Neuroscience Graduate Student Association

The chair supervises the overall operations of the NGSA and represents neuroscience graduate students at the departmental level. They work with the director of communications and director of university affairs to support NGSA initiatives, organize events and address student concerns.

In addition, the chair meets with faculty and administration, ensures student perspectives are represented in decision-making and helps foster a positive and supportive student community.

Current chair: Dominique Hancock (PhD candidate, Brown Lab)

About her research: "I am investigating how endothelial calcium signalling regulates capillary stalling and recanalization, and how these processes influence microvascular reperfusion after stroke. By uncovering how these calcium-driven mechanisms influence microvascular reperfusion, my research seeks to shed light on why blood flow recovery is often incomplete after stroke and how we use this to improve treatment for ischemic stroke."

The director of university affairs acts as a student representative at neuroscience graduate committee meetings to provide input on program structure and guidelines. They serve as a vital link between students and faculty, ensuring that student needs and concerns are communicated and considered in decision-making processes.

Current director: Rebecca Przy (PhD student, Christie Lab)

About her research: "My research investigates how prenatal cannabinoid exposure impacts neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in the rodent hippocampus."

The director of communications manages the NGSA email, delivers important information to students in the program and helps organize NGSA-run events.

In addition, the director of communications works with the chair and director of university affairs to oversee the administration of the NGSA and regularly meets with the academic head and graduate student adviser.

Current director: Ciara Halvorson (PhD candidate, Kalynchuk-Caruncho Lab)

About her research: I am investigating the antidepressant properties of the endogenous protein, reelin, with consideration of possible pro-inflammatory effects of high levels of reelin. My research has implications for advancing treatments for both major depression and inflammation-related disorders.

The EDI representative supports equity, diversity and inclusion for students by sitting on the department’s EDI committee. They also organize events and groups that foster safe environments and positive relationships, such as our NGSA mentorship program, and offer guidance to the NGP and students when needed.

Current representative: Dhwani Sura (PhD student, Brown Lab)

About her research: "I am investigating sex-dependent differences in microglial responses to acute brain injury, with a particular focus on the role of sex hormones. My research aims to clarify how biological sex shapes neuroinflammatory processes and influences recovery outcomes."

The event coordinator plans entertaining and engaging events for neuroscience students. These events provide opportunities for current and incoming students to build connections within the community.

Current coordinator: Sophie Thom (PhD student, Kalynchuk/Caruncho Lab)

About her research: "I am researching the synergistic effects of the protein Reelin and the probiotic Akkermansia muciniphila with the aim of exploring their potential as an antidepressant duo that targets the gut-brain axis."

The GSS representative serves as the link between neuroscience graduate students and the Society. They attend GSS meetings to share the perspectives and concerns of our students and relay important updates, resources and opportunities back to the neuroscience student community.

Current representative: Frances Armas (MSc student, Brown Lab)

About her research: "I am investigating how microglia respond to repeated cerebral microbleeds, focusing on whether they become fatigued and less responsive or shift toward a state of hyper-reactivity. My research aims to understand how repeated injury shapes the microglial response over time."

The social media coordinator plans, creates and schedules content across Instagram and Facebook to highlight student research, events and opportunities. They collaborate with the NGSA team to build monthly content calendars, design graphics, live-cover seminars and coordinate cross-promotions with labs and campus partners.

Current coordinator: Mana Minakari (MSc student, Brown Lab)

About her research: "In the Brown Lab, I study how microglia shuttle neurotoxic cargo (misfolded proteins, inflammatory factors, iron) to neurons via phagolysosomal routes and extracellular vesicles using 2-photon/confocal imaging and transfer assays."

The School of Medical Sciences representative encourages students within the School to participate in program discussions and events, and advocates for students in the neuroscience program by bringing any concerns, observations or ideas to the attention of the NGSA.

Current representative: Andrew Hubbard (MSc student, Brown Lab)

About his research: "My research investigates how endothelial calcium signalling regulates spontaneous capillary stalling, with a focus on whether calcium dynamics differ depending on the stalled state of capillaries. My research seeks to determine if these signalling changes influence the outcome of individual stalls."

The Department of Biology representative encourages students within the Biology department to participate in program discussions and events, and advocates for Biology students in the neuroscience program by bringing any concerns, observations or ideas to the attention of the NGSA.

Current representative: Adeeb Akhavan (MSc student, Nashmi Lab)

About his research: "Utilizing single-cell electrophysiology, my research focuses on synaptic plasticity of glutamatergic inputs into the substantia nigra, a region central to motor control and neurological disease."

The EPHE representative encourages students within the School of EPHE to participate in program discussions and events, and advocates for EPHE students in the neuroscience program by bringing any concerns, observations or ideas to the attention of the NGSA.

Current representative: Mathew Hammerstrom (PhD candidate, Krigolson Lab)

About his research: "I research the influence of human agency on reward processing, with specific focus on how different gambling scenarios affect neural signals by changing our subjective experience of control."

The international student representative provides campus-wide and city-wide resources to international students in the neuroscience program. They also welcome and guide international students through processes related to academics, housing and other essential services to support a smooth transition to life in Canada.

Current representative: Tanaka Maravanyika (PhD student, Brown Lab)

About her research: "My research focuses on studying changes in cerebral blood flow following ischemic stroke. I am particularly interested in identifying the endothelial signaling pathways that contribute to these changes."