The first Canadian initiative dedicated to the intersection of brain health, equity, and climate change.
The Brain Climate Equity Collaborative was founded in 2025 by a group of neurologists, physicians, and neuroscience students who saw a critical gap: while the climate crisis escalated, its profound impact on brain health was being ignored, especially for the most vulnerable. We started as a conversation and rapidly grew into a national collaborative of experts and advocates committed to equitable solutions.
Our Core Team
Muskaan Muse Laroyia
Muse is a neuroscience graduate researcher at the University of Calgary focusing on memory and dementia. She drives Brain-CE Collab’s strategic partnerships, student engagement, and research initiatives.
Dr. Bhavini Makwana
Dr. Makwana is a Physician and Clinical Associate Professor. She provides clinical leadership, guides health system engagement, and co-leads Brain-CE Collab’s governance and policy advocacy work.
Book of Choice
Bhagavad Gita
Timeless wisdom on resilience, duty, and balance, while emphasizing a higher purpose rather than material attachments, provides grounding guidance through both personal and collective crises.
Dr. Philip Barber
Dr. Barber is a Neurologist and Professor of Neurology and Radiology at the University of Calgary. He leads the scientific direction of BCEC’s research pillar and evidence generation.
Book of Choice
1984 by George Orwell
A timeless exploration of truth, power, and control – themes deeply relevant today. Its warning about misinformation, disinformation, and “doublethink” resonates profoundly in the context of public discourse and the climate crisis.
Dr. Ali Bateman
Dr. Bateman is a Physiatrist and Assistant Professor, specializing in brain injury and disability. She champions the integration of equity and disability lenses into all of BCEC’s work.
Book of Choice
I couldn’t pick just one, I’d have to bring all the books I own.
Daniela Oboh
Daniela is a neuroscience graduate researcher at the University of Calgary investigating memory, dementia, sex differences and exercise. She manages BCEC’s fellows engagement and projects.
Book of Choice
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
A story that celebrates creativity, science, problem-solving, collaboration, and personal responsibility – showing how these qualities can help us overcome seemingly impossible challenges.
Dr. Sujane Kandasamy
Dr. Kandasamy is an Assistant Professor at McMaster University. She advises on integrating global health perspectives and equitable community engagement strategies into BCEC’s initiatives.
Dr. Burcin Ikiz
Dr. Ikiz is an eco-neuroscientist and adjunct professor. She facilitates BCEC’s critical partnership with the global NeuroClimate Working Group, aligning Canadian and international efforts.
Fiona Parascandalo
Fiona is a specialist in knowledge translation and implementation science. She advises on strategies to effectively mobilize BCEC’s research into practice and policy.
Book of Choice
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
A playful mix of humor and science fiction that sparks imagination, encourages creative thinking, and reminds readers that curiosity and a touch of whimsy can open new ways of seeing the world and solving problems.
Dr. Christine Gibson
Dr. Gibson is a family physician, trauma-therapist, and social innovator. She is the author of The Modern Trauma Toolkit and leads BCEC’s innovation pillar, focusing on community-led solutions, design-thinking methodologies, and climate psychology.
Fellows
Andrea Monsalve
Andrea is an MSc Neuroscience student at the University of Calgary investigating the role of the glymphatic system in human brain tumours. At Brain-CE, her focus involves working closely with Indigenous and rural community perspectives to guide research-influenced policy, while also developing clinician-facing educational materials and public-facing infographics. She was drawn to Brain-CE after witnessing the inequities and climate impacts affecting her hometown of Lethbridge and surrounding communities.
Book of Choice
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Recommended by a close patient-partner, this book is a reminder that we can overcome our limitations and strive toward new possibilities.
Vasuki Kirubhakaran
Vasuki is a fifth-year Honours Life Sciences Co-op student at McMaster University pursuing a Concurrent Certificate in Science Communication. At Brain-CE, she supports evidence synthesis, knowledge translation, and public engagement, creating visually branded resources that make research accessible and actionable. She is passionate about translating complex science into formats that empower communities and drive preventative healthcare innovation.
Book of Choice
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
A reminder that life is full of challenges and opportunities, and that curiosity, perseverance, and learning can take you anywhere.
