Dr. Catherine Laskowski

Education

• Post-Doctoral Research, Health Science, University of Lethbridge, 2025
• Ph.D. Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 2022
• M.Sc. Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 2014
• B.Sc. Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 2012

Biography

Catherine Laskowski is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Faculty of Social Sciences at The King’s University, where she teaches research methods and statistics as well as courses related to biological psychology, including drugs and behaviour, fundamental neurobiology, and neuropsychology. She first became fascinated by the brain’s role in shaping human thought and behaviour during her undergraduate studies, which led her to pursue graduate research exploring the neural mechanisms that guide decision-making. In her Ph.D., she investigated how reward schedules and dopamine-based therapies influence the development of gambling addiction in animal models.

Her research focuses on the neurobiology of gambling disorder and other behavioural addictions, with a particular interest in how pharmacological treatments can help reduce harmful gambling urges and behaviours. She has contributed to both preclinical and clinical projects, including human neuroimaging studies, and collaborates closely with other research labs across Alberta to advance understanding of addiction and support healthier, more fulfilling lives for those affected.

Outside of her academic work, Catherine enjoys hiking, travelling, exploring historical sites, and learning about history.

Research Interests

• Preventing problem gambling by identifying early warning signs and encouraging healthy habits
• Understanding how new technology influences gambling behaviour and potential risks
• Exploring the connections between gambling and gaming and how they affect behaviour
• Studying how medications, such as opioid blockers, can help reduce gambling problems
• Examining how the brain is involved in behavioural addictions and ways this knowledge can support recovery

Selected Publications

Laskowski, C. S., Shaw, C. A., and Near, E. G. (2025). Responsible gaming: Tool Use and Barriers to Use.

Laskowski, C. S., Shaw, C. A., Near, E. G., and Hardy, J. (2024). Guideline development: Mapping the player journey to identify critical points for interaction.

Laskowski, C. S., Dorchak, D. L., Ward, K. M., Christensen, D. R., and Euston, D. R. (2019). Can slot-machine reward schedules induce gambling addiction in rats? Journal of Gambling Studies, 35(3): 887-914.

Laskowski, C. S., Williams, R. J., Martens, K. M., Gruber, A. J., Fisher, K. G., and Euston, D. R. (2016). The role of the medial prefrontal cortex in updating reward value and avoiding perseveration. Behavioural Brain Research, 306: 52-63.

Selected Presentations

Laskowski, C.S. and Christensen, D. R. (2025). A review of the pharmacological treatments for Gambling Disorder and the rise of hormonal agonists. Presented at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference. Banff, Alberta.

Laskowski, C.S., Dorchak, D.L., Lapointe, V., Christensen, D. R., Euston, D.R. (2024). My strange addiction: Can dopamine replacement therapy cause behavioural addictions? Presented at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference. Banff, Alberta.

Laskowski, C.S. & Christensen, D. R. (2024). How opioid antagonists affect gambling urges: A theoretical view. Presented at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference. Banff, Alberta.

Laskowski, C.S., Christensen, D. R., Lim, R., Hodgins, D., Crockford, D., Goodyear, B., and Hodgson, T. (2023). The naltrexone imaging study II. Presented at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference. Banff, Alberta.

Laskowski, C.S., Lapointe, V. Le May, K.N.G. Dorchak, D.L., Ward, K.M., and Euston, D.R. (2022). Examining the effects of reinforcement and the DRD3 preferring agonist, pramipexole dihydrochloride, on DRD2 and DRD3 receptor brain distribution and gambling addiction-like behaviours in the rat. Presented at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference. Banff, Alberta.

Laskowski, C.S., Lapointe, V. Le May, K.N.G. Dorchak, D.L., Ward, K.M., and Euston, D.R. (2021). Does dopamine agonist treatment create brains that are vulnerable to gambling addiction? Presented at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference. Banff, Alberta.

Laskowski, C.S., Dorchak, D.L., Ward, K.M., Le May, K.N.G. and Euston, D.R. (2020). Dopamine receptor modulation in gambling rats. Presented at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference. Banff, Alberta.

Laskowski, C. S., Dorchak, D. L., Ward, K. M., and Euston, D. R. (2019). Dopamine agonist administration increases addiction-like behaviours on both gambling and non-gambling reward schedules in a rodent model. Presented at the NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Laskowski, C. S., Ward, K. M., Dorchak, D. L., Christensen, D. R., and Euston, D. R. (2018). Chronic dopamine D3 agonist administration induces compulsive reward seeking in rats. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Conference, San Diego, California.