UBC’s Department of Psychology welcomes Dr. Zachary Pennington and Dr. Milan Valyear.
In January 2026, Dr. Zachary Pennington and Dr. Milan Valyear joined UBC Psychology as assistant professors and members of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. Their innovative research programs enrich our behavioural neuroscience area.
Dr. Pennington’s research examines the neural circuits that regulate stress and emotion—and how these circuits are shaped by experience to influence conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Using advanced techniques, his work aims to improve our understanding of emotional memory and identify new targets for mental health treatment.
Dr. Valyear’s research examines the brain processes that reinforce and disengage behaviour. By studying how these systems work, he explores why some behaviours become difficult to regulate, with the goal of informing new approaches to understanding and treating addictions.
Please join us in welcoming them to UBC!
