Ward Research Day 2026

University and Program: McMaster University - Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering 

Supervisor: Dr. Jan Andrysek

Bio: Agnes is entering her third year of Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University. Her research interests lie in assistive medical device design, rehabilitation technology development, and studying neuromuscular disorders and movement. At Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, her research focuses on optimizing the data collection and accuracy of gait analysis. By exploring different gait tracking technologies such as GAITRite, 3D-motion marker-based, and marker-less systems, she hopes to validate potential alternative gait tracking methods that can be further applied to many movement-related disorders.

University and Program: Queen's University - Health Sciences 

Supervisor: Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou

Bio: Arani Hiritharan is entering her third year of the Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences program at Queen’s University. She has worked as a skating instructor since 2020, including supporting children with neurodevelopmental differences, which has shaped her interest in accessible, individualized care. Her academic work has explored ADHD therapies, neurodivergent adolescent mental health, and heterogeneity across neurodevelopmental conditions. She is particularly interested in how diagnostic frameworks can move beyond labels to reflect underlying differences, with the goal of improving how NDD children are understood and supported. 

University and Program: McMaster University – Honours Health Sciences

Supervisor: Dr. Deryk Beal 

Bio: Emnet recently completed her third year in the Honours Health Sciences Program at McMaster University. Her undergraduate experience has centered on research-driven advocacy for underserved youth. After developing a two-week camp for newcomer teens, she became increasingly interested in the accessibility gaps shaping educational and mental health support for refugee communities. This work informed her scoping review examining psychological morbidity among populations experiencing migration-related trauma. Her current research at Holland Bloorview builds on her growing interest in neuropsychiatry, focusing on neuronavigation and neuromodulation in TMS-based sensorimotor adaptation research. She hopes to further explore how TMS can be integrated into trauma-informed models of care. 

University and Program: McMaster University – Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering

Supervisors: Dr. Jan Andrysek, Dr. Calvin Ngan, Vishal Pendse

Bio: Georgia is a fourth-year Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering student at McMaster University, with research experience spanning computational biomechanics and soft-tissue surrogate design. Her previous work at the McMaster Injury Biomechanics Lab focused on developing biofidelic materials for crash test devices. Beyond the lab, she leads McMaster's Formula SAE Electric ergonomics team and serves as an Instructional Teaching Assistant, driven by a commitment to knowledge-sharing and community. A 2022 Ralph M. Barford Loran Scholar, Georgia is passionate about accessible assistive technology and Indigenous health equity, and hopes to continue exploring the intersection of biomechanics, prosthetics, and human-centred design.

University and Program: York University - Specialized Honours Psychology

Supervisor: Dr. Sarah Munce

Bio: Jun is a fourth year Psychology student at York University. Her past research has focused on qualitatively exploring the social activity participation and inclusion of children with complex developmental disabilities. Next year, she will be completing her undergraduate thesis exploring sensory processing and psychological distress in autistic youth. At Holland Bloorview, Jun will be working on a scoping review examining the extent of the literature regarding patient involvement in learning health systems, under the supervision of Dr. Sarah Munce. She is very excited to learn more about co-design in research, and transitional care.

University and Program: University of Guelph - Psychology

Supervisor: Dr. Danielle Baribeau 

Bio: Kalina is currently entering her fourth year at the University of Guelph in Honours Psychology. She works as a research assistant in two labs, with a focus on the neurobiological basis of learning acquisition and memory processes. Recently, she completed an independent research project surrounding the role of actin dynamics in object memory destabilization. At Holland Bloorview, her current research focuses on the prevalence and impact of rare genetic conditions with a concentration on children with cerebral palsy. With aspirations to pursue a career in clinical child psychology, Kalina is eager to deepen her knowledge of both clinical practice and research.

University and Program: Queen's University - Bachelor's of Health Sciences

Supervisor: Dr. Melanie Penner 

Bio: Katelyn graduated this year from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences. Her research at Queen’s focused on neuroendocrine neoplasms, where she helped model neuroendocrine differentiation using fuzzy logic approaches. She is currently involved in research at Holland Bloorview, contributing to Project ECHO Autism which aims to demonopolize specialist knowledge by virtually connecting specialists with community providers. Katelyn is interested in pediatric health, neurodevelopmental conditions, and translational research. She hopes to contribute to research that improves autism care and health equity for children and their families. 

University and Program: University of Toronto - Engineering Science

Supervisors: Dr. Karly Franz, Dr. Azadeh Kuskhi 

Bio: Katie is entering her second year of Engineering Science at the University of Toronto, specializing in biomedical engineering. She is passionate about developing technology that improves clinical care while keeping the experiences of children and families at the center. This summer at Bloorview Research Institute, she will contribute to research exploring the reliability and fairness of AI models used to predict children’s mental health outcomes. Katie hopes to use engineering and research to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives.

