ABOUT US
RESOURCES​
CLASS MATERIAL
Volunteer access only


​High School Committee 2023-24
Picture
​​
​ZEESHAN HAQQEE - Co-President
​Zeeshan is a Neuroscience PhD student at McGill University. He uses miniature microscopes to study the neural activity of learning and memory in mice while they complete cognitive tests on a touchscreen. Previously, he completed his Masters in Psychology studying the sound localization properties of auditory neurons in echolocating bats. Zeeshan began volunteering in high schools and local events for BrainReach last year, and is now working as the External Events Coordinator as well as being a member of the updating material team. When he gets the chance, Zeeshan enjoys nature, biking, and practicing various musical instruments.
​
​

​ALIYAH ZAMAN - Co-President
Aliyah is a PhD student in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience at McGill University. Her research is focused on microRNA dysregulation in neurodegenerative disorders. Currently, she is investigating extracellular vesicle microRNAs as blood-based biomarkers for neurodegeneration and myelin damage in multiple sclerosis. Aliyah has been volunteering with BrainReach for three years, where she has worked as an Elementary Educator (2020), School & Volunteer Coordinator (2021) and Co-President (2022/23). When not in the lab, Aliyah can be found exploring Montreal and spending time outdoors with friends.
​

​ADELA RALBOVSKA - School & Volunteer Coordinator (English)
​Adela is a PhD student in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience at McGill. Her research focuses on the glial roles of a specific transcription factor in central nervous system development and function. Adela joined BrainReach as an Elementary School teaching volunteer in Winter 2023. This year, she will serve as an English School Coordinator for BrainReach High School. In her free time, Adela enjoys learning new languages, playing volleyball and hiking.



​

​​MOTAHAREH POURRAHIMI - School & Volunteer Coordinator (English)
Motahareh is a second year Master’s student at IPN, McGill, working in the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence. She uses artificial neural networks to model attention in primates. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, and drawing. She started volunteering with BrainReach in the first year of her Masters, and it has been an exciting experience ever since, currently being an elementary educator and high school English coordinator.
Picture

​JESSICA AHRENS - School & Volunteer Coordinator (English)
Jessica is a second-year masters student in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience at McGill University. Her research looks at neuromelanin-MRI scans of individuals with schizophrenia to examine how neuromelanin impacts the cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia. Jessica joined BrainReach as a teaching volunteer in Winter of 2023 and will be a Volunteer Coordinator this year. In her free time, Jessica likes reading, hiking, and spending time with her cat. ​




​SOPHIE-ANDRÉE VINET - French School & Volunteer Coordinator
​Sophie-Andrée is a first year medical student at McGill after having completed her Master Degree in cognitive neuroscience at Université de Montréal under the supervision of Dr. Louis De Beaumont. Her research project aimed to understand the effects of repetitive head impact exposure on the physiological integrity of the brain during contact sports. Sophie-Andrée has been volunteering with BrainReach for four years, where she has worked as a High School Educator and School & Volunteer Coordinator. In her free time, she likes playing sports, going on long walks with her dog and baking.
Picture

​SOPHIE PELLERIN - French School & Volunteer Coordinator
​Sophie is a PhD student in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Montreal. Her doctoral research aims to better understand the connected speech changes that occur in Subjective Cognitive Decline and Mild Cognitive Impairment using Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Sophie volunteered for BrainReach as a high school educator and translator in 2021-2022. This year, she is back as a French School and Volunteering Coordinator. In her free time, Sophie likes working out, reading, and watching Netflix series.

​KATIE SCARLAT - External Events Coordinator
​​Katie is a second year master student in the Integrated Program of Neuroscience at McGill University. Her research focuses on spasticity development after a stroke, and involves the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Katie joined BrainReach last year as a school volunteer, and this year she is excited to serve as the External Events Coordinator for BrainReach Highschool. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, hiking, and reading.

​KARTHIKEYAN SWAMINATHAN - Materials Coordinator
Karthikeyan (Karthik) is a second-year MSc Neuroscience (IPN) student at McGill University. His main research interest is in understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. He is currently working in Dr. Adam Hendricks's lab in the Department of Bioengineering, studying the effects of hyperphosphorylated tau on the motility of organelles in axons. He employs cell culture and advanced imaging techniques to carry out his research work. Karthik is also a proud BrainReach High School volunteer since 2021. On top of his research work and other extracurricular work, he loves to cook, discover new places and cuisine in and around Montreal, and also, learn French. Karthik currently serves as social media manager for the BrainReach High School team.



Picture
ANNE-SOPHIE SIMARD - Content Creation & Translation
​Anne-Sophie is a second year MSc student in neuroscience at Université de Montréal under the supervision of Dr. Bénédicte Amilhon. Her research project aims to understand the role of serotonergic neurons in the raphe-ventral hippocampal pathway in anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Anne-Sophie volunteered for BrainReach for two years as a high school educator. This year, she has the pleasure of joining the team in the position of content creation and translation. In her free time, she enjoys sports, nature and spending time with her friends.