Our Team

Our Team β€” Brain Climate Equity Collaborative
Our Team

The People Behind Brain-CE Collab

A national community of neurologists, researchers, physicians, knowledge translators, and student fellows united by a shared mission: equitable brain health in a changing climate.

40+
Fellows from universities across Canada & internationally
10+
Board members, directors & scientific advisors
14
Active projects across all four pillars
<1yr
From founding article to a fully staffed national organization
Leadership

Executive Directors & Co-Founders

Brain-CE was co-founded when Muse Laroyia and Dr. Bhavini Makwana, working in the same institution, independently recognized the same unaddressed gap: rising neurological patient intake during climate events, with equity-denied communities paying the highest price β€” and no national strategy to address it.

Co-Lead & Executive Director Β· Co-Founder
Muse Laroyia

Muse Laroyia

MSc Candidate, Neuroscience Β· University of Calgary

Muse is a neuroscience graduate researcher at the University of Calgary focusing on memory and dementia. Brain-CE grew out of her work on the Clinical Neurosciences EDI committee, where she observed the disproportionate neurological impact of climate events on vulnerable populations and recognized the absence of any national strategy to address it. She drives Brain-CE’s strategic partnerships, fellow engagement, research direction, and organizational vision.

Executive Director
Daniela Oboh

Daniela Oboh

MSc Candidate, Neuroscience Β· University of Calgary

Daniela is a neuroscience graduate researcher at the University of Calgary investigating memory, dementia, sex differences, and exercise. She manages Brain-CE’s fellows engagement, project operations, and internal governance, bringing both scientific rigour and a deep commitment to equity and inclusive organizational culture to the Executive Director role.

Board of Directors

Founding Board & Scientific Leadership

World-class expertise in clinical neurology, global health, trauma psychology, sustainability, knowledge translation, and social innovation β€” united around a shared commitment to shift the neurological healthcare response to climate change from treatment to prevention.

Bhavini Makwana

Dr. Bhavini Makwana

Co-Founder Β· Director, Systemic Change
University of Calgary Β· Physician & Clinical Associate Professor
Drive Systemic Change

Physician and clinical associate professor whose sustainability and systems-change work in healthcare gave Brain-CE its founding clinical lens. Provides clinical leadership, guides health system engagement, and co-leads governance and policy advocacy alongside Muse.

Philip Barber

Dr. Philip Barber

Scientific Director, Generate Evidence
University of Calgary Β· Neurologist & Professor of Neurology and Radiology
Generate Evidence

Stroke neurologist and professor leading the scientific direction of Brain-CE’s research and evidence-generation pillar, bringing deep expertise in cerebrovascular disease and the clinical evidence base for climate-neurological intersections.

Ali Bateman

Dr. Ali Bateman

Scientific Director, Generate Evidence
Western University Β· Physiatrist & Assistant Professor
Generate Evidence

Physiatrist specializing in brain injury and disability who champions the integration of equity and disability lenses into all of Brain-CE’s work β€” ensuring people with disabilities and pre-existing neurological conditions are centered in research and advocacy.

Christine Gibson

Dr. Christine Gibson

Director, Innovation
University of Calgary Β· Family Physician, Trauma Therapist & Social Innovator
Foster Innovation

Family physician, trauma therapist, and author of The Modern Trauma Toolkit and Hospicing Modernity by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira. Leads Brain-CE’s innovation pillar β€” bringing design-thinking, climate psychology, and community-led solutions. Leads the neuro-climate-equity conversation in Canada on pre-traumatic stress and climate anxiety as clinical realities.

Bhavini Makwana

Dr. Sujane Kandasamy

Director, Fundraising
McMaster University Β· Assistant Professor
All Pillars

Advises on integrating global health perspectives and equitable community engagement strategies into Brain-CE’s initiatives. Co-leads fundraising and funding strategy alongside Fiona Parascandalo.

Burcin Ikiz

Dr. Burcin Ikiz

Co-Director, Systemic Change
Stanford & Columbia University Β· Eco-Neuroscientist & Adjunct Professor
Drive Systemic Change

Eco-neuroscientist who facilitates Brain-CE’s critical partnership with the International NeuroClimate Working Group, aligning Canadian research and advocacy with global efforts at the climate-neurology intersection.

