Executive
Kelly Russell (she/her)
ENRRICH CO-LEAD
BSc, MSc, PhD
Dr. Kelly Russell received her PhD from the University of Calgary and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in traumatic brain injuries and sport at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. She was recruited to the University of Manitoba in 2012 and developed a research program in sports-related injuries in children. Her interests include the prevention, management, and outcomes of sport-related concussion, particularly related to physical and psycho-social outcomes after concussion. Dr. Russell’s work also includes identifying risk factors for sport injuries among children and avenues for preventing these injuries. Her research is funded by CHRIM, Research Manitoba and CIHR, among others. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and holds the Robert Wallace Cameron Chair in Evidence Based Medicine.
Kristy Wittmeier (she/her)
ENRRICH CO-LEAD
BMRPT, MSc, PhD
Kristy Wittmeier co-leads the ENRRICH Research Theme. She is a physiotherapist clinician researcher, and has affiliations with the University of Manitoba, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba and Rehabilitation Centre for Children / SSCY Network. Kristy leads and participates in research that aims to move knowledge into action to make healthcare more relevant, effective, and accessible for families. She does much of her work in partnership with family members and health care providers. Kristy is also a physiotherapist with the Jordan's Principle Program in the Outreach Department at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children.
Sharifat Makinde (she/her)
ENRRICH RESEARCH COORDINATOR
MSc, Community Health Sciences
Sharifat Makinde joined ENRRICH as the program coordinator in June 2024. She holds a master's degree in Community Health Sciences from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Calgary in Qatar. Her research interests include resilience, holistic health, arts-based methods, and knowledge translation. She loves working with youth, newcomer families, and communities.
Elizabeth Hammond (she/her)
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, REHABILITATION CENTRE FOR CHILDREN
BMR(PT), MSc (Rehab), PhD
Elizabeth Hammond is a physiotherapist with a PhD interested in the management of pain and rehabilitation of the shoulder, arm, and hand. She works in the research department at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC) and is a faculty member in the Physical Therapy department at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
Mary Wilson (she/her)
SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL GUIDANCE
Elder Mary Wilson is a spiritual healer, wisdom & Knowledge Keeper. Affiliated with the International Spiritual Directors, she has been supervised as a Psychotherapist for more than three years by Tricia Mercedes at Trademark Interventions. She has a warm and approachable disposition and strength that brings clarity to most situations. She has provided therapy for residential school abuse and trauma survivors and has worked with countless families and individuals to help rebuild communities. At times, she finds her skills in Neuro Linguistic and Cognitive Coaching has helped shift perceptions and open broader insight into challenges and issues that individuals and families face and works with her clientele to set goals that honor the traditional way of life. Overall, she focuses on rebuilding community and individual strength and independence through a wide range of therapies, practices and guided spiritual programs to ultimately create a better life and place for everyone.
family advisorY council
Maria Baranowski (she/her)
ENRRICH FAMILY ADVISOR
Maria Baranowski is a private practice dietitian based in Winnipeg specializing in health promotion and disease prevention across the life span. She holds a Bachelor and Master’s degree in human nutritional sciences. She has worked in the community, primary care, academia, government, industry, and research settings. Maria recently began a doctoral degree program at the University of Manitoba in the Department of Community Health Sciences. She is also the current co-chair of the Dietitians of Canada Diabetes, Obesity and Cardiovascular network and a board member at Inclusion Winnipeg. Maria was born and raised in the country. She is blessed with three sons and is a parent advocate for inclusion.
Carrie Costello (she/her)
ENRRICH FAMILY ADVISOR
Carrie Costello is the Chair of the ENRRICH Parent Advisory Council, the Patient Engagement Coordinator for the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Co-chair of the Specialized Services for Children and Youth (SSCY)/Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC) Parent Advisory Council in Manitoba and the Parent Mentor/Liaison for the CHILD-BRIGHT Pan-Canadian Research Network. Her work in research involves supporting and connecting with parents in various ways to make sure the information and feedback they give is brought forward and addressed..
