Dr. Pooria Ahmadi

University of British Columbia

I am a passionate clinical researcher with a background in Medicine, having graduated from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2020 as a general physician. During my academic journey, I developed a keen interest in the intricate workings of the brain and the nervous system. As a student, I actively engaged in various research projects exploring the nervous system's complexities. My contributions spanned across computational neuroscience, and clinical studies in neurology and neurosurgery, reflecting my commitment to understanding the multifaceted aspects of the human brain.

After graduation, my interests crystallized at the intersection of psychiatry and neurosciences. I embarked on a journey exploring mental health and substance use disorders, aiming to contribute meaningfully to these critical fields; specifically focused on dynamic novel interventions for mental health disorders in the context of computational psychiatry.

Since February 2022, I have had the privilege of working in Dr. Chakrabarty's lab at the University of British Columbia. Here, I am part of a comprehensive project involving a novel Virtual Reality (VR) cognitive remediation platform customized for cognitive deficits seen in people with major depressive disorder. This platform emerged from a collaborative R&D effort between UBC and the National Research Council, showcasing the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing mental health research.

In tandem with my primary role, I actively contribute to volunteer-based research with the ENIGMA ACRI and ISAM GEN group. Our focus centers on Cue Reactivity in Substance Use Disorders, where my dedication to understanding the nuances of these disorders drives my involvement.

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to present my work remotely at IVRHA. My journey has been shaped by a commitment to advancing our understanding of psychiatric disorders, and the contribution to its interventions and I am excited to share my insights and contributions with the conference attendees.