University and Program: McMaster University – Honours Health Science

Supervisors: Dr. Melanie Penner

Bio: Keisha is entering her fourth year of the Health Sciences program at McMaster University. Her interest in disability research stems from her experience working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, where she saw firsthand the importance of community integration and meaningful participation in supporting development and well-being. These experiences inspired her to join the ACCEPT Lab, where she contributes to research on the Extensive Needs Service (ENS). Having previously completed her undergraduate thesis in the lab, Keisha is excited to combine her clinical experience with research to improve quality of life for this population.

University and Program: McMaster University - Biomedical and Electrical Engineering 

Supervisor(s): Dr. Tom Chau, Natalia Molano Camargo

Bio: Kristin Figueredo is a third-year Biomedical and Electrical Engineering student at McMaster University entering her fourth year of study. Under the supervision of Dr. Tom Chau and Natalia Molano, her research interests focus on brain-computer interfaces, EEG signal analysis and pediatric neurotechnology. Her current work contributes to research exploring associations between EEG features and subjective questionnaire scores during dyadic visual imagery. Kristin is passionate about applying engineering and neuroscience to develop accessible technologies that improve health outcomes and quality of life for children and youth.

University and Program: Western University - Honours Specialization in Neuroscience

Supervisor: Dr. Shannon Scratch

Bio: Maria is an incoming fourth‑year Honours Neuroscience student at Western University with research experience spanning object memorability, embodied cognition, and pediatric neuropsychology. Her upcoming Honours thesis will investigate pediatric critical care delirium following brain injury, integrating cognitive neuroscience with rehabilitation‑focused clinical care. Previously, she served as Vice President of Events for Best Buddies, leading community‑building initiatives that promote inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Maria is committed to advancing equitable, developmentally informed rehabilitation for children with neurological conditions and aspires to pursue graduate training in pediatric neuropsychology. 

University and Program: Queen’s University - Psychology

Supervisor: Dr. Timothy Ross 

Bio: Maya is a fourth-year Honours Bachelor of Science student in Psychology at Queen’s University, with a minor in Life Sciences. Her research interests focus on how interpersonal and environmental contexts shape emotional regulation and psychosocial development across children, adolescents, and young adults. She brings experience from multiple research labs at Queen’s University, where she has contributed to independent research projects surrounding clinical, developmental, and affective psychology. As a Ward Family Summer Student, she is excited to deepen her understanding of inclusive play and disability research, and hopes to continue working toward evidence-based approaches to supporting youth well-being and peer connection.   

University and Program: University of Waterloo – Psychology 

Supervisor(s): Dr. Gillian King and Dr. Monika Novak Pavlic 

Bio: Mika Jayaweera is a fourth-year Honours Psychology (Co-op) BSc student at the University of Waterloo. Her ongoing Honours thesis explores how children's shyness plays a role in their communication and success during a partner-based task. At Holland Bloorview, her work under Dr. Gillian King and Dr. Monika Novak Pavlic focuses on child engagement in rehabilitation services and therapies. Mika is passionate about supporting children's mental and physical well-being and is interested in understanding how therapeutic interventions can best foster engagement, growth and positive outcomes for youth. She hopes to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology with a focus on youth mental health and development. 

University and Program: Queen’s University - Kinesiology

Supervisor: Dr. Shannon Scratch

Bio: Millie Heller is a fourth-year Kinesiology student at Queen’s University. This past year, she conducted research on lower limb dominance in varsity athletes. Her upcoming thesis focuses on sensorimotor performance in athletes with a history of concussion, using dynamic reaction-based tasks to assess underlying deficits. At Holland Bloorview, she contributes to the R2Play project in the NOvEL Lab under Dr. Shannon Scratch, supporting the development of a multi-domain, sport-like assessment to improve return-to-play decision-making for adolescents with concussion. She is particularly interested in advancing concussion assessment and rehabilitation to promote safer return-to-play practices. 

University and Program: McMaster University - Electrical and Biomedical Engineering

Supervisor: Dr. Tom Chau

Bio: Neeharika recently completed her second year of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University. Her previous research in biosensors for neurodegenerative diseases, combined with her work supporting children with visual impairments, have resulted in a strong interest in neurotechnology. She intends on pursuing graduate studies in this field, with the goal of developing and improving assistive technologies for vulnerable populations. This summer, she is working on advancing sign language recognition systems through machine learning, aiming to ease communication for deaf individuals. 

University and Program: Wilfrid Laurier University - Psychology and Neuroscience  

Supervisor: Dr. Danielle Baribeau 

Bio: Neve is interested in understanding how neurodivergent individuals experience and navigate the world, particularly through the lens of sensory processing, interoception, and cognitive load. Her work explores how lived experience, neuroscience, and psychological research can inform one another to create more coherent and meaningful understandings of neurodivergence. She is especially interested in knowledge mobilization approaches that help individuals, families, and clinicians feel more accurately reflected and supported within both research and clinical practice. 

