Graduate Student Projects — Vascular Training (VAST) Platform

Research - Graduate Student Projects

Ahmadreza Attarpour, University of Toronto
Supervisors: Dr. Maged Goubran, Dr. Bojana Stefanovic
Jasmine Aziz, Dalhousie University
Supervisors: Dr. Gail Eskes, Dr. Paula McLaughlin
William Betzner, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Aravind Ganesh, Dr. Eric Smith
Elnaz Farahani, Western University
Supervisors: Dr. Shawn Whitehead, Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso
Karl Grewal, University of Saskatchewan
Supervisors: Dr. Megan O’Connell, Dr. Eric Smith
Sotaro Hirai, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Minh Dang Nguyen, Dr. Grant Gordon
Ikrame Housni, Université de Montréal
Supervisors: Dr. Amanpreet Badhwar, Dr. Sridar Narayanan
Rémi Lamontagne-Caron, Université Laval
Supervisors: Dr. Simon Duchesne, Dr. Nils Forkert
Sarah Myers, Western University
Supervisors: Dr. Shawn Whitehead, Dr. Jodi Edwards
Thao Nguyen-Tran, University of Ottawa
Supervisors: Dr. Steffany Bennett, Dr. Eric Smith
Ben Peckham, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Brandy Callahan, Dr. Zahinoor Ismail
Matthew Rozak, University of Toronto
Supervisors: Dr. Bojana Stefanovic, Dr. Maged Goubran
Ateyah Soroush, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Jeff Dunn, Dr. Eric Smith
Sajeevan Sujanthan, University of Toronto
Supervisors: Dr. Richard Swartz, Dr. Aravind Ganesh

2023-2024

Haley Casey, University of Victoria
Supervisors: Dr. Jodie Gawryluk, Dr. Erin Mazerolle
Kaden Lam, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Aravind Ganesh, Dr. Eric Smith
Hannah Martin, Western University
Supervisors: Dr. Shawn Whitehead, Dr. AmanPreet Badhwar
Zainab Mianoor, Université de Montréal
Supervisors: Dr. AmanPreet Badhwar, Dr. Glen Jickling
Meagan Ody, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Pamela Roach, Dr. Zahra Goodarzi
Zacharie Potvin-Jutras, Concordia University
Supervisors: Dr. Claudine Gauthier, Dr. Jean Chen
Louise Reveret, Université Laval
Supervisors: Dr. Frédéric Calon, Dr. Minh Dang Nguyen
Fariba Sharmin, University of Ottawa
Supervisors: Dr. Steffany Bennett, Dr. Miroslava Cuperlovic-Culf
Manpreet Singh, Université de Montréal
Supervisors: Dr. AmanPreet Badhwar, Dr. Sarah Gagliano Taliun
Ryan Stein, University of British Columbia
Supervisors: Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Dr. Thalia Field
Elvira Catalina Vazquez Avila, University of Toronto
Supervisors: Dr. Christine Demore, Dr. Bojana Stefanovic

2022-2023

2024-2025

Christine Seo, University of British Columbia
Supervisors: Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Dr. Narlon Cassio Boa Sorte Silva
Thomas Oldreive, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Phillip Barber, Dr. Ethan MacDonald
Jaiden Kuchinka, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Pamela Roach, Dr. Zahra Goodarzi
Yasaman Shafaee, Carleton University
Supervisors: Dr. Avery Berman, Dr. Jean Chen
Ali Rezaei, Concordia University
Supervisors: Dr. Claudine Gauthier, Dr. Louis Bherer
Matthew Rozak, University of Toronto
Supervisors: Dr. Bojana Stefanovic, Dr. Maged Goubran
Dylan Guan, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, Dr. Eric Smith
Natalia Docteur, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Brandy Callahan, Dr. Jodie Gawryluk
Sotaro Hirai, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Minh Dang Nguyen, Dr. Grant Gordon

2025-2026

Samantha Coleborn, University of Victoria
Supervisors: Dr. Jodie Gawryluk, Dr. Erin Mazerolle
Jasper Crockford, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, Dr. Eric Smith
Sara Early, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Nils Forkert, Dr. Zahinoor Ismail
Andrew Ijever, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Eric Smith, Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose
Kaden Lam, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Aravind Ganesh, Dr. Eric Smith
Victor Lau, Western University
Supervisors: Dr. Shawn Whitehead, Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso
Anjana Menon, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Aravind Ganesh, Dr. Eric Smith
Rahul Nair, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Aravind Ganesh, Dr. Philip Barber
Emma Pineau, University of Toronto
Supervisors: Dr. Bojana Stefanovic, Dr. Maged Goubran
Shima Raeesi, McGill University
Supervisors: Dr. Mahsa Dadar, Dr. Louis Collins
Isabel Rea, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Minh Dang Nguyen, Dr. Grant Gordon
Matt Sargent, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Brandy Callahan, Dr. Philip Barber
Elvira Catalina Vasquez Avila, University of Toronto
Supervisors: Dr. Christine Demore, Dr. Bojana Stefanovic
Ibadat Warring, University of Calgary
Supervisors: Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, Dr. Eric Smith
Sandra Zdrale, Western University
Supervisors: Dr. Shawn Whitehead, Dr. Tamara Bodnar

