Dr. Donald Mabbott
Program Head and Senior Scientist
Donald Mabbott | Program Head, Neurosciences & Mental Health | Senior Scientist
Dr. Donald Mabbott received his PhD in developmental psychology at the University of Alberta in 1998 and then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in paediatric neuropsychology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Dr. Mabbott initially worked as a clinical psychologist with the Northern Alberta Children’s Cancer Program at the Cross Cancer Institute/Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta before returning to SickKids in 2001, where he has held multiple roles.
Currently he is Head of the Neurosciences and Mental Health Program at the SickKids Research Institute. He is a psychologist with the Paediatric Brain Tumour Program in the Division of Haematology/Oncology and a Senior Scientist at SickKids. He is also a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Mabbott provides clinical neuropsychology services to children with brain tumours and their families and has a research program in developmental neuropsychology.
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Noor Al Dahhan | Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:2018 – 2020: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, and Massachusetts General Hospital
2013 – 2018: Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University
2011 – 2013: M.Sc. in Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University
2007 – 2011: B.Sc. with Honors, Double Major: Biology and Psychology, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
I’m a developmental cognitive neuroscientist who uses brain imaging to understand the network mechanisms supporting typical and atypical neurocognitive development. I’m also fundamentally interested in exploring how rehabilitation interventions for brain injuries sustained in childhood can harness the brain’s potential for repair, and how these research findings can be translated to both clinical and educational practice in a direct and meaningful way.
My research integrates multimodal neuroimaging techniques and sophisticated computational approaches to address a key unanswered question in cancer neuroscience, which is: how does adaptive and maladaptive changes to structural connectivity of brain networks influence network neural communication, and ultimately predict cognition in typically developing children and adolescents and those with cancer related cognitive impairments? I’m further investigating how neuroimaging indices can be utilized as novel biomarkers of cognitive impairments for children and youth treated for brain tumors.
The interdisciplinary focus of my research, which sits at the intersection of clinical neuroscience, developmental cognitive neuroscience, and computational neuroscience, has explicit clinical and educational translational relevance. My work is ultimately key to developing, informing, and monitoring new approaches to ameliorate cognitive late effects in children and youth treated for cancer and enhancing their quality of life.
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Dr. Noor Al Dahhan
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Jennifer Ryan | Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:2018-2023: PhD, Rehabilitation Science Institute, University of Toronto
2015-2018: MSc, Rehabilitation Science Institute, University of Toronto
2001-2004: BScPT, Department of Physical Therapy, Queen’s University
1998-2001: BSc, Life Sciences, Queen’s University
Research Interests:
As a physiotherapist with clinical experience treating children with a variety of types of acquired brain injury, I am interested in exploring new treatment approaches that improve gross motor function and participation in physical activities. Additionally, I am interested in understanding the underlying neural changes that accompany changes in motor function. My research in the lab focuses on exploring the association between motor improvements and underlying changes in white matter microstructure in children who have been treated for a brain tumour after completing a 12-week group aerobic exercise program. I am also investigating the active components of the exercise program to determine how the physical components and cognitive demands influence behavioural outcomes.
Other Interests:
Outside of the lab, you can find me at my kids’ soccer or hockey games, mountain biking with my partner, or relaxing and reading a book.
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Dr. Jennifer Ryan
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Busi Zapparoli | Psychologist
Education:2021 – 2022: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuropsychology, The Hospital for Sick Children
2020 – 2021: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuropsychology, Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital
2015 – 2020: Ph.D. in Clinical-Developmental Psychology, York University
2013 – 2015: M.Sc. in Clinical-Developmental Psychology, York University
2006 – 2011: H.B.Sc. in Psychology, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
My research interests center around optimizing care for underserved and marginalized communities, including medically complex and vulnerable individuals. Currently, my work is focused on assessing cognitive outcomes of children who have received proton versus photon radiation treatment. My previous projects have examined quality of life outcomes of children with severe developmental disabilities, factors contributing to positive versus negative outcomes among Zambian parents of children with developmental disabilities, and mental health and executive functioning in youth with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Other Interests:
I enjoy sewing, knitting, drawing, painting, reading, and travelling.
