Child Health and Human Development
Research Program of the RI-MUHC
Trainee Resources
Scientific Activities
October to May: Each week MNS is held virtually over Zoom (until we are authorized to conduct those seminars in person) at 12:00-1:00 pm. These seminars are in collaboration with the Pediatric Research Office that brings in a number of various researchers in different fields with connections to pediatric research.
Work in Progress Seminars (WIPs)
November to May: WIPs are bi-weekly and held virtually over Zoom (until we are authorized to conduct those seminars in person) at 12:30-1:30 pm. Each presentation is less than 25 minutes followed by a questions and answers period. Presenting in this manner not only gives trainees an opportunity to practice their oral communication skills but also allows for valuable exchange of knowledge and expertise through feedback from other knowledgeable individuals and expert scientists.
For the 2022-2023 Work-In-Progress seminar series: awards will be given to the best presentations. Each 1st place award is valued at $300 and 2nd place award at $150 to a total of $1350 for three categories: junior trainees, Senior trainees, and Post-docs. We thank the Work In Progress Seminars sponsors, The McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health sciences, very much for their generosity in supporting our trainees in this exciting seminar series.
For more information, please contact the program manager.
CHHD Annual Research Day (2022)
Each year the CHHD program organizes a large scientific retreat to bring together the major affiliations of the program; CTB, CORE, and CIM. The trainees are invited to present either oral or a poster presentation. Many awards are given to the best presentations!
RI-MUHC Annual Summer Student Research Day
In August the RI-MUHC Annual Summer Student Research Day gives our numerous summer students a platform to present their research.
CHHD Trainee Committee
The Trainee Committee consists of CHHD members with the goal of planning events for other trainees and assist in other CHHD events.
In 2020-2021, the Trainee Committee was mandated to host the Work In Progress seminars. Due to the pandemic, the Trainee Committee was obligated to limit their other events. However, they look forward to start to plan events for you again in 2022-2023!
2022-2023 Committee members
I am a 2nd year master’s student in the Department of Experimental Medicine at McGill University. I previously completed my undergraduate degree in Pharmacology & Therapeutics at McGill University. My M.Sc. thesis, under the supervision of Dr. Cristian O’Flaherty, aims to unravel the causes of idiopathic male infertility by focusing on the role of sphingolipid signaling in the acquisition of fertilizing capabilities in human sperm. We hope that our work can change the paradigm surrounding infertility and improve existing assisted reproductive technologies (e.g., in-vitro fertilization “IVF”).
As President, I will strive to ensure that our committee fulfills its obligation to provide CHHD members with meaningful yet exciting events that are aimed to create new and strengthen pre-existing relationships within the CHHD community. In addition, I will ensure that all of our obligations as a committee are met. Most importantly, I want to establish an environment where CHHD members can openly voice their opinions and concerns and serve as the primary trainee voice to the administration.
Steven Serafini
co-VP Events
MSc student -Dr. Aimee Ryan's and Dr. Makoto Nagano's Lab
Sayaka Hansen (left)
co-VP Events
MSc student -Dr. Aimee Ryan's and Dr. Makoto Nagano's Lab
Elaine Lee (Right)
Sayaka (sayaka.hansen@mail.mcgill.ca)
I am a first year master’s student in the Department of Human Genetics at McGill University in Dr. Makoto Nagano and Dr. Aimee Ryan’s laboratory. My research aims to investigate tight junction proteins in the Blood-Testis-Barrier in order to improve spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) delivery. Transitioning from mouse models to human tissue cultures, we observe whether our molecule has the ability to transiently disrupt the testis barrier. Our research hopes to bring forward stem cell-based fertility restoration closer to clinical reality for childhood cancer patients.
As one of your VP Events, I strive to provide fun & engaging opportunities for CHHD members along with my partner, Elaine Lee. We wish to provide a positive, welcoming and safe environment for our community through programming events.
