Graduate Student Profiles
MSc Students
PhD Students
An Bui
abui@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Ian Winship
Area of Study/Keywords: Stroke, Aging, Neutrophil, Inflammation, Transcriptome.
About
I completed my undergraduate study in Neuroscience at the University of Alberta. My PhD focus is investigating the role of neutrophil stalls in gene expression changes during and after stroke, and how they affect clinical outcomes (ie. age- and sex- based differences). Outside of the lab, I'm a passionate artist and sewing enthusiast.
Anna wilson
amw2@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Yifeng Wei
About
Anna Wilson has a Masters Degree in Library and Information Studies, from University of Alberta. She also has a Masters Degree in Theoretical, Cultural and International Education Policy Studies. She is currently a PhD student in the Department of Psychiatry studying Indigenous Mental Health and working with Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Yifeng Wei, and Dr. Noella Steinhauer on a nationwide Indigenous Youth Mental Health Literacy Resource written by Indigenous youth for Indigenous youth.
Belinda Agyapong
bagyapon@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Yifeng Wei, Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean
Chelsea Bedrejo Stellick, MA
bedrejo@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
About
I am a graduate student under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Greenshaw and Dr. Eldon Spackman at the University of Calgary. I hold a Master's Degree in Economics from the University of Alberta where I studied the indirect costs of anxiety disorder and depression, Bachelors Degree (University of Alberta) in Political Science and Economics and a diploma in Global Management from IESEG School of Management. I will be pursuing my doctoral studies applying a cost-effectiveness model to anti-amyloid treatments for Alzheimer's Disease. I currently live in New York City working on Wall Street. On a day to day basis, I utilize my skills sets to analyze the market behaviour and trends in the biotech and healthcare space to make recommendations on stock price movements of public Biopharma companies. Speaking with CEO's and other members of senior management on several early stage (and late stage) development companies within the space is the most exciting part of the job. I enjoy using what I have learnt in my studies at the U of A in my professional life everyday.
Selected Recent Awards
2013 - Government of Alberta Graduate Citizenship Award
2012 - University of Alberta Outstanding Initiative Award
2011 - University of Alberta Gold Key Recognition Award
2009 - University of Alberta Lee Global Education Award
Derek Pierce
dvpierce@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
About
Derek Pierce is a PhD. student specializing in Computational Psychiatry. He is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional through the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals (CVRP). Derek comes with over a decade of experience in various industries including managing and developing national corporate programs related to job evaluations, people analytics, and workplace assessments. His doctoral work is focused on applying machine learning and statistical analysis to administrative health data to improve understanding of correlates for both pathology and talent as they relate to physiological impacts to the brain.
Domina Laurent
dlaurent@ualberta.ca
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Suzette Bremault-Phillips, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
Areas of Study/Keywords
Cannabis Policies, Veterans & Cannabis Use, Cannabis Risks & Benefits.
About
As a MSc. in Psychiatry student, I am currently looking at the risks and benefits associated with medicinal and recreational cannabis use, as well as any potential mitigating effects of policies. Prior to this, I looked at the effects of fibromyalgia on SWB during my concurrent B.Sc. (honours)/B.A. (honours) in Biology and Psychology at the University of New Brunswick.
Award
2022 - Green & Gold Student Leadership and Professional Development Grant.
Emilie Desnoyers
eadesnoy@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
Ernest Owusu
eowusu2@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Vincent Agyapong, Dr. Nnamdi Nkire
Area of Study/Keywords
Reducing inpatient readmission rates for patients discharged from Acute Psychiatric Care in Alberta using peer and text message support.
About
Have almost twelve years of experience working as a Mental Health Nurse both in the clinical area and in the community. Worked as a Facilitator for Psychiatric Nursing in several health training institutions as well as universities.
Worked as an advocate in reducing stigma and discrimination in persons living with HIV and AIDS, as well as LBGT+.
Ethan Hagen
evhagen@ulberta.ca
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Yanbo Zhang
Area of Study/Keywords
Psychedelics, Zebrafish, Addiction
About
I am a Master’s student in the department of psychiatry working with Dr. Yanbo Zhang. In 2021, I received my BSc (Honours) Psychology at MacEwan University with a thesis on the effects of microdosing LSD in zebrafish. My primary focus is the study of psychedelics and their possible uses for different treatments, like addiction treatment. I collaborate with Dr. Trevor Hamilton at MacEwan University to research psychedelics and other substance interactions in zebrafish, focusing on behaviour.
