SFU Psychology welcomes assistant professor Dr. Tristan Hynes

Dr. Tristan Hynes has joined the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University as an assistant professor. His research focuses on developing new neurobiologically informed treatments for addiction, with particular relevance to the ongoing opioid crisis.

Hynes completed his PhD at the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Dr. Catharine Winstanley and conducted postdoctoral training at the University of Cambridge with Prof. David Belin. His work spans both academia and industry, including experience as an In Vivo Research Scientist at Aspect Biosystems. He is an Associate Member of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at UBC, a Visiting Scientist in the Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, and an Associate Editor at Brain Communications.

Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, exploring local restaurants, and culinary tourism. 

1.     What brought you to Simon Fraser University?

I was drawn to Simon Fraser University because of its strong tradition in behavioural neuroscience and psychology, its collaborative research culture, and its commitment to addressing real-world challenges in mental health and addiction. SFU provides an ideal environment for interdisciplinary research and training, particularly for work focused on developing new, neurobiologically informed treatments for addiction. I was also excited to join SFU because I love the Lower Mainland—the natural beauty, cultural diversity, and openness to new ideas make it a uniquely inspiring place to live and work. The region’s emphasis on innovation and community engagement aligns closely with my goal of translating basic neuroscience discoveries into new therapeutic strategies that can address urgent public health issues such as the opioid crisis.

2.     How did your research interests in psychology get started?

My interest in psychology and neuroscience began during my undergraduate studies, when I became fascinated by how brain circuits give rise to behaviour, decision-making, and vulnerability to mental health disorders. As I progressed through graduate training, I became particularly interested in addiction as a disorder of learning, motivation, and behavioural control. This led me to pursue research that integrates behavioural models with cutting-edge neuroscience tools to understand the biological basis of complex psychological phenomena. 

3.     What is the most important issue that your research work addresses? And why/how is it important to you in particular?

My research addresses why some individuals lose control over behaviour (whether through substance use or behavioural addictions) while others remain resilient. Understanding the brain and cellular mechanisms that drive vulnerability and relapse is critical for developing more effective, personalized treatments. This work is important to me because addiction has profound personal, societal, and economic impacts, and current treatments are often insufficient or not tailored to biological differences such as sex. By identifying the underlying mechanisms, I hope to contribute to more effective and equitable interventions.

4.     What are you most looking forward to in working at SFU and also in the Department of Psychology?

I am most excited about collaborating with colleagues across clinical, cognitive, and behavioural neuroscience to develop integrative research programs and training opportunities. SFU’s emphasis on community engagement and translational research is also a major draw, and I look forward to building partnerships that connect basic neuroscience findings with clinical and community needs. Mentoring students and trainees in a supportive, interdisciplinary environment is another aspect of the role that I am particularly excited about.

5.     Do you have any advice to students who may want to consider graduate school or a career in Psychology?

Choosing the right mentor is more important than choosing the most prestigious lab or institution. A supportive mentor who is invested in your development will have a much bigger impact on your success and well-being than a famous name on your CV. Graduate school is highly competitive and requires sustained productivity, including frequent publication, so it’s important to understand the expectations early.

I also think it’s important to be honest with yourself about motivation. If you are not deeply curious and genuinely excited about the research, graduate school can be a very long and demanding path. In that case, there are many fulfilling “normal” careers where you can make an impact without the pressures of academic research. But if you are genuinely passionate, psychology and neuroscience offer an incredibly rewarding way to contribute to science and society.