Thy Huynh
Thy holds a Master’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo and currently works as a Research Associate and Adaptation Consultant for the Living with Water project. At Brain-CE, she supports infographic creationand knowledge mobilization strategies, helping make climate–brain–health research accessible to the public. Thy is passionate about visual storytelling and fostering community engagement through science communication.
Book of Choice
Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
A reflection on the natural environment as a gift and kin, calling for gratitude and non-extractive ways of living, giving, and sustaining relationships with the world around us.
Harjot Brar
Harjot is a graduate of the Clinical Research program at Seneca Polytechnic with a professional background in dentistry and over a decade of patient-facing experience. At Brain-CE, she works under the Generating Evidence pillar, exploring how heat, smoke, and air pollution affect neurological and mental health outcomes, with a strong emphasis on equity.
Book of Choice
The Dictionary
A foundation and inspiration for rebuilding knowledge, symbolizing both precision and possibility. Therefore Harjot believes it should be the first book at every library.
Sadia Khan
Sadia is pursuing her MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University. At Brain-CE, she focuses on evidence synthesis and generation while collaborating across teams to support knowledge translation and mobilization efforts. Her role bridges research and public engagement, providing high-quality evidence for articles, infographics, and policy briefs that advance equity-driven climate–brain–health solutions.
Varsiha Thanganathan
Varsiha is a third-year student at McMaster University studying Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (B.Sc.). At Brain-CE, she contributes to the Evidence Generation pillar and supports Knowledge Hub content integration, helping organize and share critical climate–brain–health research. She is passionate about fostering accessible, science-informed resources that connect communities, researchers, and policymakers.
Book of Choice
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
A thrilling mystery that keeps you engaged, perfect for sparking curiosity and problem-solving.
V Patel
V is a first-year PhD student in Health at Dalhousie University. Her research focuses on preventive health strategies, using insights from epidemiology, game theory, and health economics framed through a climate justice perspective. At Brain-CE, she contributes to the science-to-policy pipeline, ensuring evidence is translated into equitable, actionable strategies.
Book of Choice
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A timeless favourite that continues to inspire, offering powerful lessons on resilience, loss, and the enduring value of storytelling.
Aryan Ghader
Aryan is an Honours Specialization student in Genetics at Western University with a focus on evidence synthesis and knowledge translation at the intersection of brain health, climate, and equity. He is passionate about bridging research with policy and making science more accessible and impactful, drawing inspiration from both academic and personal experiences. Outside of research, Aryan enjoys fencing and exploring new foods.
Book of Choice
Galileo’s Daughter by Dava Sobel
A reminder that science isn’t just about discovery, but about the human struggles, doubts, and resilience behind it.
Katie Patterson
Katie recently completed her MSc in Global Health at McMaster University, where she explored maternal and child health, planetary health, and health systems with a focus on inequities. She previously earned her BHSc in Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization, with interests spanning psychology and global health. At Brain-CE, she supports all four pillars, with a major emphasis on generating evidence to inform brain-climate-equity initiatives.
Book of Choice
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
A beautifully written reminder to appreciate life and find meaning in all experiences, encouraging reflection on what life and death truly mean.
Maya Wood
Maya is a Planning Technician with a municipality in Ontario. She holds a BSc in Neuroscience from the University of Lethbridge and a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University. At Brain-CE, Maya bridges her dual expertise to explore how the built environment shapes brain health, climate, and equity. She contributes across research, policy, and community engagement, with a focus on inclusive and sustainable approaches.
Book of Choice
Holes by Louis Sachar
A childhood favorite that first sparked a love of reading, with lessons that remain timeless.
Jenny Yoo
Jenny is a McMaster University medical student with an academic background in immunology and human biology. Her interests include planetary health, climate equity, and translating research into clear, practical guidance for clinicians and the public. She brings hands-on experience in evidence synthesis and a strong equity lens shaped by mentorship with immigrant and refugee communities. At Brain-CE, Jenny focuses on Generate Evidence and Raise Awareness, producing rapid evidence briefs, knowledge-hub explainers, and clinician-ready content.
Brain Climate & Equity Collaborative 