About Holly
A Passion for the Brain
Holly Bardutz, PhD, is the founding director and principal researcher at the Brain Health and Wellness Lab, University of Regina.
Her main areas of research include:
How to maintain and improve brain health across your lifespan
The relationship between the brain and the heart
The relationship between the brain and sleep
A Modern Approach
Holly’s research focuses on brain health and wellness across different populations, delving into areas such as the Default Mode Network, the connections between brain and heart health, and the impact of sleep on brain function. As a Principal Investigator, Dr. Bardutz leads her own research initiatives and collaborates with esteemed colleagues at institutions like the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Health Association, the Brain Centre at University of British Columbia and McGill University.
Dr. Bardutz has also developed an approachable eight-week Brain Health and Fitness Course, drawing on the latest scientific research. She actively teaches this course and has woven its content into her ongoing research projects.
In addition to her research, Dr. Bardutz is passionate about teaching linguistics, particularly to students pursuing careers in Speech Pathology and related fields. Her enthusiasm for the brain and language intersects in her courses, such as Neurolinguistics and First Language Acquisition, where she explores the fascinating overlap of these disciplines.
Speaking Engagements
2025
November 5, 2025 – Parkinson Canada, Regina Chapter – Stress and the Brain
October 25, 2025 – Annual National Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates Conference, Regina, Saskatchewan – The Mind-Gut Connection: How the MIND Diet and Your Microbiome Influence Brain Health
October 23, 2025 – Pesticide Compliance Officers of Canada Conference, Calgary, Alberta – Stress and the Brain
October 15–18, 2025 – Canadian Society for Exercise Physiologists Conference, London, Ontario – Hope and Cognitive Function in Aging: Outcomes of an 8-Week Brain Health Intervention
October 7, 2025 – Wynyard Seniors Month Brain Health Presentation for Superannuated Teachers and Senior High School Students for "Senior" Month - The Microbiome and the Brain
May 30, 2025 – The Evan Bray Show - Dr. Holly Bardutz podcast episode.
May 24, 2025 – Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, a presentation for the Healthy Brains Community – Stress and the Brain
2020
July 2020 – “Resilience and the Brain” – Part of a Panel of Presenters – Fielding Graduate University Summer Session Conference – Chicago, Illinois.
February 8, 2020 – “The Benefits of Physical Exercise on the Brain” – Presentation for Trigeminal Neuralgia Support Group at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre. Regina, Saskatchewan
January 9, 2020 – “How to Survive (and Even Thrive!) During and After Your Doctoral Journey.” A presentation for PhD students at Fielding Graduate University Winter Session – Santa Barbara, California.
2018
April 8, 2018 – “The Brain at Play” – Presentation for the Regina Public Library
Other Speaking Events (dates unknown)
“The Teenage Brain” – Parent Teacher Association at Campbell High School
“Homework Tips and Study Skills Based on Brain Research” – Regina Catholic Schools Parent Convention
“We Bleed Green Here: How our Idioms can Startle New Canadians.”.– Talk given to Saskatchewan Government Employees about Cultural Awareness. Conexus Art Centre. Hanbidge Hall
“We Bleed Green Here: How our Idioms can Startle New Canadians.” Presentation about how English Idioms might raise questions in high school students from other countries. Presentation at Teacher Education Days at Miller High School.
“The Importance of Idiom Awareness in Second Language Teaching” – A Presentation at the Conference of Heritage Language Teachers in Regina, Saskatchewan. At the Travelodge Hotel Conference Room.
“Brain-Based Learning Applied to Packing Surgical Packs for the Operating Rooms’ – . A seminar given to the staff at the Saskatchewan Health District about the timing of the training of new staff regarding packing surgical packs for the OR. – Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan
2023
Winter 2023 – “Brain Health and Fitness Eight-Week Series” – Lifelong Learning Centre – University of Regina, College Avenue Campus
Summer 2023 – “Brain Health and Fitness” – Presentation for the Parkinson Society of Saskatchewan Support Group - Sandra Schmirler Library in Regina
Spring 2023 – “Brain Health Mini -Series” - Weekly Sessions for the Regina Public Libraries
2022
October 30, 2022 – “Exercise and the Brain” – Presentation for the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Members – Sandman Hotel Conference Room, Regina, Saskatchewan.
2021
ovember 1, 2021 – “You and Your Aging Brain” – Presentation at the Monthly Meeting of the Probus Club of Regina. – Living Spirit Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan.
2019
April 17, 2019 – “Women, Exercise and Neurological Changes” – Open House Presentation for the Lifelong Learning Centre
2017
November 2017 – “Brain Health and Fitness” – Speaker at luncheon given at Al Ritchie Community Centre
Awards & Recognition
Reach out to Holly for Public Speaking
Unlock Your Mind’s Potential