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About HART Lab

Welcome to Professor Andersen's Health Adaptation Research on Trauma (HART) Lab at the University of Toronto Mississauga.

In our lab, we study the effects of severe and chronic stress on mental and physical health across the lifespan.

Our lab is a fully ambulatory psychophysiology lab, which means we are able to measure biological, psychological and social factors in the real world as they happen.

News

Today we are highlighting the work of Loridee De Villa, a recent graduate from the University of Toronto Mississauga where she majored in Health Sciences and double minored in Psychology and History of Religions. Her research interests involve investigating the intersection between physical and mental health, as well as visual neuroscience. She has previously worked on the Thought Suppression Immunity Project (TSI) with Dr. Jennifer Chan as a part of her research opportunity project (ROP) and the Autonomic Modulation Training Project (AMT) with Sarah Scott. She was a recipient of the 2024 University of Toronto Excellence Award and is currently performing qualitative analyses on Police and Protester interactions at Canadian protests.

Today we are highlighting the work of Loridee De Villa, a recent graduate from the University of Toronto Mississauga where she majored in Health Sciences and double minored in Psychology and History of Religions. Her research interests involve investigating the intersection between physical and mental health, as well as visual neuroscience. She has previously worked on the Thought Suppression Immunity Project (TSI) with Dr. Jennifer Chan as a part of her research opportunity project (ROP) and the Autonomic Modulation Training Project (AMT) with Sarah Scott. She was a recipient of the 2024 University of Toronto Excellence Award and is currently performing qualitative analyses on Police and Protester interactions at Canadian protests.

Today we're focusing on the work of Anushka, a previous Independent Research Student at the HART Lab. Anushka's work predominantly focused on Horticulture Therapy and its benefits to mental and physical health. Today the program runs as a wellness project for students in partnership with HCC. You can check out more about the events hosted by this group at @th.uoft
Anushka is currently working as a Supervisor in Home Healthcare in the GTA, making healthcare more accessible to vulnerable populations. Anushka is passionate about learning alternative forms of therapy and to make therapy more accessible to vast populations!

Today we're focusing on the work of Anushka, a previous Independent Research Student at the HART Lab. Anushka's work predominantly focused on Horticulture Therapy and its benefits to mental and physical health. Today the program runs as a wellness project for students in partnership with HCC. You can check out more about the events hosted by this group at @th.uoft
Anushka is currently working as a Supervisor in Home Healthcare in the GTA, making healthcare more accessible to vulnerable populations. Anushka is passionate about learning alternative forms of therapy and to make therapy more accessible to vast populations!

Today we're highlighting the work of Jahda Waldron, a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, specializing in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Professional Writing and Communication. She is a volunteer research assistant at the HART Lab, contributing to the Autonomic Modulation Training (AMT) project. In this role, she processes heart rate data and extracts heart rate variability (HRV) values for analysis. Jahda’s academic and professional interests focus on developing and implementing trauma-informed interventions within the legal system.

Today we're highlighting the work of Jahda Waldron, a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, specializing in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Professional Writing and Communication. She is a volunteer research assistant at the HART Lab, contributing to the Autonomic Modulation Training (AMT) project. In this role, she processes heart rate data and extracts heart rate variability (HRV) values for analysis. Jahda’s academic and professional interests focus on developing and implementing trauma-informed interventions within the legal system.

Today we are focusing on the work of Amanda, a research assistant in the HART Lab who is primarily responsible for data organizing/processing from the various studies that the lab has conducted. She has a wide range of research interests including: investigating the interaction between biological markers and mental health, neuroplasticity, and personality psychology. She was a recipient of the 2024 University of Toronto Excellence Award, whereby her project consisted of exploring sex and gender effects in psychobiological and psychosocial measures among police officers.

Today we are focusing on the work of Amanda, a research assistant in the HART Lab who is primarily responsible for data organizing/processing from the various studies that the lab has conducted. She has a wide range of research interests including: investigating the interaction between biological markers and mental health, neuroplasticity, and personality psychology. She was a recipient of the 2024 University of Toronto Excellence Award, whereby her project consisted of exploring sex and gender effects in psychobiological and psychosocial measures among police officers.

Today we will be highlighting the work of Dr. Jennifer Chan who is a previous graduate student and Postdoctoral Fellow in the HART Lab. Her dissertational research focus involved measures of psychophysiological stress dysregulation (e.g., cortisol and cardiovascular), biofeedback and mental health (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety) in public safety personnel (PSP). She currently serves as a Defence Scientist at Defence Research and Development Canada in the Operational Health and Performance section, focusing on Women and Diversity Health.

