Quantitative & computational
Turning complex behavioural data into defensible conclusions.
- R
- Python
- SPSS
- Linear regression
- ANOVA
- Equivalence testing
- Mediation & moderation
- Multivariate statistics
- Machine learning
- Data visualization
Cognitive neuroscientist · educator · human-factors researcher
Exploring how people learn, navigate, and thrive.
I use immersive technology, behavioural science, and quantitative methods to study human cognition in contexts that look and feel like real life.
cognition × immersionAbout
I build bridges between the lab, the classroom, and the environments where people perform.
I am a cognitive neuroscientist and educator whose work crosses psychology, engineering, immersive technology, and mental health. My research began in quantitative psychology and grew into a program focused on human cognition in realistic, multisensory settings.
Teaching is central to my academic work. Across Trent University, the University of New Brunswick, McMaster University, and Mohawk College, I have taught courses spanning cognition, learning, memory, motivation and emotion, neuroscience, social psychology, health psychology, development, statistics, and research methods. I create enthusiastic, inclusive classrooms where complex ideas become clear through active learning, real-world examples, and thoughtful assessment.
- FOUNDATIONSYork University
Psychology education, honours research, robust statistics, and lifespan cognition.
- DOCTORALMcMaster University
PhD and simulator-lab research on navigation, vestibular cues, and virtual driving.
- APPLIED R&DMcMaster × iMVR
Postdoctoral neuroscience and human-factors research across psychology and engineering.
- COLLEGEMohawk College
Faculty teaching psychology and human development online and in person.
- PROFESSORUniversity of New Brunswick
Six upper-level psychology courses, teaching-team leadership, and honours supervision.
- CURRENTTrent University
Teaching memory, learning, cognition, and motivation and emotion.
Research themes
Three connected ways of understanding people.
Select a theme to see the question behind the work and the ideas that connect the projects.
Immersive systems
How can immersive training feel more natural and work better?
I study how motion, visual information, and interface design shape performance, comfort, and learning in simulated environments.
- Motion cueing
- Simulator sickness
- Driving behaviour
Inside the simulator
When virtual movement becomes a research instrument.
In collaboration with iMVR and McMaster Engineering, I studied how physical motion cues change driver experience, simulator sickness, and behaviour inside immersive truck-training environments.
Read the motion-cues studyiMVR × McMaster · Research in motion
Publications & manuscripts
Research you can open, explore, and read.
2026Mindfulness · Mental healthThe Paradox of Mindfulness: Balancing Its Role in Alleviating and Intensifying the Mental Health Effects of DiscriminationJabbari, Al-Mosawi, Sefain, Yi, Christoforou & HeiszManuscript submitted to Mindfulness2026Intervention · Student wellbeingMeditation Versus Expressive Writing: Which Mindfulness Approach Is Better at Improving Mental Health in Students?Jabbari, Karsan, Harris & HeiszManuscript submitted2026Human factors · Virtual realityMotion Cues and Field of View in Virtual Truck Driver Training Under Crosswinds: Effects on Driving Control, Simulator Sickness, and User ExperienceJabbari & von MohrenschildtTransportation Research Record · Accepted, in press2025Learning · Driving simulationThe Impact of Driving Versus Undistracted Listening on Podcast Knowledge Acquisition and Retention Using a Driving SimulatorJabbari, Gottlieb, von Mohrenschildt, Lee, Arnold, Shedden & SherbinoPLOS ONE, 20(9)2025Human factors · Virtual realityEvaluating the Effects of Motion Cues in Virtual Truck Driver TrainingJabbari & von MohrenschildtTransportation Research Record, 2679(3), 778–7872023Psychological trauma · Shared terminologyGlossary of Terms: A Shared Understanding of the Common Terms Used to Describe Psychological Trauma, Version 3.0Heber, Testa, Groll, Ritchie, Tam-Seto, Mulligan et al., including JabbariHealth Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada2022Doctoral dissertationRoute Navigation and Driving: Role of Visual Cues, Vestibular Cues, Visual Spatial Abilities, Age and Mood DisordersJabbariMcMaster University2022Navigation · Virtual environmentsTesting Landmark-Specific Effects on Route Navigation in an Ecologically Valid Setting: A Simulated Driving StudyJabbari, Kenney, von Mohrenschildt & SheddenCognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 7(22)2022Quantitative methodsNegligible Interaction Test for Continuous PredictorsJabbari & CribbieJournal of Applied Statistics, 49(8)2021Navigation · Multisensory cognitionVestibular Cues Improve Landmark-Based Route Navigation: A Simulated Driving StudyJabbari, Kenney, von Mohrenschildt & SheddenMemory & Cognition, 492021Multisensory cognition · Healthy agingVisual-Vestibular Integration Is Preserved with Healthy Aging in a Simple Acceleration Detection TaskKenney, Jabbari, von Mohrenschildt & SheddenNeurobiology of Aging, 1042019Statistics educationStatistical Software Use in Canadian University Courses: Current Trends and Future DirectionsDavidson, Jabbari, Patton, O’Hagan, Peters & CribbieTeaching of Psychology, 46(3)
Teaching
Making complex ideas feel clear, relevant, and worth asking questions about.
My classrooms connect cognitive neuroscience with everyday decisions, demonstrations, cases, and active learning. I design for curiosity first, with assessment that makes the learning visible.
Trent University
Course Instructor, Psychology
Teaching memory, learning, cognition, and motivation and emotion through lectures and small-group seminars.
MemoryIntroduction to LearningIntroduction to CognitionMotivation and Emotion
Skills
Methods for understanding people: from signal to story.
My work combines quantitative psychology, cognitive neuroscience, immersive research, and evidence-based teaching.
Neuroscience & experimentation
Designing controlled studies that preserve real-world relevance.
- EEG preprocessing
- Artifact rejection
- Spectral power analysis
- BrainVision Analyzer
- VR experiments
- Driving simulation
- Psychophysics
- Behavioural analytics
- Survey design
Research leadership
Moving interdisciplinary projects from question to publication.
- Experimental design
- Grant writing
- Research ethics
- Project management
- Participant recruitment
- REDCap
- Scientific writing
- Student mentorship
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Teaching & assessment
Building clear, inclusive learning experiences at scale.
- Curriculum design
- Active learning
- Case-based teaching
- Online instruction
- Assessment design
- Teaching-team leadership
- Student supervision
- Inclusive course design
Quantitative foundations
Robust Statistics Lab · York University
Honours thesis & data analyst experience
Working with Robert Cribbie, I developed an equivalence-based test for negligible interaction effects in linear regression and contributed to a national study of statistical software use in Canadian psychology programs.
Read the methods paperConnect