2023-07-06 15:00 2023-07-06 16:00
Canadian Neuroscience Seminars – Post-Doc series – Scott Rich and Larissa Kraus
DATE: Thursday, July 6, 2023
TIME: 12pm PT/3pm ET
ZOOM LINK: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85845251397
SPEAKER 1: Scott Rich, SickKids Research Institute
TITLE: Loss of neuronal heterogeneity in epileptogenic human tissue impairs network resilience to sudden changes in synchrony
Scott Rich is a Research Fellow at SickKids Research Institute in the lab of Dr. Steve Prescott. His research uses computational and mathematical techniques, combined with extensive experimental collaboration, to understand how biophysical diversity across spatial scales benefits the brain. This work focuses both on discerning the contributions of this diversity to the consistency and reliability of brain functions in physiological settings, including the development and maintenance of oscillations vital for memory formation, and how disruptions to this diversity promote pathological dynamics, such as seizure in patients with epilepsy.
Dr. Rich was previously a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Krembil Brain Institute in Toronto, serving as the primary liaison between three mentors whose expertise spanned clinical, experimental, computational, and mathematical neuroscience. During this period, he spearheaded numerous interdisciplinary projects, directly mentored nearly a dozen computational trainees, and co-created the Canadian Computational Neuroscience Spotlight (CCNS) for which he remains the lead-organizer. Dr. Rich received his Ph.D in Applied and Interdisciplinary Mathematics from the University of Michigan studying the specific roles played by inhibitory interneurons in oscillatory neurocircuit activity.
SPEAKER: Larissa Kraus, University of British Columbia
TITLE: Functional and molecular architecture of the healthy and diseased human brain
I completed my Ph.D. at the Charite in Berlin, Germany, where my research revolved around studying the role of RNA-edited glycine receptors in epilepsy using ex-vivo living human brain tissue. Eager to delve deeper into understanding cell-type specific functions in epilepsy, I joined the Cembrowski Lab at UBC Vancouver for my Postdoctoral work.
In the Cembrowski Lab, I employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and transcriptomics to unravel the impact of epilepsy on subpopulations of neurons in the human brain. My primary focus lies in uncovering the involvement of specific subtypes of interneurons in epilepsy and exploring the potential for targeted modulation of their activity. By gaining insights into the unique characteristics and functions of these neuronal subsets, my ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies that can significantly enhance the lives of individuals affected by epilepsy and related neurological conditions.
https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85845251397
2023-07-21 2023-07-23
Montreal Conference on Pain Circuits 2023
The Quebec Pain Research Network cordially invites you to the Montreal Conference on Pain Circuits. This gathering will take place at the IRCM (Clinical Research Institute of Montreal) located in downtown Montreal, and will be a unique opportunity to discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of nociceptive neuronal circuit function. The conference will be held on July 21-23, 2023, beginning in the evening of July 21st, and ending in the evening of July 23rd.
https://event.fourwaves.com/2b6a7496-9f72-476a-a558-09da370e4922/pages
2023-08-03 15:00 2023-08-03 16:00
Canadian Neuroscience Seminars – Post-Doc series Annemarie Wolff
DATE: Thursday, August 3, 2023
TIME: 12pm PT/3pm ET
ZOOM LINK: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85845251397
SPEAKER: Annemarie Wolff, University of Ottawa
TITLE: Reduced temporal precision in neural activity of schizophrenia
After finishing her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, Annemarie completed her MSc in Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Regensburg in Germany. There she completed her thesis in molecular psychiatry on the proteomics of schizophrenia in the department of psychiatry at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland.
Maintaining an interest in the neuroscience of psychiatry, her PhD work at the University of Ottawa then investigated the dynamics of neural activity in healthy individuals using EEG. Her postdoctoral work at the Institute of Mental Health Research in Ottawa took the measures and findings developed during her PhD and applied them to psychiatric data.
Currently a visiting scientist at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, she is working on the cognitive neuroscience component of the science learning work of the Chemistry Education Research Group. She is currently working on the eye tracking, EEG, and fNIRS data acquisition and analysis of several studies at Queen’s University while simultaneously working on a pilot study in individualized non-pharmacological breathing treatment for anxiety and several publications in computational modelling in schizophrenia.
