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Stuart MacDonald

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Professor & Harald Mohr MD and Wilhelma Mohr MD Research Chair in Adult Development and AgingUniversity of Victoria

Stuart MacDonald

Professor & Harald Mohr MD and Wilhelma Mohr MD Research Chair in Adult Development and Aging

Psychology (Faculty of Social Sciences)

University of Victoria

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Supervision signals

Professors usually supervise graduate students in their department's programs.
4 publications in the last five years, latest in 2025.
Principal investigator on 3 research grants (3 NSERC), most recently in 2019.
Supervisor on 8 trainee awards (8 CIHR), most recently in 2021.

These signals come from public records, including CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions. Ask the professor or the graduate program whether they are taking new students.

Academic metrics

Publications

Collaborators

Grants

Publications by year

Counts cover the publications linked to this profile. Citations and the h-index appear when the source records them.

Profiles and links

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Signals and details

Research

Read how they describe their research on their University of Victoria profile.

Lifespan health and development Cognitive aging Cognitive neuroscience of aging Dementia Alzheimer’s Disease Brain health Aging in place Frailty Longitudinal data analysis Within-person research design Dementia-Friendly Communities Plasticity Intraindividual variability

Latest papers

Sex similarities and differences in cognition: A longitudinal study of healthy control participants from the Parkinson Progression Markers Initiative.
PloS one · 2025
Cognitive Speed in Neurodegenerative Disease: Comparing Mean Rate and Inconsistency Within and Across the Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Spectra in the COMPASS-ND Study.
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD · 2024
The relationship between cardiovascular risk and lifestyle activities on hippocampal volumes in normative aging.
Aging brain · 2022

All 9 publications

Latest funding

Dementia-Inclusive Communities: A Longitudinal Community-Based Participatory Research Study
CIHR · 2026 · Co-investigator
$818,550
Modelling the Impacts of Life Course Enrichment and Depletion Factors on Cognitive Aging and Brain Health Trajectories using Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Data.
CIHR · 2025 · Co-investigator
$70,000
"BRIDGE"---Broadening Relationships through Intergenerational Dementia Guidance and Education
SSHRC · 2025 · Co-investigator
$50,612

All 19 grants and awards

9 publications.

Sex similarities and differences in cognition: A longitudinal study of healthy control participants from the Parkinson Progression Markers Initiative.

Ohlhauser L, Kwan H, Casey H, MacDonald S, Gawryluk JR

PloS one2025

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0334358 PMID: 41284664

Cognitive Speed in Neurodegenerative Disease: Comparing Mean Rate and Inconsistency Within and Across the Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Spectra in the COMPASS-ND Study.

Caballero HS, McFall GP, Gee M, MacDonald S, Phillips NA, Fogarty J, Montero-Odasso M, Camicioli R, Dixon RA

Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD2024

DOI: 10.3233/jad-240210 PMID: 38875040

The relationship between cardiovascular risk and lifestyle activities on hippocampal volumes in normative aging.

Scarapicchia V, MacDonald S, Gawryluk JR

Aging brain2022

DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2022.100033 PMID: 36908897

Functional near infrared spectroscopy activation during an executive function task differs between healthy older and younger adults.

Kwan H, Scarapicchia V, Halliday D, MacDonald S, Gawryluk JR

Aging brain2022

DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2022.100029 PMID: 36908882

Resting State BOLD Variability Is Linked to White Matter Vascular Burden in Healthy Aging but Not in Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline.

Scarapicchia V, Garcia-Barrera M, MacDonald S, Gawryluk JR

Frontiers in human neuroscience2019

DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00429 PMID: 31920589

Long-Term Care Service Trajectories and Their Predictors for Persons Living With Dementia: Results From a Canadian Study.

Cloutier DS, Penning MJ, Nuernberger K, Taylor D, MacDonald S

Journal of aging and health2019Senior author

DOI: 10.1177/0898264317725618 PMID: 28814151

Direct and indirect measurement of physical activity in older adults: a systematic review of the literature.

Kowalski K, Rhodes R, Naylor PJ, Tuokko H, MacDonald S

The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity2012Senior author

DOI: 10.1186/1479-5868-9-148 PMID: 23245612

The influence of cognitive impairment with no dementia on driving restriction and cessation in older adults.

Kowalski K, Love J, Tuokko H, MacDonald S, Hultsch D, Strauss E

Accident; analysis and prevention2012

DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2011.11.011 PMID: 23036411

Is there a 'low-risk' drinking level for youth? The risk of acute harm as a function of quantity and frequency of drinking.

Thompson KD, Stockwell T, MacDonald S

Drug and alcohol review2012Senior author

DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-3362.2011.00378.x PMID: 22050354

Dementia-Inclusive Communities: A Longitudinal Community-Based Participatory Research Study

Co-investigatorCIHR2026Project Grant

Principal investigators: Sakamoto, Mariko L

Keywords: Aging In Place; Community-Based Participatory Research; Dementia-Inclusive Communities; Longitudinal Research

$818,550

Modelling the Impacts of Life Course Enrichment and Depletion Factors on Cognitive Aging and Brain Health Trajectories using Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Data.

