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I received my Master’s and PhD in Psychology from Queen’s University in 1997 and then completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Sydney, Australia. I then served as a faculty member in the School of Psychology at the University of New England, Australia. I joined the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Science at Laurier in 2006.
I currently serve as Chair of Psychology. I feel fortunate to lead such a dynamic and collegial department that now includes students and faculty on both the Waterloo and Milton campuses. I'm continually inspired by the dedication, curiosity, and collaborative spirit of our psychology community at Laurier.
I am a behavioural neuroscientist who studies the behavioural and neural effects of drugs, with a special emphasis on drugs of abuse.
My research is focused on the brain’s endocannabinoid system. Using behavioural, pharmacological, and immunohistochemical techniques, I examine how cannabinoid receptors are involved in normal behaviour (e.g., learning, memory, feeding, locomotion), pathological behaviour (e.g., addiction). I also study the manner in which cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid drugs interact to alter behaviour and brain activity.
Note that I am not able to respond to elementary or high school students asking for information or an "expert opinion" related to their school assignments or projects.
I typically supervise student projects in the following areas:
- Role of the endocannabinoid system in learning and memory.
- Behavioural pharmacology of neutral CB1 receptor antagonists.
- Behavioural interactions between cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid drugs (e.g., ‘ecstasy’, nicotine, alcohol, heroin, cocaine).
- Long-term consequences of cannabinoid system dysfunction caused by early life adversity.
- Involvement of endocannabinoids in drug reward and addiction.
Honours thesis opportunities: I plan on accepting 2 or 3 undergraduate thesis students for the 2025-2026 academic year. Students who are expecting to have completed PS363 (Research in Behavioural Neuroscience) by the end of Winter 2025 are encouraged to apply. There is no need to contact me prior to applying. More info here...
Paid research assistant opportunities: None currently available.
Volunteer research assistant opportunities: Occasionally such opportunities arise. These are usually reserved for students who have already completed PS363 (Research in Behavioural Neuroscience) given the relevant lab training and experience provided in that course.
- Manwell, L. A., Charachoglyan, A., Brewer, D., Matthews, B. A., Heipel, H. and Mallet, P. E. (2014). A vapourized ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) delivery system part I: Development and validation of a pulmonary cannabinoid route of exposure for experimental pharmacology studies in rodents. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, 70, 120-127.
- Manwell, L. A., Ford, B., Matthews, B. A., Heipel, H. and Mallet, P. E. (2014). A vapourized ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) delivery system part II: Comparison of behavioural effects of pulmonary versus parenteral cannabinoid exposure in rodents. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, 70, 112-119.
- Perit, K. E., Gmaz, J. M., Browne, J. D. C., Matthews, B. A., Dunn, M. B. F., Yang, L., Raaphorst, T., Mallet, P. E., and McKay, B. E. (2012). Distribution of c-Fos immunoreactivity in the rat brain following abuse-like toluene vapor inhalation. Neurotoxicoloy & Terotology, 34, 37-46.
- Quinn, H., Matsumoto, I., Callaghan, P. D., Long, L. E., Arnold, J. C., Gunasekaran, N., Thompson, M. R., Dawson, B., Mallet, P. E., Kashem, M. A., Matsuda-Matsumoto, H., Iwazaki, T. and McGregor, I. S. (2008). Adolescent rats find repeated Δ9-THC less aversive than adult rats but display greater residual cognitive deficits and changes in hippocampal protein expression following exposure. Neuropsychopharmacology, 33, 1113-1126.
- O’Shea, M., McGregor, I. S. and Mallet, P. E. (2006). Repeated cannabinoid exposure during perinatal, adolescent, or early adult ages produces similar long-lasting deficits in object recognition and reduced social interaction in rats. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 20, 611-621.
- Singh, M. E., McGregor, I. S. and Mallet, P. E. (2006). Perinatal exposure to ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol alters heroin-induced place conditioning and Fos-immunoreactivity. Neuropsychopharmacology, 31, 58-69.
- Morley, K.C., Li, K.M., Hunt, G.E., Mallet, P.E. & McGregor, I.S. (2004). Cannabinoids prevent the acute hyperthermia and partially protect against the 5-HT depleting effects of MDMA ('Ecstasy') in rats. Neuropharmacology, 46, 954-965.
I presently teach:
- PS268 Drugs and Behaviour
I frequently also teach:
- PS263 Behavioural Neuroscience
- PS363 Research in Behavioural Neuroscience
- PS463 Seminar in Behavioural Neuroscience
I hope to see you in one my classes in the future!
[out of date]
Kelly ALLEN (2001) - Fourth year honours student
Joshua BARBER (2010-2011) - High school intern
Melissa BEACROFT (2000) - Fourth year honours student
Jon BEHICH (2008) - Directed studies student
Melissa COLLIE (2002) - Fourth year honours student
Saraswati CROFT (2002) - Fourth year honours student
Marshall DALTON (2004) - Fourth year honours student
Caroline DIORIO (2009) - Directed studies student
Brittany FORD (2007-2010) - Fourth year honours + M.Sc. student
Laura FLANNERY (2006-2007) - High school intern
Andrew GARDNER (2005) - Fourth year honours student
Karen GLYNN (2005) - Fourth year honours student
Peter GOARD (2004) - Fourth year honours student
Kelly GUEST (2007-2008) - Fourth year honours + directed studies student
Louise HANSON (2005) - Fourth year honours student
Dr. Tanya HANSTOCK (2001-2003) - DPsych (Clinical & Health) student
Jessica HATCH (2010-2011) - Fourth year honours student
Linda HAYES (2005) - Fourth year honours student
Heather HEIPEL (2007-2008) - Fourth year honours student
Cynthia HONAN (2005) - Fourth year honours student
Jennifer IRLE (2003) - Fourth year honours student
Sarah LIST (2008) - Directed studies student
Paul MACLACHLAN (2006-2007) - Fourth year honours student
Brittany MATTHEWS (2008-2009) - Fourth year honours student
Clinton MOORE (2003) - Fourth year honours student
Anna MOULYNOX (2001-2002) - Fourth year honours student
Melanie O'SHEA (2001-2005) - MSc and PhD student
Talei PARKER (2003-2008) - Fourth year honours and PhD student
Bethany PAYETTE (2009-2010) - Research assistant + fourth year honours student
Simmone POULIOS (2004) - Fourth year honours student
Tanya RAAPHORST (2008-2011)- Fourth year honours + M.Sc. student
Dr. Shadna RANA (2007-2009) - Postdoctoral researcher
Dr. Elham SATVAT (2006-2009) - PhD student
Jordan SCANTLEBURY (2006-2007) - Fourth year honours student
Marc SCHAUS (2009) - Directed studies student
Andrea SCHNEIDER (2007-2008) - Fourth year honours student
Dr. Malini SINGH (1999-2005) - Fourth year honours + PhD student
Karen SMITH (2004) - Fourth year honours student
Steven UNDERWOOD (2001) - Fourth year honours student
Dr. Aaron VERTY (2000-2004) - PhD student
Sarah VOLL (2009-2011) - Fourth year honours student + research assistant
Narendra WARTY (1999-2001) - MA student
Jodie WONSACK (2001) - Fourth year honours student
June YOUNG (2001-2008) - PhD student
Contact Info:
E: pmallet [a t] wlu [d o t] ca
T: 548.889.3849
F: 519.746.7605
Office location: N2006A (Science Building, Waterloo campus)
Office hours:
Course-specific office hours are listed in your course syllabus.