Research Staff
Steve Callaghan
Lab Manager
Steve has been with the Faculty of Medicine for 19 years. During this time he was manager for the Canadian Stroke Networks Adenovirus Core Facility, and Lab Manager for Dr. David Park, former director of the uOttawa Brain and Mind Research Institute. Steve has also been a member of several health and safety committees, a member of the hazmat team and a member the procurement services evaluation project group.
Steve has joined the Rousseaux Lab looking to expand his knowledge in the latest molecular biology techniques including gene editing and flow cytometry.
Outside of the lab, he spends his time with his family camping, hiking and related outdoor pursuits.
Alejandro Caballero Gomez, M.Sc.
Research Assistant
Alex, born and raised in Mexico City, recently received his MSc. in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, with specialization in bioinformatics, from the University of Ottawa; supervised by Dr. William Stanford and Dr. Caryn Ito form the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. During his MSc. he worked on transcriptional mechanisms for leukemia development and personalized prognosis for patients with AML using biomarkers and high-thoughput thechniques. Having previously worked in the Rousseaux lab as a Summer student, he is eager to expand his knowledge of neuropathology through molecular biology experimentation and mouse models of disease. Outside of the lab, Alex enjoys going for walks with his dog, reading a good fantasy book and discovering new restaurants with friends and family.
Post-docs
Konrad Ricke, Ph.D.
Parkinson Canada Basic Research Fellowship
​Konrad is from Cologne (Köln), Germany, where he did his PhD on mitochondrial impairment in Parkinson’s disease. He showed that mitochondrial dysfunction together with cell type specific characteristics induce the selective vulnerability of neurons in the substantia nigra. Being born in Montréal, Konrad decided to proceed his scientific career in his country of birth and will now incorporate his expertise in mitochondrial biology into projects of the Rousseaux lab. In his spare time, Konrad enjoys canoeing, hiking, cooking and spending time with his family.
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Graduate Students
Haley Geertsma, B.Sc.
PhD Student (Neuroscience)
CIHR CGS-D Scholarship, PRC Poole Family Fellowship; IBRO Travel Award, Parkinson Foundation Visiting Scholar, Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Haley is from Winchester, Ontario but received her B.Sc. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She is pursuing a higher education in scientific research to feed her curiosity and continue learning. She is a dog person at heart but loves her little calico cat. In her spare time Haley enjoys hiking, reading, and relaxing with family.
Emma Green, B.Sc.
MSc Student (Neuroscience)
Emma is from Toronto, Canada and is a recent Molecular Biology and Genetics graduate from the University of Guelph. She has previously worked in a molecular neuroscience lab, where she discovered a big interest in Parkinson’s disease research! She is excited to learn new techniques and expand her experience in academia. Outside the lab, Emma enjoys spin classes, reading and drinking coffee.
Veronica Grybas, B.Sc.
MSc Student (Neuroscience)
Veronica is from Brampton, Ontario and received her B.Sc. in Neuroscience and Biology from Carleton University. During her undergrad, she was involved in research analyzing sex differences in alternative splicing during postnatal development. In her undergraduate co-op placement with Health Canada, Veronica was also involved in research developing Adverse Outcome Pathways relating to health effects of space travel. She is excited to expand her lab skills and learn more about neurodegenerative diseases in the Rousseaux Lab. Outside of the lab, Veronica enjoys playing soccer and going to spin class.
Alfred Maluach, M.Sc.
PhD Student (Neuroscience)
Alfred is originally from South Sudan but received both his B.Sc. in Pharmacology andM.Sc. in Pharmacology with Collaborative Specialization in Biomedical Toxicology, fromthe University of Toronto. He joins the Rousseaux Lab with previous research & work experiences in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases labs. These opportunities not only piqued his interests in neuroscience and neuropathology but also left him with more questions than answers within the field. He is excited to embark on finding some answers to the basic yet elusive questions, such as why do neurons die ? and how can dying neurons be pharmacologically rescued? Outside of the lab, he enjoys watching Arsenal and Toronto FC games and comedy shows.
Benjamin Nguyen, M.Sc.
PhD Student (Neuroscience)
Ben is from Atlanta, Georgia and completed his BSc and MSc in biomedical sciences at the University of Georgia in the US. There, he participated in blood-brain barrier research regarding stroke and Alzheimer's, which nurtured his passion for neuroscience and led him to join the Rousseaux Lab. He is eager to further his knowledge in cellular and molecular neuropathology to help push the boundaries of science and further our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and its causes. Outside of the lab, Ben can be found doing videography, exploring new restaurants, and learning the in's and out's of being a Canadian.
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Caroline Part, B.Sc.
MSc Student (Neuroscience)
Caroline is from St. Albert, Alberta and received her B.Sc. Honours in Neuroscience from the University of Alberta. Throughout her undergraduate degree she partook in research projects focusing on peripheral neuropathy, chemotherapeutic resistance, as well as sex differences in the immune response to stroke. She is excited to continue to expand her knowledge of neurodegeneration while working to further uncover the underlying pathophysiology of these diseases. Outside of the lab she enjoys playing instruments, running, hiking and biking. .
Terry Suk, B.Sc.
PhD Student (Neuroscience)
ALS Canada-Brain Canada Trainee Grant, CNMD STaR Award
Terry has always had an interest in science and learning how things work. During his undergrad at Western, he discovered his love for genetics leading him to join the Rousseaux Lab for graduate studies. Here, he hopes to further pursue his interests in understanding genetic effects on complex diseases and discovering new targets to help prevent and treat such diseases. Outside of the lab, he spends his time playing a variety of instruments, hiking, exploring the outdoors, and playing volleyball.
Jenny Zhang
Joint BSc/MSc Student (Neuroscience)
Jenny is currently an integrated BSc-MSc student studying Translational and Molecular Medicine/Neuroscience at the University of Ottawa. Throughout her undergraduate career, she has developed a strong interest in studying the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. She is passionately working towards uncovering the intricate molecular pathways involved with ALS. In her free time, she enjoys playing/teaching piano, working on science-related projects, and rock climbing.
Undergraduate Students
Devin Brain
Honours student (TMM)
Devin is an undergraduate student from Rockland, Ontario studying Translational and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa. She joined the lab with an interest in the molecular causes of neurodegeneration, particularly in Parkinson’s Disease. Devin trained in ballet for over 14 years and enjoys hiking, reading, and painting in her free time.
Past trainees (and where they are now)
Philippe Corbin (uOttawa Medical School)
Amanda Bruce (Genetics Assistant, Peterborough Regional Health Centre)
Ariana Kokkinakis (CHEO)
Zoe Fisk (Research Assistant, DZNE, Bonn, Germany, Di Monte lab)
Hritvic (Ricky) Chaudhary (uOttawa Medical School)
Trina Nguyen, BSc (uOttawa Medical School)
Hayley Lee, BSc (USask Dental School)
Nicholas Valentino, BSc (Graduate School, uOttawa, Gibbings lab)
Anjali Patel, BSc, MSc (Research Assistant, Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute)
Meghan Heer, BSc (PA School, University of Toronto)
Jean-Louis Parmasad, BSc (uOttawa Medical School)
Emily Macinnes, BSc Hon (Trinity College Medical School)
Michelle Séguin, BSc (uOttawa, Occupational Therapy)
We are always on the lookout for inquisitive and hard working scientists! Contact us if you are interested in joining our team.