Fernanda Talarico
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao
About
The focus of my research is to foster the quality of psychiatric care and reduce the economic impact on healthcare systems and the burden suffered by patients. By managing different types of data (i.e. clinical trials, survey data) using Python and R Programming language and by applying the most up-to-date biostatistics approaches (e.g., machine learning), I aim to find significant patterns of features that allow the identification of key factors that may contribute to psychiatric and neurologic diseases diagnosis and treatment response.
Selected recent publications:
Talarico F, Xavier G, Ota VK, Spindola LM, Maurya PK, Tempaku PF, Moretti PS, Gadelha A, Noto M, Noto C, Cordeiro Q, Bressan RA, de Jong S, Santoro ML, Breen G, Belangero SI. Aging biological markers in a cohort of antipsychotic-naïve first-episode psychosis patients. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2021.
Talarico F, Chakravarty S, Liu YS, Greenshaw A, Passos IC, Cao B. Psychiatric side effects induced by chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine: a systematic review of case reports and population studies. Preprint–MedRxiv (submitted to Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews)
Marques DF, Ota VK, Santoro ML, Talarico F, Spindola LM, Xavier G, Gadelha A, Noto C, Cordeiro Q, Bressan RA, Moretti PN, Belangero S. LINE-1 hypomethylation is associated with poor risperidone response in a first episode of psychosis cohort. Epigenomics, 2020.
Axelrud LK, Sato JR, Santoro ML, Talarico F, Pine DS, Rohde LA, Zugman A, Junior EA, Bressan RA, Oliveira RG, Pan PM, Hoffmann MS, Simioni AR, Guinjoan SM, Hakonarson H, Brietzke E, Gadelha A, Pellegrino R, Hoexter MQ, Miguel EC, Belangero S, Salum GV. Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease and Functional Brain Connectivity in Children and Adolescents. Neurobiology of Aging, 2019.
Ota VK, Moretti PN, Santoro ML, Talarico F, Spindola LM, Xavier G, Carvalho CM, Marques DF, Costa G, Pellegrino R, Jong S, Cordeiro Q, Hakonarson H, Breen G, Noto C, Bressan RA, Gadelha A, Mari JJ, Belangero S. Gene expression over the course of schizophrenia: from clinical high-risk for psychosis to chronic stages. NPJ Schizophrenia, 2019.
Talarico F, Santoro ML, Ota VK, Gadelha A, Pellegrino R, Bressan RA, Mari JJ, Belangero S. Implications of an admixed Brazilian population in schizophrenia polygenic risk score. Schizophrenia Research, 2019.
Santoro ML, Ota VK, Jong S, Noto C, Spindola LM, Talarico F, Gouvea E, Lee SH, Moretti PN, Curti P, Newhouse S, Carvalho CM, Gadelha A, Cordeiro Q, Bressan RA, Belangero S, Breen G. Polygenic risk score analyses of symptoms and treatment response in an antipsychotic-naïve first episode of psychosis cohort. Translational Psychiatry, 2018.
Axelrud LK, Santoro ML, Pine DS, Talarico F, Gadelha A, Manfro GG, Pan PM, Jackowski A, Picon F, Brietzke E, Oliveira RG, Bressan RA, Miguel EC, Rohde LA, Hakonarson H, Pausova Z, Belangero S, Paus T, Salum GV. Polygenic risk score for Alzheimer’s disease: implications for memory performance and hippocampal volumes in early life. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 2018.
Awards and Funding:
2021 - Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship - Data Enabled Innovation
2020 - Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship
2020 - SynAD ADRD Trainee Grant
2019 - University of Alberta Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship
hossam elgendy
hossamel@ualberta.ca
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Yifeng Wei
huda al-shamali
halshama@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Yanbo Zhang, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
jacquelyn paquet
paquet1@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean, Dr. Kate Hibbard
Jennie Vegt
jvegt@ualberta.ca
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean
About
I joined the Department of Psychiatry in January 2023. With the guidance of Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean, my research is focused on the patient experience of a hospital-based art program that is similar to the Arts on Prescription programs in the UK or Social Prescribing programs in Canada. I'm also interested in exporing arts-based research to facilitate ongoing value co-creation and health knowledge dissemination within healthcare environments. After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2012 at the University of Alberta, my career as an artist has integrated community and well-being through roles, such as Artist in Residence in City Hall and Artist on the Ward in the University of Alberta Hospital. These experiences informed my later studies in Psychology at Athabasca University, ultimately leading me to the privilege of participating in this Psychiatry program.
