Derya Sargin
Assistant Professor, PI
Derya received her BSc degree in Molecular Biology & Genetics from Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey and joined the International Max Planck Research School graduate program in Neurosciences in Goettingen, Germany. Her PhD work with Dr. Hannelore Ehrenreich at the Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine identified molecular and cellular mechanisms contributing to the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases and led to the development of novel and effective treatment strategies for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disease. She completed her first postdoctoral training with Dr. Sheena Josselyn at the Hospital for Sick Children on emotional memory formation and allocation. She then moved onto Dr. Evelyn Lambe’s lab at the University of Toronto where she identified novel chronic stress-induced regulatory mechanisms in serotonergic neurotransmission. She started her lab in July 2019 at the Department of Psychology, University of Calgary and holds membership in the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
Sampson Law
Lab Manager
Sampson completed his BSc in Zoology at the University of Calgary and an MSc in Physiology and Cell Biology at the University of Alberta. His MSc thesis focused on neuronal differentiation and development of electrical excitability in flatworm stem cells. Sampson has expertise in neuroscience, biochemistry, immunology, virology, microscopy, and other basic lab techniques. He has worked in a core facility producing custom antibody reagents and managed an infectious disease facility working with viruses and prions. Sampson is currently the lab manager for the Sargin, Epp, and Teskey labs, and also works as a project manager for the Physician Learning Program.
Raksha Ramkumar
Graduate Student
Raksha received her BSc in Neuroscience from the University of Lethbridge. She completed a summer research project in Dr. Robbin Gibb's lab on the effects of preconception paternal chronic nicotine intake on anxiety-like behaviour of rat offspring. She proceeded to complete her honours thesis in Dr. Sergio Pellis' lab, which studied the differences in associations of rat ultrasonic vocalizations with play behaviour as a result of rearing experiences. Her current MSc project in the Sargin lab studies the effects of early life chronic stress on brain-wide activity and circuitry, and how it consequently leads to long-lasting depressive and anxiety-like behaviours. Furthermore, she is looking at whether such behaviours could be mitigated and potentially overcome by experimentally manipulating the stress-induced altered neuronal circuit activity. In her spare time, Raksha likes to sing and play the piano, and does advanced karate. She aims to become a physician while continuing research tailored towards pediatric brain/mental health.
Matt Dawson
Graduate Student
Matt received his BSc in Psychology from University of Calgary. In his final year, he completed his honours thesis in Richard Dyck’s lab. He investigated the effect of ketamine on vesicular zinc in the spinal cord by adapting a hydraulic spinal cord extrusion technique to perform histochemical analyses of free zinc levels in spinal cord. His current research in the Sargin lab uses fiber photometry and optogenetic techniques to examine the neural systems that regulate social behaviour. Outside of the lab, Matt trains on an Olympic weightlifting team and enjoys hiking with his two Labrador Retrievers. He is planning to go on to complete a PhD and pursue a career in behavioural neuroscience research.
Jen Park
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jen began her BSc in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary in 2017 and is preparing for her honours thesis in the 2020-2021 year. To diversify her degree, she is also a student of the Arts and Science Honours Academy and participated in a study abroad exchange at Korea University in 2019. Jen joined the Sargin lab in January 2020 with her initial work on investigating social behaviour in mice. Currently, she is involved in a summer NSERC award funded project on perceived loneliness and social isolation as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in humans and animal models. Outside of the lab and classroom, Jen volunteers as a pediatric emergency medicine research assistant at Alberta Children's Hospital and is involved in various on-campus initiatives for student engagement. Expanding on these experiences, she hopes to pursue further studies in medicine upon graduation.
Moriah Edge-Partington
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Moriah is currently entering the final year of her BA (honours) in Psychology at the University of Calgary. Her research interests broadly include brain connectivity and function in psychopathology, the mechanisms that lead to the development of mental illness, and emotional memory. She joined the Sargin lab in January 2020. She is working on a project examining early life stress and how this contributes to anxiety and depression and affects neural circuits in adulthood. In addition to the lab, Moriah works at a local counselling centre and volunteers on campus. During her free time she enjoys adventuring in the mountains, baking, and reading. After graduation, she plans on pursuing graduate studies in clinical or counselling psychology.
Reha Sandhu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Reha Sandhu is an undergraduate student, currently in her fourth year of BSc (Hons.) in Psychology at the University of Calgary. Her main research interests lie in the areas of developmental and behavioural neuroscience, particularly the detrimental physical and psychological effects as a result of exposure to early childhood stress. In Spring 2020, Reha began working as a Summer Research Student in the Sargin lab, where she will also be completing her honors thesis. Reha’s ongoing research and thesis utilize a rodent model to explore the effects of early life stress on cognitive and emotional behavioural impairments in adulthood. Building on her knowledge and research experience, Reha hopes to continue her education in the area of clinical psychology.
Aisouda Savadlou
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Aisouda is a Neuroscience student at the University of Calgary. Her first research experience was on the effects of Ibuprofen in water bodies on neuronal regeneration of the Lymnaea stagnalis. Additionally, Aisouda completed her first summer studentship at the Ungrin lab and worked on Age-Related Macular Degeneration treatments. Her interest in mental health research led her to the PsychPGX lab, where she studied the association between CYP2C19 enzymatic activity, hippocampal volume and behaviour. Aisouda is currently investigating the impact of loneliness on cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Alumni
Vanessa Rae
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Vanessa is receiving her BA degree in Psychology from the University of Calgary in Summer 2020. She completed an honours equivalent project in the Sargin lab investigating the mechanisms of postnatal stress in mice. She joined the University of Calgary to continue her research interests and pursue her Master’s in Counselling. She currently works for Strength Counselling Services and is becoming insured as a life coach while attending school. Vanessa’s passion is finding ways to heal and guide those who are struggling day in and day out with mental illness, emotional distress, and trauma. Primarily, Vanessa’s interest is in eating disorders and she wishes to dedicate her life to helping others become anchored in self-love, recovery, and health. In her spare time Vanessa loves to stay active, practice yoga, and surround herself with family. Her end goal is to become a psychologist that specializes in eating disorders or childhood trauma.