MEET THE TEAM
Our research wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and expertise of our incredible team. From post-doctoral fellows and graduate students to our trusted research assistants, each member plays a vital role in driving this research work forward. This is the research team you’ll meet during your visits!
Dr. Rachel Yep
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Yep completed her PhD in neuroscience at Queen's University and joined the Cognitive Brain Health Lab as a post-doctoral fellow in 2023. As a member of the CAMERA team, Dr. Yep is interested in using eye tracking tasks as language- and culturally-neutral tools to assess decision making and memory.
When not conducting research, she loves to travel, hike, and spend time with her dog, Barney.
Madeline Wood
PhD Student
Madeline is a PhD student at the University of Toronto’s Rehabilitation Sciences Institute and the Cognitive Brain Health lab at Sunnybrook. Madeline’s research investigates sex-specific contributions to Alzheimer’s disease risk. She is especially interested in understanding how vascular, genetic, and endocrine processes together influence women’s brain health.
Outside of research, Madeline enjoys staying active through training in Brazilian jiu jistsu, cooking and baking, and spending time with her family.
Tulip Marawi
Graduate Student
Tulip completed her MSc. in Geriatric Psychiatry at the University of Toronto in 2023, and joined the lab as a Clinical Research Assistant shortly after. She is interested in using brain imaging to understand changes in cognition in older adults with mood disorders (e.g., depression) or cognitive disorders (e.g., dementia).
Outside the lab, she values spending time with family, friends, and loved ones! In Fall 2024, Tulip will be joining the lab as a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Toronto.
Katie Vandeloo
Graduate Student
Katie completed her MSc in Neuroscience at the University of Ottawa in 2021, and joined the lab as a graduate student in the fall of 2023. Katie has experience in studying depression and suicide with neuroimaging, but is also interested in the neuropsychology of aging and cognition. Katie is currently working toward her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Toronto, and is passionate about raising awareness for neurodiversity and disability rights.
In her free time, Katie is probably curled up with her dog Albie, reading a fantasy novel, and drinking lots of tea.
Rohina Kumar
Research Assistant
I completed my HBSc in Psychology from the University of Toronto in June 2023 and joined the lab as a Clinical Research Assistant a year later. My research interests involve exploring the mental health and cognition of diverse populations through biopsychosociocultural and trauma-informed lenses, as well as investigating how these might inform treatment implementation. I also value integrating lived experience expertise in research. I aspire to practice as a licensed clinical psychologist in the future.
Aside from research, I thoroughly enjoy dancing, exploring new restaurants, going to concerts/shows, and spending quality time with loved ones.
Simran Malhotra
Research Assistant
Simran completed her MSc in Applied Clinical Psychology at the University of Bath in 2021 and joined the lab as a Clinical Research Assistant in 2024. Her research interests include early detection of cognitive impairment in older adults, culturally-informed neuropsychological evaluation, and the effects of mindfulness & other mind-body therapies on cognitive health.
Outside the lab, Simran enjoys meditating, dancing, and spending time with her family.
Angelina Zhang
Research Assistant
Angelina completed her HBSc. in Life Sciences (Sensory Motor Systems) with Minor in Psychology at McMaster University in 2024. She joined the lab as a research assistant in the Spring of 2024. She is
driven by a passion for bridging the gap in mental health awareness among first-generation immigrants and advocating for education in marginalized communities. She is deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in mental health resources.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, discovering new music, hitting the gym, exploring nature, and visiting art galleries and museums.
Sarah-Mei Chen
Research Assistant
Sarah-Mei Chen completed an Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto with a double major in Public Health and Psychology. She is proficient in Mandarin Chinese.
In her spare time she stays busy co-running a wellness club for women around Toronto to connect and make friends. She also is a foodie and loves to leave reviews on local gems and trending restaurants online!
Tallin Splinter
Graduate Student
Tallinn is a graduate student in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto and a member of the Cognitive Brain Health Lab. She completed her BSc in Biology at the University of British Columbia in 2022, where she worked on projects examining sex bias and the lack of female-specific studies and funding in Canada. Her research interests focus on how sex and female-specific factors, such as reproductive history and menopause, influence brain health and Alzheimer’s disease risk.
Outside of research, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her two very needy cats.
Silina Z. Boshmaf
Research Assistant
Silina is a graduate student in the Master’s of Psychology program at the Adler Professional Graduate School and a member of the Cognitive Brain Health Lab. She completed her Specialized Honours degree in Psychology at York University in 2024, where she studied the nexus of brain reserve and cognitive resilience, comparing pediatric and geriatric populations.
Beyond academia, she's passionate about photography and travel, capturing life's moments and discovering new places.