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Dr. Busi Zapparoli
Psychologist
Cynthia de Medeiros | Senior Project Manager
Education:
2011: M.Sc., Department of Psychiatry, McGill University
2005: H.B.Sc., Department of Psychology, University of Toronto at Mississauga
Research Interests:
- Interventions (i.e. exercise, drugs) to improve cognitive functioning in children who are cognitively compromised (i.e. brain tumours, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, tuberous sclerosis complex)
- Brain development in both healthy and compromised populations
Other Interests:
My interests include baking, knitting, gardening, and being outdoors.
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Cynthia de Medeiros
Senior Project Manager
Julie Tseng | Research Analyst
Education:2019: M.Sc., Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University
2017: B.A.Sc. Mathematics & Engineering (Systems and Robotics Option), Queen’s University
Research Interests:
In my master’s, I applied my engineering background to investigate how changes in functional connectivity map onto high-level cognitive function. More broadly, I remain interested in the development and/or optimization of computational approaches to analyze neuroimaging data, and how insights about neural architecture gained from these analyses relate to cognitive function in healthy and compromised developmental populations.
Other Interests:
Finding new restaurants, watching movies, reading, travelling, live music.
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Julie Tseng
Research Analyst
Elizabeth Cox | Graduate Student PhD
Education:2017 – present: PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto
2016-2017: MA, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto
2014: B.Sc., Department of Psychology, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
Physical exercise has been shown to promote cognitive recovery and repair deficits in brain function. My research examines the feasibility and efficacy of aerobic exercise training to improve treatment-related deficits in executive functioning and functional connectivity in paediatric brain tumour survivors. I am also studying intrinsic influences on attention and motor performance.
Other Interests:
Outside of the lab, my hobby is my dog!
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Elizabeth Cox
Graduate Student – PhD
Liza Igoshina | Graduate Student - PhD
Education:
2020 – present: PhD, Dept. of Psychology, University of Toronto
2018 – 2020: MA, Dept. of Psychology, Ryerson University
2012 – 2017: Hons. B.Sc., Dept. of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychology, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
Forty years ago, a childhood diagnosis of a malignant brain tumour was a terminal prognosis but recent advances in treatment have drastically risen the survival rate to 85%. However, with this new increase in life the long-term emotion related ramifications of these curative interventions, like facial emotion recognition deficits, have only just recently begun to be elucidated leaving the root neural causes of emotion related cognitive deficits mostly unknown.
My research focuses lie in establishing a needed and essential physical representation of how the brain changes in response to paediatric tumour treatments. Today, I investigate the effect of observed white matter damage on the ability to correctly recognize facial emotion recognition in paediatric brain tumour survivors.
This research will provide the crucial groundwork necessary for identifying specific neurophysiological points of interest linked to emotional deficits in paediatric brain tumour survivors as well as aid in creating targeted intervention plans to slow or halt further emotion processing declines essential for restoring survivors’ social-emotional development and quality of life.
Other Interests:
In my spare time, I enjoy curating recipes for my cooking themed Instagram page @WhatsCookinLiz, reading about the stock and cryptocurrency markets, drawing and painting, learning new languages on Duolingo, fundraising for amazing causes like the Canadian Cancer Society, and planning trips and events to spend time with friends and family.
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Liza Igoshina
Graduate Student – PhD
Katie Alonso | Graduate Student - MA
Education:2020 – present: MA, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto
2015-2019: BSc, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University
Research Interests:
Damage to the white matter in the brain has been shown to disturb the functional connectivity of neural networks. I am interested in how this affects behaviour and cognition. My current research is related to how episodic memory performance is affected by damage to the structural and functional connectivity of the relevant networks.
Other Interests:
Outside the lab, I like to cook, travel, and read about true crime!
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Katie Alonso
Graduate Student – PhD
Jaden Dilda | Graduate Student
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Jaden Dilda
Graduate Student – PhD
Justine Vorvis | Graduate Student - PhD
Education:2022-Present: PhD, Psychology, University of Toronto
2018-2022: HBSc, Psychology Research Specialist – Thesis and Neuroscience Major, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
I am broadly interested in research with the potential to inform educational practice and policy. My current research explores whether neural synchrony patterns in the developing brain enable broader attention and learning in childhood, addressing intriguing theoretical questions about how the nature of learning might change across development in ways that are adaptive. I am also interested in how cognitive and neural development vary based on contextual factors like socioeconomic status.