Fiona Parascandalo

Fiona Parascandalo, M.A., M.Sc

Director, Fundraising Β· She/Her
McMaster University Β· Knowledge Translation Specialist
Raise Awareness

Specialist in knowledge translation and implementation science. Advises on strategies to effectively mobilize Brain-CE’s research into practice and policy, and co-leads fundraising strategy with Dr. Kandasamy.

Keith Sivakumar

Dr. Keith Sivakumar

Director
University of Toronto Β· Neurologist & Assistant Professor
Generate Evidence

Neurologist and assistant professor at the University of Toronto contributing clinical neurology expertise and helping anchor Brain-CE’s evidence generation within the Canadian academic neurology community.

Core Team

The Operational Backbone

Brain-CE’s Core Team of ten manages the organizational infrastructure that keeps all 14 projects and 40+ fellows running β€” from funding and partnerships to events, social media, and project coordination.

Anjalee Gunarathna
Anjalee Gunarathna
Project Coordination & Fellow Success Lead

Postgraduate Diploma student in Toxicology at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; graduate of Clinical Medicine from Peking University. A Climate X Youth Pioneer and International Poetry Slam Festival finalist. Monitors the master project portfolio, coordinates fellow check-ins, and keeps all 14 initiatives on track. Passionate about the adverse effects of toxins and pollutants on brain health, with a long-term goal of advancing Planetary Health through research, policy, and advocacy.

Erica Sharma
Erica Sharma
Social Media Manager & Events Specialist

Research Assistant at the University of Toronto and PEACH Health Ontario with a background in law. Manages Brain-CE’s LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and BlueSky presence and co-leads event production and promotion. Particularly interested in bridging research and policy by translating evidence on climate-brain health into public awareness and tangible systemic action.

ZRD
Zeni Rodger-Duncan
Social Media Manager

Develops Brain-CE’s visual content, video strategy, and animated knowledge translation materials. Co-manages all social media channels and manages engagement across platforms.

Eva Salmon
Eva Salmon
Events & Community Logistics Specialist

Biological Sciences student at the University of Calgary. Manages end-to-end event logistics for all Brain-CE events β€” from virtual webinars to the Calgary Climate Week hybrid summit. Also leads Project E and is on the PEACH 2026 Workshop planning committee.

MK
Mahak Kaur
Strategic Operations & Innovation Integration Lead

Builds operational systems, trains fellows on Canva and knowledge translation workflows, provides technical methodology support, and manages the project portfolio tracker. Also serves as Project N advisor, bridging operational and research roles.

Sanjene Sidhu
Sanjene Sidhu
Partnership & Outreach Lead

Graduate of Biological Sciences and Management from the University of Calgary. Deeply interested in how health outcomes are shaped by social and environmental systems. Manages a portfolio of partner organizations, facilitates introductions, and tracks collaborative opportunities across Brain-CE’s national network.

Thy Huynh
Thy Huynh
Partnership & Outreach Lead

Research Associate and Adaptation Consultant with the Living with Water project in BC; Master’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo. Her thesis examined equity in Canadian flood adaptation strategies β€” which inspired her to explore climate-health intersections more deeply. Leads knowledge translation and infographic strategy for Project I.

VR
Vaizhaly Ravindran
Funding & Opportunity Specialist

Holds a degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences from York University and a graduate certificate in Clinical Research. Based in Toronto, where she has observed the intersecting effects of air pollution and health inequality firsthand. Maintains Brain-CE’s grant pipeline, funding calendar, and weekly opportunity digest.

Jaynie Galanza
Jaynie Galanza
Funding & Opportunity Specialist

Co-manages the grant pipeline and application process; partners with the board’s grants expert for large-scale funding narratives. Also contributes directly to Projects D, G, and N as a research fellow β€” one of Brain-CE’s dual-role contributors.

The Minds Behind the Work

Project Fellows

Brain-CE’s 40+ fellows are the heart of the organization β€” leading research, advocacy, and knowledge translation projects from universities and communities across Canada and internationally. Organized below by their primary project.

