CONTRIBUTOR PAGE
Contributors For the Fall 2021 Issue
peck_s_s
Serena Peck is a second year MSc student studying under the supervision of Dr. Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan. Her research looks at physical activity levels during cancer treatment and posttreatment cardiac function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and quality of life in women with breast cancer. Serena loves being in nature and tending to her plants!
Vri_9
S. Hussain Ather is a firstyear PhD student working under John Griffiths at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). He uses and develops computational modelling techniques to investigate the brain connectivity structures underlying neuropsychiatric disorders. He also likes cosplaying.
Vritika Batura is a third year PhD student with Dr. Aleixo Muise at Sickkids Hospital. She is investigating the role of genetic aetiologies and targeting the associated signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). She is using patient samples, including patient derived organoids, to understand the mechanism involved in the onset of patient IBD. Apart from research, she loves traveling with the incentive to explore new places, culture and food! Iciar Iturmendi Sabater is a first year PhD student working with Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. Her research focuses on understanding how people with autism spectrum disorder cover-up or mask their social and communication differences, a process known as ‘camouflaging’. Iciar enjoys traveling, meeting new people and spending time with family and friends.
iciar_itur Kyla Trkulja is a first-year MSc student at IMS studying under the supervision of Dr. Armand Keating, Dr. John Kuruvilla, and Dr. Robert Laister at Princess Margaret Hospital. Her work focuses on novel cancer therapies for lymphoma. Outside of academia, Kyla enjoys reading, writing, road trips, and going for walks in nature. 6 | IMS MAGAZINE FALL 2021 GI & GUT MICROBIOME
Nayaab Punjani is a second year MSc student at IMS working with Dr. Michael G. Fehlings. Her research is examining a preclinical drug treatment that aims to provide a multifaceted approach targeting neural regeneration and inflammation following cervical spinal cord injury. She enjoys watching action and mystery genre movies and TV shows, as well loves sketching in her free time. Layout by Amy Zhang