Gord Kell (he/him)
ENRRICH FAMILY ADVISOR
tricia kell (she/her)
ENRRICH FAMILY ADVISOR
members
Mandy Archibald (she/her)
BScN, PhD
Dr. Mandy Archibald is an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Manitoba, a Research Scientist with CHRIM, and an exhibiting interdisciplinary artist. Her research focuses on the intersection of lived experience with innovative approaches to knowledge translation and exchange, developing new approaches to arts-based knowledge translation and mixed methods research to improve person-centered care and research. She is currently leading one of the first studies, internationally, on living labs in pediatric rehabilitation as an innovative knowledge exchange platform, with support from Rady Innovation Grant funding. She is also leading the first comprehensive systematic review on living labs in healthcare worldwide. She relocated to Manitoba after 3 years in South Australia on a CIHR post doctoral fellowship, where she furthered her methodological development work in arts-based and collaborative knowledge translation for public health research. She is a member of the Caring Futures Institute, Knowledge Translation Theme, Flinders University; steering committee member for the DREAM theme at CHRIM; and is Associate Editor for the International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches. She is an avid musician, gardener, artist and proud (wife and) mother of two girls who often finds inspiration in their drawings.
Robert beattie (he/him)
BSc, PhD
Originally from Winnipeg, Dr. Robert Beattie completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Manitoba in microbiology. After an internship at the National Microbiology Labs, he went to Europe to complete his graduate studies. His PhD work was primarily done in Basel, Switzerland, with a brief period in Sheffield, England and Freiburg, Germany, before moving to Vienna, Austria as a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria. He contributed to advancing a genetic technology for studying health and disease at single-cell resolution called Mosaic Analysis with Double Markers (MADM). Returning to Winnipeg, he plans to apply these novel tools to study childhood developmental disorders, including Autism spectrum disorder. He is specifically interested in understanding how individual cell types functionally contribute to these disorders and the molecular pathways involved.
Pam Becker (she/her)
MOT
Kristene Cheung (she/her)
PhD, C.Psych
Kristene Cheung is a clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents, and their families at SSCY Centre. She is also a researcher at the University of Manitoba. Kristene is interested in understanding children who are often misunderstood. She is also interested in learning about how to improve the lives of children, adolescents, and families.
minoo dabiri
PhD
I have been working in the "play" area since I was a master's student. I started my research by working on play assessment tools. In my Ph.D. I worked on designing an interventional package for enabling children with Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder to participate in the play. Working with Dr. Jacquie Ripat on play for children with physical disabilities with the help of technology is what I am currently doing. My main concern is to enable children to play, for the sake of play rather than its benefits. As play is a human right, we try to use technology to help children reach their rights.
Susan Doyle (SHe/her)
B.A.(Hons), M.Sc., Ph.D.
My current research focuses on children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), specifically those who are seen by the multidisciplinary assessment team at the Manitoba FASD Centre. I am also interested in neuropsychological and psychological assessment of children and adolescents, mental health prevention programming for youth, and child and adolescent psychopathology. I provide clinical services to children and adolescents as part of the Child and Adolescent General Consult Service at HSC Winnipeg and the Manitoba FASD Centre at SSCY.
Henry dunn
PhD (Physiology) University of Western Ontario
Dr. Henry A. Dunn is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Manitoba, and a principal investigator at St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre where he leads the Molecular Pharmacology and Neuropsychiatric Disease Lab.
Dr. Dunn is best known for his work on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs): particularly, delineating molecular mechanisms of stress-induced anxiety and depression, and illuminating a novel trans-synaptic pharmacological regulation mechanism with relevance to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and epilepsy.
These seminal studies have led to a keen interest in the interplay between synaptic adhesion molecules and synaptic GPCRs, including: (1) how these relationships are utilized in synaptic connectivity, neurotransmission and intracellular signalling, and (2) how these interfaces can be exploited for novel drug design in neuropsychiatric disease.
Chris Froese (she/her)
BMR(OT)
Chris Froese is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Clinical Services Leader in the preschool occupational therapy program at Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC). Chris is currently pursuing her MSc (Rehabilitation) in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences at U of M. Her thesis will focus on therapists’ engagement with Truth and Reconciliation in practice. Clinically, Chris is interested in Truth and Reconciliation in a clinical practice setting, change management and family-centered care. Chris is a gardener, paddler and general outdoors lover in her free time.
