Post-doctoral fellows

Grace Akingbade (Christie Lab)

Dr. Grace Akingbade holds degrees in Anatomy (BSc, MSc, PhD) from University of Ilorin, Nigeria. She is driven by a passion to investigate the intricate relationships between prenatal exposure to environmental factors and the subsequent development of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. By elucidating the effects of prenatal environmental exposures on brain development and function, she aims to contribute meaningful insights to the field of neuropathology, ultimately enhancing our understanding of the etiological mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Specifically, her research focus involves exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which prenatal exposure to environmental factors influences brain development and increases the risk of neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, she is committed to identifying potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate the detrimental effects of prenatal environmental exposures on brain health, with the ultimate goal of developing effective interventions and treatments for individuals affected by these exposures.

Shima EbrahimiKhonacha (Christie Lab)

I hold degrees in Biology (BSc), Hommen Physiology (MSc), and Neuroscience (PhD) from my country, Iran.

My research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms involved in various neurological disorders. This includes investigating the functioning of neural circuits in both healthy and diseased states and examining the roles of neurodegeneration and neural plasticity in these conditions. Additionally, I am interested in exploring how sex influences neurodegeneration. Electrophysiology is a key tool in my research, as it allows for the recording and analysis on neuronal electrical activity, providing valuable insights into inter-neuronal communication.

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Ifeoluwa (Hiphy) Awogbindin (Tremblay Lab)

Dr. Ifeoluwa Awogbindin has honors and graduate degrees from the Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is passionate about the intersection of neurotropic infections and neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on microglia roles. During his PhD, he studied the pharmacological effects of kolaviron, an anti-inflammatory agent from Garcinia kola seeds, in mice infected with influenza A virus. The study was top-rated and earned the best PhD thesis prize in 2018. Further, he committed to studies in animal models of Parkinson’s disease, validating the folkloric claim that Garcinia kola seeds enhance healthy aging. He held several training and travel awards, including an NIH-funded UI-MEPIN-J mentored grant, IBRO-ARC Bursary and ISN International Travel Support. In the Tremblay Lab, Dr. Awogbindin is investigating whether alterations of microglial structure and function during infections with SARS-CoV-2 and HSV-1 predispose to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, respectively.

PubMed

Benneth Ben-Azu (Tremblay Lab)

Dr. Ben-Azu obtained his first degree training in Science Laboratory Technology with specialization in Physiology and Pharmacology in 2010 and graduated as the best graduating student from the set. During his postgraduate studies (MSc: 2014; PhD: 2018), Dr Ben-Azu specialized in neuropharmacology specifically looking at single or two-hit mouse models of schizophrenia, the patho-mechanisms involved and the constructive validity with antipsychotic drugs. Dr Ben-Azu has received different travel grants and fellowships, including the IBRO-ARC and Michael Smith Health Research Postdoctoral awards. As a Post-doc in Tremblay’s Lab, Dr Ben-Azu’s research goal is focused on how different epigenetic hit-factors such as dietary lifestyle, stress and infection affect microglia reserves in health, and in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease states.

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ResearchGate