About Us The Lab

Glenda Maru

Administrative Assistant

Glenda is Admin Assistant to the whole CAIR team and “Lab Mom” when needed! I have BA in Sociology and Political Science. I worked in front line social work for many years. Now I enjoy working at the Med. School helping research and supporting students. I hope to speak Neuroscience one day!

Bryce Geeraert, PhD

Research Program Manager

I am fascinated by the brain and neuroscience. During my PhD, I used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study the adolescent brain and how we learn to read. I’ve also found other opportunities to use brain recordings and brain stimulation methods to study the brain. Now, I’m using my broad background to support the Developmental Neuroimaging Lab’s research program, teach new students, and get the kids that participate in our research excited about the brain!

Mary Kate Dichoso

Research Assistant

Though I graduated with a Commerce degree, I have high interests in the psychology and neurology department. I also enjoy working with kids as my current research focus is cognitive development in children.

Xiangyu Long, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Developmental Neuroimaging Lab of Dr. Catherine Lebel. I obtained my Ph.D. at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Germany under the supervision of Prof. Arno Villringer and Dr. Daniel Margulies. Now my present research is focusing on the implementation of resting-state fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging on the typical development and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder effects on children’s brain, such as which brain areas that typically develop with age and which brain areas could be used as bio-markers for the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Ashley Ware, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

I am from Wilmington, North Carolina, and I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Developmental Neuroimaging Lab. I obtained my PhD at the University of Houston, where I investigated differences in brain structure and function in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and in individuals with acquired brain injury. My current research focuses on structural brain development across the lifespan in children with acquired brain injury through the use of MRI. Outside of work I enjoy going to the mountains, skiing, pilates, traveling, and going to the beach.

Kathryn Manning, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Developmental Neuroimaging Lab. I completed by PhD in the Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University under the supervision of Dr. Ravi S. Menon at the Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping at the Robarts Research Institute where I investigated the longitudinal effects of sports-related concussions and impacts. With Dr. Catherine Lebel I aim to explore the development of the young brain using multi-parametric MRI techniques combined with data-driven image analysis approaches. By relating these signatures of brain development with comprehensive clinical scores we aim to isolate differential trajectories that underlie compromised health and disease.

Jing Zheng, PhD

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Developmental Neuroimaging Lab. I earned my Ph.D. from China Pharmaceutical University, before which I was a visiting student at University of California at Davis, where I studied the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which environmental pollutants disrupt intracellular Ca2+ signalling and neuronal plasticity in in vitro primary culture models under the supervision of Dr. Isaac Pessah. I am currently learning how to analyze MRI data in Dr. Catherine Lebel lab. My current projects are to investigate how maternal environment (such as Bisphenol A and obesity) affect brain development of the offspring by applying anatomical MRI techniques to preschool kids and mice, and using molecular biological approaches in mice models to interpret underling mechanisms observed in human sample. Outside of work, I am into playing soccer and running.

Meaghan Perdue, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

I joined the Developmental Neuroimaging Lab as a postdoctoral fellow in 2021 after completing my PhD in Psychological Sciences at the University of Connecticut. My dissertation research focused on how the structure, function, and chemistry of the brain relate to reading ability in children. In my current research with Dr. Lebel, I aim to apply advanced neuroimaging techniques in multiple modalities to characterize links between specific properties of brain structure and reading ability. I will also examine patterns of brain development in the preschool and early school years as they relate to the acquisition of reading and related skills. Outside the lab, I enjoy exploring the mountains with my family, running, baking and knitting.

Peter Martin, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Developmental Neuroimaging Lab. I completed my PhD in the Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University under the supervision of Dr. Aaron Ward where I investigated optimized strategies of target planning for MRI-targeted, 3D transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. I moved to Calgary in 2018 where I also completed a two year clinical residency in Radiation Oncology Physics at Tom Baker Cancer Centre. With Drs. Catherine and Marc Lebel I aim to develop a robust artificial intelligence-driven MRI reconstruction method for motion and artifact reduction using pediatric neuroimaging data.

Ayushi Shukla, MSc

PhD Candidate

I’m a PhD student from New Delhi, India. After completing my MSc in Neuroimaging from King’s College, London where I used neuroimaging techniques to investigate the neural correlates of pain in individuals suffering from Chronic Widespread Pain and fibromyalgia, I worked as a research assistant at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, India. My current project investigates effects of mild traumatic brain injury on brain structure and function in the paediatric population. When I’m not working or being a bookworm, I enjoy bouldering, running, hiking and escaping to the mountains.

