Contributors: Winter 2025

Meet the IMS Magazine Winter 2025 Team

Graphic design by Nichole Zhou

Beatrice Acheson is a first-year MSc student working under the supervision of Dr. Peter St George Hyslop at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), where she investigates the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying microglial dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease. When she is not in the lab, Beatrice is likely reading a book, attending a yoga class, or playing beach volleyball.

Instagram: @bea.acheson

Tesam Ahmed is a first-year MSc student working under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Felsky at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Her research investigates the interaction between structural and functional brain changes and genetic factors to influence trajectories of psychosis in youth. Outside of the lab, Tesam loves to read, enjoy nature, and spend time with friends.

Jasmine Amini is a first-year MSc working under the supervision of Dr.Daphne Korczak at the Hospital for Sick Children. Her research interests lie in social media use and family functioning among youth with an acute self-harm or suicide-related concern. Outside of academia, Jasmine enjoys reading, volunteering, and exploring Toronto.

Twitter: Jasmine_amini9

Gabriela Blaszczyk is a first year PhD student, working under the supervision of Dr. Raphael Schneider and Dr. Jiwon Oh at St. Michael’s Hospital. She is investigating pre-symptomatic Multiple Sclerosis, with the end goal of understanding early disease and the development of a prognostic test to be used in the clinical setting. In her spare time, Gabriela volunteers as a ski patroller and loves to try new foods around the city.

Instagram: @gabi.blaszczyk

Kevan Clifford is a PhD student in the IMS program, with a cross-appointment at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Working under the supervision of Dr. Yuliya Nikolova, his research combines bioinformatics and neuroimaging to characterize mechanisms of brain aging at the genetic level, and outcomes on brain structure and function. Outside of the lab, Kevan enjoys trail running, photography, and a good book (preferably while curled up with his cat, Rauru).

Mia Feldman is a first-year MSc student working under the supervision of Dr. Isabella Caniggia at the Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute. They are studying the molecular origins of preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy) with emphasis on maternal-placental crosstalk in the disease. In their free time, Mia enjoys reading and exploring different neighborhoods in Toronto!

Grace Gibson is a first-year MSc student in the Biomedical Communications program studying to become a medical illustrator. She aims to work in patient-facing media and outreach focused on the LGBTQ community. In her free time, Grace enjoys reading books and painting.

Katherine Guo is a first-year MSc student working under the supervision of Dr. Shannon Lange at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Her work focuses on patterns of alcohol consumption and its related harms, aiming to better-understand the association between alcohol consumption and suicide mortality. Outside of her academics, Katherine spends her time working on various graphic design projects, taking photos, and exploring the wildlife in and outside of the city. Katherine is also a part of our photography team!

Kanak Gupta is a first-year MSc student passionate about increasing scientific knowledge of women’s health issues. She is currently studying sex differences in the neural circuitry involved in depression at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health under Dr. Liisa Galea’s supervision. Outside the lab, she loves to write, speed run through artistic hobbies (currently, it’s pottery), and “urban hiking” in Toronto every weekend.

Kiko Huang is a second-year MSc student, currently studying glaucoma through an epidemiological lens under the supervision of Dr. Yaping Jin. Her work aims to investigate various trends in ophthalmology and vision care to gain a better understanding of the health landscape and guide policy. During her free time, she’s likely out exploring all the food that the city has to offer (recommendations appreciated)!

Instagram @kikohuangs

Alyona Ivanova is a PhD student investigating the molecular signature of glioblastoma using spatial -omics technologies at the Hospital for Sick Children under the supervision of Dr. Sunit Das. Alyona is a professional figure skater and a model. Alyona is a creative content manager of Panoramics – A Vision. She enjoys traveling, cooking and reading.

Instagram: @_alyonaivanova_

Rachel Lebovic is a first-year PhD student at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre under the supervision of Dr. Mark Sinyor. She is studying suicide prevention through literature as a tool to teach mental health literacy to youth. She also has an interest in public mental health and the experience of transitional-aged youth in the mental health care system. Outside of research, Rachel enjoys cooking, going for walks, and building Lego.

Instagram: @rachel.lebovic

Mahmudul Mannan is a MSc student at IMS investigating the accuracy of different baseline serum creatinine (BSCr) estimation methods to define AKI and its stages in hospitalized children under the supervision of Dr. Michael Zappitelli at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto. Outside of research, Mahmudul provides consultancies and support to newly immigrated physicians in Canada so that they can start their journey in Canada smoothly. Mahmudul loves to spend time with his family and friends, exploring different cuisines and new places.

Anna Mouzenian is a first-year MSc student working under the supervision of Dr. Victor Tang and Dr. Daniel Felsky at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Anna is investigating the use of wearable devices to predict outcomes for substance use disorders. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, hiking and pilates.

Instagram: @anna.violet

Gharaza Nasir is a first-year MSc student at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, where she is investigating the genetic alterations driving Cholangiocarcinoma under the supervision of Dr. Arndt Vogel. Her research focuses on utilizing high-throughput drug screening to identify potential targeted therapies. In her free time, Gharaza enjoys working out, playing video games, and spending time with friends and family.

Instagram: @g.harazanasir

Ana Piric is a first-year MSc student at the Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower working under the supervision of Dr. Aaron Schimmer. Her research is focused on the molecular targeting of the mitochondrial protease LONP1 in early development cell models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In her free time Ana enjoys yoga, reading, and exploring the food scene in Toronto!

Instagram: @anapiric18

Nayaab Punjani is a fifth-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 and nature photography, as well as watching mystery, action, and sci-fi TV shows and movies.

Twitter: @nayaab_punjani

Kowsar Teymouri is a third-year PhD student working under the supervision of Dr. James Kennedy at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Kowsar is investigating the role of the immune system genes in schizophrenia and how they are associated with different subgroups of schizophrenia. If not at CAMH, you can find Kowsar running along the lakeshore, creating content for her travel blog, hiking in new trails or painting.

TwitterL @kowsar_teymouri

Emily Wiljer is a first-year MSc student working under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Felsky at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Emily is investigating a biopsychosocial approach to cognitive resilience, as well as genetic and epigenetic factors in longevity. In her free time she enjoys reading, going to the gym, and trying new restaurants.

Instagram @emily.wiljer

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM

Lizabeth Teshler (Lead) is a PhD student supervised by Dr. Brian Feldman at The Hospital for Sick Children. Her research investigates how to improve the clinical examination of musculoskeletal health for people with Hemophilia. Outside of research, Lizabeth loves biking, spending time outdoors and exploring new cities.

Abigail Wolfensohn is a first-year MSc student in Dr. Mojgan Hodaie’s lab at Toronto Western Hospital. She is researching how the brain’s waste-clearance system functions in people with trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic facial pain condition. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, puzzles, and playing the piano.

Instagram: @abbywolfen

Lielle Ronen is a first-year MSc student in Dr. Andrew Sage’s Lab at the Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Labs in PMCRT. Her research investigates smoking damage in donor lungs to improve post-transplant outcomes using Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP). Aside from research, she loves painting, baking, running and trying local restaurants in Toronto.

PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM

Nancy Kim is a first-year MSc student under the supervision of Dr. Amanda Boyle at the Center of Addiction and Mental Health. Her research focuses on the endocannabinoid system in multiple sclerosis (MS) with the use of PET neuroimaging and histology studies. Outside of her research, she enjoys playing volleyball, exploring restaurants (mostly ramen places) and cafes (for matcha) near the campus.