Owerko Centre Award Recipients

Xinyuan Li

"I am very thrilled to be awarded the Owerko Centre Pathways to Independence Grant as it provides enormous support for my research examining relationships between new immigrants’ material hardship during pregnancy, infant brain development and behaviour. Making the most of this grant, I hope that my research will help better understand the neural correlates and postnatal mental health factors via which immigration-related maternal hardship can impact child development, and the necessity of strengthening maternity care among newly-arriving migrant women. Moreover, this grant is vitally important for trainees to acquire advanced skills and accumulate novel pilot data for the launch of their future independent research of child brain development and mental health."

Leila Razaei

"I am honoured to be awarded the Owerko Centre Pathways to Independence Grant, which marks a pivotal step in my journey as an independent researcher. This funding provides essential support to advance my project, which applies innovative metabolic modeling approaches to investigate how gut microbial functions influence early childhood brain development. By integrating metagenomic and neurodevelopmental data from the Pregnancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic (PDP) cohort, my work aims to uncover the biological mechanisms linking microbial metabolism to neurodevelopmental outcomes during this critical period. This opportunity not only enables me to generate impactful findings that could inform early interventions but also strengthens my foundation for securing future external funding. I am deeply grateful for the Owerko Centre’s investment in early-career researchers and excited to contribute meaningful insights to the field."

Li Shu

"The Owerko Centre Pathways to Independence Grant represents a meaningful step forward in my research journey. This funding will help me develop my "Data-Bridge Framework," which connects neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative research through computational approaches. With this support, I'll be better equipped to work with complex neuroscience data and develop predictive models for neurodevelopmental disorders. The grant also provides resources to grow my independent research program, foster collaborations across disciplines, and move scientific findings toward clinical applications. This support is an important milestone as I work toward establishing myself in computational neuroscience and neurodevelopmental research."

Erika Tjostheim

“I am a master’s student in the Healthy Generations Lab run by Dr. Tamara Bodnar. I am very grateful to have been awarded the Owerko Centre Training and Community Grant. This funding will allow me to strengthen my research project by including lived experience from the children and families impacted Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in my study approach, and give back to the community through education workshops. Funding like this is important to trainees because it allows us to build relationships with the communities with which we work. These relationships help trainees ensure we are working to meet the needs of the communities we study, and hopefully help translate our research into policy and progress.”

Dr. Amelia Austin

"I am incredibly grateful for the funding provided by the Owerko Centre, which will allow me to travel to the Eating Disorders and Autism Collaborative at the University of Edinburgh. This opportunity will enable me to deepen my understanding of how to best conduct research with and for neurodiverse young people with eating disorders. As a postdoctoral researcher, this support is invaluable during this critical stage in my career, where every opportunity for growth and collaboration makes a significant impact."

Bevin Wiley

“The support of the Owerko Centre Training and Education Grant will be instrumental in my graduate education. This funding will allow me to participate in a lab visit to the McLean Hospital in Boston with Dr. Joshua Brown. I will engage in research aimed at understanding the mechanism of non-invasive brain stimulation with psychoactive medications in a hospital setting. This research is directly applicable to my thesis using non-invasive brain stimulation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who often take different psychoactive medications. This unique opportunity to experience another training environment is important for gaining valuable research skills that will hopefully inform future child health research studies. I am very grateful to the Owerko Centre for all their support!”

Jessica Youngblood

"As I am approaching the successful completion of my PhD, I am exploring seeking new opportunities for continued development of my research skills. My current research focuses neurorehabilitation, specifically technological innovation aimed at improving function and quality of life for children with disabilities. This funding will make it possible for me to attend the Summer School on Neurorehabilitation (SSNR) in Spain. This summer school provides a unique learning experience and opportunity for direct training in new methodologies and techniques that are directly relevant to my research interests and brings neurorehabilitation experts from all over the world to speak to and learn with students. This is an incredible opportunity that I wouldn’t have been able to attend without this funding from The Owerko Center. That’s why I believe funding like this is so important for trainees and postdoc, it opens up important educational opportunities that trainees may not have access to otherwise."

