LOGAN LAB

Neuroimaging & Health Research

Our research agenda centers on the promotion of physical activity for optimal brain health throughout the lifespan. The goal of this research is to prevent or delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases via physical activity promotion. By targeting specific populations across the lifespan, and by starting in early childhood, our research promotes the cognitive, brain, and mental health of populations most in need, and improves the quality of life of individuals for years to come. 

To achieve this overall goal, our research centers around the following unique populations:

1. Children with developmental differences, such as obesity, ADHD, or early life stress 

2. Mid-life and menopausal women who are predisposed to stress and/or depression 

3. Healthy older adults, and older adults with neurodegenerative disease (i.e., People with Parkinson’s Disease)


We're focused on making exercise a more enjoyable and cost-effective option to manage the stressors associated with daily life. By improving physical health, we aim to improve brain health throughout the lifespan. We use cardio-metabolic techniques, body composition scans, cognitive tasks, mental health assessments, and neuroimaging tools for our research. 

September 20, 2024
Dr. Logan presented some of the lab's latest research in Granada, Spain, at the  II INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS “PROMOTING BRAIN HEALTH THROUGH EXERCISE ACROSS THE LIFESPAN". 

September 2, 2024
Welcome to the new graduate students in our lab! Janis Gaudreau and Haley Forbes start their PhDs this week, while Kane Woods and Cayla Cajilig start their Masters!  

May 28-31, 2024
The lab went to ACSM in Boston together! Dr. Logan, Michelle Lim, Janis Gaudreau, and Erynn Field had presentations to demonstrate the lab's ongoing research on women's health and pediatric brain health. Dr. Logan won the ACSM New Investigator Award for her work on Women's Health! 

May 19, 2024
Janis and Erynn graduated from URI with their Master's degrees! 

May 16, 2024
Our project on Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in Children with ADHD has been featured in the URI News: Rhody Today, in the Providence Journal, and on the Rhode Island Foundation website!  

April 10, 2024
Janis Gaudreau defended their AMAZING Master's Thesis on their research, titled 'The Interaction of Early Life Experiences, Physical Health, and Socio-Economic Status on Neurocognitive Function In Youth'. We are so proud of you, Janis!!!!! 

March 11, 2024
Dr. Logan received the Medical Research Grant from the Rhode Island Foundation for her research on Physical Activity and Executive Function in Children with ADHD! 

March 9, 2024
The Logan Lab was at BrainWaves Rhode Island! Our lab was able to talk about our research to local families and hand out information on exercise and brain health at the Pawtucket Brain Fair! It was a great community turnout. 

December 20, 2023
Dr. Logan collaborated with URI faculty in Kinesiology, Physical Therapy, and Communicative Disorders to publish a new article on the P3 ERP outcomes of cycling in older adults. Published today in Progress in Brain Research. Read it here!

December 19, 2023
Dr. Logan's new article on the complex associations between adiposity, fitness, mental well-being and neurocognitive function after exercise was published today in Progress in Brain Research. Read it here!

November 20, 2023
Dr. Logan and collaborators (Dr. Baron, Dr. Furmanek, Dr. Hartman, Dr. McGough, and Dr. Mankodiya) received a $220,000 grant from the Champlin Foundation to form the Neuro-Learning Centre with TMS and fNIRS equipment! 

August 25, 2023
New article out today! Exercise Keeps the Brain Healthy! Can be found in a special journal, Frontiers for Young Minds: Neuroscience and Psychology, which publishes science for kids. All journal articles are co-reviewed by a team of mentored kids with a scientific editor. 

July 17, 2023
Julia Wolf successfully defended her Masters Thesis! Congratulations on an excellent thesis, Julia, we will miss you! 

June 6, 2023
Dr. Logan & Dr. Ward-Ritacco received a $100,000 grant from the Fred M. Roddy Foundation to purchase a brand new DXA scanner for body composition and neuroscience research!