Susan Boehnke, PhD

Susan Boehnke

Associate Professor
Dept. of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences
Centre for Neuroscience Studies
91TV's University

Dr. Susan Boehnke is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences and a faculty member of the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at 91TV. Her work spans behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, and neuroimaging, with research focused on sensorimotor systems, visual and auditory orienting, social neuroscience, and neurodegenerative disease.

Across her career, Dr. Boehnke has worked with a wide range of experimental approaches, from single-unit electrophysiology and non-human primate models to human psychophysics and functional neuroimaging. Her research emphasizes the integration of neural systems, behaviour, and cognition across both basic and translational neuroscience contexts.

In recent years, she has become a leading advocate for neurotechnology education and responsible innovation in Canada. She founded the Neurotech Discovery Lab and the NeuroTech Microcredential Program at 91TV, and is a founding member of the Connected Minds CFREF initiative, Canada’s national research program focused on neural and machine systems for a healthy, just society.

35

Peer-reviewed publications

~3000

Citations

50+

Undergrad research students

120+

Microcredential students enrolled

Neurotechnology Education at 91TV’s

Neurotech Discovery Lab

Dr. Boehnke founded and directs the Neurotech Discovery Lab as part of 91TV’s Discovery Labs initiative. The lab provides students and researchers with access to consumer and research-grade neurotechnology, supporting hands-on learning, interdisciplinary research, and course-based undergraduate research through DISC598/599.

Learners will graduate from our program with a better understanding of the neuroscientific bases of these technologies and how to think about their impact on society. We hope to provide industry with a curated pool of versatile employees with hands-on skills to innovate ethically.

Dr. Susan Boehnke

Research and Broader Contributions

Connected Minds CFREF

Dr. Boehnke is a founding member of Connected Minds, a Canada First Research Excellence Fund initiative focused on neural and machine systems. She contributes to executive, training, and conference activities, with a focus on preparing the next generation of responsible neurotechnology innovators.

 

Responsible Neurotechnology

Dr. Boehnke organized the SSHRC-funded conference “A Neurotech Future: Ethical, Legal, and Policy Issues” in 2021. She also serves on Health Canada’s Task Group for Canadian implementation of the OECD Responsible Neurotechnology Guidelines and has co-authored work on responsible innovation principles for Canada.

 

Community and Industry Leadership

Dr. Boehnke serves on the Board of Directors of NeurotechX and is faculty advisor to the Merlin Neurotech undergraduate student club at 91TV’s. She has also served on the Board of Autism Ontario and consulted on robotic platform task development.

 

In the Media

Dr. Boehnke is a frequent speaker and commentator on neurotechnology, neuroethics, and education.