Today we will be highlighting the work of Dr. Jennifer Chan who is a previous graduate student and Postdoctoral Fellow in the HART Lab. Her dissertational research focus involved measures of psychophysiological stress dysregulation (e.g., cortisol and cardiovascular), biofeedback and mental health (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety) in public safety personnel (PSP). She currently serves as a Defence Scientist at Defence Research and Development Canada in the Operational Health and Performance section, focusing on Women and Diversity Health.

Today we are focusing on the work of Colleen who is a research assistant in the HART Lab. Colleen recently attended the Building Bridges Evidence-Based Policing conference at Blue Mountain where she presented a poster outlining police officer experiences completing the Autonomic Modulation Training (AMT) study. She has been the primary federal recruitment coordinator for AMT, while concurrently dedicating research efforts to a scoping review and data analysis for an ongoing study at Texas State University. #buildingbridgesebp

Today we are focusing on the work of Colleen who is a research assistant in the HART Lab. Colleen recently attended the Building Bridges Evidence-Based Policing conference at Blue Mountain where she presented a poster outlining police officer experiences completing the Autonomic Modulation Training (AMT) study. She has been the primary federal recruitment coordinator for AMT, while concurrently dedicating research efforts to a scoping review and data analysis for an ongoing study at Texas State University. #buildingbridgesebp

For the next few weeks we will be highlighting all the amazing work being done by everyone in the HART Lab!

First up is Sarah, a third-year direct entry PhD student. Sarah is diving into how chronic stress (from identity, work, and more) affects psychophysiological outcomes like one's acute stress response, wellbeing, and healthcare access. She is passionate about mixed methods and using an intersectional lens to better understand stress and health holistically! #psychophysiology

For the next few weeks we will be highlighting all the amazing work being done by everyone in the HART Lab!

First up is Sarah, a third-year direct entry PhD student. Sarah is diving into how chronic stress (from identity, work, and more) affects psychophysiological outcomes like one's acute stress response, wellbeing, and healthcare access. She is passionate about mixed methods and using an intersectional lens to better understand stress and health holistically! #psychophysiology

Congratulations to HART Lab collaborator Patrick Fahim on winning a certificate of academic excellence from the Canadian Psychological Association for his honours thesis project as part of the HART Lab. His project was entitled: "A Comparative Analysis of Heart Rate Variability and Heart Rate Fragmentation Biomarkers Among Police Officers and the General Population"

Congratulations to HART Lab collaborator Patrick Fahim on winning a certificate of academic excellence from the Canadian Psychological Association for his honours thesis project as part of the HART Lab. His project was entitled: "A Comparative Analysis of Heart Rate Variability and Heart Rate Fragmentation Biomarkers Among Police Officers and the General Population"

Check out this short video summarizing the goals of using heart rate variability biofeedback training for police. More information about the program can be found by reading the following article:

Andersen et al. “The International Performance, Resilience and Efficiency Program Protocol for the Application of HRV Biofeedback in Applied Law Enforcement Settings.” Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (2024) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-024-09644-3

Check out this short video summarizing the goals of using heart rate variability biofeedback training for police. More information about the program can be found by reading the following article:

Andersen et al. “The International Performance, Resilience and Efficiency Program Protocol for the Application of HRV Biofeedback in Applied Law Enforcement Settings.” Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (2024) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-024-09644-3

Happy to be on Sabbatical, Dr. Andersen visits a pioneering community policing program in Amsterdam with Sgt. Lars van Jole

Happy to be on Sabbatical, Dr. Andersen visits a pioneering community policing program in Amsterdam with Sgt. Lars van Jole

Dr. Andersen and Dr. Hutter work together at NSCR and VU Amsterdam University to outline a proposal for a joint European-Canadian grant to support PhD students and post docs working in applied science with law enforcement professionals. Grants like the Marie Sklodowska-Curie global scholars funds are focused on excellence in research and innovation and welcome collaborative applications between the EU and North America.

Dr. Andersen and Dr. Hutter work together at NSCR and VU Amsterdam University to outline a proposal for a joint European-Canadian grant to support PhD students and post docs working in applied science with law enforcement professionals. Grants like the Marie Sklodowska-Curie global scholars funds are focused on excellence in research and innovation and welcome collaborative applications between the EU and North America.