Elaine (elaine.lee@mail.mcgill.ca)
I am a first year master’s student in the Department of Experimental Medicine at McGill University. I am being supervised by Dr. Daniel Dufort, and my project aims to characterize how different parameters of mating affect uterine expression of the Nodal protein, which has been implicated in various pregnancy and reproductive complications.
As one of your VP Events, I hope to offer CHHD members many opportunities to connect with one another through the events. With my fellow VP Events, Sayaka Hansen, we will try our best to ensure the events are fun, meaningful, and aimed towards strengthening the CHHD community.
Yanchen Dong
I’m a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Dr. Loydie A. Jerome-Majewska’s lab. Before starting my Ph.D. program in the Human Genetics Department at McGill, I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology and Biotechnology at Tufts University (MA, USA). My Ph.D. thesis aims to use a mouse model to uncover the etiology of brain malformations found in rare congenital syndromes. My goal is to understand the molecular mechanism impaired during brain development due to splicing defects in the core splicing factors.
As VP Communications, I’d like to ensure two-way communications between the CHHD Community and the Committee. In addition to engaging the community with upcoming activities and seminars, I look forward to incorporating your thoughts and feedback into our future events.
Diego Loggia
I am a first-year master’s student in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University. My research project under the supervision of Dr. Cristian O’Flaherty aims to uncover the role of key energy metabolites on male infertility through reactive oxygen species generation. My goal is to better understand the mechanisms underlying male infertility in order to ameliorate current treatments such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and to help design novel contraceptive methods.
As VP Finance, I intend to balance the budget between CHHD revenues and expenses through diligent planning and organization. I look forward to participating in fundraising events to ensure that the committee is able to plan bigger and better events.
Neha Kamath
I am a first year master’s student in the Department of Experimental Medicine at McGill University. Before starting my master’s, I completed my undergraduate degree in Medical Science at Western University. Under the current supervision of Dr. Daniel Dufort, my research project is interested in knocking out Cripto in the trophectoderm cells of developing blastocysts and determining the placental and embryonic phenotype.
As VP Administration, I oversee the internal administrative matters, including coordinating and scheduling committee meetings and making sure meeting minutes are recorded. I strive to properly document and organize the committee's thoughts and ideas to ensure we can plan the most exciting and memorable events for you.
Do you want to get more out of your experience at the CHHD, and want to interact with more than just your lab? Reach out to us at: chhd.traineecommittee@rimuhc.ca
The Desjardins Centre for Advanced Training
The Desjardins Centre for Advanced Training (DCAT) is the only program of its kind in Quebec that is situated at a health research institute.
DCAT provides career and professional development training opportunities to approximately 1200 research trainees at the RI-MUHC. Through a variety of events and training sessions, DCAT:
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Exposes trainees to diverse career paths and options
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Connects them with mentors in industry, government and academic centres
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Creates peer communities for career planning
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Offers training aimed at developing hard skills (e.g., project management, clinical trials management and operations) and soft skills (e.g., communication, business acumen).
RI Studentship & Fellowship Competition
Every year the RI-MUHC, through its annual Studentship and Fellowship Competition, aims to support graduate students and post-doctoral trainees with exceptional potential for future achievements and productivity.
The applications for this competition open October 25, 2022 at 9AM and closes on November 17 at NOON.
To apply to the competition, trainees will have first to register by going to the RI PORTAL at https://portal.rimuhc.ca, then to "Resources” page, and on the menu on the right-hand side click on “Studentship & Fellowship Competition”. The competition guidelines in this section of the portal can be consulted for full details concerning eligibility and awarding criteria. A maximum of 2 trainees by researchers are allowed to apply.
CHHD Trainee Travel Award
Part of the CHHD and want to travel to a conference? You can be eligible for up to $1000*.
Eligibility requires you to attend at least 70% of our Work In Progress Seminars & Monday Noon Seminars. (During the pandemic, attendance will be taken at every seminar held virtually. Please make sure to use your complete name when you login to the Zoom meeting.
Contact your admin team for more information!
* Travel Award: Trainees can apply once every 2 years
Others resources for current members