Mel Goodale is a neuroscientist whose research examines how the human brain handles visual tasks. He is best known for demonstrating the independence of visual perception from the visual control of skilled actions — work that has implications for the understanding of visual disorders of the brain.

In recent years, Mel has employed brain imaging techniques to investigate the different circuits used in object recognition and the control of grasping movements directed at those objects. He and his research team pioneered the study of visually guided limb movements in the demanding environment of the brain scanner.

Mel has received a number of awards in recognition of his work, including both the 1999 Donald O. Hebb Distinguished Contribution Award and the 2008 Richard C. Tees Distinguished Leadership Award of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science. In addition to being a Fellow of the Royal Society, he was also elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2001.