Co-investigatorCIHR2025Catalyst Grant: Analysis of CLSA Data - INMHA Mandate

Principal investigators: Paterson, Theone; Rush, Jonathan

Keywords: Allostatic Load; Cognitive Function; Environmental Impacts; Frailty; Intrinsic Capacity; Neighbourhood; Stac-R

$70,000

"BRIDGE"---Broadening Relationships through Intergenerational Dementia Guidance and Education

Co-investigatorSSHRC2025Insight Grants

Principal investigators: Gawryluk, Jodie R.

Keywords: Dementia; Dementia Friendly Communities; Youth; Intergenerational

$50,612

Risk and Protective Factors for Healthy Aging: A Departure from the Traditional Successful Aging Framework

SupervisorCIHR2021Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Principal investigators: McDowell, Cynthia N

Keywords: Aging Well; Chronic Illness; Health Promotion; Healthy Aging; Intervention; Longitudinal; Multidimensional; Prevention; Risk Factors; Successful Aging

$105,000

Development of novel wearable-based IoT system for monitoring changes in mobility, cognition and daily activities in community-dwelling older adults

Principal investigatorNSERC2019Engage Grants Program

Principal investigators: Macdonald, Stuart

$24,999

Intraindividual Variability as an Indicator of Cognitive Function: Contrasting Operationalizations and Exploring Mechanisms

Principal investigatorNSERC2017Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: MacDonald, Stuart

$168,000

Can Intraindividual Variability in Neural and Physical Function Improve Detection of Cognitive Impairment?

SupervisorCIHR2015Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Principal investigators: Halliday, Drew W

Keywords: Alzheimer'S Disease; Early Identification; Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy; Gait; Intraindividual Variability; Mild Cognitive Impairment; Neuroimaging

$105,000

Building a Rock to Stand On:Health, Life Style Choices, and Social Determinants of Health in Young Adulthood

Co-investigatorCIHR2013Operating Grant

Principal investigators: Leadbeater, Bonnie J

Keywords: Adolescence; Adolescent Health; Economic Capital; Emerging Adulthood; Injuries; Mental Health; Physical Health; Social Determinants Of Health; Transitions To Young Adulthood

$719,949

Characteristics and Correlates of Intraindividual Variability in Executive Control Processes

Principal investigatorNSERC2012Discovery Grants Program - Group

Principal investigators: MacDonald, Stuart

$125,000

Transitions and Trajectories in Late Life Care: Patterns and Predictors

Co-investigatorCIHR2011Partnerships for Health System Improvement (PHSI)

Principal investigators: Penning, Margaret J; Taylor, Deanne C; Cloutier, Denise S

Keywords: Care Transitions; Collaborative Research; Later Life; Life Course Perspective; Long-Term Care; Longitudinal Analyses; Mixed Models; Rai-Mds Data; Trajectories

$233,259

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their NSERC grant from 2019

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Lifespan health and development Dear Professor MacDonald, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Sex similarities and differences in cognition: A longitudinal study of healthy control participants from the Parkinson Progression Markers Initiative." (2025), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your NSERC-funded project "Development of novel wearable-based IoT system for monitoring changes in mobility, cognition and daily activities in community-dwelling older adults" (2019), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]

Profile data last refreshed on September 27, 2026 from the university directory, publication records and CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding.

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Stuart MacDonald

Research

Latest papers

Latest funding

Sex similarities and differences in cognition: A longitudinal study of healthy control participants from the Parkinson Progression Markers Initiative.

Cognitive Speed in Neurodegenerative Disease: Comparing Mean Rate and Inconsistency Within and Across the Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Spectra in the COMPASS-ND Study.

The relationship between cardiovascular risk and lifestyle activities on hippocampal volumes in normative aging.

Functional near infrared spectroscopy activation during an executive function task differs between healthy older and younger adults.

Resting State BOLD Variability Is Linked to White Matter Vascular Burden in Healthy Aging but Not in Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline.

Long-Term Care Service Trajectories and Their Predictors for Persons Living With Dementia: Results From a Canadian Study.

Direct and indirect measurement of physical activity in older adults: a systematic review of the literature.

The influence of cognitive impairment with no dementia on driving restriction and cessation in older adults.

Is there a 'low-risk' drinking level for youth? The risk of acute harm as a function of quantity and frequency of drinking.

Dementia-Inclusive Communities: A Longitudinal Community-Based Participatory Research Study

Modelling the Impacts of Life Course Enrichment and Depletion Factors on Cognitive Aging and Brain Health Trajectories using Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Data.

"BRIDGE"---Broadening Relationships through Intergenerational Dementia Guidance and Education

Risk and Protective Factors for Healthy Aging: A Departure from the Traditional Successful Aging Framework

Development of novel wearable-based IoT system for monitoring changes in mobility, cognition and daily activities in community-dwelling older adults

Intraindividual Variability as an Indicator of Cognitive Function: Contrasting Operationalizations and Exploring Mechanisms

Can Intraindividual Variability in Neural and Physical Function Improve Detection of Cognitive Impairment?

Building a Rock to Stand On:Health, Life Style Choices, and Social Determinants of Health in Young Adulthood

Characteristics and Correlates of Intraindividual Variability in Executive Control Processes

Transitions and Trajectories in Late Life Care: Patterns and Predictors

Frequent collaborators

Holly Tuokko

Ryan Rhodes

Patti-Jean Naylor

Manuel Montero Odasso

Deanne Taylor

Mauricio Garcia-Barrera