Congratulations to our current Graduate Program in Neuroscience (GPN) students who have received awards through the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s program from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).
Samir Damji
Samir was born and raised in Vancouver, but moved to the United States to complete his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Harvard University, where he explored questions about the human mind and behaviour. Following graduation, he worked on neuroimaging studies as a research assistant. This hands-on experience convinced him that analyzing brain data offers a more precise and computationally rich avenue for exploring these questions.
He returned to BC for post-graduate studies, and is currently in his first year of his Master’s degree in Neuroscience under the supervision of Dr. Naznin Virji-Babul in the Perception-Action lab, which uses electroencephalography to investigate changes in brain network connectivity.
Samir with his lab members
His thesis project focuses on applying machine learning techniques to analyze EEG data to study the neural dynamics underlying creativity across different domains.
“I think it’s an exciting question,” Samir reflects, “especially in an age where creativity is increasingly valued alongside advances in technology and automation.”
Outside of research, Samir enjoys basketball, table tennis, entrepreneurship, and exploring Vancouver and its surrounding areas.
Jacqueline Palik
Jacqueline completed her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Western University, where she conducted research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) under the supervision of Dr. Michael Strong. Her work explored the role of traumatic brain injury and the cellular pathways it activates in contributing to the pathogenesis of both ALS and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
In September, Jacqueline will be starting her Master’s degree in Neuroscience supervised by Dr. Erik Pioro. Her thesis project will focus on modelling ALS using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to investigate how certain gene mutations contribute to disease pathogenesis. The goal of this work is to identify potential therapeutic targets that could prevent or slow neurodegeneration.
ALS remains an under-researched and poorly understood motor neuron disease, despite its profound impact on patients and their families.
“With an average life expectancy of just 2 to 5 years following diagnosis, there is an urgent need to advance our understanding of the disease and accelerate the search for effective therapeutics,” Jacqueline emphasizes.
As part of PROJECT HOPE (PROJECT HOPE | ALS Society of BC), a collaborative initiative with the ALS Society of BC, Jacqueline is excited to join the research team and contribute to the development of a world-class ALS research and clinical center at the DMCBH.
Outside of the lab, Jacqueline works as a scuba divemaster and ski instructor!
Neilan Tan
Neilan completed his Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience as part of the first-ever graduating class in the Neuroscience undergraduate program at UBC.
“Initially when I applied to join the specialization, I had a limited understanding of neuroscience and entered purely out of the novelty of being part of something new,” he recalls. “Since then, I’ve fallen in love with understanding the cellular and molecular basis of cognition and thought within the central nervous system, which led me to graduate school.”
Neilan will be continuing his studies in the Master’s degree in Neuroscience under the supervision of Dr. Jason Snyder.
Currently, his work investigates the role of hippocampal cells in the encoding of memories as well as their re-activation in anxiety-inducing behaviours. It will likely incorporate surgical methods, chemogenetics, engram labelling, behavioural assays, and hippocampal cell analysis to build a coherent picture of the hippocampus contribution to learning and memory.
“The idea that my work is contributing to a larger pool of knowledge that will continue to empower others and improve quality of life for others is a large motivation for me,” Neilan reflects.
Tephnie Beau de Rochars
Tephnie completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Ottawa. She just finished her first year in the Master of Neuroscience at UBC under the supervision of Dr. Doug Altshuler.
Her thesis focuses on decoding the full receptive field of zebra finches in the optic flow nucleus LM. To systematically characterize how optic flow is encoded, Tephnie will be conducting population-level data analysis to study neuronal responses to optic flow in this specific brain region.
“I’ve become especially interested in the visual system since it takes up so much of our brain’s processing, but also because I have oculomotor dysfunction, which affects how I perceive optic flow,” Tephnie shares. “Studying how visual motion is encoded has become both intellectually rewarding and personally meaningful.”
Tephnie loves the creativity that comes with research, and when she’s not in the lab, she enjoys drawing, painting and reading
Hanna Elford
Hanna earned a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science, with a focus on neurobiology and genetics at UBC, and is entering the first year of her Master’s degree in Neuroscience under the supervision of Dr. Jacqueline Quandt.
Her thesis project will characterize the role of the transcription factor neuronal PAS domain protein 4 (NPAS4) in mediating neuronal damage or protection under neuroinflammatory conditions. This models disease onset and progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its preclinical models. Using both transgenic and in vitro cellular models, she plans to alter NPAS4 expression—either enhancing or suppressing it—to investigate the direct and indirect effects on neuroaxonal health and function.
“I was drawn to neuroscience as it allows me to pursue my passion for health-related research while helping to address gaps in our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases,” Hanna reflects. “I am particularly interested in MS due to its high prevalence among Canadian women and my hands-on experience with preclinical models of the disease.”
Outside of research, Hanna enjoys spending time with friends, crafting, playing guitar, and volunteering on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Ciara Ritchie
Ciara graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour. During this time, she fell in love with research and found neuroimaging techniques especially fascinating.
“I’ve always loved working with children, especially infants, which has fueled my interest in developmental neuroscience and how early-life brain changes influence long-term development,” she shares.
She is currently in the first year of her M.Sc. In Neuroscience, under the supervision of Drs. Thiviya Selvanathan and Thalia Field.
Her thesis project uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to investigate thalamic maturation and white matter injury as predictors of neurocognitive outcomes in a longitudinal cohort of adolescents with congenital heart disease. Ciara looks forward to further developing her neuroimaging and research skills while investigating a meaningful pursuit.
“I’m very excited that my work has the potential to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in children born with congenital heart disease,” she expresses.
Outside of research, Ciara likes to crochet, bake, experiment with makeup, and hang out with her cat Dinosaur.
Krysia MacRae
Krysia completed an Honours Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto, where she studied both Psychology and Neuroscience. Currently, she is in her first year of the Master’s in Neuroscience program, supervised by Dr. Jessica Rosin. Her thesis project focuses on how maternal sleep disruption affects offspring neurodevelopment and behaviour.
Krysia at the lab
“I’m motivated to do research because I’m interested in how memory works, especially in the context of psychiatric and neurological conditions,” Krysia says. “My grandmother’s experience with dementia showed me how impactful this research can be in real life.”
Krysia chose to study neuroscience because she’s fascinated by how the brain shapes behaviour and wanted to study a field that combines biology, psychology, and the potential to improve treatments for brain-related disorders.
Outside of research, Krysia enjoys training in martial arts, reading, and cooking.
Saina Nemati
Saina completed her Bachelor of Science at UBC in the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics. During her undergraduate Co-op placement on a neuroprotection project, she developed an interest in neuroscience research.
Saina is currently a first-year Master’s student in the Neuroscience program at UBC, supervised by Dr. Wolfram Tetzlaff at ICORD.
“Volunteering with people living with SCI helped me see the real-world relevance of this work and motivated me to pursue research in this area,” she says.
Her thesis explores how different dietary interventions, particularly a healthy ketogenic diet, can help mitigate the long-term consequences of chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). She’s especially interested in how metabolic strategies may reduce neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and secondary organ damage after injury.
Outside of research, Saina leads the Spinal Cord Injury Association at UBC, which aims to raise awareness about SCI, share and discuss new research, and fundraise for Spinal Cord Injury BC. She’s also involved with the ICORD Trainee Committee (ITC), where she helps organize professional development workshops to support fellow trainees and foster a collaborative learning environment.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to bridge academic work with advocacy and community outreach,” Saina reflects.
