $12,240,322 (CAD). Weston Family Foundation Funding.

Raina, P. (NPI), Wolfson C., Kirkland, S. (Co-PIs), Hofer, S., Hogan, D., Krigolson, O., Lathrop, G., Liu-Ambrose, T., MacDonald, M., Menec, V., Wishart, D., Griffith, L., Taler, V., Wister, A., Cossette, B., Richards, B., Kobor, M., Balion, C., Pare, G., Wilson, J., Xia, J., O’Connell, M. E., Smith, E., Vrkljan, B., Beauchamp, M., Dumas, M., Quesnel-Vallee, A., & McGrail, K. Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA): A Platform for Interdisciplinary Research. Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), 2021-2026, $9,578,643.

PhD Supervision

Patrick Fahim - Patrick is interesting in cognition as it relates to neuroimaging, but his interests are broad, and he is currently researching needs of Arabic speaking care partners of persons living with dementia. He has been awarded a CIHR MA award ($27,500 for 2025-2026).

Meghan Flath - Meghan is investigating barriers and facilitators to older adults maintaining pets as they age and she has investigated the association between pet ownership and cognitive change. She held a CIHR MA award ($17,500 for 2018-2019) and held a SSHRC doctoral award ($60,000 for 2019-2022). Meghan is completing her predoctoral residency in the Adult Stream in the Saskatoon Residency Consortium (2024-5).

Benjamin Gould - Ben is exploring user needs for technology to support aging well in First Nations communities in PEI. For this he held a University of Saskatchewan Dean’s fellowship ($66,000 2015-2018) and doctoral support from AGE-WELL (AGE-WELL a Networks Centre of Excellence for $11,000/year (2015-2018). He is currently working with communities in PEI exploring mental wellness needs and how technology might address unmet mental wellness needs in a culturally-safe manner. In addition, he is working on a project detailing community-engagement for Indigenous research from the perspective of a community member with one First Nations community but as an outsider with another First Nations community. Ben completed his predoctoral residency at the Student Wellness and Counselling Centre's Doctoral Residency at Memorial University in St. John’s (2017-18).

PhD Co-Supervision

Jordan Wellsch co-supervised with Jan Gelech. Jordan is researching communication tools and strategies to minimize conflict with adult children co-residue with their parents. Jordan held a MA SSHRC ($27,500 for 2024-5).

Emily Gulka is co-supervised with Raymond Spiteri. Emily is researching experiences with post-partum depression, and one study scrapes social media for stories of personal experiences and stigma. Emily held a MA SSHRC ($27,500 for 2024-5).

Completed PhD Supervision

August Kortzman - August entered the graduate program in September 2017. He held a CIHR MA award ($17,500 for 2017-2018) and a University of Saskatchewan Dean’s fellowship ($66,000 for 2017-2020). His PhD work focused on a social network intervention for caregivers of persons with dementia for his dissertation beginning with a systematic review of social network interventions across all populations. He trialled use of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for use with rural care partners of persons with dementia aimed at maximizing psychological wellness and increasing use of informal social supports. August completed his predoctoral residency in the Clinical Health Psychology Residency in Winnipeg (2022-3). He is currently working in the Rural and Remote Memory Clinic in the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health at the University of Saskatchewan.

Karl Grewal - Karl entered the graduate program in September 2018 and began by focussing on intraindividual variation in neuropsychological performance, but his interests in research were broad and he had numerous publications prior to finishing his PhD. He held a CIHR MA award ($17,500 for 2017-2018) and he held funding as part of CCNA Phase II related to remote interventions for dementia care aimed at rural families. His PhD work focused on augmentation of remote cognitive rehabilitation with use of in-home technology. He examined is if remote cognitive rehabilitation could be integrated with off-the-shelf technology to help people living with dementia improve quality of life. Karl completed his predoctoral residency in the adult neuropsychology stream at London Health Sciences Consortium (2023-24). He is currently working in clinical neuropsychology at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta.

