We are thrilled to be continuing the Junior Scholars program for the fourthyear! In line with the cluster’s strong commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and to attracting and fostering outstanding talents, these paid positions were specifically targeted to applicants from marginalized/underrepresented groups and/or with lived/living experience.
The program was able to fund six MATRIX-N Junior Scholars from various departments and research backgrounds for 2025/26. Working closely with the cluster coordinator and faculty leads, the talented and diverse Junior Scholars will support MATRIX-N activities and help advance translational research and innovation in neuropsychiatry at UBC and beyond.
Meet the scholars:
Cal Rosete (they/them)
MSc student, Neuroscience
Cal (they/them) is a MSc student in Neuroscience supervised by Dr. Clare Beasley at the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute. They previously earned a BSc in Honours Behavioural Neuroscience from UBC, where they gained a deep curiosity in how the immune system contributes to psychiatric disorders. In pursuit of this interest, Cal's current research investigates how complement and neuroimmune activation disrupts the blood brain barrier in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, potentially contributing to their onset and maintenance. Outside of the lab, Cal works for the Canadian Mental Health Association, where they provide mental health resources tailored to individual needs across BC. In their free time, Cal loves bikepacking the Gulf Islands and playing board games with friends.
Daria Oleinichenko (she/her)
PhD student, Neuroscience
Daria (she/her) is a PhD student in Neuroscience at UBC, co-supervised by Dr. Anthony Phillips and Dr. Terrance Snutch. She holds a BSc in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto and a MSc in Neuroscience from UBC, where she began investigating novel therapeutics for opioid withdrawal-related pain. Her current research explores how brain circuits involved in pain and negative emotional states are altered during opioid withdrawal to identify new treatment strategies. Daria is passionate about using preclinical methods to inform our understanding of patient experiences. Outside of the lab, she is involved in mentorship and teaching with an ambitious dream of helping make academia more accessible to neurodiverse students. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, sci fi audiobooks, and running or cycling around Vancouver and its parks.
Paula Villela Nunes (she/her)
MSc student, Psychiatry
Paula (she/her) is a MSc student at UBC, supervised by Dr. M-J Milloy conducting longitudinal research that combines biosample and behavioral data to examine relationships between childhood trauma and later risk of non-fatal drug overdose. As a psychiatrist, clinical counselor, and researcher, Paula brings a unique multidisciplinary perspective to her work, focusing on identifying modifiable behavioral, clinical, and community-based factors to inform targeted prevention and intervention strategies. Her research emphasizes social determinants of health and prioritizes approaches that are responsive to communities most affected by the toxic drug crisis. Paula is committed to EDI as both an ethical imperative and a driver of scientific excellence and is passionate about translating research into practice through community engagement and knowledge mobilization.
Sarah Ng (she/her)
MSc student, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Sarah (she/her) is currently a MSc student in Dr. Ujendra Kumar’s lab in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC and received her Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences degree in the same faculty. Her current research focusses on the neuromodulatory role of phytocannabinoids in Alzheimer’s disease models. Specifically, she is studying the effects of cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on neuritogensis and AD toxcities in in vitro cell and in vivo mouse models. Outside research, Sarah is actively involved in the UBC community as president of The FentaNIL Project, a student-led organization focussed on harm reduction strategies and drug education. In her free time, Sarah likes hiking, skiing, and reading.
Solana Redway-Ziola (she/her)
MSc student, Neuroscience
Solana (she/her) is beginning her MSc in Neuroscience at UBC, supervised by Dr. Todd Woodward. She earned her BSc in Honours Psychology at the University of Waterloo. Her current research involves working with participants with psychosis and examining patterns of brain activation during task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Through her work, she hopes to continue bridging neuroimaging with clinical research, aiming to generate insights that can inform therapeutic approaches for individuals with psychosis. Outside of the lab, Solana has worked with the innovation team at KidsAbility, leading research to help improve the quality and accessibility of care for children with disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys running, journaling, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Stefanie Todesco (she/her)
PhD student, Neuroscience
Stefanie (she/her) is a fourth year PhD student in Dr. Christian Schütz's BRAIN Lab. She completed a BA & BSc (Hons) in Cognitive Science at McGill University. She began her graduate training as a Master’s student, conducting research on cognitive functioning in concurrent disorder inpatients at the Red Fish Healing Centre. Last year, she fast-tracked into the PhD program, where she is developing a novel fMRI paradigm to assess craving and the effects of psilocybin in e-cigarette smokers. Stefanie is passionate about improving mental health and addiction outcomes and aspires for her research to inform innovative treatment approaches. She is excited to join the MATRIX-N team to strengthen the translational impact of her research and contribute to advancing the field.