Alumni

Lorraine Suzuki, 2012-2017

Loarraine completed their doctoral degree with Professor Meehan in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan. Lorraine's doctoral research focused on cognitive-motor interactions and uses a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technique called short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) to investigate the effect working memory and attention focus on sensorimotor integration.

After their doctoral degree Lorraine joined Sogeti (France) as a production engineer.

Ryota Nishiyori, 2012-2016 (co-supervisor)

Ryota completed their doctoral degree under the co-supervision of Professor Meehan and Professor Beverly Ulrich in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan. Ryota's doctoral dissertation work used functional infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to understand the developmental changes in brain networks that support the emergence of reaching and stepping behaviours in young (6 to 18 months) infants.

After completing their doctoral degree Ryota, began a post-doctoral fellowship under the supervision of Diane Damiano at the National Institutes of Health.

Richelle Williams, 2013-2016 (co-supervisor)

Richelle completed their doctoral degree under the co-supervision of Professor Meehan and Professor Steven Broglio in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan. Richelle's doctoral dissertation employed electroencephalography (EEG) to quantify changes in brain network activity following a conclusion and repeated exposure to subconcussive head impacts.

Upon completed their doctoral degree, Richelle completed a post-doctoral fellowship under the supervision of Professor Tamara McLeod at AT Still University. Richelle is currently an Assistant Professor in Athletic Training at Drake University.

Madison Khan, 2020-2022

Madison completed their Master's degree under the co-supervision of Professor Meehan and Professor Staines in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Madison's thesis research used a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that combines transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTMS) with peripheral electrical stimulation to investigate exercise-induced brain plasticity and the differential response of brain plasticity to exercise in those with and without a history of concussion.

Madison's thesis research was an essential step toward understanding persistent brain adaptations following concussion and potential interventions to offset the consequence of these persistent adaptations across the lifespan.

Upon finishing their degree, Madison took up a position as a Research Analyst at the Temerty Center for Therapeutic Brain Intervention (TCTBI) in the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto.

Kara Hayes, 2020-2022

Kara completed their Master's degree under the supervision of Professor Meehan in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Kara's thesis research used controllable pulse parameter transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTMS) to investigate the effect of cognitive load on different sensorimotor circuits in the brain of those with and without a history of concussion.

Kara's thesis research was an essential step toward understanding how the motor cortex integrates sensory information to generate high-quality motor commands and the persistent adaptations in sensorimotor control following the resolution of concussion symptoms and return to activities.

Following graduation Kara continued as a Research Associate in the Sensorimotor Control and Learning Lab (SCiLL). Kara is currently preparing to purse her doctorate in clinical psychology.

Nick Barclay, 2019-2022

Nick completed their Master's degree under the supervision of Professor Meehan in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Nick's thesis research combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with electroencephalography (EEG) to determine the origin of different sensory circuits that converge in the motor cortex to shape skilled motor behaviour. 

The knowledge generated by Nick's research was a critical step in enhancing our understanding of the functional significance of different sensorimotor circuits to skilled motor ability. Such knowledge is critical to maximizing performance in complex environments and the development of optimized strategies for improving motor outcomes following acquired brain injury. 

Upon graduation Nick took up a position at Science North in Thunder Bay, Ontario

Markus Lenizky, 2018-2020

Markus completed their Master's degree under the supervision of Professor Meehan in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Markus's thesis research used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate the sensitivity of different sensorimotor circuits to the allocation of spatial and verbal working memory.

The knowledge generated by his thesis has enhanced our understanding of how cognition shapes motor skill performance and has provided a foundation from which to investigate persistent adaptation in sensorimotor integration following acquired brain injury.

After completing his Master's degree, Markus joined the Sensorimotor Control and Learning Lab (SCiLL) as a research associate. Markus is currently a Research Analyst at the Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention (TCTBI) in the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto.

Kylee Graham, 2022

Kylee worked as a research associate with Professor Meehan at the University of Waterloo. Kylee played an integral role in data collection for several studies using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalogram (EEG). Kylee also took the lead on a project using state-of-the-art controllable pulse parameter TMS to investigate the time course of sensorimotor integration during skilled motor behaviours.

Kylee is currently a Master's student working with Professor Meehan.

Larysa Martin, 2021

Larysa worked as a research associate with Professor Meehan at the University of Waterloo. Larysa worked on various projects using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate the interaction between declarative and procedural interactions during skilled behaviours.

Larysa was awarded an Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA).

After completing their NSERC USRA position, Larysa enrolled in the Physical Therapy graduate program at the University of British Columbia.

Markus Lenizky, 2020-2021

Markus worked as a research associate with Professor Meehan at the University of Waterloo following completion of his Master thesis. Markus used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate the sensitivity of different sensorimotor circuits to the allocation of spatial and verbal working memory.

The knowledge generated by his thesis has enhanced our understanding of how cognition shapes motor skill performance and has provided a foundation from which to investigate persistent adaptation in sensorimotor integration following acquired brain injury.

Markus is currently a Research Analyst at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto.

Jasmine Mirdamadi, 2013-2015

Jasmine worked as a research associate with Professor Meehan at the University of Michigan. Jasmine conducted several studies using a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technique called short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) to investigate the effect of attention and cerebellar influences over sensorimotor integration.

After completing their position, Jasmine completed their PhD in the Department of Kinesiology at Indiana University under the supervision of Professor Hannah Block. Jasmine is currently a post-doctoral fellow working with Dr. Michael Borich in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Emory University.

Dalia Khammash, 2016-2017

Dalia worked as a research associate with Professor Meehan at the University of Michigan. Dalia's primary responsibility was a collaborative project with Dr. Stephan Taylor (Psychiatry) and Professor Thad Polk (Psychology). The project investigated the novel application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to assess visual cortex function. During their time as a research associate, Dalia also oversaw a National Institutes of Health funded research project that assessed the impact of declarative and procedural memory on recovery of upper limb function following stroke.

Dalia is currently completing their doctoral degree under tech supervision of Professor Thad Polk in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan.

Adrian Koch, 2017-2018

Adrian worked as a research associate with Professor Meehan at the University of Michigan. Adrian oversaw a National Institutes of Health funded research project that assessed the impact of declarative and procedural memory on recovery of upper limb function following stroke.

Following the completion of his contract Adrian took a position as a clinical research associate at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.