Awards
Balanced Student Award, 2021
Athabasca University SA
Academic Achievement Award, 2021
Athabasca University SA
Publications
Mathura P, Li M, Vegt J, Penrod Z, Suranyi Y, Osborne C, Kassam N. Through the eyes of hospital-based healthcare professionals: exporling their lived experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open Qual. 2022 Aug;11(3):e001878. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001878. PMID: 35961682; PMCID: PMC9378944.
jian Shan Chen
jiansha1@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao
julie tian
jtian10@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Jake Hayward
Area of Study/Keywords: Machine Learning, Health Monitoring
About
Julie Tian is a PhD student specializing in the field of Computational Psychiatry. Her educational background includes a BSc degree in Pharmacology and Computer Science from McGill University, which has equipped her with a diverse skill set to excel in her research endeavors. With a keen interest in leveraging machine learning techniques, Julie focuses on uncovering insightful patterns and predictive trends within administrative healthcare patient data and individual’s smartwatch health data. Through her research, Julie is dedicated to enhancing individualized healthcare delivery and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Lei (Oliver) Qian
lq3@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao, Dr. Xin-Min Li
LuJie Xu
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Esther Fujiwara
Area of Study/Keywords: Psychiatry, Cognitive impairment, HIV, gender roles
About
Lujie Xu is a PhD student in the Department of Psychiatry. In 2017, Lujie earned her BSc/MD from the Faculty of Medicine, Taizhou university, China. In 2020 she earned her MSc from the Faculty of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, China. During her master’s degree, she conducted research training at the Peking University Mental Health Institution under the supervision of Dr. Xin Yu and Dr. Huali Wang. In addition, Lujie passed the China Physician Qualification Exam in 2019. She is currently working on a multi-aspect project that aims to improve the current understanding of 1) cognitive impairment in people living with HIV and 2) the role of gender in health outcomes.
Recent Publication
- Xu L, Li T, Xiong L, Wang X, Ismail Z, Fukuda M, Sun Z, Wang J, Gauthier S, Yu X et al: Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021, 81(3):1141-1149.
- Xu L, Wang J, Xiong L, Yu X, Wang H. The progress of mild behavioral impairment for neurodegenerative disorder. Chinese Journal Of Geriatric Heart Brain And Vessel Diseases, 2020,22(07):771-773.
- Sun Z, Wang Z, Xu L, Lv X, Li Q, Wang H, Yu X: Characteristics of Cognitive Deficit in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment With Subthreshold Depression. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2019, 32(6):344-353.
- Xu N, Xu T, Tan X, Xu L, Ye M, Pan Y, Tong P, Hu X, Xu M: Fluid Homeostasis May Predict the Prognosis of Non-infectious Fever After Total Knee Arthroplasty Within 7-Day: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Front Surg 2021, 8:690803.
Selected Recent Awards
2020 - Outstanding Graduation Award, Wenzhou Medical University & Zhejiang Province
2017 - Government of Zhejiang Province Award
Mallory Minerson
minerson@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean
About
Mallory is a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean. Her research focuses on a discursive analysis of decolonization of medical and mental health documentation. Mallory lives in Inuvik, Northwest Territories and is a Regional Clinical Supervisor for Mental Health and Addictions for the Beaufort Delta Region. She is a Registered Drama Therapist with an MA from New York University, as well as a Certified Canadian Counsellor, Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator-Clinician (Brené Brown’s work), Clinical Traumatologist (Traumatology Institute) and Licensed Practical Nurse. Mallory’s background includes working in Forensic mental health, community outreach, grief, trauma and loss, with an all-ages population in community-based, individual and school-based sessions. Mallory’s work is multimodal and trauma-focused and is guided by embodied arts-based research. Ms. Minerson is passionate about moving drama therapy and performance into the quantitative research domain and is curious about the ways the inherent benefits of embodiment and art-based healing engagement intersect. Mallory has also completed the first level training in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University and is interested in the overlap of medical humanities, arts-based research, drama therapy and narrative medicine.