Ana Hanlon-Dearman (she/her)
MSc, MD
Dr. Ana Hanlon-Dearman is a Developmental Pediatrician and the Medical Director of the Manitoba FASD Centre and the Child Development Clinic at Specialized Services for Children and Youth in Winnipeg Manitoba. She is a Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba and is the Section Head of Developmental Pediatrics. She is a Diagnostic Lead with CanFASD and is involved in FASD research nationally. She has led training in FASD multidisciplinary diagnosis and management nationally and internationally.
Geoff Hicks (he/him)
BSc (Biochemistry), PhD
Dr. Geoff Hicks is the Director of Regenerative Medicine Program and Professor of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics at the University of Manitoba. He is recognized internationally for his expertise in the genetic modelling of human disease and high throughput functional genomics. Hicks’ lab studies mouse models to understand genetic determinants of cancer, neurodegenerative disease (ALS) and neurodevelopmental disorders (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). Hicks is co-founder of the Canada Israel International FASD Consortium (CIIFAC), team member of the CIHR Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC) in FASD, and a PI of the Kid’s Brain Health Network / NeuroDevNet NCE (FASD). Recently he developed a novel mouse model of FASD that identifies Vitamin A as a potential preventative treatment for FASD. Epi/Genetic studies in animal models and human FASD cohorts are identifying biomarker signatures that can be used for early FASD diagnosis and intervention. Dr Hicks has presented this work at over 25 presentations internationally, and he and his collaborators have organized and presented 8 research sessions at International Symposia.
SHEA HUNT (HE/HIM)
BSc
Shea Hunt is a Computer Engineer (EIT) who has been with the Rehabilitation Centre for Children since 2018. Shea is a part of the Assistive Technology team at RCC who work directly with children, their families, teachers, and therapists to learn, identify and provide solutions for their accessibility concerns.
Kristina joyal (she/her)
BSc (Neuroscience), MD, FRCPC (Pediatric Neurology)
Dr. Kristina Joyal is a pediatric neuromuscular neurologist from rural Manitoba. She studied Neuroscience at McGill, then did her medical studies at the University of Manitoba, and completed her Pediatric Neurology residency in Ottawa. During residency she focused on neuromuscular diseases and obtained her CSCN certification in NCS/EMG. She has an interest in pediatric neuromuscular diseases, as well as Indigenous health. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, cycling, reading, and attending metal shows.
Soheila Karimi (she/her)
BSc, MSc, PhD
Dr. Soheila Karimi is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, and the Regenerative Medicine Program at the University of Manitoba, and an affiliated Neuroscientist with the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. She leads a program in neural regeneration and stem cell research that is directed towards uncovering disease mechanisms and therapeutic development for multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. Her team develops pharmacological and stem cell therapies to promote spinal cord repair and neurological recovery. Her program has been supported continuously by national and international funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), the MS Society of Canada, NSERC, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the Canadian Paraplegic Association and several US and European foundations. She has been actively involved in national and international leadership roles to serve the neuroscience community. She currently serves in the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience, the Scientific Advisory Board of the International Neurotrauma Society and the Executive Committee of the International Women in Multiple Sclerosis, in addition to several other editorial boards and peer-review committees.
Lauren Kelly (she/her)
PhD, MSc, BMed Sci, CCRP
Dr. Kelly Lauren is a Pharmacologist studying drug safety in pregnancy and childhood. Her current research program focuses on evaluating the impacts of opioids used during pregnancy, neonatal opioid withdrawal, cannabis used for medical purposes in children and medication use during lactation. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and the Clinical Trials Director at CHRIM.
LEANNE LECLAIR (SHE/HER)
BA, BHSc(OT), MSc, PhD
Dr. Leanne Leclair’s research interests pertaining child health are varied. As an occupational therapist in Northern, rural, and remote communities, she is interested in the development and delivery of community rehabilitation services for children and families, particularly occupational therapy services, in rural, remote First Nations and the engagement of community in the design and development of rehabilitation services.
Xiao-qing liu (SHE/Her)
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), MSc in Medical Genetics, MSc in Epidemiology
Paul Marcogliese (He/Him)
BA, BSc, PhD
Dr. Paul Marcogliese completed his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Ottawa where he studied mouse, fly, and cell models of Parkinson’s disease. He conducted his postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. There, he used multiple strategies, including humanization, in fruit flies to diagnosis, understand, and identify candidate therapeutics for novel rare neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Marcogliese is now leading his own research group as Assistant Professor in the Biochemistry & Medical Genetics Department at the University of Manitoba. The Marcogliese lab continues to used flies to assess human disease variants, develop disease models, uncover conserved neurobiology, and identify drug targets for pediatric neurological disorders.
Hassan Marzban (he/him)
PhD
Dr. Hassan Marzban received his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Physiotherapy from Iran University of Medical Sciences, followed by a Master of Science degree (M.Sc.) in Human Anatomy from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. He then obtained a Philosophy of Doctoral (PhD) in Anatomical Science from the Department of Human Anatomy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. He is a Professor in the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science at the University of Manitoba. His research interests focus on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the developing cerebellum, specifically the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
Kyle Millar (he/him)
BSc (hon), BSc (med), MSc (candidate), MD
Dr. Kyle Millar is a Complex Care Pediatrician and Hospitalist Pediatrician working within the HSC Children's Hospital and the Rehabilitation Centre for Children. His undergraduate medical training, pediatric residency, and pediatric complex care fellowship were completed at the University of Manitoba. His MSc is in progress at the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. His research involves children with medical complexity and specifically the movement towards a consensus on a clinical definition of these children, development and validation of an administrative definition of these children, the societal and health policy impacts of these children, and descriptive epidemiology of these children. The longer-term hope is to use this preliminary information to develop interventions and healthcare delivery models for these kids.
STefanie narvey (she/her)
BA, MA, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Stefanie Narvey is a Developmental Pediatrician in Winnipeg, Manitoba, working at Specialized Services for Children and Youth (SSCY), where she works with children and youth who are referred with concerns about their development, learning, and behaviour. This includes work with the Child Development Clinic, Child Protection Child Development Clinic, and Manitoba FASD Centre, as well as outreach clinics to rural and remote communities. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba, and is the Program Director of the Developmental Pediatrics subspecialty residency training program. She also serves as the President of the SSCY Medical Staff Council, and in that capacity sits on the Board of Directors of the Rehabilitation Centre for Children.
Joanne Parsons (she/her)
BSc, BMR (PT), MSc, PhD
Dr. Joanne Parsons is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Manitoba. The primary goal of her research is to foster the physical and emotional health of girls and women through engagement in resistance training. She collaborates with local schools on projects which explore the barriers and facilitators to participation, as well as the effect of innovative exercise programs which prioritize equity and inclusion on the health of girls and young women. She also studies the influence that resistance training can have on injury risk and athletic performance in young female athletes. Her background as an orthopedic physiotherapist results in a clinical approach to research, with an emphasis on practical application to quickly and meaningfully improve the health and well-being of young people.
Jennifer Protudjer (SHE/HER)
MSc, PhD
Dr. Jennifer Protudjer holds the following appointments: Endowed Research Chair in Allergy, Asthma and the Environment, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba, Research Scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, and an Epidemiologist with the Clinical Trials Platform at the George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation. She also holds an Adjunct Professorship in the Department of Foods and Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba and is an Affiliated Researcher at the Karolinska Institute, where she completed her post-doctoral training. Her primary research interests include environmental risk factors for, and societal consequences of allergic disease, using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
Mubeen Rafay (she/her)
MBBS, MSc, FCPS
Dr. Mubeen Rafay is a Pediatric Neurologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba and a Clinician Scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM). Her clinical research focuses on a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders, mainly pediatric stroke types, presentation, risk factors and outcome, and autoimmune inflammatory and neurogenetic disorders. She believes the best research is the result of questions arising from direct patient care and real clinical scenarios. She is both a Publications committee member for the International Pediatric Stroke Study (IPSS) and a Communications committee member for the International Pediatric Stroke Organization (IPSO). She participates in both national and international strategic and committee planning, including in the development of evidence based guidelines and protocols for childhood stroke for the Canadian Stroke Consortium, and the Stroke Common Data Elements (Stroke CDE) for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). She is passionate about teaching and advancing pediatric neurology education in developing countries, holding positions as honorary professor at the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi Pakistan, and International Affairs Committee membership with the Child Neurology Society.
Mojgan Rastegar (she/her)
BSc, MSc, DEA, PhD
Dr. Mojgan Rastegar is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics at the University of Manitoba and has been a scientist at CHRIM for over a decade. She has a PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Canada), McGill University (Montreal, Canada), and Indiana University-Purdue University (Indianapolis, USA). Her research is focused on the role of epigenetics in neural stem cell differentiation, brain development, mental health, and neurodevelopmental disorders including Rett Syndrome. She oversees the “Human Rett Syndrome Brain Bio-Repository Laboratory” at the University of Manitoba, a Canadian site for Human Rett Syndrome post-mortem brain donations from human patients which has been developed via donations arranged through ORSA. Her research has been supported by international and national funding agencies, including International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF), NSERC-DG, Ontario Rett Syndrome Association (ORSA), and CIHR.
Florencia Ricci (she/her)
MD, PhD
Dr. Florencia Ricci currently works as a Developmental Pediatrician, and as an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba. Her research is focused on the development of new knowledge and understanding of the impact of congenital heart disease and its complex care on the neurodevelopment of children. Dr. Ricci also dedicates part of her research to investigate the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children born prematurely.
Jacquie Ripat (she/her)
MSc (Rehab), BMR (OT), PhD
Dr. Jacquie Ripat is an occupational therapy graduate from the University of Manitoba, who returned to graduate studies and academia after several years in clinical practice. She is currently the Associate Dean (Research) in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences. Using qualitative, participatory, and mixed methods research approaches, the goal of Dr. Ripat's research program is to understand the interaction between people with disabilities who use assistive technologies and the physical, socio-cultural, and attitudinal environments in which individuals interact. By developing this understanding, she seeks to advance and implement ways to use assistive technology, and to modify environments, in order to promote community participation and inclusion of people with disabilities. When not at work, she spends time enjoying nature in the Assiniboine Park or the family cabin in northwestern Ontario, tending to her garden as a novice gardener, and parenting two busy teenage boys and one geriatric cat.
Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg
Bsc, MD
Dr. Cheryl Rockman- Greenberg obtained her MD, CM degree from McGill University in 1974. She became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Pediatrics) in 1979 and in Medical Genetics in 1996. She has been a Fellow of the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists since 1982. Dr. Greenberg served as Medical Director of the Child Health program, WRHA, and Head of the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, from 2004-2014. Dr. Rockman-Greenberg has practiced as a clinical and metabolic geneticist in Winnipeg since 1979. She is currently a clinician scientist in the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM) and holds the academic rank of Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics & Child Health and Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba. The contributions of Dr. Rockman- Greenberg to the continuum of science start with clinical problems, establishing relationships with families and unique communities and working to translate discoveries into effective patient care programmes.
Leslie Roos (she/her)
BA, BS, MSc, PhD
Dr. Leslie Roos completed her clinical residency at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto and received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Oregon (2018). She is a Junior Fellow at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, Affiliated Researcher with the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, and Chair of the Academic Research Committee at the Until the Last Child Foundation. As a mother of two young children, she is also familiar with many parenting challenges and continually impressed with the incredible effort families put forward every day.
Heather Skelton (she/her)
BHSc, MSc(OT), MSc(Rehabilitaiton)
Heather Skelton is an occupational therapist working as the research coordinator for the Children’s Therapy Network of Manitoba. In this role she supports research and evaluation projects as well as knowledge translation activities. Heather believes in practice models that view children with disabilities firstly as children who are living within families and communities. Heather's research interests have focused on secondary data analysis as well as promoting evidence informed practice that is accessible to families and clinicians. Heather is also a sessional instructor in the Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Manitoba.
Jennifer Theule (she/her)
BA, MA, PhD
Dr. Jen Theule is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She is also a School and Clinical Psychologist. In these roles, she supervises students on practicum placements and also runs a small private practice providing support to children and families. Her research interests include family systems, ADHD, FASD, and the interplay between these topics
Roberta L. Woodgate (she/her)
BN, MN, PhD
Dr. Roberta L. Woodgate (she/her/hers) is an internationally renowned Child/Youth researcher who holds a prestigious Tier 1 Canadian Research Chair in Child and Family Engagement in Health Research and Healthcare. An integrated knowledge translation approach that engages children, youth and families in the co-design of research is a cornerstone of her research program entitled ‘IN•GAUGE.’ Roberta researches the perspectives and lived experiences of children and youth across a wide range of health conditions and disabilities and challenging life events by employing innovative and arts-based participatory research methods for knowledge production and translation. As well, Roberta adopts a human rights-based approach that provides critical information for exploring young people's perspectives and lived experiences. Roberta uses child and youth friendly methodologies and innovative, art-based approaches in integrated knowledge production and translation strategies that help children and youth express themselves. Roberta’s research works to improve the well-being of children and youth and their families.
GALEN WRIGHT (HE/HIM)
PhD
Dr. Galen Wright is an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in Neurogenomics in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Manitoba. He is also a Principal Investigator in the Neuroscience Research Program at the Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine. Dr. Wright’s research interests lie in the fields of precision medicine, neurology, and DNA repair in the brain. He completed his Ph.D. in Genetics at Stellenbosch University and received additional training in computational biology at the South African National Bioinformatics Institute. Dr. Wright moved to Canada in 2014 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia (UBC). His work at UBC led to the identification of highly predictive genetic biomarkers for various adverse drug reactions, including drug-induced neurotoxicities in pediatric individuals. His precision medicine research includes the investigation of genetic modifiers in neurological disorders, including the neurodevelopmental disorder, Rett syndrome.
James Young (He/Him)
PhD, BSc
Dr. James Young’s research focus is in Human-Robot Interaction, and he is particularly interested in how social robots can be used to support child health broadly. Dr. young’s current interests include using talking to families about needs and desires with respect to robotic interventions, and developing companion robots to encourage children engagement in activities and reduce stress.
Lei Xing (He/Him)
PhD
Dr. Lei Xing completed his undergraduate and masters studies at the medical school of Jilin University, China. His strong interest in neuroscience led him to University of Ottawa, where he studied neuroestrogen regulation by neurotransmitters in the adult brain during his Ph.D, under the supervision of Dr. Vance Trudeau. To further understand the role of hormones and neurotransmitters in the developing brain, Dr. Xing joined the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Dresden, Germany in 2016, as a postdoctoral researcher. In Dr. Wieland Huttner’s lab, his work using mouse, ferret and human organoid has identified a novel role of serotonin as an extrinsic factor to promote basal progenitor proliferation in the developing human neocortex and also linked the enhanced memory flexibility to the expanded neocortex induced by the human-specific gene ARHGAP11B. In September 2023, Dr. Xing joined the Department of Biological Sciences at University of Manitoba as an Assistant Professor, his research is focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of placental factors on brain development, evolution and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Trainees
Khatereh Saei Arezoumand (SHE/Her)
BSc, MSc
Khatereh Saei Arezoumand is a Master's Student in the Biochemistry and Medical Genetics Department at the University of Manitoba. She is working under the supervision of Dr. Mojgan Rastegar conducting research on Rett Syndrome. Khatereh’s research interests are focused on genetic and neurodevelopmental disorders as well as stem cell research.
Jessy Burns (SHE/HER)
BSc, MD., FRCPC
Jessy Burns Developmental Pediatrics Subspecialty Resident at the University of Manitoba. She is involved in clinical based learning through the Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics Department. In addition to her clinical duties, she is involved in research under the guidance of her faculty advisor, Dr. Florencia Ricci. Jessy is working on two retrospective chart reviews which aim to provide information to better understand Autism Spectrum Disorder in the province of Manitoba.
XIaodan Jiao (SHE/HER)
MSc
Xiaodan Jiao is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Manitoba. Her research interests are in Neuroscience and related to the studies of the cerebellum.
Nicolas Leclerc (he/him)
Nick Leclerc is a 5th-year student, finishing his B.Sc. Genetics Honours (Co-op) degree this fall. Currently, Nick is working with Dr. Robert Beattie completing exciting research on Polar Bears and their skin fibroblast cells. Specifically, he is generating novel techniques in differentiating his cells into neurons and induced pluripotent stem cells where he hopes to do important research on Polar Bear brain growth and the effects their environment plays on its development. Excitingly, Nick has also just been awarded an NSERC USRA award to further his research this summer with Dr. Beattie. Nick also has previous lab experience with positions working with Dr. Steven Whyard and Dr. Jeff Wigle helping with their research on common crop pests and cardiac fibrosis respectively. When Nick is not in the lab he enjoys hiking, biking, and kicking back and watching movies with friends.
Leo McKay (he/him)
BSc
Leo McKay graduated with a BSc Honours with a major in Biochemistry from the University of Manitoba. In 2018, he joined the Hicks Lab as a full time Masters Student, and then transferred into his PhD in 2019. Leo's research interests are focused on studying embryonic neurodevelopment, the influence of ethanol on embryonic development and its consequent effects on maternal behaviour later on in adulthood.
Paris musaphir (she/her)
B.Sc. (Hons.)
Paris Musaphir completed her B.Sc (Hons.) with a major in genetics and focus in ovarian cancer research completed with Dr. Mark Nachtigal at the University of Manitoba. She is currently pursuing a M.Sc. in Pharmacology and Therapeutics under the supervision of Dr. Galen Wright with a neuroscience focus investigating Rett Syndrome at the Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine. Paris has been awarded the UMGF award (2022-2023) and the CIHR CGS-M award (2023-2024) to further her research during the course of completing her M.Sc.
Shailvi Patel (SHE/her)
BSc Undergraduate Student
ALANA SLIKE (SHE/HER)
BSc (Hons)
Alana Slike is a PhD student in Dr. Galen Wright's lab at the Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine. Alana completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Winnipeg with a B.Sc. Hons. in Neuroscience. She is currently pursuing a MSc at the University of Manitoba in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. For her MSc project, she is investigating FAN1, a gene implicated in DNA damage repair, as a genetic modifier in the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome.
Vanessa tomas (she/her)
MSc., Ph.D. (Rehabilitation Sciences)
My name is Vanessa Tomas, and I have a MSc and PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences, focusing on child health and development. I am a postdoctoral fellow funded by CIHR's Health Systems Impact Fellowship (HSIF), working in Ontario and Manitoba. Through the HSIF, I have the privilege of not only being exposed to and working in renowned academic research environments (at CanChild, McMaster University and University of Manitoba), but also two child/family health organizations: Rehabilitation Centre for Children (in Manitoba) and Children’s Treatment Network (in Ontario). My research interests in the field of child health and development include implementation science, engaging knowledge users in research (families, community members, service providers), and equity-based research approaches. I look forward to engaging with the ENRRICH community and learning/growing alongside fellow child health researchers!
Tegan Turner (she/her)
BKin
Tegan Turner is currently a second-year medical student, with interests in both rehabilitation medicine and pediatrics. She published her first article, Language abilities in preschool children with critical CHD: a systematic review in Cardiology in the Young in May of 2022 with her supervisors Dr. Florencia Ricci and Dr. Kelly Russell. This was part of the Bachelor of Science in Medicine degree two-year summer research project. In her spare time, she is national level track and field athlete and Special Olympics Coach. She is interested in a medical career in emergency medicine or physical medicine and rehabilitation, but regardless of where she ends up, she hopes a career in research and pediatric neurodevelopmental rehabilitation will be a part it!
jack tyrrell (he/him)
Bachelor of Arts
Jack Tyrrell is a master's student in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Jack's current research focuses on understanding the incidence rate of sport related injuries, specifically in volleyball athletes. He is also a research assistant for the SHRed Concussions Study that aims to increase Surveillance in High Schools to Reduce Concussions and Consequences of Concussions–SHRed Concussions (SHRed Concussions). His previous experience includes working as a lab technician and research assistant at the University of Manitoba's College of Pharmacy where he designed nanoparticles to treat maternal-fetal diseases.
Yen MY VUU (SHE/HER)
PhD Student
Yen My Vuu is currently a graduate student in the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics at the University of Manitoba. Her research interest is to determine the influence of metabolism as a side component, along with metabolic drugs with therapeutic potential specifically related to neurodevelopmental disorders. She is also interested in research relating to nutritional epigenetics on DNA methylation in brain development. Yen ultimately hopes to contribute to translating research into clinical therapies to treat and prevent genetic disorders in children.
Sepideh Yousefiasl (she/her)
Sepideh Yousefiasl is a Master’s student in Community Health Sciences at University of Manitoba, and is currently working on research focused on children with Autism. Her goal is to improve support systems and interventions to better assist these children and their families.
Past members
Natalie houser
PhD (Kinesiology); MSc (Kinesiology); BSc (Kinesiology)
Natalie’s current research is focused on physical literacy enriched pedagogy and creating physical literacy enriched movement opportunities in different contexts, working towards building more confident and competent movers. One of Natalie's current areas of investigation is around creating inclusive movement experiences for individuals of all levels of ability, including a project called "SENSE-ational Schools" which is exploring inclusive physical education practices for students with neurodiversity. She is also a research associate at the Center for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer (CRITAC) in Montreal. Natalie is currently a co-investigator on several project working with children and their families within school, community, and recreational contexts.
Liz Bannister (she/her)
ENRRICH PARENT ADVISOR
Liz Bannister is a Social Worker at Health Sciences Centre Hospital in Winnipeg and the mother of 2 boys (one with a genetic disorder/intellectual disability). She was the former co-chair of the ENRRICH Parent Advisory Council, co-chair of the Specialized Services for Children and Youth (SSCY)/Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC) Parent Advisory Council in Manitoba. and also sat on CanChild’s F-Words committee.
Pramila Maharjan (she/her)
BPT, MSc
past trainees
chris Froese (she/Her)
BMR(OT)
Chris Froese is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Clinical Services Leader in the preschool occupational therapy program at Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC). Chris is currently pursuing her MSc (Rehabilitation) in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences at U of M. Her thesis will focus on therapists’ engagement with Truth and Reconciliation in practice. Clinically, Chris is interested in Truth and Reconciliation in a clinical practice setting, change management and family-centered care. Chris is a gardener, paddler and general outdoors lover in her free time.
Kyle Millar (he/him)
BSc (hon), BSc (med), MSc (candidate), MD
Dr. Kyle Millar is a Complex Care Pediatrician and Hospitalist Pediatrician working within the HSC Children's Hospital and the Rehabilitation Centre for Children. His undergraduate medical training, pediatric residency, and pediatric complex care fellowship were completed at the University of Manitoba. His MSc is in progress at the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. His research involves children with medical complexity and specifically the movement towards a consensus on a clinical definition of these children, development and validation of an administrative definition of these children, the societal and health policy impacts of these children, and descriptive epidemiology of these children. The longer-term hope is to use this preliminary information to develop interventions and healthcare delivery models for these kids.
Chelsea Scheller (she/her)
BSc, MPT
Having graduated from the University of Manitoba’s Master of Physical Therapy program with a growing interest in research, Chelsea pursued and completed a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences. Her research/personal interests while as a trainee were in resistance training and exercise with focused learning on the potential impact they have on child development, rehabilitation, and improving quality of life.
Kaitlyn Tymko (she/her)
BKin
Kaitlyn Tymko was an ENRRICH Trainee. She completed her Master of Physical Therapy at the University of Manitoba in 2021. She was involved in various research projects since her undergraduate degree, including studies involving cold immersion and high altitude physiology. During her time as an ENRRICH Trainee, she worked as a research assistant under the supervision of Dr. Kristy Wittmeier on a project regarding videoconferencing during the COVID19 pandemic. Currently, Kaitlyn is working as a Physiotherapist at LOCAL Physiotherapy and PROTA Clinic in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
samantha noyek (she/her)
PhD, MSc, BSc
Samantha (Sam) Noyek is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba (UofM). She is passionate about understanding the lived experiences of children and youth with disabilities and their families. She completed a BSc in Psychology at Western University, a MSc in Global Health at McMaster University, and a Doctorate in Rehabilitation Science at Queen’s University. Sam recently completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Calgary focused on pain and mental health in various populations of children and families including projects related to: i) intergenerational chronic pain in Canadian Veterans and their children; ii) a systematic review on pain assessment of youth with brain-based developmental disabilities; and iii) pain experiences of youth who have undergone spinal fusion surgery. Currently, in her role at the UofM, Sam is supporting the cross-Canada implementation of the BRIGHT-Coaching program; a support program for parents or caregivers who have a child on a waitlist for a child development intervention, assessment or diagnosis. She has expertise in qualitative research and creative methods such as photovoice. Sam is motivated to advocate for the care, mental health, and participation of children, youth, and families.