(January 26, 2024) - Technological advancements are rapidly changing the way we interact with the world around us. Can we use advancements in wearable technology to improve performance in high-concentration activities? Anthony Zanetti, second year Masters of Psychology student at 51勛圖app, is working to answer just that.
Anthony didn＊t always know he had a strong passion for studying the human brain. Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Anthony grew up in Copper Cliff and attended St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. Right after high school, Anthony began a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Biology at Laurentian.
A couple years into the program, Anthony realized he did not want to go on to attend medical school, even though many of his classmates were planning to take that route. It was a psychology elective in third year that inspired Anthony to start thinking about different career options. After completing his undergrad, he enrolled in Laurentian＊s Bachelor of Psychology program to pursue his second degree.
Now a graduate student, Anthony is enjoying his experience at Laurentian. ※In my Masters, I noticed it isn＊t just about lectures. We have actual conversations because it is a smaller group that allows for that dynamic,§ Anthony says, reflecting on the evolution of his education journey. ※There is continuous support from my professors. My supervisor, Dr. Blake Dotta, has been the most amazing support throughout the entire process in terms of motivating me and allowing for creative ideas and space. He has a wealth of knowledge in neuroscience and I received ample support from him along the way.§
Anthony explains his thesis involves a unique activity 每 video game play. ※Through my research, I am looking to see if electromagnetic fields can be used to have neurological effects like improved focus, concentration, and attention for people,§ Anthony explains. ※The idea is that if performance is improving in these areas during video game play, the same might apply to studying, composing music, or playing sports, among other activities.§
To conduct this research, Anthony had participants, who were mostly undergraduate Laurentian students, play the high concentration video game, Snake, with and without an electromagnetic field present. ※An electromagnetic field is created when you run an electric charge through something conductive. For my study, Laurentian provided a device with two boxes, each containing a copper coil, that created an electromagnetic field as an electric charge moved through it,§ explained Anthony. While participants played the video game, Anthony measured their performance and brain activity in areas responsible for concentration and focus. ※When we looked at the results, we saw changes in regions of the brain that are associated with sustained attention, concentration, and focus in a way that suggests that the field was having beneficial effects in these areas.§
Now in the process of publishing his findings, Anthony is excited to be able to contribute to this area of research. He is hoping his results will help future innovators create wearable electromagnetic headpiece devices to boost concentration.
With his graduation fast approaching in summer 2024, Anthony is hoping to stay in Sudbury and practice as a Psychological Associate at Health Sciences North or a private practice. No matter what Anthony goes on to accomplish, his research has already made an impact and he will surely make a great practitioner.