Dr. Vana Hutter and Dr. Andersen introduce the LEAPP Consortium at the Network symposium during Day 5 of the FEPSAC conference.
We are exited to introduce the team and the mission of LEAPP.
Check out our website at https://www.leapp.ca/

Executive members of the team include Dr. Matthijs Koedijk, Dr. Lisanne Kleygrewe, Dr. Paula Di Nota, Dr. Jennifer F. Chan, and Karlijn Kooijman, doctoral candidate.

The primary focus of the LEAPP consortium is on establishing and defining a framework of competencies needed for consistent performance under pressure in policing contexts. The LEAPP consortium's mission is to establish an international collective of professionals from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, combining expertise to address the multifaceted challenges faced by law enforcement personnel worldwide when performing under stress.

Dr. Vana Hutter and Dr. Andersen introduce the LEAPP Consortium at the Network symposium during Day 5 of the FEPSAC conference.
We are exited to introduce the team and the mission of LEAPP.
Check out our website at https://www.leapp.ca/

Executive members of the team include Dr. Matthijs Koedijk, Dr. Lisanne Kleygrewe, Dr. Paula Di Nota, Dr. Jennifer F. Chan, and Karlijn Kooijman, doctoral candidate.

The primary focus of the LEAPP consortium is on establishing and defining a framework of competencies needed for consistent performance under pressure in policing contexts. The LEAPP consortium's mission is to establish an international collective of professionals from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, combining expertise to address the multifaceted challenges faced by law enforcement personnel worldwide when performing under stress.

Day 5 at the FEPSAC Conference. Dr. Andersen and Dr. Lisanne Kleygrewe present in the session she coordinated on Extending Reality to Performance Under Pressure: Advancing operational skills of police and military with virtual training. Collaborators include the experts, Dr. Paula Di Nota and Dr Juha-Matti Huhta.

Day 5 at the FEPSAC Conference. Dr. Andersen and Dr. Lisanne Kleygrewe present in the session she coordinated on Extending Reality to Performance Under Pressure: Advancing operational skills of police and military with virtual training. Collaborators include the experts, Dr. Paula Di Nota and Dr Juha-Matti Huhta.

Day 5 at the FEPSAC Conference. Dr. Vana Hutter and her student, Judith
present a fantastic study in the FEPSAC symposium, Performing Under Pressure: Firearms Use and Firearms Training in Police.

Day 5 at the FEPSAC Conference. Dr. Vana Hutter and her student, Judith
present a fantastic study in the FEPSAC symposium, Performing Under Pressure: Firearms Use and Firearms Training in Police.

Day 5 of the FEPSAC Conference. Dr Jennifer Chan describes the biological variables associated with police performance and the use of force. Her expert talk covers both neuroendocrine and heart rate fragmentation, an emerging metric in the study of police physiology and performance. Session was chaired by Dr Vana Hutter who also presented an excellent talk.

Day 5 of the FEPSAC Conference. Dr Jennifer Chan describes the biological variables associated with police performance and the use of force. Her expert talk covers both neuroendocrine and heart rate fragmentation, an emerging metric in the study of police physiology and performance. Session was chaired by Dr Vana Hutter who also presented an excellent talk.

Day 4 at the FEPSAC Conference.
Dr. Vana Hutter chairs an excellent session on Risk Factors for involuntary firearm discharges in which Karlijn Kooijman presents their newest collaborative findings.
Prof Andersen provides closing thoughts and summary comments.

Day 4 at the FEPSAC Conference.
Dr. Vana Hutter chairs an excellent session on Risk Factors for involuntary firearm discharges in which Karlijn Kooijman presents their newest collaborative findings.
Prof Andersen provides closing thoughts and summary comments.

Autonomic Modulation Training (AMT) is a biological approach to building resilience among police officers exposed to posttraumatic stress injuries. Learn more about this CIHR-funded study in a three-minute video.

#SelfCare #PTSI
English: https://youtu.be/PXC6hA00onc
French: https://youtu.be/8XosY19ykHo

Autonomic Modulation Training (AMT) is a biological approach to building resilience among police officers exposed to posttraumatic stress injuries. Learn more about this CIHR-funded study in a three-minute video.