2023-09-07 15:00 2023-09-07 16:00
Canadian Neuroscience Seminars – Post-Doc series – Simon A. Sharples and Amy Smith-Dijak
2023-09-07 @ 15:00 – 16:00
DATE: Thursday, September 7, 2023
TIME: 12pm PT/3pm ET
ZOOM LINK: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85845251397
SPEAKER: Simon A Sharples, University of St Andrews
TITLE: Fast motoneurons are not just ‘big’ slow motoneurons: roles for active properties in maintaining the orderly recruitment of motoneuron subtypes
Simon Sharples received his Bachelor’s degree (BSc in Kinesiology) in 2010 from Wilfrid Laurier University, followed by an MSc degree with Jayne Kalmar in 2012 where he studied cortical plasticity in humans during neuromuscular fatigue and in Parkinson’s Disease. He then completed his PhD in the Lab of Patrick Whelan at the University of Calgary where his thesis work focused on understanding dopaminergic neuromodulation of mammalian spinal circuits using in vitro tools in mice.
Currently, Simon is a CIHR-funded Postdoctoral Fellow in the Lab of Gareth Miles at the University of St Andrews where he studies functional maturation and diversification of motoneuron subtypes during postnatal development in mice. His future work will be directed toward understanding roles for neuromodulatory inputs in shaping motoneuron diversification during postnatal development in health and disease.
SPEAKER: Amy Smith-Dijak, McGill University
TITLE: Axonal dysfunction in a mouse model of ARSACS
Amy Smith-Dijak is a Postdoctoral Fellow at McGill University in Dr. Alanna Watt’s lab. Dr. Smith-Dijak’s work focuses on understanding how neurodegenerative disease impacts how action potentials propagate along the axon. This is done using electrophysiological techniques that allow for the recording of action potentials as they move down the axon, as well as a variety of imaging techniques which enable her to probe the structure and composition of the axon. She is currently focusing on Purkinje cells in ARSACS, an inherited ataxia which is common in the Charlevoix-Saguenay region of Quebec. She hopes that this work will lead both to new treatments for ARSACS and to a better understanding of the role that disruption of action potential propagation plays in neurodegenerative disease generally.
Dr. Smith-Dijak first got into neurodegenerative diseases during her PhD in Dr. Lynn Raymond’s lab at the University of British Columbia. There her work focused on changes to homeostatic plasticity in the cortex during early stage Huntington disease, and how to restore this form of plasticity with the drug pridopidine.
Date:
2023-09-07
Time:
15:00 – 16 Event Category:
Organizer
Canadian neuroscience post-docs
seminars@can-acn.org
zoom
2023-10-05 15:00 2023-10-05 16:00
Canadian Neuroscience Seminars – Post-Doc series – Haritha Desu & Bryan W. Jenkins
ZOOM LINK: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85845251397
SPEAKER: Haritha Desu, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre
TITLE: Role of cell adhesion molecules in oligodendrocyte-T cell interactions in MS
Dr. Haritha Desu is a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Catherine Larochelle’s laboratory at the CRCHUM. Her long-term research interest is to identify therapeutic targets that can promote repair and/or regeneration of the central nervous system in MS patients.
Haritha completed her bachelors degree at Stony Brook University (SBU), where she volunteered as a research assistant in Dr. Colognato’s laboratory and also worked part-time as a data coordinator for the pediatric MS center at SBU. This simultaneous exposure clinical work as well as basic science research led her to pursue a PhD and sparked her passion for conducting translational research. Haritha completed her PhD in Dr. Roberta Brambilla’s laboratory at the University of Miami in August 2021. Under Dr. Brambilla’s mentorship, she investigated the role of TNF receptor 2 signaling in neuroinflammation and remyelination during MS. Her work during her PhD was presented at various international conferences and resulted in multiple first author manuscripts.
Now, as a postdoctoral researcher, Haritha investigates T cell-oligodendrocyte interactions in the context of MS with the hope of identifying approaches to protecting oligodendrocytes during/following injury.