Research - Graduate Student Projects

2023-2024

2022-2023

2024-2025

2025-2026

Follow Us

Contact Us

Register here to become a VAST member to get access to newsletters and training opportunities

Research - Graduate Student Projects

Investigating structural and vascular network dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease

Using the attention-motor task to measure subtypes of spatial neglect after stroke

A mixed-methods study of the post-stroke experiences, care and priorities of patients with dementia, their caregivers, and physicians

Validation of circulating microglia extracellular vesicles in human patients with white matter hyperintensities

Do group differences in cardiovascular risk profiles impact the effect of lifestyle interventions

Apo-ER2-dependent brain endothelial calcium signaling in Alzheimer's disease

Spatial distribution of white matter hyperintensities across vascularly defined regions in different neurodegenerative disorders

Synthetic MRA generation for the study of cerebrovasculature in Alzheimer's disease

Evaluating a novel blood-based biomarker of microglia activation

Lipidomic markers of remote ischemic pre-conditioning in vascular cognitive impairment (TRIC-VCI)

Investigating the interaction of cardiovascular risk factors with Bipolar Disorder status on cognitive decline among older adults

Multimodal investigation of neurovascular coupling and cerebrovascular architecture in Traumatic Brain Injury

Cortical brain hypoxia and vascular hemodynamics in patients with MS

AcT-Cog: Cognitive assessment in the alteplase compared to tenecteplase study

2023-2024

An investigation of white matter hyperintensity burden and cognition in veterans with traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder

Testing of a system for remote ischemic conditioning in preparation for clinical trials in cerebral small vessel disease and pre-hospital stroke care

Interrogating the histological, imaging, and cognitive outcomes of a novel rodent model for white matter stroke

Establishing protein signatures of cerebrovascular dysfunction in circulating brain-secreted extracellular vesicles

Understanding Indigenous-Centered Dementia Care in Alberta: A Participatory Action Research Study

Effect of exercise dose and intensity on the brain-heart axis in aging

Investigating the role of CD2AP in brain endothelial cells

The plasma sphingolipid and glycerophosphocholine lipidome identifies metabolic correlates of depression in a clinical population with Coronary Artery Disease

Using machine learning to assess the genetic contribution of brain imaging-detected cerebrovascular pathology across the age-related neurodegenerative diseases and improving their prediction

Rise & shine: Promoting sleep quality in chronic stroke with exercise

Micro-ultrasound imaging of cerebrovascular function in pre-clinical stroke models

2022-2023

2024-2025

The effect of exercise on cognitive and mood outcomes in older adults with MCI: Understanding the role of white matter hyperintensities

The role of blood tests for detecting misfolded protein on platelets on neurodegeneration, cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive function (The PREVENT VCI Study)

Developing a culturally informed model of Indigenous dementia care: A qualitative study

Developing quantitative flow and volume imaging of small vessels of the human cerebrovasculature

Protective effects of an exercise training intervention on brain metabolism and cognition

Multimodal investigation of neurovascular coupling and cerebrovascular architecture in traumatic brain injury

Pre-dementia consequences of vascular risk factors on cognition and behavior in older persons: An international longitudinal study of Canada and the United Kingdom

Examining mechanisms of dementia risk in later-life ADHD: the interaction between white matter integrity and cardiovascular risk factors

Elucidating the role of brain endothelial ApoER2 in the cerebrovascular system

2025-2026

Impact of White Matter Hyperintensities and Social Support on Cognition and Loneliness

Estrogen hormone therapy and cerebral small vessel disease: Pathways to Alzheimer’s disease risk and resilience in postmenopausal females

Differentiating dementia pathologies through brain age prediction

Investigating the Role of Altered Cerebral Perfusion on Cognitive Dysfunction in COVID-19 Infection

Evaluating Remote Ischemic Conditioning as a Potential Treatment in Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Iron-rich, senescent microglia-based diagnostics for detecting disease & cognition in VCID

Evaluating the Role of Brain Frailty as a Moderator and Mediator of Post-Ischemic Cognitive Outcomes

Advanced Brain Frailty and Cognitive Sequelae of Stroke (ABACUS)

Investigating a Neurophysiological Correlate of Cognitive Reserve in Alzheimer's Disease

Developing representative and generalizable models in the context of Alzheimer's disease research by incorporating diversity

Sex-dependent regulation of cerebral blood flow by gut bacteria in ALS-FTD

Investigating the Impact of Polygenic Risk for ADHD on Cognitive Recovery Following Transient Ischemic Attacks in Adults Aged 45+

Superharmonic Contrast Imaging of Cerebrovascular Function in Pre-Clinical Stroke Models

Mild Behavioral Impairment in Continuing Care Residents

Translating Circulating Microglial Extracellular Vesicle Signatures into a Blood-Based Bioassay for Post-Stroke Cognitive Risk

Summer Student Projects

Postdoctoral Fellow Projects

Follow Us

Contact Us

Register here to become a VAST member to get access to newsletters and training opportunities