2017-2018 Team
The Neuroscience Association for Undergraduate Students (NAUS) represents neuroscience students at the University of Toronto.
Stay tuned for the various social and academic events that we organize throughout the year!
Emerson Daniele
Co-President
I am a 4th year student pursuing a neuroscience specialist and psychology minor. My academic interests include understanding the effects of mindfulness on brain structure and how these relate to changes in affective processing in the context of psychiatric disorders. My favourite pastimes are attending indie concerts and trying new vegan food even though I’m not actually a vegan. I also play the guitar and saxophone!
Grace Manalili
VP Communications
Hello everyone! I am in my 4th year at U of T as a Psychology specialist and Neuroscience major. I am mostly interested in the neuroplasticity that underlies rehabilitation and how the field can help us develop more effective technologies to increase one’s quality of life post-injury. I am currently studying the neural representation of categorization and recognition processes using behavioural and fMRI data at the Barense Lab. In my spare time, I love singing, dancing, photography, and writing songs & poetry. My goal this year is to give you the most NAUS-ome year possible!
Amy Freeman
VP Academic
Hi everyone! My name is Amy and I’m in my 3rd year at UofT, pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Molecular Genetics & Microbiology. I am especially interested in studying the genetic basis of neurodegenerative illness and how that can be used to discover novel treatment options. In my spare time, I love playing basketball, working out, and dancing (mainly contemporary and ballet). Hope to see everyone come out to some of our events this year- we’ve got a lot of cool stuff lined up for you!
Emily Thorburn-Winsor
Graphic Designer
Hi! My name is Emily and I am the graphic designer this year. I am in third year currently doing a major in neuroscience and minors in physiology and psychology (I say currently because I have switched things around way too many times!). I love the brain and its incredible ability to translate the action of cells into thoughts, feelings and everything we see or think about the world. I also like drawing and painting, strange foods (especially weird cheeses) and crime shows.
Katarina Savel
2nd Year Rep
Hey everyone! My name is Katarina and I am one of your 2nd year reps! I am currently pursuing a double major in neuroscience and psychology and a minor in Spanish. In the future I hope to become a forensic psychiatrist with a focus on the rehabilitation of minors who have committed criminal offences, specifically those deemed not criminally responsible by reason of mental illness. When I’m not sitting in Con Hall, I love to go skating, walk around the city and listen to true-crime podcasts! Hope to see you all at our events!
Gabriel Blanco Gomez
2nd Year Rep
Hey! My name is Gabriel Blanco and I am one of the cool second year reps! I am currently doing a double major in neuroscience and french linguistics! I really loveeeee languages and my favorite area of study is neurolinguistics. I want to learn how we acquire new languages and the physiological changes that take place in our brain. I am also a very passionate soccer fan #Barça! And i like to dance on my free time. See you guys around.
Joseph Kim
Secretary
I am a fourth year currently pursuing a Neuroscience specialist, psychology major and physiology minor. I am interested in stem cells and their role in neural cancers. Currently, my research centres around the factors that drive stem cell differentiation and proliferation in the retina through a zebrafish model (fishy fishy!). When you don’t find me buried nose deep in a research paper at Gerstein, I’ll be rock climbing or going out for late night runs. If you catch me shamelessly promoting NAUS events at your classroom, don’t be shy to come say hi or ask any questions!
Amanda Choi
VP Finance
Neuroscience, as the meritorious Tak Mak once told me, is akin to a giant nut that many attempt to crack but are futile in their attempts. My academic mission as I enter into my last year of undergraduate as a Neuroscience and Psychology major, and Physiology minor, is to integrate these fields of study to aid in my pursuit of finding a suitable jackhammer to break it. The images in my crystal ball of the inevitable future have extended from one side of the rainbow to the leprechaun’s pot-of-gold, and until I find my true calling, I aspire to contribute meaningfully towards NAUS as VP Finance. I am currently studying the effects of protocadherins in retinal circuit development in the Lefebvre Lab. On the odd days where I am not in the library or in my lab, I am either bouldering with friends, learning bachata steps, or simply jamming out with my guitar!
Moriam Ahmed
VP Social
Hi! My name is Moriam and I’m a 3rd year student in the Neuroscience specialist program with a major in Physiology. My research interests are studying the biological mechanisms of learning and memory, and how disturbances to these mechanisms underlie neuropsychiatric disorders. In my spare time, I enjoy geeking out over the latest updates to the Adobe Creative Suite, listening to podcasts or curling up with a good book. I’m so excited for all the awesome events we have in store for you all this year!
Nadeem Parthab
3rd Year Rep
Hi! My name is Nadeem Parthab and I am currently in my 3rd year at U of T as a Neuroscience Major. I am interested in finding evidence of physical long-term memory in the brain as well as understanding what defines and creates a human’s personality in the brain. In my spare time I like to play guitar, play video games, workout, and play squash. Looking forward to a great year with NAUS!
Marawan Sadek
2nd Year Rep
Hello everyone! My name is Marawan and I am one of your awesome second year reps this year! I am doing a specialist in Neuroscience, a major in Psychology and a minor in Physiology. I have actually survived a year and a half in this crazy program and have learned a thing or two along the way and would be happy to share any advice or answer any questions you may have! Feel free to add me on Facebook or email me! Hope you have an amazing year and looking forward to seeing you at all our wonderful events!!
Ilya Demchenko
4th Year Rep
I’m a fourth year student doing a Neuroscience Specialist, Physiology Major, and Psychology Minor. Academically, I am interested in biomarkers of psychiatric disorders and how we can use that knowledge to inform healthcare professionals on novel treatments. Right now, I am studying how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can be used to treat such burdensome mental health conditions as major depression and borderline personality disorder. I am your Graduating Year Representative this year so feel free to hook me up if you have any questions about career choices or grad school applications! I spend my free time exploring different music bands and contemplating over independent movies.