Brain Kids Lab Projects
To see our other studies of neurodevelopment, please visit our Research Studies page.
To keep up to date with our lab's activity, please follow our Instagram and Facebook accounts.
A Prospective Natural History Study of Angelman Syndrome for Therapeutic Development
This study is being done to better understand Angelman Syndrome (AS) over long periods of time. If we understand the different pattern of symptoms that appear in individuals with AS over their lifetime, doctors can help patients with AS better. This information can also help create better tools for assessing the abilities of individuals with AS. This information may also help in the development of future therapeutic trials for AS.
Researchers will look at participants' medical and laboratory records, interview you, and evaluate you in person to collect clinical and historical data. They will then contact you once a year to arrange for a follow-up visit.
This study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB19-0324).
Brain Kids Lab Team
Located at the Child Development Centre
Dr. Kara Murias
Assistant Professor
Department of Paediatrics and Clinical Neuroscience
University of Calgary
Clinical Interests
Dr. Murias' clinical focus is assessing and diagnosing children with developmental or cognitive concerns, including:
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Attention and executive function deficits
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Autism
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Neurodevelopmental genetic conditions
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Global developmental delay
Research Interests
Dr. Murias' research program focuses on the different trajectories of cognitive development in children with developmental and neurologic conditions, what biologic processes underlie differences in outcomes, and whether we can predict or alter that trajectory.
The ultimate goal of this research program is to contribute new information on the neural mechanisms of atypical development, while advancing knowledge of the risk factors, treatment effects and clinical outcomes of children with neurodevelopmental concerns.
Graduate Students
Amsal Rajan
Amsal received his BSc in Biomechanics (Kinesiology) from the University of Calgary in June 2022. He is now pursuing his MSc in Neuroscience in the Brain Kids Lab, where he is investigating how stimulation of different cortical regions relates to changes in executive functioning in children with ADHD. Amsal’s goal is to better identify these cortical targets based on individual differences in executive functioning deficits, which can lead to personalized treatment. Ultimately, he wants to pursue a career in medicine. Outside of his studies, he enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering, and playing basketball.
Sara Alshimari
Sara Alshimari is in her first year in the MSc in Neuroscience program. Her previous work with children who have disabilities piqued an interest that has pushed her to participate in researching neurological disorders. Outside of school, she is a big coffee and reading enthusiast. She also loves spending time outdoors on simple hikes, appreciating the nature around her.
Bevin Wiley
Bevin is completing a PhD in Neuroscience focused on transcranial magnetic stimulation for children with Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Undergraduate Students
Sandra Abdelmalak
Sandra is a second-year BSc student in the Neuroscience program. She is interested in learning about the use of non-invasive brain stimulation as a treatment for neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders in kids. In the Brain Kids lab, she is involved in the Cortical Excitability and Dopamine in ADHD study where she will be a part of cognitive and motor testing. Moving forward, Sandra plans to pursue a career in medicine where she hopes to integrate treatment development research into clinical practice.
Research Staff
Melanie Vergeer
Melanie is the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) research technician in the BrainKids lab. After obtaining a bachelor's degree at the University of Calgary, she completed a MSc at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Over the last few years, she has been involved in various clinical trials through the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary including using TMS, a non-invasive form of neuromodulation, in individuals with persisting symptoms after concussion, and neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury. She now hopes to use this exciting technology to improve outcomes in children and adolescents with diverse neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Fiza Hasan
Fiza joined the Brain Kids Lab in July 2022 after graduating with a BSc (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Calgary. Currently, Fiza works as a research assistant, while pursuing a Master's degree in Law and Psychology at Simon Fraser University. At this time, she is examining mind wandering and executive function in children with ADHD, while also assisting in other projects in the lab. In her spare time Fiza enjoys reading (almost every genre) and writing poetry and novels, especially mysteries and fantasies.
Hayley Huston
Hayley completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology at the University of Calgary and now coordinates the Brain Kids social media accounts. Her research interests center on the lifelong impact of neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and how these conditions shape individual functioning. Her long-term career goal is to practice as a clinician scientist in the field of clinical psychology, having enjoyed her work in helping roles such as dance instruction and respite care. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, hiking and spending time with friends and family.
Hanna Duffy
Past Members
Christian Tsang BSc
Judy Fan BSc, BEd
Ciara Hanly BKin, MD Candidate
Ishita Moghe MSc
Oswald Chen BSc, MD candidate
Elana Sarabin BSc
Fanar Ghanim BSc Honours
Harshil Shah BSc Honours
Kelsey Harkness Phd
Ryan Verbitsky MSc
Rachel Oskin BSc Honours
Yuvraj Agnihotri BSc
Positions Available
Student Positions
Prospective Graduate Students
Thank you for your interest in the Brain Kids Lab. We are not currently looking for additional lab members.
Please visit this link to view other potential supervisors at the University of Calgary.