Stephanie Andreasen

“I am a Master’s student in the School and Applied Child Psychology program in the Werklund School of Education and a member of The ENHANCE Lab under the supervision of Dr. Carly McMorris. I returned to graduate school after a lengthy ‘gap year,’ bringing over 15 years of experience working in the disability services field supporting children, youth, and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families to access supports and services in their communities. My research interests include the mental health of late diagnosed autistic girls and women, as well as understanding and improving accessibility of mental health services for neurodivergent youth and young adults.”

Stephanie Andreasen, Master's Student
Supervisor: Dr. Carly McMorris 

Noah Bloom

"I am working towards receiving my Masters Degree supervised by Dr. Sarah MacEachern. My project investigates the role that the gut microbiome and fatigue have on behaviours of concern in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Co-occurring conditions like sleep and Gastrointestinal problems are common in children with NDDs, but there is little research on their connection to behaviour. These co-occurring conditions may potentiate behaviours of concern and could therefore represent a potential therapeutic target. I am very passionate about continuing my career in research related to children with NDDs and furthering this important field.”  

Noah Bloom, Master's Student
Supervisor: Dr. Sarah MacEachern 

Taylor Groulx

“I am thrilled to conduct my master’s research in Dr. Catherine Lebel’s Developmental Neuroimaging lab at the University of Calgary, where I explores how threat and deprivation may impact regional brain volumes in children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). By investigating the complex interplay between PAE and postnatal adversity, I help inform strategies to enhance cognitive and emotional outcomes in this vulnerable population, while also ensuring that these children and their families receive the care and support needed to help them thrive. I aspire to make a lasting impact through her research and community advocacy.” 

Taylor Groulx, Master's Student
Supervisor: Dr. Catherine Lebel 

Anika Mamun

"I’m ecstatic to receive the Owerko Graduate Scholarship. I’m currently a Master’s student for the DevPsychLab under the supervision of Dr. Gerald F. Giesbrecht. One of my main research interests is factors that impact pediatric neurodevelopment. Previous research in our lab revealed an association between the gut microbiome and sleep outcomes in preschool-aged children, which may be mediated by gut tryptophan metabolism. However, it is unknown if these tryptophan metabolites are correlated with sleep outcomes during the first year of life when sleep consolidation occurs. My research examines associations between gut microbial tryptophan metabolism and infant sleep outcomes. In the future, I hope to expand my findings and help inform clinical practices."

Anika Mamun, Master's Student
Supervisor: Dr. Gerald Giesbrecht 

Amsal Rajan

“I am deeply grateful to have been awarded the Owerko Centre Graduate Scholarship, which will significantly aid in the completion of my master's thesis. My project focuses on investigating whether brain stimulation of different cortical regions in children with ADHD can impact specific executive functioning and motor skills. By identifying and understanding these cortical targets based on individual differences, I aim to contribute to the development of personalized treatments for ADHD in children. This funding opportunity represents a significant milestone in my journey as a researcher, and I am very excited to continue working on this project!” 

Amsal Rajan, Master's Student
Supervisor: Dr. Kara Murias 

Weng-Sam Siu

“I am truly honored to be selected for the Owerko Centre Graduate Scholarship. My research focuses on understanding how genetic factors influence responses to ADHD medications in children. By identifying genetic markers that predict medication efficacy and side effects, I aim to develop personalized treatment strategies. My goal is to transform ADHD management, making it more effective and less stressful for families. Inspired by my clinical experiences, I am passionate about turning research into real-world solutions that improve children’s lives. I’m also excited to collaborate with industry partners to make pharmacogenetics more accessible and practical in everyday healthcare.”

