Meet your Muscle Health Research Centre Student Executive Committee (SEC) members. The SEC represent an interdisciplinary group of research trainees under the supervision of MHRC faculty, whose purpose is to promote and support muscle health researcher trainee excellence. Contact the MHRC SEC at mhrcsec@yorku.ca.
Student Executive Committee Chair
Emily Fraschetti, 3rd year Ph.D.
Emily’s research is focused on the influence of nutrition, namely dairy products, on markers of inflammation and immune function. Currently, Emily is leading an exercise study, examining the effects of different post-exercise supplements on recovery and inflammation.
Fun fact about Emily:
I am currently training for my next marathon!
Career Day Subcommittee
Sabrina Champsi M.Sc., 1st year Ph.D.
Sabrina’s research focuses on characterizing the mechanism of action for the nutraceutical Sulforaphane in skeletal muscle. More specifically she is interested in how this agent may augment mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, and reactive oxygen species using an in vitro model of muscle when superimposed with chronic contractile activity in culture (i.e., “exercise in a dish”).
Sabrina’s fun fact:
I like to collect funky graphic T-shirts and house plants
Victoria Sanfrancesco M.Sc., 2nd year Ph.D.
Victoria’s research is focused on exploring the role of the transcription factor ATF4 in mediating a mitochondrial stress response, the ISR, following various stimuli, such as exercise, disuse, and aging. She hopes to discern the importance of ATF4 in maintaining mitochondrial and muscle health in response to metabolic/molecular challenges.
Fun fact about Victoria:
In my spare time, I like to work out and watch anime 🙂
Trainee Seminar Series Subcommittee
Madison Garibotti M.Sc., 2nd year Ph.D.
Madison’s research is focused on evaluating the impact on skeletal muscle function, and more specifically mitochondrial function in Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.
How does Madison like to spend her time off:
Reading books with my friends!
Aris Kheirandish, 2nd year M.Sc.
Aris is a Kinesiology and Health Science B.Sc. graduate and certified personal trainer from York University. They are currently in their second year of pursuing a master’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Science. Their research is centered on a captivating exploration of the impact of ketogenic diets on hepatic cholesterol metabolism. This avenue of study allows them to combine their expertise in molecular biology with a fervent curiosity about the intersection of nutrition and physiological processes.
What do you do for fun Aris?
Im into sports especially ice skating and tennis. Painting is another passion of mine.
Stephanie Sansone, 1st year M.Sc.
The McDermott research group is interested in the molecular regulatory processes of cellular proliferation and differentiation of skeletal and cardiac muscle cells. My project is focused on the role of HIPPO signaling on muscle differentiation. We are particularly interested in the role of the downstream co-activator TAZ in a myogenic context, and how the function of this protein is regulated through its interactions with DNA-binding proteins.
What makes you happy Stephanie?
I love movies with happy endings.
Media and Social Media Subcommittee
Matthew Russell A.E., M.H.Sc., 5th year Ph.D.
Matthew is a Kinesiology and Health Science M.H.Sc. graduate from OntarioTech University and currently a Doctoral candidate at York University. The goal of his research has been to master a wide range of biomechanics research methods, in order to investigate how shoulder fatigue causes mechanical and control changes to our upper-limb movement.
Any interesting facts to share?
My uncle was the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and my grandfather played in the CFL. I’m happy if I exercise 3x a week.
Stephen Boulanger M.Sc., 3rd year Ph.D.
Stephen’s current research is focused on evaluating the upper limb morphology, mechanics, and function in older adults with and without shoulder pain. This work will conclude by identifying a series of exercises which are most biomechanically advantageous for the treatment and rehabilitation of common shoulder pathologies in vulnerable populations.
Fun facts about Stephen:
I have 5 dogs, am ambidextrous in racquet sports, and have made a hole-in-one.
Omidreza Sadrmanesh, 2nd year M.Sc.
Omid’s research in nutritional epidemiology explores how dietary habits and micronutrients, particularly antioxidants, affect chronic diseases and mortality. Focusing on U.S. adults with fatty liver, Omid uses a large dataset and statistical methods to investigate whether high antioxidant levels influence mortality differently in these patients compared to the general population. This work aims to inform dietary guidelines and promote healthier eating habits in the fatty liver population.
What does Omid do for fun:
As a rock fan and guitarist, I’m excited to say I’ve just learned “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd!
Community Outreach Committee
Joel Andrews, 2nd year Ph.D.
Joel’s research focuses on comparing fatigue in isometric and shortening contractions.
What do you do with your time out of the lab?
My hobbies include weight lifting, climbing, movies and reading comics
Christina Amaral M.Sc., B.Sc., B.A., 2nd year Ph.D.
Christina ia a Ph.D. student in the Whiplash and Head Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation (WHIPR) Lab under the supervision of Dr. Loriann Hynes. Her research is focussed on the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries post concussion injury in athlete populations. Her primary objective is to ensure athletes are returning to sport safely and at an optimal physical performance to reduce the risk of re-injury.
I hear Christina is famous for carving pumpkins:
I’ve been hand carving them for Halloween since I was 3 years old. Check out my instagram page @pumpkincarverphd if you’re intrigued.
Lauren Turner M.Sc., 2nd year Ph.D.
Lauren’s research primarily revolves around
investigating the effects of exercise on glucose levels using continuous
glucose monitoring and other body-worn sensors in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Her research also involves performing extensive data
analyses on different health outcomes related to physical activity and
exercise in individuals with T1D.
What’s your passion Lauren?
I am currently ranking best donut spots around Toronto!
Miriam Zerrouk, 2nd year M.Sc.
Miriam’s research examines the impact of colon cancer on branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, specifically focusing on alterations across key tissues and organs to understand their effect on the development of cancer cachexia.
Say something funny:
Why did the skeleton go to the party alone? Because it had no body to go with! 🦴
Muscle Health Awareness Day (MHAD) Subcommittee
Pierre Lemieux, M.Sc. 3rd year Ph.D.
Pierre Lemieux is a PhD candidate at York University, Toronto, Canada under the co-supervision of Dr. Emilie Roudier and Dr. Olivier Birot. Pierre’s research seeks to understand the role of histone modifications in microvascular endothelial cell biology within the context of health and disease
A fun fact about Pierre:
I do not speak French.
Parashar Bhatt, Hon. B.Sc., Ph.D.(c), 3rd year Ph.D.
I study heart chamber-specific immune cell kinetics and the effecta of cardiac hemodynamic overload (ie. stretch) in acute (1-day) inflammation using a novel surgical volume overload model to determine which immune cells are involved, how they change at different time points of the disease, and how they may orchestrate further maladaptive cardiac remodelling predisposing to development of arrhythmias.
What do you do with your time out of the lab?
My passion is science and music! I am verified as an artist on Spotify.