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The Feindel Brain and Mind Seminar Series will advance the vision of Dr. William Feindel (1918–2014), Former Director of the Neuro (1972–1984), to constantly bridge the clinical and research realms. The talks will highlight the latest advances and discoveries in neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, and neuroimaging.

Speakers will include scientists from across The Neuro, as well as colleagues and collaborators locally and from around the world. The series is intended to provide a virtual forum for scientists and trainees to continue to foster interdisciplinary exchanges on the mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of brain and cognitive disorders.

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Modeling Adolescent Brain–Behaviour Systems

Abstract: Adolescence is a developmental period marked by substantial gains in cognitive ability and increased risk for psychopathology. During this time, physiological changes and environmental exposures jointly shape brain maturation and influence personality development, collectively creating both opportunities for cognitive growth and vulnerabilities to mental disorders. However, the complexity of interactions among these factors has hindered an integrative understanding of adolescent brain–behaviour systems. In this talk, Jiadong Yan adopts a systems-level approach to adolescent development, examining how environmental and genomic influences are reflected in brain maturation, how brain organization relates to cognitive ability, and how cognition and personality contribute to mental health outcomes. Rather than emphasizing any single factor, he outlines a dynamic framework that highlights patterns emerging across these domains when considered jointly. From this perspective, developmental opportunities and risks are not fixed properties of individuals but arise from interactions within a developing brain–behaviour system over time.

Jiadong Yan

PhD Candidate, Integrated Program in Neuroscience, The Neuro, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

Jiadong Yan is a PhD candidate in the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, co-supervised by Prof. Alan Evans and Prof. Sherif Karama. His research focuses on adolescent cognitive development and mental health. He previously completed a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China under the supervision of Prof. Xi Jiang, identifying functional brain networks via deep learning techniques. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science.