Associate Professor
Dept. of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences
Centre for Neuroscience Studies
Queen's University
Dr. Susan Boehnke is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences and a faculty member of the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at Queen’s University. Her work spans behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, and neuroimaging, with research focused on sensorimotor systems, visual and auditory orienting, social neuroscience, and neurodegenerative disease.
Across her career, Dr. Boehnke has worked with a wide range of experimental approaches, from single-unit electrophysiology and non-human primate models to human psychophysics and functional neuroimaging. Her research emphasizes the integration of neural systems, behaviour, and cognition across both basic and translational neuroscience contexts.
In recent years, she has become a leading advocate for neurotechnology education and responsible innovation in Canada. She founded the Neurotech Discovery Lab and the NeuroTech Microcredential Program at Queen’s University, and is a founding member of the Connected Minds CFREF initiative, Canada’s national research program focused on neural and machine systems for a healthy, just society.
Peer-reviewed publications
Citations
Undergrad research students
Microcredential students enrolled
Neurotechnology Education at Queen’s
Neurotech Discovery Lab
Dr. Boehnke founded and directs the Neurotech Discovery Lab as part of Queen’s Discovery Labs initiative. The lab provides students and researchers with access to consumer and research-grade neurotechnology, supporting hands-on learning, interdisciplinary research, and course-based undergraduate research through DISC598/599.
Learners will graduate from our program with a better understanding of the neuroscientific bases of these technologies and how to think about their impact on society. We hope to provide industry with a curated pool of versatile employees with hands-on skills to innovate ethically.
Dr. Susan Boehnke
Research and Broader Contributions
Connected Minds CFREF
Dr. Boehnke is a founding member of Connected Minds, a Canada First Research Excellence Fund initiative focused on neural and machine systems. She contributes to executive, training, and conference activities, with a focus on preparing the next generation of responsible neurotechnology innovators.
Responsible Neurotechnology
Dr. Boehnke organized the SSHRC-funded conference “A Neurotech Future: Ethical, Legal, and Policy Issues” in 2021. She also serves on Health Canada’s Task Group for Canadian implementation of the OECD Responsible Neurotechnology Guidelines and has co-authored work on responsible innovation principles for Canada.
Community and Industry Leadership
Dr. Boehnke serves on the Board of Directors of NeurotechX and is faculty advisor to the Merlin Neurotech undergraduate student club at Queen’s. She has also served on the Board of Autism Ontario and consulted on robotic platform task development.
In the Media
Dr. Boehnke is a frequent speaker and commentator on neurotechnology, neuroethics, and education.