Project AGreen Minds Canada & Youth Knowledge Mobilization
Vasuki Kirubhakaran

Vasuki Kirubhakaran

She/Her
Honours BSc Life Sciences Co-op Β· McMaster University
Generate Evidence Raise Awareness Innovation

A Honours Life Sciences Co-op student at McMaster pursuing a Concurrent Certificate in Science Communication. Has contributed to the South Asian Birth Cohort (START) and ASHA studies, and creates science communication content for PEACH Health Ontario and START-WATCH. Passionate about translating complex research into accessible formats that empower communities and drive preventative healthcare innovation. At Brain-CE, she creates visually branded resources highlighting climate–brain–health connections and fosters innovation in preventative healthcare to support equity-denied populations.

Kate Iris Cayanan

Kate Iris Cayanan

She/Her
Psychology undergraduate Student Β· University of Calgary
Raise Awareness Generate Evidence

A Psychology student at the University of Calgary, currently working as a volunteer research assistant in the Social Work faculty and volunteering with Science FUNdamentals, teaching children about STEM. Excited to branch into brain health and neuroscience-focused topics, contributing to research and knowledge mobilization efforts at Brain-CE.

Project BInternal Lecture Series
Hasnain Younis

Hasnain Younis

He/Him
PhD Psychology (ESRC Funded) Β· University of Reading, UK
Generate Evidence Raise Awareness Innovation

Hasnain’s PhD focuses on climate change emotions, mental health indices, government inaction, and pro-environmental behaviours β€” with strong ambitions to inform policy. Drawing on his MSc in Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience, he bridges mental health and neuroscience to understand and communicate the neurological influences of climate change. As a British Pakistani, witnessing the devastation of climate change in his homeland drives his commitment to ensuring that the experiences of communities in the Global South reach policymakers.

SQ

Shadelia Quailey

Hunter College, City University of New York
Raise Awareness Generate Evidence

Co-leads the Brain-CE Internal Lecture Series alongside Hasnain, coordinating needs assessment across fellows to identify knowledge gaps, recruiting speakers from academia and clinical practice, and supporting the conversion of lectures into structured Knowledge Hub modules. Also contributes to Project N’s community engagement and evidence work.

Project CCommunity-Led Research: Indigenous & Rural
Andrea Monsalve

Andrea Monsalve

Doctor of Medicine Β· University of Calgary SAMP
Generate Evidence Systemic Change

Andrea is a medical student at the University of Calgary’s MD- Southern Alberta Medical program with a background in translational neuroscience research. Her focus at Brain-CE involves obtaining Indigenous and rural community perspectives guided by research-informed policy, while developing clinician-facing educational materials and public-facing infographics. She was drawn to Brain-CE after witnessing the climate impacts and equity imbalances affecting her hometown of Lethbridge and surrounding Southern Alberta communities.

Katie Patterson

Katie Patterson

She/Her
MSc Global Health Β· McMaster University
Generate Evidence Systemic Change

Recently completed her MSc in Global Health at McMaster, exploring maternal and child health, planetary health, and health systems inequities. Her BHSc in Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization grounds her in the science-to-application pipeline. At Brain-CE, she supports evidence generation across all four pillars, with particular emphasis on Indigenous and rural community research. Currently drafting an article on heat stress in pregnancy, co-exposures such as air pollution, and neurological outcomes β€” with a focus on equity gaps.

Sabrina Guerrier

Sabrina Guerrier

She/Her Β· Andy Sabrina
Financial Mathematics & Economics Β· University of Ottawa Β· Communications Officer, CANSEE
Generate Evidence Systemic Change

Communications Officer for the Canadian Society for Ecological Economics (CANSEE) and graduating student in Financial Mathematics and Economics. Her background includes developing equity-focused analytics tools and researching diverse representation in STEM. Applies network analysis to trace upstream sources of compounding harms and institutional path dependencies in socio-ecological systems. Committed to linguistic accessibility, she supports bilingual knowledge mobilization. Disability advocacy grounds her interest in analyzing structural inequities. Contributes to Projects C and D, and leads a standalone Francophone Outreach initiative.

AK

Ayasha Karcher

University of Calgary
Generate Evidence

Contributes to Project C’s community-led research with Indigenous and rural communities, supporting evidence synthesis, community engagement, and knowledge translation outputs.

