Contributors Winter 2023

Jasmine Ali-Gami is a MSc student at IMS researching the long-term neurological impacts in patients who have had a pediatric Enterovirus (EV-71) infection. Her work is under the supervision of Dr. Hsiang-Yuan Lin at CAMH. Outside of academia, Jasmine enjoys spending her time swimming, reading, and exploring different coffee shops!

Bahar Golbon is a second year MSc student investigating the surgical outcomes of primary hyperparathyroid patients in Ontario under the supervision of Dr. Jesse Pasternak. In her free time, you can find Bahar completing her millionth puzzle, and drinking a cup of coffee!

Mahbod Ebrahimi is a first year MSc student investigating the association between immune gene expression and suicide risk in schizophrenia patients under the supervison of Dr. James Kennedy. Outside of research, Mahbod enjoys a good book, playing chess, and listening to Jazz music.

Sipan Haikazian is a first year MSc student researching the efficacy and safety of maintenance ketamine infusions for relapse prevention in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression, under the supervision of Dr. Joshua Rosenblat. Outside of research, Sipan enjoys playing the piano, exercising, and being around good company.

Iciar Iturmendi Sabater is a PhD student researching social processing and adaptation across neurodevelopmental conditions (autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, etc) under the supervision of Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai and Dr. Hsiang-Yuan Lin. Iciar likes reading, exploring new places, and spending time with family and friends.

Eileen Liu is a first year PhD student supervised by Dr. Sunit Das and Dr. Vitor Pereira at St. Michael’s Hospital. Her research project focuses on the use of endovascular radiosurgery as a way to treat brain tumors. Outside of academia, Eileen enjoys running, exploring new activities and trying new food.

Goldin Joghataie is a first year MSc student supervised by Dr. Carmela Tartaglia at the Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto Western Hospital. Her research focuses on neurodegeneration and concussion, specifically post concussion neuropsychiatric issues faced by ND patients who experience falls. Outside of academia she enjoys writing, skating, listening to music and reviewing movies.

Kateryna Maksyutynska is a second year MSc student investigating whether brain insulin resistance is a feature of the biology of depression under the supervision of Dr. Mahavir Agarwal and Dr. Margaret Hahn at CAMH. Outside of the lab, she can be found enjoying a good book, painting, or biking along the water.

Dhvani Mehta is a first year MSc student investigating the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in treating cannabis use disorder under the supervision of Dr. Tony George and Dr. Victor Tang at CAMH. Outside of the lab, Dhvani enjoys reading, writing poetry, sketching, and hiking.

Akshat Pai is a PhD student investigating the role of health inequities in childhood stroke care and outcomes under the supervision of Dr. Nomazulu Dlamini at the Hospital for Sick Children. Outside of the lab, Akshat is a longdistance runner, enjoys reading non-fiction books, and is passionate about mentorship.

Vaidhehi (Veena) Sanmugananthan is a 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 that suffer chronic pain. Outside of the lab, Veena loves to run, play squash, sketch, and challenge herself to learn new art mediums!

Lindsey Thurston is a PhD candidate studying sex/gender and sex steroid hormones in the brain. She investigates biopsychosocial relationships in white matter microstructure using diffusion tensor imaging. Lindsey’s work with transgender and gender non-conforming populations bridges social and scientific disciplines by drawing on neurofeminist theory.

Sally Wu a PhD student under the supervision of Drs. Mahavir Agarwal and Margaret Hahn at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Her research focuses on investigating the effects of antipsychotics on central insulin dysregulation using 2DG autoradiography. Outside of the lab, Sally enjoys reading, traveling, and eating her way through the city!

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 first year MSc student at IMS supervised by Dr. Brian Feldman at The Hospital for Sick Children. Her research investigates physical joint health assessment in people with Hemophilia. Outside of research, Lizabeth loves biking, spending time outdoors and volunteering for various community initiatives.

Nikou Kelardashti is a first year MSc student under the supervision of Dr. Karen Davis. Her research focuses on neural oscillations and attentional focus in chronic pain. Outside of academia, Nikou enjoys reading poetry and classic literature, watching old movies, and going for long walks.

Archita Srinath is a second year PhD student at Toronto Western Hospital studying the pathogenesis of Ankylosing Spondylitis. She is also passionate about mentorship, science communication and spending time with her two adorable puppies.

Kyla Trkulja is a second year MSc student studying under Dr. Armand Keating, Dr. John Kuruvilla, and Dr. Rob Laister at Princess Margaret Hospital. Her work focuses on understanding the mechanism of action of a novel cancer therapy for lymphoma. Outside of academia, Kyla enjoys reading, writing, video games, and going on road trip adventures.

Molly Zhang is a first year MSc student at IMS studying the effects of cannabis abstinence on MDD symptoms under the supervision of Dr. Tony George and Dr. David Castle at CAMH. Outside of academia, she can be found hiking, enjoying a good book, or looking online for silly outfits to dress up her dog in.

2T3 IMS Design Team

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

Xinyi Li (Director) xinyilivisuals.com