Daphne Nakhid, B.Sc.

Graduate Student, Neuroscience Program

Originally from Toronto, I graduated with a BSc. Double Major in Biology and Psychology from Dalhousie University. As a Neuroscience graduate student, my research looks at brain development in adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure. In my spare time you can find me running, climbing or reading a book.

Claire Donnici, BHSc

Graduate Student, Neuroscience Program

I completed my degree in biomedical sciences at the University of Calgary. I am now working towards my MSc/MD as part of the Leaders in Medicine joint degree program. My project looks at associations between maternal mental health during the perinatal period and the development of brain structure and function in infants and young children. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my big Italian family and volunteering in the community.

Ti-Amo Richards, B.Sc.

Graduate Student, Neuroscience Program

Originally I am from Jamaica but attended secondary and post-secondary school in Canada. I graduated with a BSc. Major in Neuroscience and Minor in Mental Health from Carleton University in Ottawa. My current project looks at the impact of stress and prenatal stress exposure on the developing brain. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, engaging in mentorship, and listening to music from each genre.

Mohammad Ghasoub, B.Sc

Graduate Student, Neuroscience Program

I am an International MSc student in Neuroscience. I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology and minor in Biological Sciences from the University of Alberta. My research focuses on white matter correlates of pre-reading abilities in typically developed children as well as children with prenatal alcohol exposure. In my free time, I enjoy traveling to new places, spending time with my friends and family, and listening to music.

Madison Long, M.Sc

Graduate Student, Neuroscience Program

I am a PhD student in the Neuroscience program and I use structural MRI to map trajectories of brain development in typically developing children and those prenatally exposed to alcohol. Before coming to Calgary, I received B.S. in Psychology from the University of Oregon and completed my M.Sc. thesis in Developmental Psychology jointly between Leiden University in the Netherlands and the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognition and Brain Science in Leipzig, Germany. Outside of work, you can find me working in my garden or running mountain trails with my dog.

Xinyuan Li, MD

PhD Candidate

I won the DOHaD Trainee Brain Mobility Award, and joined the Developmental Neuroimaging Lab for three months as a visiting student to learn the Diffusion Tensor Imaging analysis. I am a PhD Candidate from Integrated Program in Neurocience, McGill University. My current research is to examine whether amygdala-prefrontal structural connectivity mediates associations between prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) caused by 1998 Quebec Ice Storm and young adults' autism traits and whether, and whether it mediates associations between PNMS from the COVID-19 pandemic and infants' developmental outcomes.

Irene Manalastas

I am currently in my second year of Nursing at the University of Calgary. My interest in research stems from my passion for improving patient outcomes in pediatric populations. My current project investigates white matter microstructure and its relation to externalizing behaviors in young children with prenatal alcohol exposure. In my free time I enjoy running, playing the guitar and eating sushi!

Taylor Groulx

I am originally from Northern Ontario, and I graduated from Western University with a BSc double major in Medical Science and Psychology. I then completed a graduate certificate degree in Biomedical Neuroscience from the University of Florida before moving to Calgary. My research interests include neurodevelopment, neural plasticity, and concussion. In my spare time, I enjoy playing the piano, dancing, hiking in the mountains and doing yoga!

Aliza Jaffer

I am a second-year undergraduate student in Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. My project focuses on identifying resting state functional networks and inter-network connectivity in infants and relating the findings to measures of maternal mental health reported during pregnancy. In my spare time, I love playing basketball, spending time with my friends and family, and travelling!

Curtis Ostertag

I’m an undergraduate student heading into my fourth year of Neuroscience at the University of Alberta, and I also happen to be conducting my fourth summer of research at the lab! My research mainly focuses on structural brain development during the preschool period, and the relationship between brain development and the emergence of reading and language skills. In my free time, I love to be active!

Darpal Patel

I'm a second-year undergraduate student studying Neuroscience at the University of Calgary. My current project focuses on effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on hippocampal subfield volumes and determining if these differences are associated with Full Scale IQ. In my spare time I enjoy running, playing badminton, and listening to music.