Projects D & GE4D Advocacy & Earth to Action (E2A)
Maya Wood

Maya Wood

Planning Technician Β· BSc Neuroscience (Lethbridge) Β· BUrban & Regional Planning (TMU)
Generate Evidence Systemic Change Innovation

A Planning Technician with a municipality in Ontario, uniquely bridging neuroscience and urban planning expertise. Graduated from the University of Lethbridge in Neuroscience (2021) and Toronto Metropolitan University in Urban and Regional Planning (2023). Explores how the built environment shapes brain health, climate, and equity β€” contributing to Projects D, G, and N, and on the PEACH 2026 Workshop planning committee.

Jenny Yoo

Jenny Yoo

She/Her
MD Student Β· McMaster University Β· BSc Immunology & Human Biology, University of Toronto
Generate Evidence Raise Awareness

A medical student at McMaster with a background in immunology and human biology. Interests include planetary health, climate equity, and translating research into clear, practical guidance for clinicians and the public. Brings hands-on experience in evidence synthesis and a strong equity lens shaped by mentorship with immigrant and refugee communities. Produces rapid evidence briefs, knowledge-hub explainers, and clinician-ready content for the E2A and E4D campaigns.

TW

Tosia Wolska-Chaney

She/Her
Psychology Undergraduate Student Β· University of Calgary
Generate Evidence Innovation

Researching how the legacy-making of a place and its practices, environment, and community intersect with future uncertainty caused by climate change. Contributes to Brain-CE’s evidence on how neurological and mental health conditions interact with climate events, working across the Generate Evidence and Foster Innovation pillars.

DA

Daniela Adhikari

Fellow β€” E4D & E2A
Systemic Change

Contributes to the E4D Advocacy Campaign Partnership and the Earth to Action campaign, supporting evidence generation and knowledge translation across Brain-CE’s climate-health policy work.

Project FCMAJ Analysis Article
Sadia Khan

Sadia Khan

MSc Epidemiology & Biostatistics Β· Western University
Generate Evidence Systemic Change

An MSc student and TA in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University, focusing on evidence synthesis and translating findings into actionable policy recommendations and clinical resources for protecting neurological health against climate change β€” through an equity-focused lens. Her background in climate health, research in non-communicable diseases, and extensive work with elderly patients struggling with dementia and delirium drew her to Brain-CE. Outside of research, she loves hiking, painting, and reading.

Harjot Brar

Harjot Kaur Brar

She/Her
Clinical Research Graduate Β· Seneca Polytechnic Β· Background in Dentistry
Generate Evidence Raise Awareness

A recent graduate of the Clinical Research program at Seneca Polytechnic with a professional background in dentistry and more than a decade of patient-facing experience. Her training in clinical research, ethics leadership, and data workflows positions her to lead research-focused outputs under the Generate Evidence pillar. Exploring the impacts of climate change β€” particularly heat, smoke, and air pollution β€” on neurological and mental health outcomes, with a strong emphasis on equity. Also on the PEACH 2026 Workshop planning committee as a lead presenter and small-group facilitator.

Project HSystematic Review β€” Scoping Lead [On Hold]
Shayla Kassam

Shayla Kassam

She/Her Β· “Shy”
Research Assistant, Stroke & Cognition Research Group Β· Foothills Medical Centre / University of Calgary
Generate Evidence Innovation Project On Hold

Research Assistant in Dr. Barber’s lab, contributing to brain health biomarkers research in cognitive neuroscience and clinical psychology. Holds a BA (First Class Honours) in Psychology from the University of Calgary and was awarded the 2025 Medallion in Psychology β€” graduating with the highest distinction in her department. Plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology focused on prognostic tools for cognitive decline, with climate awareness embedded throughout.

TA

Tasneem Alnahhas

McMaster University
Generate Evidence Project On Hold

Contributes to the systematic review scoping work, supporting database search strategy and evidence screening. Project H is on hold pending completion of the CMAJ analysis article.

Project IHeat, Dementia & Clinical Partnership
Thy Huynh

Thy Huynh

She/Her/Elle
Research Associate & Adaptation Consultant, Living with Water Β· MES, University of Waterloo
Generate Evidence Raise Awareness

Her Master’s thesis examined how equity concerns are recognized and addressed in Canadian flood adaptation strategies β€” inspiring her to explore how climate change and inequities intersect in people’s everyday lives. Leads knowledge translation and infographic strategy for Project I, ensuring findings are shared in clear, accessible ways.

