Below is a list of all Varela awardees and their projects sorted by year.
2010 Francisco J. Varela Research Award Recipients
Micah Allen, M.A.
Aarhus University, Århus Denmark
The Neurophenomenology of Mindfulness: Meta-cognitive awareness as a Mechanism for Adaptive Change
Grace Bullock, Ph.D.
University of Oregon
Yoga for Parenting Success: YPS
Gaelle Desbordes, Ph.D.
Boston University
Neural and physiological correlates of Tibetan energy-channel meditation in highly-trained practitioners
Jessica Flynn, M.S.
Kent State University
Effects of Training in Loving‐Kindness Meditation on Underlying Approach and Avoidance Motivations
Tim Gard, MSc.
Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Giessen, Germany
The effects of Kripalu Yoga on the brain: A longitudinal cortical thickness and diffusion tensor imaging study
Andrea Hayes
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Differential Effects of Mindfulness and Yogic Breathing on Cognitive and Emotional Processes
Britta Holzel, Ph.D.
Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Giessen, Germany
Do white matter changes contribute to improved fear extinction following mindfulness training?
Daniel Levinson, B.S.
University Wisconsin-Madison
Breath Counting: Developing a Behavioral Measure of Mindfulness
Kristen Lyons, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Training in Early Childhood
Jose Raul Naranjo, Dipl. Phys.
Center for Meditation, Mindfulness and Neuroscience Research, Evaluation Research in Complementary Medicine, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University Medical Center Freiburg
EEG spectral signatures of the impact of mindfulness meditation on perceptual-motor awareness and Self-agency
Eva Oberle, Ph.D. candidate
University of British Columbia
Mindfulness-Based Education in the Elementary School Classroom: Individual and Joint Effects of a Teacher and Student Program on Children’s Classroom Behaviors, Peer Relations, Classroom Hierarchy, and Stress Reactivity
Autumn Wiley, B.A.
University of Arizona
Exploring the effects of mindfulness meditation on self-control failure
2009 Francisco J. Varela Research Award Recipients
Rael Baruch Cahn, M.D., Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
Focused attention vs. open monitoring meditation and self-referential brain processing
Shari Cordon, M.A.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Mindful Interactions: Effects on Couple Conflict-Related Stress and Relationship Function
Brenda Dyer, M.A.
University of British Columbia
Relational Processes in Learning Mindfulness: An Action-Theoretical Perspective
Melissa Ellamil, B.S.
University of British Columbia
Investigating the neural basis of spontaneous thought with real-time fMRI and contemplative mental training
Norm Farb, Ph.D. Candidate
University of Toronto
How Mindfulness Impacts Selective Attention during Emotional Challenge
Ellen Katz, MSW
University of Toronto
Attending to Clinical Social Work Practice: Mindful Attention as Holistic Competence Background and relevant literature
Laura Kiken, MPH, M.S.
Virginia Commonwealth University
The Effect of Mindfulness on Physiological Awareness: Blood Glucose Estimates and Disease Management in Type 2 Diabetics
Emma Lawrence, Ph.D.
King’s College, London
The Impact of Evaluative vs. Experiential Self-Focus on Emotional Response
David Lipschitz, Ph.D.
University of Utah
Effects of Mind-Body Interventions in Cancer Supportive Care: Oxytocin as a Biological Correlate of Wellbeing and Connectedness
Roisin O’Donnell, B.A.
University of Arizona
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as an Intervention Among Elderly Family Caregivers of Persons with Neurocognitive Disorders
Tucker Peck, B.A.
University of Arizona
The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Sleep Electrophysiology and Duration
David Perlman, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Hedonic Sustainability in the BOLD Response to Selfish and Altruistic Rewards
Baljinder Sahdra, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis
Non-attachment, Group Identity, and Memory of Historical Injustices
Zev Schuman-Olivier, M.D.
Harvard Medical School/Mass General Hospital
Development of Mindfulness-based real-time fMRI Neurofeedback for Smoking Cessation: A Preliminary Study
Meredith Terry, Ph.D.
Duke University
Exploring the Role of Self-Compassion in the Establishment and Maintenance of a Meditation Practice
Jessica Tipscord, Ph.D.
University of Oregon
Mindfulness Training for Parents and Children
Erin Walsh, Ph.D. Candidate
University of Kentucky
Effects of a Short-Term Mindfulness Intervention on Depression and Immunity
Cecilia Westbrook, B.S.
