Hello Everyone!! 
My name is Stephanie Hornyak, and I am a PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology working with Dr. Shayna Rosenbaum at York University, who is also an Associate Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest.
Research that is conducted in our lab involves investigating the areas of the brain involved in memory for personal events and facts acquired a long time ago. We are especially interested in testing birders' memory, particularly those who keep
detailed journals/databases/lists relating to bird sightings (including web postings). Birders represent a unique group, as they are experts in visually discriminating bird species, and this appears to involve the same parts of the brain that are involved in humans' ability (birders and non-birders) to perceive other people's faces!!
Last November, I had a posted a short message (similar to this one) describing the kind of research that is conducted in our lab, and a research volunteer opportunity that you may have been interested in. Thanks to an overwhelming number of interested individuals, I was able to get my study up and running. Also, the input I received from individuals who have participated so far was extremely helpful and muchly appreciated because it gave me the opportunity to iron out some of the details that only frequent birders would be aware of. With this said, I am sending this message to anyone who may be interested in participating in the exciting research we are currently conducting. I have completed approximately half of the study, and know with your help, I can complete this memory study in the next couple of months!!
Currently, we are looking for individuals who have extensive experience as bird watchers (10 years or more), between the ages of approximately 30-65 to take part in our MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) study. This imaging study involves scanning birders with MRI as they recollect past experiences relating to bird sightings in comparison to recalling facts about various types of birds. Scanning would take place at Baycrest.
Volunteers would receive monetary compensation for their participation. If you think you would be interested in participating in this new and exciting research study, and/or would like some more information pertaining to this study, please feel free to email me privately at
shornyak@yorku.ca. Your expert knowledge and memory of birds is exactly what we are looking for to help us answer our research questions.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day and I look forward to speaking with you in the near future,
Sincerely,
Stephanie Hornyak
PhD Candidate, York University
Toronto, Ontario
