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Dr Sarah Faber
Name:
Dr Sarah Faber
Job Title:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Place of work / study:
Simon Fraser University, Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology
Area of Research:
Computational neuroscience. I use computational modelling to study how the brain adapts to age and neurodegeneration using music.
How is your research funded:
My work is co-funded by a grant from the BC Alzheimer’s Society and the Michael Smith Health Research BC
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am interested in how the brain adapts to age and neurodegeneration at multiple spatial and temporal scales with a particular focus on between-network activity during music listening and improvisation. Before getting into research, I worked as an accredited music therapist in long-term care in Canada. My clinical work inspires my research practice and in my postdoctoral work, I use novel analysis paradigms to study how the brain continues to process complex stimuli in dementia.
I completed my PhD in 2023 at the University of Toronto, and hold a master’s in music psychology from the University of Jyväskylä, and an honour’s bachelor of music therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I am a classically-trained flutist and keen amateur bagpiper. I took up the pipes when I lived in England, much to the dismay of my neighbours!
Why did you choose to work in dementia research?
I started working in dementia as a music therapist and was moved by how strongly my clients were connected to music. We were able to build social bonds and have musical conversations without relying on language, an important consideration in moderate-to-severe dementia. I needed to understand how this phenomenon worked which led me to research.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
It’s never too late to start learning something new.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
Between books
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Loud music, a good book, and an overly-ambitious baking project
Favourite film of all time?
Not sure