Carnegie Mellon University
Mindfulness and Response Inhibition: Behavioral, Neural and Subjective Correlates in Smoking Cessation
2008 Francisco J. Varela Research Award Recipients
Nicholas Van Dam, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Exploring the impact of meditation on stress and psychopathology: Attentional allocation as a potential mechanism of active change following meditation training
Nathaniel Lepp, B.S. and Ellen Darling, B.A.
Brown Medical School
School-based mindfulness training in middle school and college students: Effects on emotion, objectively measured sleep and attention; Effects on mindfulness, self-compassion and depression in women
Susanne Leiberg, Ph.D.,
University of Zurich
The neural and behavioural correlates of a neurofeedback-based metta meditation training
Sean Barnes, M.S.
Binghamton University
Identifying the mechanisms of action in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Holly Rau, B.S.
University of Utah
Application of the neurovisceral integration model to mindfulness: Implications for stress regulation and the development of insomnia
Brooke Dodson-Lavelle, M.A.
Emory University
Study to design and assess the validity of the emory meditation practice tradition & experience (EMPTE) scale
Aviva Berkovich-Ohana, M.Sc.
Bar-Ilan University
Meditation and non-linear neurodynamics: from state to trait
Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, Ph.D.
West Virginia University
Changing our perception of others through compassion meditation
Lisa Flook, Ph.D. and Brian Galla, M.A.
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Mindful Awareness Practices for Preschool Children to Improve Attention and Emotion Regulation
Sheila Garland, Ph.D.,
Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Holy Cross Site
An objective comparison of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction for the treatment of insomnia in individuals with cancer using wrist actigraphy: A randomized non-inferiority trial
Wendy Hasenkamp, Ph.D .
Emory University
Real Time Dynamics of Cognitive Processing during Meditation: A Subject-driven fMRI Investigation
Brandon King, B.A. and Anthony Zanesco, B.A.
University of California Davis
The Interrelationship Between Cognitive Control and Affect in an Intensive Vipassana Retreat
Teresa Sivilli, B.A.
Emory University
The FACE Study: Faces, Attention, Compassion and Emotion
2007 Francisco J. Varela Research Award Recipients
Joanna Arch, M.A., C.Phil.
University of California,Los Angeles
Different Approaches to Emotion Regulation: MBSR and CBT in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Jennifer Daubenmier, Ph.D.
University of California, San Francisco
Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Cell Aging Processes
Eric Garland, MSW, LCSW
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Biopsychosocial Assessment of a Mindfulness-Oriented Treatment of Alcohol Dependence
Joshua Grant, B.Sc. (Ph.D. in progress)
University of Montreal
Meditation and Real-time fMRI Training for the Cultivation of Compassion
Teresa Hawkes, B.F.A. University of Oregon
A Randomized Controlled Single-Blinded Pilot Trial to Compare Effects of Concentrative Sitting Meditation to Moving Meditation (Tai Chi) Training on Attentional Network Efficiency
Britta Hoelzel, Ph.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Does Mindfulness Training Change the Processing of Social Threat?
Elizabeth Hoge, M.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital, General Clinical Research Center
Neuropeptide Levels in Meditation
Michael Hove, M.A.
Florida Atlantic University
The Dissolution of Self During Rhythmic Motor Behavior
Kristen Jastrowski Mano, Ph.D.
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for the Treatment of Pediatric Chronic Pain
Anthony King, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Efficacy of a 16 week Mindfulness-based Group for Combat PTSD in Recruiting Veterans, and Pilot Effects on Threat Detection and Emotion Regulation Neurocircuitry
Zev Rosen, B.A.
University of Pennsylvania
Neural Effects of Mindfulness Training on Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
Baljinder Sahdra, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis
Measurement and Correlates of Non-attachment , Lab of Dr. Phillip R. Shaver, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Center for Mind and Brain,
Laura Van Wielingen, M.Sc.
Tom Baker Cancer Centre – Holy Cross Site, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
How does Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Improve Psychological Functioning for Cancer Patients?
Anna-leila Williams, PA-C, MPH
Yale University
Development and Testing of Determinants of Meditation Practice
Fadel Zeidan, M.A.,
Duke University
The Influence of Meditative Experience on Pain Perception
2006 Francisco J. Varela Research Award Recipients
Judson Brewer, M.D., Ph.D.
Yale University School of Medicine
Mindfulness Training as Treatment and Mechanistic Probe for Drug Addiction
Christopher Brown, M.S.