Weng-Sam Siu, PhD Student
Supervisor: Dr. Chad Bousman 

Nathan Thomson

"Receiving the Owerko Centre Graduate Scholarship is a significant milestone in my academic journey. This award allows me to advance my research on the long-term effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on immune function and mental health in adults, an often-overlooked area. My goal is to delve into the influence of postnatal factors such as socioeconomic status and life adversities on these outcomes to uncover the underlying mechanisms behind immune dysfunction and mental health challenges. This scholarship empowers me to make meaningful contributions to science and gain deeper insights into the effects of PAE over the course of a lifetime. This support is essential for propelling innovative research and nurturing international collaboration."

Nathan Thomson, Master's Student
Supervisor: Dr. Tamara Bodnar 

Ryan Verbitsky

“I am currently pursuing my MDNS degree under the supervision of Dr. Kara Murias, where I am excited to utilize a novel neuroimaging technique known as neuromelanin MRI to better understand the role of dopamine in children diagnosed with ADHD. My additional aims are to explore the relationship between the neuromelanin-MRI signal and executive function performance, as well as the cumulative effect of stimulant medication on the neuromelanin signal. My recovery from concussions as a teenager serves as my driving force for understanding cognitive and developmental neuroscience, encompassing learning and memory, neuroimaging, and neuropharmacology. My goal is to earn and complete my masters of neuroscience degree, which will equip me with the education and training to pursue a pediatric neurology or neuro-optometry medical career.”

Ryan Verbitsky, Master's Student
Supervisor: Dr. Kara Murias 

Stefan Kurbatfinski

"Children of mothers who have adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more likely to develop mental health problems, including behavioural problems, however, we are less certain about how these effects are transmitted. My work has helped synthesize existing literature on potential mechanisms and modifiers to explain the association between mothers' ACEs and preschool children. Preschool children are an important target group as this period consists of rapid brain development, affecting children’s vulnerability or resilience to mental health conditions. This award will help support my dissertation research which will investigate some of the identified mediators and moderators identified in this review."

Stefan Kurbatfinski, PhD Student
Supervisor: Dr. Nicole Letourneau 

Dr. Meaghan Perdue, PhD

“I am honoured to receive the Owerko Centre Publication Award for my research examining developmental changes in brain metabolites across childhood. We published the first large-scale, longitudinal study of brain metabolite development spanning early-middle childhood (ages 2-11 years). This work is critical for characterizing the role of the brain’s natural chemicals in emerging behaviour and cognitive skills, and for highlighting alterations in neurodevelopmental conditions. Since the publication of this work, I have built upon this research to identify associations between metabolites and brain microstructure, and to examine brain metabolites in the children with prenatal alcohol exposure and in relation to executive functioning. I am grateful to the Owerko Centre for supporting my ongoing research efforts to thoroughly characterize brain development in typical and neurodiverse populations.”

Dr. Meaghan Perdue, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
Supervisor: Dr. Catherine Lebel 

Dr. Myka Estes

“I manage the Precision Neurodevelopment lab which is focused on improving the lives of children with profound disabilities. I came to this work via a circuitous path as I have worked in many fields (e.g., cancer biology, immunology, molecular neuroscience, infectious disease) and at many stages of development (drug development through Phase IV clinical trials). My current work is both the most challenging and most rewarding of my career. I love our lab’s focus on pragmatism: we aim to help families now with the tools we have currently and, in parallel, develop new tools in collaboration with impacted families. It is a great gift to feel that the work you do has an impact for families and that this mission is shared across the Owerko Centre.”

Dr. Myka Estes, PhD, Research Manager
Dr. Sarah MacEachern's lab 

Selma Low

“I am honoured to receive the Owerko Centre Staff Recognition Award for my work supporting the P3 Cohort study and P3 Brain Health sub-study. My energy is sustained by the many wonderful families I meet and the stories they share about their experiences with preterm birth. I am also privileged to work alongside a passionate and collaborative team of researchers every day. I believe both the families and our team are motivated by the same goal, which is to utilize the data we are collecting to improve outcomes for future parents and their babies.” 

Selma Low, Research Coordinator
Dr. Lara Leijser's lab