Contributors

For the Fall 2021 Issue

Serena Peck is a 2nd year MSc student studying under the supervision of Dr. Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan. Her research looks at physical activity levels during cancer treatment and post treatment cardiac function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and quality of life in women with breast cancer. Serena loves being in nature and tending to her plants!

S. Hussain Ather is a first year 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.

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.

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.

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.

Sally Wu is a secondyear IMS MSc student investigating antipsychoticinduced cerebral insulin resistance in a preclinical model under the supervision of Drs. Mahavir Agarwal and Margaret Hahn. Outside the lab, she enjoys weightlifting, running, and exploring new restaurants in the city.

Madhumitha (Madhu) Rabindranath is a first year MSc student at IMS who is supervised by Dr. Mamatha Bhat. Her research focuses on leveraging AI to non-invasively diagnose liver graft fibrosis in posttransplant patients. Outside the lab, Madhu likes reading a good book and exploring the city.

Stacey J. Butler is a 3rd year PhD student at IMS, specializing in respiratory medicine and epidemiology, under the supervision of Dr. Andrea Gershon. Outside of academia, Stacey enjoys creative activities, board games and cooking hearty vegetarian meals.

Archita Srinath is a first year PhD student in Dr. Nigil Haroon’s lab. Her research focuses on investigating novel therapeutic markers in a chronic inflammatory form of arthritis called Ankylosing Spondylitis. Outside the lab, Archita enjoys cooking, baking and true crime podcasts! Sonja (Kasapinovic) Elsaid is a third-year PhD student investigating brain function and cannabis use in individuals with social anxiety. Prior to going back to school, Sonja was a clinical research and medical communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience.

2T2 IMS Design Team

is a group of 2nd year MSc students in the Biomedical Communications (BMC) program. Turning scientific research into compelling visualizations is their shared passion, and they are thrilled to contribute to the IMS Magazine.

Amy Zhang (Director)

Sherry An

Amy Assabgui

Mimi Guo

Abeeshan Selvabaskaran

Michie Wu