The Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training Platform (CanNRT) and the Transforming Autism Care Consortium (TACC) are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 exchange with GIS Autisme et TND.
Through this partnership, TACC and CanNRT trainee member, Anna Katalifos, will travel to Paris to participate in the 3rd Young Researchers Mentoring Afternoon and the 7th Annual GIS Autisme et TND Conference on October 13 and 14.
In return, GIS doctoral researchers Julie Chaudet and Claire Sendra will travel to Montréal for the CanNRT Annual Summer School, taking place August 17 to 21.
Representing CanNRT and TACC in Paris
Anna Katalifos is a PhD student in Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University and a member of the SPARC (Social Policy, Advocacy, Research, Community) Lab, under the supervision of Professor Tara Flanagan.
She was selected from a competitive group of applicants based on her academic achievements, research experience, and thoughtful consideration of this year’s conference theme: “What is the future of research on neurodevelopmental conditions by 2030?”
In Paris, Anna will connect with researchers and mentors, discuss her work in French, and take part in conversations about the future of neurodevelopmental research.
“I am truly honoured to represent the network and attend both the Researchers Mentoring Afternoon and the GIS Autisme conference,” says Anna. “I look forward to further collaborating with the network.”
Welcoming Julie and Claire to Montréal
Julie Chaudet, a doctoral researcher at NeuroSpin, CEA and Université Paris-Saclay, studies neurobiological mechanisms associated with autism. She uses high-resolution electroencephalography to explore potential markers of sensory processing differences.
Claire Sendra, a doctoral researcher at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology in Nice, studies the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Her research examines how metabolites produced by intestinal bacteria may influence neural circuits and social behaviour.
At the Summer School, Julie and Claire will learn alongside researchers, trainees, clinicians, community partners, and people with lived and living experience.
This exchange reflects the ongoing partnership between CanNRT, TACC, and GIS Autisme et TND. By creating opportunities to learn across disciplines and borders, the partners aim to support emerging researchers, encourage knowledge exchange, and foster future collaborations.
We congratulate Anna, Julie, and Claire and look forward to following their experiences in Montréal and Paris.