Jake Ursenbach - Jake explored computerized cognitive testing with algorithmic interpretations as one method of remote case based rural primary care provider support as part of REmote Specialist-to-Primary care support Enriched Care through Technology (RESPECT) and issues in measurement of cognition in rural samples. He held a University of Saskatchewan Dean’s fellowship ($66,000 for 2017-2020). He held a CIHR MA award ($17,500 for 2017-2018). He completed his predoctoral residency in the Calgary Clinical Psychology Residency Program (2021-22). He is currently working in clinical neuropsychology in private practice in Calgary, Alberta.

Andrea Scerbe - Andrea explored technology-based methods for remotely delivering dementia education to rural primary care providers, as part of REmote Specialist-to-Primary care support Enriched Care through Technology (RESPECT). She held a fellowship from the Team 15of the CCNA of $20,000/year (2016-2019) and a CCHSA Founding Chair Award. Andrea completed her predoctoral residency at the University of Victoria Counselling Centre (2020-21). She is currently working as a psychologist in the Saskatoon Health Region.

Camille Branger - Camille explored positive experiences reported by informal caregivers of persons with dementia using a novel mixed meta integration approach with a subsequent manuscript on case studies. For this work, Camille held an Alzheimer Society of Canada Doctoral Award worth $66,000 (2015-2018). She completed her predoctoral residency in Calgary at Alberta Health Services (2018-2019). Camille is currently in private practice in clinical neuropsychology in Edmonton, Alberta.

Rachel Burton - Rachel investigated the use of cognitive rehabilitation to improve the everyday function of individuals with early stage Alzheimer's Disease. She studied the feasibility of delivering cognitive rehabilitation to families in rural and remote areas using telehealth videoconferencing. She also examined neuropsychological predictors of activities of daily living. For this work, Rachel held an Alzheimer Society of Canada Doctoral award worth $66,000 (2012-2015). Rachel completed her pre-doctoral residency in clinical psychology at The Ottawa Hospital (2015-2016), and currently holds a position as a clinical psychologist in Saskatoon.

Joe Enright - Joe researched the use of Reminiscence Therapy as a potential intervention to help reduce burden experienced by family caregivers of persons with dementia. He evaluated reminiscence with caregivers, and also adaptation of the program for delivery through telehealth videoconferencing. Joe held a PHARE fellowship worth $44,000 (2013-2015) and a TVN (a NCE) Fellowship worth $100,000 (2014-2016). Joe completed his pre-doctoral residency in the adult neuropsychology stream at London Health Sciences Consortium (LHSC; 2015-2016), and a post-doc in clinical neuropsychology at LHSC, and he is currently in private practice in clinical neuropsychology working in London, Ontario and splits his time living in Japan.

Completed Post-Doctorate Supervision

Dr. Juanita Bacsu – COVID and dementia projects, Twitter stigma projects. Dr. Bacsu is a CRC Tier II in a tenure-track faculty position at Thompson Rivers University.

Dr. Ivan Panyavin – applied research in remote dementia care.

Clinical Supervision – No current practicum students, but Dr. O’Connell has supervised 28 practicum placements since her appointment in 2008.

Undergraduate Level

Staff supervision

Research Coordinator - Shoshana Green has been part of the team since September 2020, and manages general operations of the O’Connell lab as well as numerous other items. She manages schedules and timelines for various components of the O’Connell lab and has a key collaborative role in research fund monitoring and maintenance. Shoshana has an instrumental role in coordinating the functions of the lab and is a key liaison on the behalf of Dr. O’Connell.

Aging Alzheimer Disease Dementia Frontotemporal Dementia Health Memory Neuropsychology Psychometrics Rural Technology Telemedicine

Clinical neuropsychology assessment and interventions. Clinical and research emphasis on individuals and families struggling with a dementia diagnosis. Current programs of research include neuropsychological measurement relevant to dementia and evaluation of telehealth for caregiver support, exercise interventions, and cognitive rehabilitation.

PhD University of Victoria, Clinical Neuropsychology Stream