Project JPEACH Health Conference 2026 β€” Lightning Talks
Maggie Markus

Maggie Markus

She/Her
Honours Life Sciences, Minor in Psychology Β· McMaster University Β· Volunteer, PEACH Health Ontario & CCGHC
Generate Evidence Raise Awareness

A fourth-year undergraduate at McMaster completing a thesis on alternative pain management for adolescent scoliosis. Volunteers with PEACH Health Ontario on knowledge mobilization and quality improvement research, and works as a research assistant at the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care on the Healthy Capital project. Her Substack column, Smoke on the Mind, makes the case that wildfire air is a brain health crisis. Drawn to Brain-CE by its intersection of planetary and physical/mental health.

CL

Cat Lau

She/Her
Freelance Visual Science Communicator Β· MontrΓ©al Β· Background in Psychology & Neuroscience
Raise Awareness Systemic Change

A freelancing visual science communicator based in MontrΓ©al, with over five years of experience in knowledge translation and mobilization in brain and mental health. Passionate about bringing together art and science to make complex research accessible and impactful.

Project KCOP31 Involvement Strategy
Maggie Markus

Ralph Ebuenga

He/Him
3rd Year BA Psychology Β· University of Calgary Β· RA, Deep-Sea Mining & Oceanic Legal Personhood Research
Systemic Change Raise Awareness

A psychology student with a passionate interest in climate change, geology, and geopolitics. As a research assistant in deep-sea mining and oceanic legal personhood, he brings a unique lens to Brain-CE’s international policy work. Wants to use skills in music and graphic design to communicate the urgency of climate-neurological health to broader audiences.

Project MCommunity-Led Research: Children & Adolescents
VT

Varsiha Thanganathan

She/Her
3rd Year Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (BSc) Β· McMaster University
Generate Evidence Raise Awareness

Contributes to the Evidence Generation pillar and supports Knowledge Hub content integration, helping organize and share critical climate–brain–health research. Passionate about fostering accessible, science-informed resources that connect communities, researchers, and policymakers. Currently working on research briefs to make climate-neurological health topics accessible to broader audiences.

Peyton Slavin

Peyton Slavin

She/Her
Research Assistant, Stroke & Cognition Research Group Β· University of Calgary
Generate Evidence Systemic Change

Works alongside Shayla Kassam as a research assistant in the Stroke and Cognition Research Group at the University of Calgary. Contributes to generating evidence and driving systemic change at Brain-CE β€” focusing on research outputs and the clinical evidence base for climate-neurological health intersections.

JL

Jamie Lo

University of Calgary
Generate Evidence

Contributes to Project M’s community-led research on climate and pediatric brain health, supporting evidence synthesis and community engagement outputs.

Project NCommunity-Led Research: Racialized & Newcomer, Hailstorm Alley
AJ

Arveen Jhand

4th Year Psychology Β· University of Calgary
Generate Evidence Systemic Change

Lead fellow for Project N’s evidence compilation and community outreach. Brings community advocacy and equity focus to the racialized and newcomer communities research initiative. Responsible for coordinating outreach to partner organizations including CIWA, Immigrant Services Calgary, and Punjab Community Health Services, and leads the Nagar Kirtan survey deployment.

SB

Sireejana Bhatti

University of Calgary
Generate Evidence

Contributes to Project N’s community engagement and evidence generation, supporting the research initiative on climate mental health inequities among racialized and newcomer communities in Calgary’s Northeast.

Open InitiativesPublic-Facing Articles & Autonomous Projects
SZ

Sophia Zhang

She/Her
Biological Sciences Β· University of Calgary Β· Volunteer, Bethany Care Services
Generate Evidence Raise Awareness

Her volunteer work with Bethany Care Services drives her primary interest in dementia and neurodegenerative diseases. Interested in how the current climate crisis is affecting caregiver fatigue and mental health across vulnerable sectors. Contributes to public-facing articles and open initiatives at Brain-CE.

Join the Collaborative

Applications for research fellows, core team roles, and advisory positions open on a rolling basis.

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