SPEAKER: Bryan W. Jenkins, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
TITLE: Cannabis differentially disrupts neural circuit oscillatory dynamics and sensory filtering in rats: implications for schizophrenia
Dr. Bryan W Jenkins is presently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Cannabis Science Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research uses behavioral pharmacology and preclinical modelling techniques to investigate the effects of psychoactive substances (e.g., cannabis, alcohol, nicotine, etc.) in relation to human mental health.
Examples of recent research include investigating the neurobiological and behavioral effects of cannabinoids and other cannabis constituents and the influence of sex and circadian rhythm disruptions on alcohol consumption. Dr. Jenkins aims to uncover new knowledge that expands our collective understanding of psychoactive substances and their impact on all dimensions of human health.
Currently, Dr. Jenkins is completing his postdoctoral training under the supervision of Dr. Elise Weerts and Dr. Cassie Moore, investigating the potential therapeutic and adverse effects of major cannabinoids, minor cannabinoids, and other cannabis constituents.
https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85845251397
2023-10-21 08:00 2023-10-21 17:00
Canadian Peripheral Nerve Research Collaborative (CPNRC) Symposium
The first Canadian Peripheral Nerve Research Collaborative (CPNRC) Symposium on October 21 in London Ontario. This symposium will bring together stakeholders from across Canada to form a grass root network supporting peripheral nerve research. Basic scientists, clinicians and clinical researchers will be showcasing their innovative work on peripheral nerve regeneration, with the goal of translating promising new treatments from bench to bedside that will help to improve functional outcomes for patients with peripheral nerve injury.
World class speakers at the conference will include:
- Freda Miller: Peripheral nerves and the control of mammalian tissue regeneration
- Raj Midha: Schwann cell therapies for nerve repair
- Mike Hendry: Epidermal growth factor receptor
- Doug Zochodne: Molecular targets to accelerate nerve regeneration
- Kirsty Boyd: End-to-side nerve transfers
- Valerie Verge: Acute intermittent hypoxia to enhance nerve regeneration
- Adam Johnston: Schwann cells, unexpected drivers of tissue repair
- Chistine Webber: Conditioning electrical stimulation on nerve regeneration following nerve transfer surgery
- Andrew Puszynski: Touch processing in tactile neurons in primates
- Dominique Tremblay: Peripheral nerve transfers in patients with spinal cord injury
This meeting is supported by CIHR and will be held in conjunction with the clinically focused 7th Canadian Peripheral Nerve Symposium. For those of you also attending the clinical meeting on the preceding day on Oct 20, the registration fee for the Research Symposium will only be $75. Otherwise, the full registration fee is $100. This will cover an evening reception following the symposium as well. Full details will be found and online registration can be done through the following link:
https://cpnrc.ca/2023-research-symposium
2023-11-02 15:00 2023-11-02 16:00
Canadian Neuroscience Seminars – Post-Doc series Azam Asgarihafshejani & Samantha Carew
DATE: Thursday, November 2, 2023
TIME: 3pm ET/12pm PT
ZOOM LINK: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85845251397
SPEAKER: Azam Asgarihafshejani, University of Toronto
TITLE: Neurogliaform cell synaptic transmission and GABAergic signaling alteration in the hippocampal circuit of animal model of Rett syndrome
Dr. Azam Asgarihafshejani is a researcher in the Department of Cell and Systems Biology, working under Dr. Melanie Woodin’s supervision. Her research focuses on synaptic transmission and plasticity in hippocampal slices, employing electrophysiological methods to investigate mechanisms that regulate inhibition. Specifically, she explores excitation/inhibition balances in neurodevelopmental disorders, centering her attention on CA1 pyramidal neurons, neurogliaform (NGF) interneurons, the Schaffer collateral and temporo-ammonic pathways.
During her presentations, she discusses the absence of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in male and female Rett syndrome mouse models. Her findings highlight dysregulated NGF interneurons as a potential underlying mechanism for impaired LTP.
Prior to her current role, she held two postdoctoral positions—one at the University of Victoria with Dr. Kerry Delaney, and the other at the Université de Montreal, Department of Neuroscience, with Dr. Jean-Claude Lacaille. She characterized optogenetically induced LTP in SOM-INs, demonstrating its dependence on mGluR1a and mTORC1 signaling. Additionally, her work revealed that optogenetic activation of CA1 pyramidal inputs is sufficient to induce LTP of SOM-IN afferent synapses.
