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.
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.
Muse Laroyia
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.
Daniela Oboh
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.
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.

Dr. Bhavini Makwana
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.

Dr. Philip Barber
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.

Dr. Ali Bateman
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.

Dr. Christine Gibson
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.

Dr. Sujane Kandasamy
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.

Dr. Burcin Ikiz
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, M.A., M.Sc
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.

Dr. Keith Sivakumar
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.
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.

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.

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

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.
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.

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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

Vasuki Kirubhakaran
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 climateβbrainβhealth connections and fosters innovation in preventative healthcare to support equity-denied populations.
If the library burned down: Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss β a reminder that curiosity, perseverance, and learning can take you anywhere.

Kate Iris Cayanan
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.
If the library burned down: Demian by Hermann Hesse β one of her all-time favourites.

Hasnain Younis
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.
If the library burned down: The Gruffalo β reminds me of simpler times.
Shadelia Quailey
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.
Bio and book recommendation coming soon.

Andrea Monsalve
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.
If the library burned down: Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach β recommended by a close patient-partner, for its reminder that we can overcome our limitations.

Katie Patterson
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.
Book recommendation coming soon.

Sabrina Guerrier
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.
If the library burned down: En attendant la montΓ©e des eaux by Maryse CondΓ©.
Ayasha Karcher
Contributes to Project C’s community-led research with Indigenous and rural communities, supporting evidence synthesis, community engagement, and knowledge translation outputs.
Bio and book recommendation coming soon.

Maya Wood
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.
If the library burned down: Holes by Louis Sachar β the book that developed a joy of reading in grade 2 that has remained ever since.

Jenny Yoo
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.
If the library burned down: Tuesdays with Morrie β a book she always comes back to, one that can speak to everyone.
Tosia Wolska-Chaney
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.
If the library burned down: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor β because it’s important to always hold a little wonder and imagination.
Daniela Adhikari
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.
Bio and book recommendation coming soon.

Sadia Khan
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.
Book recommendation coming soon.

Harjot Kaur Brar
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.
If the library burned down: A good dictionary β it acts as both a foundation and an inspiration for rebuilding the rest of the collection.

Shayla Kassam
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.
If the library burned down: Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande.
Tasneem Alnahhas
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.
Bio and book recommendation coming soon.

Thy Huynh
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.
If the library burned down: Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer β to explore a non-extractive way of approaching gift giving and to honour our non-human kin.

Maggie Markus
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.
If the library burned down: The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another by Ainissa Ramirez β exploring how we shaped technology and how technology has shaped us as a society.
Cat Lau
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.
Book recommendation coming soon.

Ralph Ebuenga
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.
If the library burned down: 1984 by George Orwell β a warning to all of us, and a great novel.
Varsiha Thanganathan
Contributes to the Evidence Generation pillar and supports Knowledge Hub content integration, helping organize and share critical climateβbrainβhealth 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.
If the library burned down: One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus β I love solving a thrilling mystery!

Peyton Slavin
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.
Book recommendation coming soon.
Jamie Lo
Contributes to Project M’s community-led research on climate and pediatric brain health, supporting evidence synthesis and community engagement outputs.
Bio and book recommendation coming soon.
Arveen Jhand
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.
Book recommendation coming soon.
Sireejana Bhatti
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.
Bio and book recommendation coming soon.
Sophia Zhang
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.
Book recommendation coming soon.
Join the Collaborative
Applications for research fellows, core team roles, and advisory positions open on a rolling basis.
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