Bre-Anna Owusu’s research is focused on musical rhythms in cognition and perception, with particular interest in timing-related neural dynamics in memory and language learning. The questions motivating her work are rooted in her experience as a music instructor. Her approach uses a variety of methodologies including behavioural paradigms, modeling and tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation).
Expandable List
kingb10@mcmaster.ca
Chapters in Books:
Owusu, B., Dhanoa, J., Hylton, A., Ing, E., Mappanasingam, A., Patel, A., Pavlakos, R. & de Bie., A. (2022). Student Voices from the Classroom: Concluding reflections on cultivating an environment where learning deeply matters. In A. de Bie, S. Baptiste, C. A. Grisé (Eds.). Where learning deeply matters: Reflections on the past, present, and future of teaching at McMaster University.
Mighty, J., Braithwaite, A., Deng, J., Huang, S., Leacock, B., Lopes, V., MacDonald, M., Pérez, R. N., Owusu, B., & Toulouse, P. (2022).Misalignment, Negotiation, and Compromise: The Challenging Process of Pursuing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Higher Education. Invited chapter in J. Christensen Hughes, J. Mighty, D. Stockley and L. Young (Eds.). Taking Stock 2.0: Transforming Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
Papers in Refereed Journals:
Owusu, B. K. & Burianová, H. (2020). Transcranial direct current stimulation improves novel word recall in healthy adults. Journal of Neurolinguistics, 53, 1–9.
2022. Owusu, Bre-Anna and Elisabet Service. “Can rhythmic stimulation benefit verbal memory?” NeuroMusic 18th Annual Conference, McMaster University, Ontario, Hamilton.
2022. Owusu, Bre-Anna and Elisabet Service. “Rhythmic stimulation boosts memory for new word forms in children”. Mental Lexicon, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.
2022. Homiar, Ava, Bre-Anna Owusu and Elisabet Service. “The influence of musical training on visuospatial working memory processing in musicians with dyslexia”. Student Research Day, McMaster University, Ontario, Hamilton.
2021. Owusu, Bre-Anna and Elisabet Service. “Can musical rhythm primes boost memory for new word forms in dyslexia?” Psychonomic Society 62nd Annual Meeting, virtual conference.
2021. Owusu, Bre-Anna. “The He(ART) of Dyslexia: How can Listening to Music Improve Verbal Memory?” [Abstract]. McGill Journal of Medicine, 20(1).
2021. Owusu, Bre-Anna. “Music and Dyslexia: Please Don’t Stop the Music”. Black Graduate Student Association Virtual Research Conference, University of Toronto, virtual conference.
2021. Boguslavski, Lior, Bre-Anna Owusu and Elisabet Service. “A plan for combining musical training and action video games as a therapeutic tool for dyslexia”. Student Research Day, McMaster University, virtual conference.
2021. Owusu, Bre-Anna. “Music and memory — Tunes for dyslexia”. Student Research Day, McMaster University, virtual conference.
Teaching Assistant Welcome, Paul R. McPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching, Panelist on Experienced TA Panel Discussion (September 2022).
GenSTEM Conference, WISE (McMaster Women in Science and Engineering), Virtual (December 2021) Youth outreach workshop co-presenter for ARiEAL (Advanced Research in Experimental & Applied Linguistics).
Three Minute Thesis (3MT) at 6th edition of Neurosymposium, virtual (June 2021) Title: The He(ART) of Dyslexia: How Can Listening to Music Improve Verbal Memory?
Plenary Presentation, PechaKucha, Faculty of Health Sciences Research Plenary, Hamilton (May 2021) Title: The Cocktail Party Effect: Mixing Rhythms for Dyslexia — (Ranked Top 3)
Inaugural GRADFlix Competition, School of Graduate Studies, McMaster University, Finalist (March 2021) Title: Syncing’ to the Beat of your Own Brain