Members

Dr. Maithe Arruda Carvalho

I did my undergraduate BSc in biomedical sciences and a MSc in cellular neurobiology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I then moved to Canada in 2007 for my PhD from UofT at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, with Dr. Paul Frankland, where I studied how neurons born in the adult brain contribute to memory formation and expression. I moved to New York City in 2013 for a postdoc at Mount Sinai Hospital with Dr. Roger Clem to study synaptic plasticity within selective brain microcircuits supporting emotional memory. I relocated to Toronto in 2016 to start my own lab at the University of Toronto Scarborough.

Why Science?

Science feeds my need for asking questions and for debate. I really enjoy the freedom and unpredictability within the scientific process.

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

My other career choices going into university were cinema and particle physics.

Favourite place in Toronto?

Kensington Market

Favourite movie/book?

Impossible to choose. First that come to mind:
Movies: Three colours: Blue; Resnais (Hiroshima mon Amour), Haneke, Vinterberg (Festen), Wong Kar-wai, Almodovar, Kitano (Dolls), Ozon (8 women)
Books: Marguerite Duras’s La Douleur (War: a Memoir); Rimbaud, Hilda Hilst, Wisława Szymborska, Dostoievski

Arely Cruz-Sanchez

I was born in St. Michael's hospital in Toronto and have lived in Canada my whole life. Spent part of my childhood in Scarborough but have been living in the little town of Ajax for the past 18 years. I am a proud Salvadorian o Salvadoreña para aquellos que hablan Español. I obtained an Honors Bachelor of Science, double majoring in biology and neuroscience at the University of Toronto Scarborough and am currently a Cell and Systems Biology Doctoral Student at UTSC. My research as a PhD student in the DevSneuro Lab focuses on the maturation of brain circuits and how it relates to the development of specific behaviours and types of memory.

Why Science?

Good question. I got interested in science during high school. The one subject I found most fun and exciting was biology and the journey started from there.

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

A film composer, even though my musical talent is limited to playing the recorder or a stunt woman.

Favourite place in Toronto?

My backyard

Favourite movie/book?

There are way too many to choose from! But my go-to movies would be Stephen Sommers' The Mummy or any Harry Potter Film.

Ashutosh Patel

I was born in a small town in India and immigrated to Canada with my family in 2006. I completed my HBSc from the University of Toronto Scarborough and subsequently received my MSc and PhD degrees in biomedical sciences with a specialization in neuroscience from the University of Guelph. For my doctoral thesis, I studied the effects of endogenous neurosteroids on nicotinic signalling and synaptic plasticity in the rodent prefrontal cortex using patch-clamp electrophysiology and pharmacology.

Why Science?

Science is the way I can satisfy my natural curiosity about anything and everything from a microscopic to a macroscopic scale.

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

If not a neuroscientist, I would have pursued astrophysics to study the fundamental workings of the universe.

Favourite place in Toronto?

Toronto botanical gardens

Favourite movie/book?

How to train your dragon movies, the Harry Potter series, and the Hobbit trilogy.

Hanista Premachandran

I am currently a PhD student in the DevSneuro lab. I completed my undergraduate thesis project with Dr. Arruda-Carvalho and decided to continue my project through the MA and PhD program. Currently, I am investigating how early life stress influences emotional learning, both at the circuit and behavioural level.

Why Science?

Science allows us to continuously learn and ask questions. It allows for a better understanding of the world and ourselves. Science also encourages us to be better consumers of research.

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

Maybe a landscape painter.

Favourite place in Toronto?

The Royal Ontario Museum & Art Gallery of Ontario

Favourite movie/book?

Movie: October Sky
Book: The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks

Jennifer Wilkin

I’m born and raised out here in the Toronto area, the fourth kid of three brothers! I have my BSc. in Neuroscience Specialist Co-op and a minor in biology. I joined the DevSneuro Lab as a thesis student after doing my co-op work term in schizophrenia research at CAMH, and am going on to do my Master’s here in the lab. I’m interested in the role of circuit maturation in affective learning.

Why Science?

The brain is the most complex piece of matter in the known world, what else could be more exciting to study?

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

I would be an artist; I would probably go into video game concept art or character design. I’ve been doing concept art for many years and have actually commissioned a few character designs for things like D&D and other RPGs!

Favourite place in Toronto?

Koreatown! It has everything I love: tons of fantastic Korean food, a bunch of stores with Rilakkuma plushies and kpop posters, and an internet cafe to play Dota 2.

Favourite movie/book?

My favourite movie is Shrek 2, and my favourite book is The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Anna Canella

I was born and raised in Brazil in a suburban area of São Paulo. I moved to Canada in 2016 for my BScH. at the University of Guelph where I majored in Biomedical Sciences and minored in Neuroscience. I have always been one to keep myself super busy. So, in undergrad, I was involved from advocacy and governance on campus, especially representing fellow international students, to peer support volunteer work and community outreach. I also loved to stay active and played competitively Quidditch for 2 years (Fun fact 😊). Mid the pandemic onset, I also completed my Master’s focusing on the role of M3 muscarinic receptors in inducing and modulating neuronal excitability.

Why Science?

I have always been a very inquisitive person and loved to solve puzzles and figure out how everything worked. I guess science allows me both!

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

Although I am still working towards being a physician scientist, which includes also pursuing training as a physician, if not neither of the two I would probably have been a pharmaceutical lawyer.

Favourite place in Toronto?

The Scarborough Bluffs

Favourite movie/book?

That’s a hard one, I am always watching something new and have way too many favorites. I guess a couple of my top choices are the Harry Potter series, Hidden Figure, The Imitation Game and Sherlock Holmes (the TV Show).

