Our mission

CanNRT is a collaborative training environment that supports research excellence, and sustainable and equitable pathways for early career researchers in neurodevelopmental conditions across Canada through multidisciplinary cross-sector learning, mentorship, and connectivity.

We are committed to advancing neurodevelopmental research

Building a dynamic learning community

Strengthening member engagement

Promoting equity,
diversity, and inclusion

Co-designing high-quality accessible
curriculum focused on key priority areas

Connecting research and community partners

Our Leadership

CanNRT Team

Mayada Elsabbagh Chair Professor, Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University; Director, Transforming Autism Care Consortium

Director

Ellie-Anna Minogianis Training Program Manager, CanNRT

Training Program Manager

Vanessa Tamburro - Communications and Engagement Lead

Communications and Engagement Lead

Nabila Al-Yafi Administrative Coordinator

Administrative Coordinator

Steering Committee

Oversees strategic planning, platform development, and community building
Mayada Elsabbagh Chair Professor, Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University; Director, Transforming Autism Care Consortium

Chair

Professor, Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University; Director, Transforming Autism Care Consortium

Mackenzie Salt Trainee co-lead Postdoctoral Fellow, Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University

Trainee co-lead

Postdoctoral Fellow, Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University

Stephen Scherer Chief of Research, SickKids; Professor of Medical Science and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto

Chief of Research, SickKids; Professor of Medical Science and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto

Dr Isabel Smith - Dept of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University

Professor and Joan & Jack Craig Chair in Autism Research, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University

Rachel Martens Knowledge Broker, Family Engagement Program, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research

Knowledge Broker, Family Engagement Program, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research

Mira Puri Manager of Science Initiatives, Azrieli Foundation

Manager of Science Initiatives, Azrieli Foundation

Melanie Penner Senior Clinical Scientist and Developmental Pediatrician, Holland Bloorview; Associate Professor, Paediatrics, University of Toronto

Senior Clinical Scientist and Developmental Pediatrician, Holland Bloorview; Associate Professor, Paediatrics, University of Toronto

Ellie-Anna Minogianis Training Program Manager, CanNRT

Training Program Manager, CanNRT

Priority Area Leads

Develop customized curriculum for different training levels, addressing underrepresented priority areas and building future capacity in Canada

Rachel Martens Knowledge Broker, Family Engagement Program, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research

Chair

Knowledge Broker, Family Engagement Program, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research

Roberta Cordoso Trainee co-lead Research Associate, Knowledge Translation Program, CHILD-BRIGHT Network, RI-MUHC

Trainee co-lead

Research Associate, Knowledge Translation Program, CHILD-BRIGHT Network, RI-MUHC

Child Neurologist, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Toronto; VP of Research and Director, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Keiko Shikako Ass. Prof. - School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University

Associate Professor, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University; Canada Research Chair in Childhood Disability: Participation and Knowledge Translation

Yvonne Hung Director and Graphics Coordinator, McGill Writing Centre, McGill University

Director and Graphics Coordinator, McGill Writing Centre, McGill University

Curriculum Co-Design Committee

Uses co-design to create a dynamic, responsive, and accessible curriculum for trainees, early career researchers, and the broader community

Michelle Phoenix Co-Chair Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University

Co-Chair

Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University

Noémie Cusson Trainee co-lead PsyD student in Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal

Trainee co-lead

PsyD student in Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal

Meaghan Reitzel Trainee co-lead PhD student in Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University

Trainee co-lead

PhD student in Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University

Rachel Martens Knowledge Broker, Family Engagement Program, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research

Knowledge Broker, Family Engagement Program, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research

Associate Professor, Educational Psychology, University of Alberta

Lonnie Zwaigenbaum Developmental Pediatrician and Director, Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Alberta

Developmental Pediatrician and Director, Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Alberta

Carly Greenberg Program Manager, Autism Speaks Canada

Program Manager, Autism Speaks Canada

Review and Selection Committee

Operates independently to review and select candidates for competitions, fellowships, grants, and training passports

Lucy Lach, Co-Chair Associate Professor, School of Social Work, McGill University

Co-Chair

Associate Professor, School of Social Work, McGill University

Ryan Yuen Co-Chair Senior Scientist, Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids; Associate Professor, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto

Co-Chair

Senior Scientist, Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids; Associate Professor, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto

Sandy Thompson-Hodgetts Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Science/Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta

Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Science/Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta

Mentorship and Membership Committee

The Mentorship and Membership Committee (forthcoming) develops effective and inclusive mentorship and membership programs to expand the CanNRT community and connect trainees with cross-sector mentors.

Call for nominations

We invite nominations on a rolling basis for open positions in our leadership groups.
Call for nominations

Our supporters

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