SPEAKER: Samantha Carew, Memorial University of Newfoundland
TITLE: Inflammation-induced impairments in LTP are rescued by L-type calcium channel antagonism
Following successful completion of her Bachelor’s degree at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Samantha earned a PhD in higher order fear memory with Dr. Qi Yuan at Memorial. Here, she built unique olfactory learning paradigms like pheromone- and second-order conditioning, combining behavioural and molecular techniques to probe neural ensembles underlying memory.
Samantha is a mother to two young children and decided to stay at Memorial to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship during the pandemic. Working with Dr. Matthew Parsons and Dr. Craig Moore enabled her to apply electrophysiological techniques to the field of neuroimmunology. Her postdoctoral work focuses on the impact of inflammation on synaptic plasticity, particularly how the expression of a voltage-gated calcium channel (Cav1.2) in neurons and astrocytes changes in response to inflammatory stimuli, and subsequent effects on long-term potentiation.
Samantha was drawn to neuroscience research early in her studies, as several of her family members were lost to Alzheimer’s disease. Her expertise in learning and memory combined with neuroimmunology and electrophysiology provide her with a unique perspective to investigate neurodegenerative disease.
https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85845251397
2023-11-11 00 – 2023-11-15
Society for Neuroscience Meeting
Join us for the CAN Social at the SfN Meeting in Washington! Details to be announced soon.
2023-11-12 09:30 2023-11-15 17:00
CAN booth at SfN 2023 meeting
Come meet the CAN team at our booth
Booth #3303, Hall A – Walter E. Washington Convention Center
2023-11-14 18:30 2023-11-14 20:30 CAN Social at SfN
Join us at the CAN Social in Washington!
2023-12-07 15:00 2023-12-07 16:00
Canadian Neuroscience Seminars – Post-doc series December 7: Alex Wiesman & Razan Sheta
DATE: Thursday, December 7, 2023
TIME: 12pm PT/3pm ET
ZOOM LINK: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85212853616
SPEAKER: Alex Wiesman, McGill University
TITLE: Multi-spectral neurophysiological slowing in patients with neurodegenerative disorders
Alex completed his PhD at the University of Nebraska Medical Center as a NIH predoctoral fellow, and is now a CIHR Banting and NIH F32 postdoctoral fellow at the Montreal Neurological Institute. He uses multimodal neuroimaging to study the proteinopathic and neurochemical bases of electrophysiological changes in patients with neurodegenerative disorders.
His recent research has demonstrated a spatially-resolved shift of cortical rhythms towards slower patterns of signaling, which tracks the accumulation of proteinopathy and hallmark clinical outcomes in patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Twitter: @AlexWiesman
SPEAKER: Razan Sheta, University of Laval
TITLE: Development of a novel optogenetic based model of alpha-synuclein aggregation to study Parkinson’s disease
Razan Sheta is a post-doctoral fellow who specializes in a-synuclein and Parkinson’s disease, currently conducting ground-breaking research under the guidance of Dr. Abid Ouelsati at ULaval. Notably, her work includes the development of a light-inducible protein clustering system for in vivo analysis of α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease.
Razan earned her Ph.D. in ovarian cancer, focusing on a metabolic labeling approach for glycoproteomic analysis. This significant contribution was conducted at ULavaL under the supervision of Dr. Dimcho Bachvarov and resulted in publications with Dr. Caroline Bertozzi, a recent Nobel Prize winner in chemistry.
Having a profound passion for merging her experiences in neuroscience and oncology, Razan finds immense satisfaction in connecting these diverse fields. Her academic journey also includes a master’s degree in Head and Neck Cancer from Lausanne, Switzerland, and a bachelor’s degree in genetics from UBC, Vancouver. During her undergraduate studies, she collaborated with the late Dr. El Husseini on deciphering a novel mechanism linking RILPL2, the motor protein MyoVa, and Rac1 with neuronal structure and function.
Twitter: @RazanSheta
https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85212853616