International
Retage Al Bader
Dalhousie University
Retage is a recent graduate of the Medical Sciences program at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has cultivated an interest in neuroscience as it relates to neurodegenerative diseases and dementia through academia and volunteerism, particularly with senior populations. She is devoted to student-led initiatives and community service efforts that support the local community and public health.
Lauren Good
University of Toronto
Lauren is going into her senior year as an undergraduate student majoring in Cell & Molecular biology and Human Biology with a focus in Health & Disease. Through her studies, Lauren has gained an interest in the pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases and has partaken in studies on the genetic and biochemical factors of such diseases in laboratories at the University of Toronto. Lauren has also worked as a caregiver in retirement homes for 5 years and is passionate about improving the quality of life for those suffering from Alzheimer’s diseases.
Co-President
Roxanne Choy
University of Toronto
Co-President
Roxanne is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto, St. George. She completed a double major in Neuroscience and Psychology. For the past three years, her main research has focused on the neurobiology of addiction, specifically focusing on cellular and molecular changes that occur in the VTA during opiate dependence. She has also dabbled in research involving stress and healthy aging, computational cognitive neuroscience, and deep brain stimulation therapies in humans. Roxanne is passionate about supporting her community and volunteers with various youth-led organizations. She is excited to give back to folks living with Alzheimer's who would particularly benefit from the Brain Exercise Initiative.
Emily French
Redeemer University
Emily is a senior at Redeemer University double majoring in Health Sciences and Psychology. Through her work at a long-term care home, working with elderly residents living with dementia, she grew a passion for engaging in life-giving activities with these individuals. In the future, Emily hopes to pursue nursing and ultimately continue working with vulnerable populations and promoting overall quality of life for all individuals.
Co-President
Melody Breukelman
Redeemer University
Co-President
Melody is entering her fourth year as an undergraduate student at Redeemer University, with a major in Health Sciences Pre-Medicine and a minor in Chemistry. During her experience in a variety of residential and long-term healthcare settings, she has grown to love working with seniors and helping them complete brain-stimulating activities to improve their quality of life. Melody has future plans to become an optometrist, caring especially for the visual aspects which contribute to a senior's everyday life. She is also interested in researching the neural pathways connecting the brain and the physical eye, specifically in how Alzheimer's disease can affect visual perception.
Kristen Arnold
McMaster University
Co-President
Kristen is entering her final undergraduate year of study within the Integrated Sciences program at McMaster University. Through her Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour courses, she has gained a strong interest in abnormal psychology, specifically neurodegenerative diseases. She is currently exploring this interest research project on motor gait interventions for cognitive decline. In the future, she hopes to contribute to research efforts aimed at proactive measures to slow cognitive decline and protect against neurodegenerative diseases.