Other Interests:
Outside of the lab, I love to sing, play piano, draw, bake, and spend time running and biking outdoors!
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Justine Vorvis
Graduate Student – PhD
Tima (Fatma) Al-Rubeye | Clinical Research Project Coordinator
Education:2020: B.Sc., Biology & Psychology (Double Major), York University
Research Interests:
Health Psychology (Chronic pain), Social Psychology (Psychology of Intimate Relationships)
Other Interests:
Boardgames!
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Tima (Fatma) Al-Rubeye
Clinical Research Project Coordinator
Jeanne Chen-Lai | Clinical Research Project Coordinator
E
ducation:
ducation:2011: Clinical Research Certificate, McMaster University
2006: Diploma in Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology
1986: Diploma in Cytogenetics, Michener Institute
1986: B. Sc. Department of Microbiology, University of Guelph
Research Interests: Oncology, Research Ethics.
Other Interests: I enjoy knitting, gardening, and cats.
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Jeanne Chen-Lai
Clinical Research Project Coordinator
Laura Ferlanti | Clinical Research Project Assistant
Education:2019-2023: BA Psychology, McMaster University
Research Interests:
As a recent graduate, my research interests are still taking shape! My previous projects have spanned both human behaviour as well as neurosciences. In a general sense, I am interested in abnormal psychology with a particular interest in internalizing symptoms. I hope to provide assistance and therapeutic interventions to those struggling with different mental health issues and intend to pursue a master’s in counselling psychology or a related domain.
Other Interests:
Outside of the lab I enjoy singing in choir, writing my own music or spending time with friends and family!
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Laura Ferlanti
Clinical Research Project Assistant
Sophie Blaikie-Sloan | Clinical Research Project Assistant
Education:2019-2023: HBSc, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and Psychology, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
I am interested in understanding the effects of childhood brain tumours on neurocognitive processes. Particularly, manifestations of white matter damage in terms of memory and reasoning. Other interests of mine include understanding the underlying mechanisms of neuronal changes, bridging genetics, psychology and neuroscience!
Other Interests:
Outside of the lab I love to dance, try new recipes and explore new places!
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Sophie Blaikie-Sloan
Clinical Research Project Assistant
Former Lab Members
| Postdoctoral Fellows | Years in Mabbott Lab | Current Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Sonya Bells | 2016-2021 | Spectrum Health, US |
| Kamila Szulc | 2014-2017 | Oxford University, UK |
| Lily Riggs | 2012-2014 | Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto |
| Stephanie Ameis | 2009-2011 | Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto |
| Tom Cunningham | 2007-2009 | Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/ University of Toronto, Canada |
| Garland Jones | 2007-2009 | Kennedy Krieger Institute, US |
| Anna Gold | 2004-2006 | The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada |
| Kim Edelstein | 2002-2003 | Princess Margaret Hospital, Canada |
| Graduate Students | Current Institution |
|---|---|
| Ade Oyefiade, PhD | Staff Data Scientist, Johnson & Johnson |
| Iska Moxon-Emre, PhD | Postdoctoral Fellow - Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH) |
| Ramy Ayoub, MSc | University of Toronto, Dept. of Medical Biophysics |
| Alexandra Decker, MSc | University of Toronto, Dept. of Psychology |
| Marita Partanen, Psychology Intern | Princess Margaret Center for Pediatric Oncology, Netherlands |
| Samantha Gauvreau, MSc | IBM |
| Logan Richard, MSc | Medical Student, University of Alberta |
| Nicole Law, PhD | Halton District Catholic School Board |
| Undergraduate students | Current Institution |
|---|---|
| Dunja Matic, PEY Co-op Student | University of Toronto, B.A.Sc. Engineering Science (Biomedical Option) |
| Juanita Atton, Research Student | Research Analyst, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute |