Our Team
Bojana Stefanovic, Principal Investigator
I love reading - fiction and non-fiction alike; also Harper’s, Granta, the New Yorker. Even though I’m slow, I like biking, scooting, and outdoor skating; and I’m a huge fan of yoga. Tart flavours and jazz. Classical piano if under the weather. Thich Nhat Hanh and Marshall Rosenberg. Learn more here.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Bharathy Lingamoorthy, Administrative Assistant
My friends would desribe me as easy-going, a good listener, and an amazing barista. For the past two years, I have enjoyed working with this team as a member of Dr. Stefanovic’s lab.
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
Adrienne Dorr, Research Assistant
Outside of work I enjoy music, the outdoors, islands, books, spicy foods, vacations to warm locations, camping, and being silly with my boys. At work I enjoy the challenge of various microsurgical tasks, but the most exciting aspect of my job comes from capturing amazing biological images with multiphoton microscopy. My coworkers are pretty great too.
“Baby steps!”
Tina Beckett, Research Assistant
Outside of the lab I love camping in Algonquin Park on the Victoria Day long weekend, snowboarding & cross-country skiing in the winter, playing softball in the summer, and very occasionally running a half-marathon. I absolutely love modern art and am usually in the midst of reading one (or two or three) art history books, and planning visits to contemporary art museums whenever I’m travelling.
“It’s gonna be fun on a bun!”
Andrew Stanisz, Research Assistant
I spend most of the warm months golfing and camping. Most of my free time during the winter is spent inside, playing games with friends. I’m an avid movie goer all year round.
“Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.”
Margaret Koletar, Research Technician
When I’m not in the lab you can find me exploring the many walking and cycling paths through the extensive green spaces in Toronto, snowshoeing in the winter, or sailing in the summer. On a hot summer day, it’s great to end the day with a beer on the beach at Sunnyside while watching the boats out on Lake Ontario. There are so many things to do around Toronto - music, food, art, and street festivals keep me busy all year.
“Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of, who do the things no one can imagine.”
Andrea Trevisiol, Post-Doctoral Fellow
When I’m not reading about neurons and glia I enjoy keeping up with other science disciplines, sipping espresso, baking pizza and bread, or if I’m tired enough firing up a video game. I love being outside and playing basketball, cruising around on my longboard, exploring new places or just chilling behind a grill. During my spare time, I’m also a full-time dad.
“We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.”
Monica Bell Vila, Graduate Student
I love to read, typically fiction, although I care more about how the book is written than what the book is about (favourites include The Winter Vault by Anne Michaels and In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje). On my nights off I like to practice yoga and draw or paint.
“If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now. For wheat is wheat, even if people think it is a grass in the beginning.”
Matthew (Matt) Rozak, Graduate Student
In my spare time, I can often be found catching up on the latest Netflix series, or occasionally reading fiction and news articles. I maintain a sizable board game collection, and have spent way too many nights enjoying that collection with friends. To stay active I run quite frequently, and when travelling I go surfing. I bring excitement to my life through travelling - some of my favourite places I’ve been so far include Qingdao, Montevideo, and Busan.
“When you become the image of your own imagination, it’s the most powerful thing you could ever do.”
Ahmadreza Attarpour, Graduate Student
My main research area is using data analysis and computational methods in the field of Neuroscience. My purpose in the educational milieu is to have a contribution to solving existing scientific challenges in the mentioned area. Joining this lab was a milestone during the worst situation (COVID pandemic) all of us have confronted. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing Volleyball and video games.
“Believe you can, and you are halfway there.”
Dustin Loren Almanza, Graduate Student
I've been dancing since 1st grade from Filipino folk dances to modern and jazz in high school and ended up in hip-hop when I was in university. Coffee + music is my jam. When I am stressed, working out and jogging are my outlets. Photography, singing, and trying out different cafes are my interests... where deep thought conversation is my language. I love going to the beach and traveling.
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
Emma Pineau, Graduate Student
I gained a background in medical imaging during my undergrad and am excited to translate that to neuroimaging research now that I’ve joined the lab. Outside of work I am an avid fiction reader of all genres, but anything with a happy ending will always have a special place in my heart. I keep some variety in my life by having dinner parties with friends and trying new workout classes.
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
George, Nespresso Machine
Originally from Switzerland, George joined the lab in February 2018. George rapidly distinguished itself by bringing together lab members and providing comforting warm drinks, and quickly became an invaluable and celebrated member of the group.
“What goes best with a cup of coffee? Another cup.”