University of Manchester
Electrophysiological and behavioral assessment of a mindfulness-based pain management program for patients with chronic pain
Catherine Crane, Ph.D. and Thorsten Barnhofer, Ph.D.
Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
Using MBCT to Prevent Relapse to Suicidality in Patients Suffering from Ongoing Depressive Symptoms
Sandra DiVitale, Ed.S., M.S.
Emory University School of Medicine
Effects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction on Mind and Brain in Returning Iraqi Veterans
Radhi Raja, Ph.D.
University SIM, Singapore
Study of Mindfulness Meditation on Stress Reduction and Attention Regulation in Adolescents with Mild Learning Disabilities
Manish Saggar, B. Tech.
University of Texas, Austin
Developing a Computational Model for Meditation Using Cross Cortical Synchrony in EEG Data
Marieke van Vugt, B.Sc.
University of Pennsylvania
Mathematical modeling of acute effects of meditation on cognition
Helen Weng, M.A.
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Compassion Meditation vs. Cognitive Reappraisal as Emotion Regulation Strategies to Negative Stimuli: an fMRI Investigation
Jaskirat (Heather) Wild, Ph.D.
Oregon Health and Sciences University, School of Medicine
White Tantric Kundalini Yoga: Physiological, Behavioral, and EEG Effects of an Intensive and Immersive Yogic Meditation Experience
2005 Francisco J. Varela Research Award Recipients
Willoughby Britton, M.A.
University of Arizona
Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Depression: Possible Neuorophysiological Mechanisms
Norman Farb, M.A.
University of Toronto
The Neural Correlates of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Durwin Foster, M.A.
University of British Columbia
Establishing Mindfulness and Mind-Wandering as Mediators of Patient Benefit in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Joshua Grant, M.Sc.
University of Montreal
The Neurobiology of Mindfulness Meditation for the Control of Pain
Brent Hughes, Ph.D. and Diego Berman, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Meditation-Induced Changes in Anticipation and Experience of Pain
Cendri Hutcherson, B.A. and Emma Seppala, M.A.
Stanford University
Investigating the Correlates and Consequences of Directed Loving-Kindness Meditation
Sahib Khalsa, B.S.
University of Iowa
Neural Systems Supporting Interoceptive Awareness in Experienced and Beginning Meditators
Anthony King, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Feasibility, Clinical Acceptability, and Efficacy of a Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy Intervention for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Deidre Kolarick Reis, M.S.
Yale University
Regulating Emotion in Social Situations: An fMRI Study of Experienced Buddhist Meditators
Molly Stewart Lawlor, B.S.
University of British Columbia
Effectiveness of the Mindfulness Education Program on Children’s Social-Emotional Competence, Psychological Well-Being, and Stress Reactivity
Adam Safron, B.A.
University of Pennsylvania
Neural Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Training on Working Memory
Michael Spezio, Ph.D.
California Institute of Technology
Trust and Christian Contemplative Practice: A Social Neuroscientific Study of Spiritual Capital in a Contemplative Tradition
David Vago, Ph.D.
University of Utah
The Effects of Mindfulness Meditative Training on Impairments in Affect Regulation Associated with the Experience and Anticipation of Pain in Fibromyalgia Patients
2004 Francisco J. Varela Research Award Recipients
Willoughby Britton, M.A.
University of Arizona
Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Depression: Possible Neurophysiological Mechanisms
Jason T. Buhle, B.A.
Columbia University
The Functional Plasticity of Attention
Ryan T. Canolty, B.S.
University of California, Berkeley
Understanding the Neural Correlates of Attention
Arnaud Delorme, Ph.D.
University of California-San Diego
Neural Correlates of Meta-Consciousness Events as Experienced during Zen Meditation Practice
Philippe Goldin, Ph.D. Stanford University
Mindfulness Meditation for Social Anxiety Disorder: Examining the Neural and Psychological Mechanisms of Therapeutic Change
Patricia A. Jennings, Ph.D.
University of California, San Francisco
Cultivating Emotional Balance Classroom Project
Brian N. Pasley, M.S.
University of California-Berkeley Investigation of Attentional Modulation in Visual Cortex During Meditation
Elizabeth Kimbrough Pradhan, M.S.
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, Well-being and Immune Changes Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Catherine N.M. Ortner, M.A.
University of Toronto
Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Training on Attentional Control in Neutral and Emotional Contexts
Hilary A. Tindle, M.D. Harvard Medical School
Mindfulness Meditation for Reduction of Smoking Craving: an fMRI Investigation