University and Program: University of Western Ontario - Psychology

Supervisor: Anne Kawamura

Bio: Nicole will be entering her fourth year at Western University in the Honours Specialization Psychology program. She has worked as a research assistant in two labs examining relationship decisions, child learning and development. She has also contributed to research in early childhood quality assurance practices. This summer at Holland Bloorview, Nicole will be working alongside Dr. Kawamura, assisting with research examining how different types of causal explanations affect learning and diagnostic accuracy. In the future, she hopes to pursue graduate training in clinical child psychology with particular interests in pediatric assessment and neurodevelopmental disabilities. 

University and Program: Queen's University – Psychology 

Supervisor: Dr. Melanie Penner 

Bio: Pamela is entering her third year at Queen’s University for a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology. Her previous research experience has centred around child development, language and cognition, and neurodevelopmental differences. This summer, her work at Holland Bloorview will focus on evaluating and improving diagnostic processes and service experiences for children and youth with disabilities. Pamela is deeply passionate about understanding how children communicate, learn, and navigate the world around them. She aspires to become a speech-language pathologist and contribute to research that advances family-centred, evidence-based care. 

University and Program: University of Toronto – Neuroscience Specialist 

Supervisor: Dr. Jacob Ellegood 

Bio: Rafaela is going into her fourth year as a Neuroscience specialist at the University of Toronto. Her previous research examined how distinct hippocampal subregions and the medial prefrontal cortex are differentially recruited during cognitive flexibility across task phases, and how nonlinear relationships between symptom severity and brain structure in ADHD shape regional volume patterns across ADHD subtypes, with comorbid anxiety and depression shaping these patterns. She is currently completing research at Holland Bloorview, where she is investigating multimodal neuroimaging profiles that predict cognitive flexibility and examining whether these neuroimaging-behaviour profiles represent transdiagnostic signatures across disorders of cognitive flexibility relative to typically developing controls. She hopes to continue exploring the neural bases of cognition and neurodevelopmental conditions. 

University and Program: McMaster University - Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

Supervisor: Dr. Jacob Ellegood

Bio: Regina graduated this year from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour. She will be entering her first year of a Master of Science in Neuroscience program in the fall. Her thesis at McMaster focused on emotion dysregulation and post-traumatic stress disorder severity in mood disorder outpatients screened for borderline personality disorder. Her current research at Holland Bloorview will involve analyzing transdiagnostic markers of emotion dysregulation across youth with neurodevelopmental disorders using structural and functional neuroimaging data. In the future she hopes to research novel ways of preventing youth self-injurious thoughts and behaviours. 

University and Program: Queen's University - Health Sciences

Supervisor: Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou 

Bio: Sailesh recently completed his first year of Health Sciences at Queen's University, where he has actively pursued opportunities to explore and advocate for health through clubs and community engagement. Throughout his academic journey, he has developed a strong passion for neuroscience and a long-term aspiration to become a neurosurgeon. This summer, Sailesh is contributing to research at Holland Bloorview's ARC lab, bridging his interest in brain function with meaningful, evidence-based inquiry into autism spectrum disorder. He hopes to deepen his understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions and the ways innovative research can improve the lives of those living with them.

University and Program: McMaster University – Honours Life Sciences 

Supervisor: Dr. Amy McPherson

Bio: Sama Hasan recently graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences and will be entering the Master of Science in Health Research Methodology program at McMaster in Fall 2026. She is currently a Ward Summer Student with the ProFILE Lab, where her work focuses on digital environments and youth with disabilities. Her previous research focused on health equity for vulnerable communities within maternal/perinatal health. Through her experiences working and volunteering within the disabilities community in mentorship and caregiving roles, she has developed a strong passion for research that advances equitable experiences for the disabilities community.

University and Program: University of Toronto - Engineering Science

Supervisor: Dr. Azadeh Kushki 

Bio: Shrena is an Engineering Science student at the University of Toronto intending to major in Biomedical Systems Engineering. She is passionate about translating biomedical research into technologies that improve clinical outcomes and expand equitable access to healthcare. Her previous research entails work across neuroengineering, biomedical data analysis, and digital health technologies. This summer, she will work at the Bloorview Research Institute on research focused on evaluating wearable devices for predicting mental health symptoms in neurodivergent children. She is especially interested in pediatric neurodevelopment and how data-driven tools can support earlier and more personalized care. In the future, she aspires to pursue graduate studies and become a clinician-scientist at the intersection of biomedical engineering and global health. 

University and Program: University of Toronto - Specialist in Neuroscience with a Minor in Applied Statistics

Supervisor: Dr. Tom Chau

Bio: Youssef Bustos Saad is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Specialist in Neuroscience with a minor in Applied Statistics. He has contributed to multiple research labs, including EEG-based sensorimotor studies, a visual cognition lab, and behavioral research on word learning. His work integrates cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging, and machine learning to better understand brain function. Beyond research, he is actively involved in healthcare volunteering and student-led wellness initiatives. Youssef aspires to further explore cognitive neuroscience and apply his knowledge in clinical and research settings to improve human well-being.