About Us
The Hotchkiss Brain Institute Trainee Organization (HBITO) is an organization of postdoctoral and graduate students supervised by members of the HBI. The HBITO aims to facilitate and foster stronger interactions between trainees while shaping their educational environment.
President
Katelyn Shewchuk, PhD Student
Katelyn is a fourth year PhD student working under the supervision of Dr. Sarah McFarlane. Her research focuses on genes and pathways that regulate progenitor behaviour in the developing and regenerating zebrafish retina. As the HBITO president, Katelyn focuses on supporting the other directors in their work, as well as advocating for the trainee experience at multiple levels in the university. This year, Katelyn hopes to continue to develop opportunities for HBI trainees and promote student wellness within the HBI. Outside of the lab, you can find Katelyn exploring the Rockies or kickboxing!
For any general inquiries, questions about the MDNS program, HBI opportunities, or anything at all, feel free to email Katelyn at HBITO@ucalgary.ca or Katelyn.shewchuk1@ucalgary.ca.
Vice-President/Treasurer
Julia Gonzales, MSc Student
Julia is a graduate student in Dr. Sarah McFarlane’s lab working on understanding retinal regeneration in the zebrafish. As the VP/Treasurer, she wants to foster strong, positive relationships between HBI members! In her free time, Julia likes to watch reality game shows for a laugh.
Communications Director
Sara Alshimari, MSc Student
Sara is a second year master's student supervised by Dr. Kara Murias, evaluating the sex differences in mental health conditions in adolescence with ADHD. As Communications Director, Sara makes sure HBI trainees are kept up to date on various events, opportunities, and social gatherings. In her free time, Sara enjoys painting, photography and hanging out with friends!
Please contact Sara if there is anything you want to see posted on the website or social media.
Education Co-Director
Baillie Cej, MSc Student
Baillie is a first-year master's student in Dr. Aaron Gruber's lab where she is developing a cell culture model to investigate how hydrogen peroxide, a marker of inflammation, alters the activity of medium spiny neurons in the cortico-striatal circuit. As HBITO Education Co-Director, Baillie is responsible for organizing and hosting all HBITO educational events, including HBI Summer Student Symposium and Graduate Research in Progress. Outside of the lab Baillie enjoys creating something in the kitchen, spending time in nature, and being with friends.
Education Co-Director
Nidhi Kotikalapudi, MSc Student
Nidhi is a first-year master's student under the supervision of Dr. Karl Klein and Dr. Tarailo-Graovac. Her research looks for rare somatic variants in patients with focal epilepsy, particularly for the optimization of current detection methods. As HBITO Education Co-Director, Nidhi loves making research engaging to trainees through different events including the HBI Summer Student Symposium, Graduate Research in Progress, industry professional's roundtable and more. When she isn't doing research, she is an advocate for sustainable fashion and a dancer!
Feel free to reach out at srinidhi.kotikalapud@ucalgary.ca if you want to volunteer with the HBITO Education subcommittee.
Mathison Trainee Organization Director
Minea Hill, MSc Student
Minea is a first year MSc Neuroscience student supervised by Dr. Signe Bray and Dr. Gina Dimitropoulos. Her research focuses on developing intensive longitudinal designs to measure both neuronal and hormonal mental health biomarkers in youth. Outside of the lab, you can find Minea spending time with her dog and reading. As the Mathison Trainee Organization Director, Minea represents Mathison Trainees within the HBITO and plans both social and educational events for Mathison trainees.
If you have ideas for events, want to get involved with the Mathison Trainee Organization, or have any questions, please reach out to Minea at mto@ucalgary.ca
Orientation Director
Emily Gordon, PhD Student
Em is a second-year PhD student studying the interactions between stress and concussions in late adolescence in Drs. Matt Hill and Alex Lohman's labs. As the Orientation Director, Em helps introduce HBITO students to the HBI, the Foothills Campus, and the neuroscience graduate program. The orientation director hosts events such as the HBITO orientation, the HBITO orientation social, and the Neuro 0 lectures. They also organize the GradSnacks program for the Foothills Campus. After finishing her PhD, Em wants to be a teaching professor. When she is not in the lab or lectures, you can find Em crafting or playing cozy video games with her cat!
Outreach Co-Director
Ana Deutsch, PhD Student
Ana is a third-year PhD candidate in Dr. Leah Mayo’s lab. Her research focuses on elucidating the importance of the subjective experience in supporting positive effects following psilocybin administration in a healthy population. As one of the HBITO Outreach co-directors, Ana is excited to share her passion for neuroscience with the larger Calgary by organizing various events and coordinating volunteer opportunities. In her free time, Ana loves rock climbing, camping, and skiing.
Please reach out to Ana if you’d like to volunteer with the outreach subcommittee or if you have any ideas for future events.
Outreach Co-Director
Abby Lunge, PhD Student
Abby is a first-year PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Leah Mayo. Her research examines the effects of stress in adolescents and adults to understand sensitivity to stress and related psychopathologies across development. Outside of the lab, Abby loves to explore new mountain ranges, new countries, and new books.
Abby is sticking around for a second term as HBITO Outreach Co-Director with Ana. She is excited to continue facilitating psychoeducation classes at the Calgary Dream Centre, run the annual Neuro 101 and Brain Bee competition, and participate in volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, Run 4 Little Ones, and much more alongside our HBI trainees!
Please reach out to Abby or Ana to get involved in our Outreach events!
Social Co-Director
Mary Warren, MSc Student
Mary is a master’s student under the supervision of Dr. Tuan Trang. Her research focuses on identifying sex differences in the neuroimmune mechanisms driving chronic neuropathic pain. As HBITO Social Co-Director, Mary works with Stuart to organize fun events that foster connection between HBI trainees. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, yoga, and spending time with friends. Please feel free to reach to Mary if you are interested in joining the Social Subcommittee or have ideas for future events!
Social Co-Director
Donovan Smith, MD/PhD Candidate
Donovan is in the 4th year of his PhD, working in Dr. Aaron Phillips' lab. His research focuses on using epidural spinal stimulation to help protect heart function after spinal cord injury. As Co-Social Director for the HBITO, Donovan works closely with Laura to organize exciting social events for HBI trainees throughout the year. Donovan is always open to hearing fun new ideas for trainee social events, so please feel free to reach out to him if you have an event you would like to see happen this year!
EDI Co-Director
Cleo Hendrickson, PhD Student
Cleo is a second year PhD student working under the supervision of Dr. Valerie Taylor. Her research focuses on the gut-brain axis in developing and implementing a novel clinical trial for gut microbiota transplants in adolescents with ADHD.
As the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) Co-director, Cleo is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive spaces within the HBI. She advocates for students from diverse communities through initiatives designed to foster connection, representation, and belonging on campus. She co-leads programs such as the mentorship initiative, EDI Tea Talks, and HBI-pride events.
If you’re interested in joining upcoming events, volunteering, or sharing ideas for future EDI initiatives, Cleo would love to hear from you!
EDI Co-Director
Lucy Javorcikova, PhD Student
Lucy is a first year PhD student working under the supervision of Dr. Matthew Hill and co-supervision of Dr. Alexander Lohman. Her research focuses on the inflammatory outcomes following repetitive mild traumatic brain injury and how THC vapour exposure affects recovery symptomology in an adolescent rodent model. As the EDI Co-Director, Lucy strives to highlight diversity in academia to create an inclusive environment where all trainees feel supported. Outside of the lab you can find Lucy at farmers markets, on the golf course or cuddled up with her two cats.
Please reach out to Lucy or Cleo if you’d like to volunteer with the EDI subcommittee and get involved with the HBITO!
Post-Doc Representative
April Contreras, Post-Doctoral Research Associate
April is a post-doc in Matthew Hill’s lab where she investigates how manipulation of the endocannabinoid system influences the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelics. She is motivated to inform the translation of data from preclinical psychedelic drug studies to refine psychedelic use in the treatment of mental health disorders.
April is dedicated to supporting HBI post-docs in the following ways: community building, advocating for personalized post-doc funding support, and navigating the transition from post-doc to the next career stage.
Outside of the lab, you can find April climbing and getting to know the Canadian Rockies.
HBITO Liaison
Ayat Zarrouk, MSc. Student
Ayat is a Master’s student under the supervision of Dr. Mary Dunbar and Dr. Keith Yeates. Her research investigates the sex differences in how seizures present in infants who have experienced perinatal stroke. As the HBITO Student Wellness Liaison, Ayat provides confidential peer support and collaborates with the HBI navigator and HBITO president to advocate for trainees and improve access to health, wellness, and educational support resources. In her free time, Ayat enjoys cooking, reading, and staying active!
For any health, wellness, or peer support inquiries, feel free to reach out to Ayat at ayat.zarrouk@ucalgary.ca or HBITO.liaison@ucalgary.ca.