Kathleen LaDouceur

I am currently a PhD student in the lab. I completed an MSc in Psychology with a specialization in Neuroscience and an HBSc in Neuroscience at the University of Guelph. I completed my masters in Dr. Elena Choleris’ Neurobiology of Social Behaviour lab, with a focus on estrogens and androgens' facilitation of memory in male mice.

Why Science?

I never grew out of asking ‘why’ to everything and through scientific research I can both help answer some of those questions, while constantly continuing to ask more.

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

I would open a coffee shop.

Favourite place in Toronto?

At a blue jays game.

Favourite movie/book?

Book: The Great Mortality by John Kelly Movie: Terrifier

Francesca Violi

I am a fifth-year student pursuing a neuroscience specialist, major in human biology and a minor in psychology. I’ve been interested in how the brain works since I was a young child, but my passion for neuroscience really started after my high school science teacher introduced the neurotransmitter dopamine. My research interests lie in the intersection of trauma and early childhood adversity on the developing brain and how changes in the relevant circuitry contribute to the onset of addiction and mental illness.

Why Science?

Everyone’s brain is unique and shaped by individual experiences. No two people experience their external or internal world the same. This makes the brain the coolest thing in the entire world, and it’s both an honour and a privilege to have the resources to study it. More generally, understanding science equips us with the necessary information to make informed decisions about practically everything. Nothing is more empowering than our ability to independently understand the world around us.

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

I would go into medicine or train as a chef and open a restaurant!

Favourite place in Toronto?

Probably Ossington, so many great restaurants!!

Favourite movie/book?

Movies, probably Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Ratatouille. My favourite books would be the Harry Potter Series and The Gene: An Intimate History.

Mehreen Inayat

I was born in the UK (I sadly only have a birth certificate not the British accent to show for it) but grew up in Ottawa. I have a BSc (honours) in neuroscience from the University of Toronto and an MSc in Clinical Neuroscience from the University of Oxford. My previous research experience has centred around understanding memory and reward learning from both a behavioural and neuronal perspective. I am currently a lab technician at DevSNeuro where I am hoping to continue my pursuit of understanding the brain and its connection to behaviour.

Why Science?

Since elementary school I always found the functions of the human body fascinating. In particular, I always found the human brain a remarkable masterpiece. The fact that such complex behaviours and functions can occur from electrical activity in a 3-pound organ blows my mind. I chose science because I wanted to understand how the brain does what it does and contributes to human behaviour.

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

If I couldn't become a scientist, I would want to go to law school to become a lawyer.

Favourite place in Toronto?

My favourite place in Toronto is Ripley's Aquarium specifically the underwater tunnel.

Favourite movie/book?

My favourite movie is Identity Thief, and my favourite books are the Harry Potter Novels.

Meltem Nacakli

I was born and raised in Toronto and come from a Turkish background. I am an undergraduate student at UTSC, pursuing a BSc. in the Neuroscience Specialist program with a minor in Psychology. My fascination with science, particularly the intricacies of how the brain functions and the many mysteries it holds, stemmed from a young age. Over the years, this curiosity has grown into a deep passion for neuroscience and a commitment to advancing our understanding of the brain. I aspire to continue conducting neuroscience research, pursue a master’s degree in the field, and ultimately become a neurosurgeon, contributing meaningfully to both science and medicine.

Why Science?

I chose science because it is a never-ending journey of discovery, where each answer leads to new questions and limitless opportunities to learn and grow.

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

A bakery/café owner

Favourite place in Toronto?

BMV Books and Circles & Squares Bakery

Favourite movie/book?

The Lion King/ The Brain That Changes Itself

Ana Gonzalez

I’m a third-year undergraduate student here at UTSC and I am pursuing a specialization in behavioural neuroscience. As a child, I was always interested in learning more about the human body and as I grew up and learned about the brain I became even more fascinated. Once I started university, I grew to love psychology as well, particularly more in behavioural psychology and clinical psychology. As for my background, I was born here in Toronto but my parents are Colombian (I am also fluent in Spanish).

Why Science?

I have always been interested in exploring new ways in which our knowledge on the human system and more specifically the neurological system to help us in our daily life and or to help acquire knowledge in a specific field of science.

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

If not a scientist, I would have been a translator as I am bilingual and want to learn many different languages.

Favourite place in Toronto?

My favourite place in Toronto has to be Toronto Island because you get to see the city skyline from afar with the view as well as Lake Ontario.

Favourite movie/book?

My favourite movie is Saving Private Ryan

Jana Ali

I’m a third year student specializing in Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Biology. I grew up in the UAE and moved to Canada for university with the goal of diving deeper into studying the brain, especially the anatomy and circuits behind how we think, feel, and act. I'm really interested in research that helps us make sense of human behavior, from the most basic habits to the most complex patterns.

Why Science?

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

I would have loved to go to culinary school, be a chef, and open my own middle eastern restaurant in Toronto.

Favourite place in Toronto?

My favorite place in Toronto is Kensington market, I always end up buying the coolest but most random things!

Favourite movie/book?

My favorite movie is Now You See Me 2. My favorite book is A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Amirfaham Fallahpour

I am soon to be a third-year undergraduate studying neuroscience at UTSC. I'm passionate about exploring the intricate connections between the brain, behavior, and cognition, with a keen interest in how advances in neuroscience can improve healthcare and enhance quality of life. Outside of academics, I'm actively involved in student leadership roles, including organizing conferences and events, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentoring peers. I love building meaningful connections, volunteering in the community, and pursuing innovative research opportunities.

Why Science?

Because Wizarding Schools weren't real, so I went with the second-best option 🙂

If not a scientist, what would you have been?

A film director

Favourite place in Toronto?

Robarts Library

Favourite movie/book?

Movie : A Silent Voice Book: Little Women