Nicholas Diamond, PhD

Sr. Lead of Behavioural and Data Science in the Canadian Government’s Impact and Innovation Unit. Using data, experimentation, and the scientific method to help make things work better. Former cognitive neuroscientist.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

About

Experience

  • Impact Canada (4 yrs 11 mos)
    • Lead Behavioural Science
      Mar 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Leading a high-performing team of behavioural scientists and policy experts using data, experimentation, and the scientific method to improve outcomes for Canadians, and uncovering new problems and opportunities.

    • Senior Behavioural Scientist
      May 2023 - Apr 2024 · 1 yr

      Leading a national-scale behavioural science research program, from relationship building to ideation to execution to knowledge translation.

    • Behavioural Science Fellow
      Sep 2021 - May 2023 · 1 yr 9 mos

      Using the tools of science and quantitative modeling to understand major problems facing the public and guide meaningful evidence-based policy solutions.

  • Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Pennsylvania
    Sep 2019 - Nov 2021 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    Investigated the cognitive and neural mechanisms of human memory retrieval using experiments in virtual reality, intracranial brain recordings, machine learning, and natural language processing. Led the development of a novel brain-computer interface using real-time neural oscillations to optimize the timing of memory encoding and retrieval in a desktop virtual reality game.

  • PhD Student and Researcher at Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest
    Sep 2013 - Aug 2019 · 6 yrs

    Designed and carried out a program of research on how human memory retrieval works in the real world, including how it's implemented in the brain (using functional magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography), and how it goes wrong in older age.

  • University of Toronto (5 yrs 1 mo)
    • Teaching Assistant
      Sep 2013 - Sep 2018 · 5 yrs 1 mo

      Helped students understand and enjoy course material, created and delivered lectures on a variety of topics (e.g., sensation and perception, human memory, and consciousness).

    • Course Instructor - Human Memory
      Jul 2017 - Aug 2018 · 1 yr 2 mos

      I developed and taught a course on Human Memory (PSY372) for three semesters at the University of Toronto. While memory was the focus, my deeper aim was to foster curiosity about the human mind and behaviour, while providing intellectual and analytical tools to act on that curiosity. I tried to develop students' ability to think like scientists, emphasizing: critical thinking, problem solving, data visualization and comprehension, and open-minded skepticism.