#SelfCare #PTSI
English: https://youtu.be/PXC6hA00onc
French: https://youtu.be/8XosY19ykHo

Prof. Andersen and Dr. Vana Hutter enjoying co-presenting a workshop on police training on Day 4 at the FEPSAC conference #fepsac2024

Prof. Andersen and Dr. Vana Hutter enjoying co-presenting a workshop on police training on Day 4 at the FEPSAC conference #fepsac2024

Day 2 FEPSAC conference. International research highlighting police mental health and performance. Dr. Vana Hutter summarizes the talks as a discussant

Day 2 FEPSAC conference. International research highlighting police mental health and performance. Dr. Vana Hutter summarizes the talks as a discussant

#fepsac2024 day 2
Enjoying some great and very relevant talks!

#fepsac2024 day 2
Enjoying some great and very relevant talks!

Enjoying the FEPSAC 2024 conference with some great talks! #fepsac2024

Enjoying the FEPSAC 2024 conference with some great talks! #fepsac2024

#fepsac2024 #conference Day 1 dinner with Vana Hutter’s wonderful lab: Judith, Esther, Anne, Karlijn, Lisanne and Judith Andersen

#fepsac2024 #conference Day 1 dinner with Vana Hutter’s wonderful lab: Judith, Esther, Anne, Karlijn, Lisanne and Judith Andersen

Thank you @erik.hein for having us on your podcast to discuss our recent #publication - The International Performance, Resilience and Efficiency Program Protocol for the Application of HRV Biofeedback in Applied Law Enforcement Settings.

Check out the podcast episode using this link: https://youtu.be/Mn6VAmBiPCU?si=R3O2Dp5USXhrsKfd

Thank you @erik.hein for having us on your podcast to discuss our recent #publication - The International Performance, Resilience and Efficiency Program Protocol for the Application of HRV Biofeedback in Applied Law Enforcement Settings.

Check out the podcast episode using this link: https://youtu.be/Mn6VAmBiPCU?si=R3O2Dp5USXhrsKfd

Spring #convocation at @UofT / @uoftmississauga this year was particularly special with Dr. Judith Andersen's commencement speech.

Dr. Andersen's final message to the graduates emphasized the 3 Fundamentals R's of Education (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic) they have mastered while at UofT, and building upon those skills with "Reset, Refocus, and Respond" as they move on to their next goals and stages in life.

Spring #convocation at @UofT / @uoftmississauga this year was particularly special with Dr. Judith Andersen's commencement speech.

Dr. Andersen's final message to the graduates emphasized the 3 Fundamentals R's of Education (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic) they have mastered while at UofT, and building upon those skills with "Reset, Refocus, and Respond" as they move on to their next goals and stages in life.

Congratulations to all of our of the HART lab undergraduates who convocated this week! This year the HART lab had 5 graduates Loridee DeVilla, Amanda Jani, Patrick Fahim, Ryan John, and Teia Tremblett

We wish them the best on their next endeavours!

Congratulations to all of our of the HART lab undergraduates who convocated this week! This year the HART lab had 5 graduates Loridee DeVilla, Amanda Jani, Patrick Fahim, Ryan John, and Teia Tremblett

We wish them the best on their next endeavours!

#NewArticle and activity sheet featured in the @futurumcareers magazine, an educational publication aimed to translate real-world #STEM #research into free, inspirational and aspirational education and careers resources to teens and young adults.

In this month's issue, we discussed what is #psychophysiology and #biofeedback, and biomechanisms involved in the #stress response. Furthermore, our ongoing research to improve #police performance and manage stress, and the contributors of #iPREP were also featured.

Visit our iPREP Linktree in bio to download your own free copy of the article and activity sheet!

Dr. Judith Andersen, Dr. Harri Gustafsberg, Dr. Joseph Arpaia,
Lissa Ruocco, Steven Poplawski, Don Back, Dr. Paula Di Nota, PhD, Gene DiMaria, Dr. Juha-Matti Huhta

#NewArticle and activity sheet featured in the @futurumcareers magazine, an educational publication aimed to translate real-world #STEM #research into free, inspirational and aspirational education and careers resources to teens and young adults.

In this month's issue, we discussed what is #psychophysiology and #biofeedback, and biomechanisms involved in the #stress response. Furthermore, our ongoing research to improve #police performance and manage stress, and the contributors of #iPREP were also featured.

Visit our iPREP Linktree in bio to download your own free copy of the article and activity sheet!

