A new generation of leaders in neurodevelopmental research: Announcing the CanNRT Fellows

Fellows 2025

20 new Fellows join CanNRT’s growing community of early career researchers across Canada.

The Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training (CanNRT) Platform is proud to announce the fourth cohort of CanNRT Fellows for 2025.

CanNRT is also proud to support partnered fellowships in our priority areas. This includes two partnered fellowships with IMPaCT (Increasing capacity for Maternal and Paediatric Clinical Trials) and the Autism Alliance of Canada (with a focus on Data-to-Policy).

Since its launch in 2021, CanNRT has not only grown in size but also expanded its reach and impact, forging a vibrant community of trainees, mentors, and partners committed to inclusive, interdisciplinary research.

“The growth of our Fellowship Program reflects the energy and commitment of a new generation of researchers who are shaping the future of neurodevelopmental research,” said Mayada Elsabbagh, Director of CanNRT. “Each Fellow brings a unique perspective that strengthens our community and ensures that research outcomes are meaningful to those they aim to serve.”

Meet the members of the 2025 CanNRT cohort:

Sarah Al-Saoud

PhD student, Western University (E. Duerden)

Elkhansa Ahmed Mohamed Ali

Master’s student, McGill University, Douglas Mental Health University Institute (M. Chakravarty)

Early career researcher, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Toronto

Rita Bishai

Master’s student, Wilfred Laurier Institute (N. Scheerer)

Nicolas Chofflet

PhD student, McGill University, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) (H. Takahashi)

Haley Clark

PhD student, Queen's University (J. Shurr)

Courtney Gilchrist

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Calgary (C. Lebel, C. McMorris, N. Forkert)

Alexandra Lawson

Master's student, University of British Columbia (J. Rosin)

Niaz Mahmood

Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University (N. Sonenberg)

Patricia Miguel

Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University, Douglas Research Institute (P. Silveira)

PhD student, University of Calgary (S. MacEachern)

Cara Nania

PhD student, University of Calgary (C. McMorris)

Ivana Okaro

Master's student, McGill University (P. Wintermark)

Ann-Sophie Otis

PhD student, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (J. Maheux, M. Caouette)

Mica Pabia

PhD student, University of Alberta (S. Thompson-Hodgetts, H. Brown)

Albert Pelinovs

Master's student, McGill University (N. Cermakian, L. Srivastava)

Emma Resendes

Master's student, York University (J. Weiss)

Chloe Scholten

Master's student, University of Calgary (C. Lebel)

Annemarie Wolff

Postdoctoral Fellow, Université de Montréal (G. Dumas)

Enav Zusman (1)

PhD student, University of British Columbia (T. Oberlander, R. Platt)

___

For more information about the CanNRT Fellowship and the complete list of CanNRT Fellows, visit our webpage.