HELLO, I'M
Nadine Charanek
PhD Cognitive Science, Researcher and University Instructor
Nadine Charanek
PhD Candidate
Cognitive Science
Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
About
MY BACKGROUND
I am a cognitive neuroscientist at heart and an educator by trade. I bring experience from both research and teaching. I’m trained in neuroimaging, computational modelling, and behavioural neuroscience. I’m certified to teach at the university level with ten years of classroom experience. Blending these two worlds allows me to approach learning from both sides: studying the brain’s mechanisms while creating teaching that helps students actually understand how those mechanisms shape the way they learn.
Passion & Interests
MY Research Interests
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Researchers ask how the brain learns.
I ask at what cost.
My work examines the trade-offs the brain makes as it adapts, how strengthening one skill can reshape, limit, or redirect others, and what that reveals about the architecture of human cognition.
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My Teaching Aspirations
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Have you ever sat in class and thought, “So what?” That question has shaped the way I teach and the way I do research. Live experiments, active participation through educational technologies, and humor are some of the learning methods you will experience in my classes! I want every concept to feel connected to real life, not just something students memorize and forget. With today’s fast-moving technology and constant information overload, I ground my lessons in neuroscience—showing students how their brains actually learn, remember, and make sense of the world.
Education
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
2021-2026
Carleton University – Ottawa, ON; Class of 2026
PhD Cognitive Science
GPA: 12.00/12.00
2018-2019
Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL
First Class Honours 1:1
2012-2015
Lebanese International University, Lebanon, Class of 2015
Distinction and Dean's Honorary Recipient
GPA: 3.87/4.00
Certificates
Certificate in University Teaching, Carleton University (2025)
Certificate in Teaching Assistant Skills, Carleton University (2021)
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, Cambridge University Examinations (2016)
Experience
WHERE I’VE WORKED
2023-present
Department of National Defense, Canada, Research Assistant
2023-2024
National Research Council of Canada, Research Assistant
2021-present
Carleton University, Research Assistant, Linguistic Neurodiversity Lab
2021-2022
Carleton University, Research Assistant, Cognition and Neuroscience of Aging Lab
2021-2022/2023-2025
Carleton University, Instructor (Mysteries of the Mind, Intro to Cognitive Neuroscience)
2019-2021
Nibras International School, Dubai, EAL and Special Education Teacher
2016-2018
Nibras International School, Dubai, Classroom Teacher
Skills & Languages
WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE
Data Analysis
Bayesian Modelling, SEM, Regression, LMES, Multivariate, Factor Analysis, MVPA, Time-Series
Programming
R-Studio, Python, MATLAB, SPSS + Experimental Softwares (Psychopy, E-Prime, Experiment Builder)
Neuroimaging
fNIRS, EEG + softwares (Satori, Homer, FSL, MrTrix)
Microsoft Office
PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Publisher, Teams
Educational Tools
Qualtrics, NearPod, Pear Deck, Google Classroom, Classroom Monitor, Atlas Rubicon
Research Tools
Chat-GPT, Zotero, Mendeley, Elicit, Lateral, LitMaps, Paper Digest, Connected Papers, BaseCamp, Notion, Gantt, Slack
Training
Certificate in University Teaching, Certificate in Teaching Assistant Skills, Special Education Training, Curriculum Design, Educational Policy, Standardized Testing
English
Native Fluency
Arabic
Native Fluency
French
Low Intermediate French
Awards
WHERE I SHINE
Undergraduate Dean's Honorary Award Recipient (3 years), LIU
First Class Honours 1:1, Lancaster University, UK
PD McCormack Fund, Carleton University
Hamlin Graduate Award, Carleton University
International PhD Student of the Year Award, Findaphd.com
Interests
OUT OF OFFICE
Painting
Documentaries
Travel
Classical Music
Cooking
Guitar PLaying
Stand-Up Comedy
Geopolitics