Dr. Judith Andersen, Dr. Harri Gustafsberg, Dr. Joseph Arpaia,
Lissa Ruocco, Steven Poplawski, Don Back, Dr. Paula Di Nota, PhD, Gene DiMaria, Dr. Juha-Matti Huhta

We had the privilege during AAPB (Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback) 2024 to meet with esteemed clinical psychologist and psychophysiological researcher Dr. Paul Lehrer, who is a valued member on our Scientific Advisory Board for the #AMT project. We discussed the ongoing data collection, and resonance frequency analyses to investigate our remote HRV biofeedback program for #PublicSafetyPersonnel.

We had the privilege during AAPB (Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback) 2024 to meet with esteemed clinical psychologist and psychophysiological researcher Dr. Paul Lehrer, who is a valued member on our Scientific Advisory Board for the #AMT project. We discussed the ongoing data collection, and resonance frequency analyses to investigate our remote HRV biofeedback program for #PublicSafetyPersonnel.

The #HartLab presenting their symposium at AAPB (Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback) 2024 titled “Autonomic Modulation Training and Biofeedback Intervention for Remote Applied Settings”

We discussed the challenges of designing remote biofeedback interventions, the consideration of comfort when investigating recovery breathing and resonance frequency, and the application of the emerging cardiovascular measure of heart rate fragmentation.

The #HartLab presenting their symposium at AAPB (Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback) 2024 titled “Autonomic Modulation Training and Biofeedback Intervention for Remote Applied Settings”

We discussed the challenges of designing remote biofeedback interventions, the consideration of comfort when investigating recovery breathing and resonance frequency, and the application of the emerging cardiovascular measure of heart rate fragmentation.

The #HartLab team at the 2024 AAPB (Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback) conference presenting the iPREP workshop!

From left to right: Dr. Jennifer F. Chan, Sarah Scott, Dr. Judith P. Andersen, Dr. Paula Di Nota

Thanks to the extended iPREP team who have contributed to the overall iPREP program Dr. Joseph Arpaia, Dr. Harri Gustafsberg, Steven Poplawski, Lissa Ruocco, Juha-Matti Huhta, Samuli M., Don Back, Amber Griffin, Gene DiMaria

The #HartLab team at the 2024 AAPB (Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback) conference presenting the iPREP workshop!

From left to right: Dr. Jennifer F. Chan, Sarah Scott, Dr. Judith P. Andersen, Dr. Paula Di Nota

Thanks to the extended iPREP team who have contributed to the overall iPREP program Dr. Joseph Arpaia, Dr. Harri Gustafsberg, Steven Poplawski, Lissa Ruocco, Juha-Matti Huhta, Samuli M., Don Back, Amber Griffin, Gene DiMaria

Check out our newest #publication for training police and public safety personnel to modify acute stress, optimize performance, and build resilience. The #iPREP Protocol paper is published in the journal AAPB (Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback).

This paper describes a heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) intervention that is part of a larger resilience program (the International Performance Resilience and Efficiency Program – iPREP) established in 2014. Supported by 10 years of user-informed research and development, our methods are tailored to address occupational stressors and the practical realities of training and resource availability in operational settings.

Thank you to our team at the HART Lab (hartlab.net) and all the practitioners (including Lissa Ruocco, Juha-Matti Huhta, Samuli M., Don Back, Amber Griffin, Gene DiMaria) who contributed to the development, dissemination, and instruction of this program.

Authors: Judith P. Andersen; Joseph Arpaia; Dr. Harri Gustafsberg; Steven Poplawski; Paula Di Nota, PhD

Link in bio (iPREP LinkTree)

@steptraininginc
@paulineddra
@harrigustafsberg
#AMT

Check out our newest #publication for training police and public safety personnel to modify acute stress, optimize performance, and build resilience. The #iPREP Protocol paper is published in the journal AAPB (Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback).

This paper describes a heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) intervention that is part of a larger resilience program (the International Performance Resilience and Efficiency Program – iPREP) established in 2014. Supported by 10 years of user-informed research and development, our methods are tailored to address occupational stressors and the practical realities of training and resource availability in operational settings.

Thank you to our team at the HART Lab (hartlab.net) and all the practitioners (including Lissa Ruocco, Juha-Matti Huhta, Samuli M., Don Back, Amber Griffin, Gene DiMaria) who contributed to the development, dissemination, and instruction of this program.

Authors: Judith P. Andersen; Joseph Arpaia; Dr. Harri Gustafsberg; Steven Poplawski; Paula Di Nota, PhD

Link in bio (iPREP LinkTree)

@steptraininginc
@paulineddra
@harrigustafsberg
#AMT

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