PUBLICATIONS
Minerson, M. (2022). Reflections on action: An intervention triptych. Drama Therapy Review. 8(1), 121-127. https://doi.org/10.1386/dtr_00096_7
Minerson, M. (2021). An opening in the ice: Community connection and recovery in the time of COVID-19. Journal of Recovery in Mental Health, 4, 48-52. https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/rmh/article/view/36990/28087
Minerson, M. (2020). Meeting in isolation: A drama therapeutic processing of isolation during COVID-19, Polyphony: Journal of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists. Available at: http://polyphony.iacat.me
Minerson, M. (2018). Till the soil: A clinical commentary on finding metaphor and meaning in the ecotone of therapeutic gardening and drama therapy. Drama Therapy Review, 4, 295-301.doi: https://doi.org/10.1386/dtr.4.2.295_7
Minerson, M. (2017). Destination: Home - A conversation with Robert Landy on the current state of integration and the Hero's Journey, Drama Therapy Review, 3, 149-154. doi: https://doi.org/10.1386/dtr.3.1.149_7
Minerson, M. (2016). Musica Humana: A Therapeutic Musical Theatre Performance Thesis – The Somatic Journey from Dissociation to Integration-New York University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. 10182161. Available at: Musica Humana: A Therapeutic Musical Theatre Performance Thesis-The Somatic Journey from Dissociation to Integration - ProQuest
Robert McWeeny
Mcweeny@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Yifeng Wei, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
Areas of Study/Keywords:
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Education, School-based Mental Health, Musical Neuromodulation
About
I am an PhD student in the department of psychiatry, teacher for Edmonton Public Schools, and professional musician & music educator. My MSc focus is school-based mental health for children and adolescents. I strive to investigate relationships between mental health literacy, public institutions that commonly interact with youth (e.g., schools, law-enforcement, social services), and psychiatric dispositions and outcomes in children and adolescents. Long-term I am interested in epigenetic mechanisms for endophenotype expression during childhood maturation, 2S+LGBTQ mental-health care delivery, and continuing my work with school & institutional mental health.
Setayesh Modanloo
modanloo@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Yanbo Zhang, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
About
I am a dedicated scholar and researcher deeply engaged in the exploration of mental health. My academic journey includes a successful Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a subsequent Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychiatry, my strong commitment lies in advancing our understanding of mental health challenges.
My research focus centers on the mental and physical well-being of remote workers, where I actively seek innovative solutions to monitor and enhance their health. Alongside my research endeavors, I maintain a keen interest in clinical work, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am currently undergoing training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) at the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEFT). Simultaneously, I am in the process of receiving registration from the College of Alberta Psychologists, a testament to my commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards in my field.
As I progress in my Ph.D. studies, my dedication lies in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical solutions. I see myself as a promising figure in the field, poised to make meaningful contributions through both research and clinical practice, while continually advancing my skills and expertise.
Sidney Yap
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Lisa Burback, Dr. Suzette Bremault-Phillips
Wanying Mao
wmao2@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Yanbo Zhang, Dr. Vincent Agyapong
Yahya Ayoub
yayoub@ualberta.ca
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Allen Chan
Yutong (Jessica) Li
yutong5@ualberta.ca
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao
Zijia Yu
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Allen Chan, Dr. Ian Winship
Area of Study/Keywords
Glutamate, neurotransmitters, NMDAR dysfunction
Publications
Luo, M., Deng, M., Yu, Z., Zhang, Y., Xu, S., Hu, S., & Xu, H. (2020). Differential Susceptibility and Vulnerability of Brain Cells in C57BL/6 Mouse to Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by Short-Term Cuprizone Exposure. Frontiers in neuroanatomy, 14, 30. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2020.00030
Awards
2021-2025 Chinese scholarship council (CSC) scholarship
Zitong Wang
zitong13@ualberta.caCurrent Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Yanbo Zhang, Dr. Xin-Min Li
Area of Study/Keywords
Depression, Cognition, Anxiety, Multiple Sclerosis, Psychedelics
About
Zitong Wang is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychiatry. In 2013, Zitong got his B.Sc. in Biotechnology from Beijing Institute of Technology and earned his M. Sc. in Health Science from the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan in 2020. Zitong’s current research focus on the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism of low-dose and single use of psychedelics in treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and demyelinating diseases.
Publications
Wang Z, Baharani A, Wei Z, Truong D, Bi X, Wang F, Li XM, Verge VMK, Zhang Y. Low Field Magnetic Stimulation Promotes Myelin Repair and Cognitive Recovery in Chronic Cuprizone Mouse Model. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2021 Feb 26. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.13490. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33638234.
Wang Z, van Bruggen R, Sandini T, Hagen EV, Li XM, Zhang Y. Wistar-Kyoto rats and chronically stressed Wistar rats present similar depression- and anxiety-like behaviors but different corticosterone and endocannabinoid system modulation. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2023 Jul 10;127:110825. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110825.Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37437836.
Zierfuss B*, Wang Z*, Jackson AN*, Moezzi D, Yong VW. Iron in multiple sclerosis - Neuropathology, immunology, and real-world considerations. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 Aug 9;78:104934. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104934.Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37579645.