Contributors: Summer 2024

Meet the IMS Magazine Summer 2024 Team

Graphic design by Jayne Leggatt

Niki Akbarian is a second-year MSc student under the supervision of Dr. James Kennedy. Her research focuses on the genomic analyses of the relationship between neuroticism and Alzheimer’s Disease. Outside of academia, Niki enjoys photography, playing the piano, and watching sitcoms.

Kristen Ashworth is a second-year MSc student working under the supervision of Dr. Brian Ballios at the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute and Krembil Research Institute. Her thesis work is focused on developing a human retinal organoid model in which to evaluate stem cell therapies for USH2A-associated inherited retinal disease. Kristen loves cross country running, reading a good book, going to Marshalls, and most importantly, doting on her two adorable golden retrievers.

Mahbod Ebrahimi is a second-year MSc student investigating the association between immune gene expression and schizophrenia subphenotypes under the supervison of Dr. James Kennedy. Outside of research, Mahbod enjoys a good book, playing chess, and listening to Jazz music. Mahbod is also a member of our social media team.

Twitter: @mahbooli99

Alyona Ivanova is a first-year PhD student investigating the molecular signature of glioblastoma at the Hospital for Sick Children under the supervision of Dr. Sunit Das. Alyona is a figure skater, equestrian rider and a model. She enjoys traveling, cooking and reading.

Instagram: @_alyonaivanova_

Sonika Kumari is a second-year MSc student conducting research on understanding the barriers and facilitators of physical activity among youth with multiple sclerosis at The Hospital for Sick Children. Outside of research, Sonika loves hiking, photography, painting, and exploring new cafes around the city.

Lauren Levy is a third-year MSc student studying the expression, phosphorylation, and nanotube-mediated intercellular transfer of α-synuclein, using murine retinal neurons and established disease models. She is supervised by Dr. Anurag Tandon at the Tanz CRND and Dr. Valerie Wallace at the DKJ Eye Institute. When she’s not writing her thesis, she likes to spend her time paddling with NDxUC, biking, balancing IMSSA’s finances, or fiddling with her camera.

Instagram: @_laurenlei, Twitter: @neurobiologie

Janet Z. Li is a second-year MSc student studying the brain-behavior relationships between conditioned pain modulation capability and functional connectivity of key pathways within the dynamic pain connectome, namely the descending antinociceptive pathway. She is supervised by Dr. Karen Davis at the Krembil Brain Institute in Toronto Western Hospital. Outside of research, she can be found practicing piano, figure skating, creating fashion content, and café hopping.

Instagram: @jan.et.li

Nayaab Punjani is a 4th year PhD student at the Krembil Research Institute in Dr. Michael Fehlings’ Lab. She is studying a neuroprotective peptide drug therapy to treat cervical traumatic spinal cord injury. In her free time she enjoys digital art, outdoor photography, Nintendo Switch Mario Kart and Smash Bros tournaments, as well as watching mystery, action, and sci-fi TV shows and movies.

Twitter: @nayaab_punjani

Vaidhehi (Veena) Sanmugananthan is a fourth-year PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Karen Davis at the Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto Western Hospital. Her research focuses on examining pain and attention interactions in people with chronic pain, and understanding the bidirectional relationship between pain-attention. Outside of the lab, she loves to play squash, flag football, and challenge herself to try different art mediums.

Twitter: @sanmugananthan

Hania Siddiqui is a first-year MSc student working under the supervision of Dr. Steve Lin and Dr. Rohit Mohindra at St. Michael’s Hospital. Her thesis work focuses on the identification of opioid-induced cardiac arrest. Outside of her research, Hania loves volunteering at the hospital, running and drinking coffee.

Humna Siddiqui is a first-year MSc student working under the supervision of Dr. Melanie Penner at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. She is conducting research on improving care for children with neurodevelopmental diagnoses and acquired brain injuries. Outside of research, she can be found reading, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends.

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM

Elizabeth Karvasarski (Lead) is a PhD IMS at Mount Sinai Catheterization Laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Susanna Mak. Her research involves investigating right ventricular and pulmonary arterial interactions in patients with pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. Outside of research, Elizabeth practices martial arts and is a 4th degree black belt.

Lizabeth Teshler is a second year MSc student supervised by Dr. Brian Feldman at The Hospital for Sick Children. Her research investigates musculoskeletal health assessment in people with Hemophilia. Outside of research, Lizabeth loves biking, spending time outdoors and exploring new cities.