Meet the ASR Team

Dr. Sakina Rizvi received her PhD in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Collaborative Program in Neuroscience at the University of Toronto. She has over 10 years of research experience in psychiatry across the areas of neuroimaging, neuropsychology, psychotherapy, pharmacology, and scale development; with a focus in Major Depressive Disorder. Currently, Dr. Rizvi is the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Chair in Suicide and Depression Studies at St. Michael’s Hospital. She is also a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Her research within the ASR program aims to characterize the neurobiology of suicide risk and treatment resistant depression, primarily through the use of fMRI and PET neuroimaging, and to develop and test novel psychotherapeutic strategies. Within her biomarker research, she is evaluating brain reward mechanisms as predictors of treatment outcome and as a path for intervention. In addition to her research, Dr. Rizvi is actively involved in outreach and advocacy projects with an emphasis on providing mental health education to the community through the creative arts.

Sidney H. Kennedy is a Scientist and former Chair in the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Suicide and Depression Studies Program at St. Michael’s Hospital, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and a Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute and Toronto Western Research Institute. Dr. Kennedy’s work involves new drug evaluation, neuroimaging and neurostimulation therapies in depression, and the development and renewal of treatment guidelines for both Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. In defining a direction for ASR, Dr. Kennedy identified biological markers and risk assessment as the primary research focus, in addition to continuing and developing clinical interventions to aid persons with suicidal ideation and behaviour.

Dr. Dunlop received her PhD in Medical Science in 2018 at the University of Toronto, Institute of Medical Science, as a CIHR Vanier Scholar. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience as a CIHR Banting Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine in 2021. Dr. Dunlop uses cognitive science, human structural and functional neuroimaging, and non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation) to understand the biological causes of inter-individual variability in behaviour and symptomatology, treatment response, and predictors of symptom improvement.

Aleksandra Lalovic is a Research Psychotherapist in the ASR Program. She is involved in several studies investigating innovative psychotherapeutic approaches to help people who experience suicidal ideation and behaviour. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Aleksandra completed her clinical training at University of Toronto’s OISE Counselling Psychology program. She also holds a research doctorate in Neuroscience from McGill University, where she studied the neurobiology and genetics of depression and suicide risk.

Molly completed her HBSc and MSc at the University of Ottawa with a research focus in EEG methodology and brain stimulation treatment in depression. She is currently a PhD student with the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto and her project uses neuroimaging to uncover biomarkers associated with anhedonia and suicide risk. Molly is dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for patients and hopes to continue pursuing neuropsychiatry research in the future.

Hailey received her Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science with a minor in Mental Health & Addictions at McMaster University. Prior to joining the ASR, Hailey was coordinating neuroimaging research at CAMH with a focus on treatment resistant late-life depression. In the ASR, Hailey is the lead coordinator working with Dr. Rizvi on the suicide and depression neuroimaging study stream, brief psychotherapy intervention research and is also involved with our community outreach efforts.

Jennifer completed her Honours Bachelor of Integrated Science at McMaster University with a specialization in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour.  She is currently a MSc student with the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto and her project uses neuroimaging to examine potential biomarkers associated with suicide risk and pain perception. Jennifer is passionate about science communication, mental health advocacy and hopes to help bridge the gap between research and patient outcomes in the clinic in the future.

Yasmine Simone Gray is a Research Coordinator at ASR. She is supporting the Family/Friends of Individuals at Risk of Suicide Training (FIRST) study. Yasmine has a Master's degree in Critical Disability Studies and brings to the team, her expertise in Mad Studies, Critical Suicidology and Black Disability Studies. Outside of her work in ASR, Yasmine is an educator who uses storytelling and the arts to teach social justice education to a wide variety of audiences.

Melissa is a PhD candidate in Music and Health Sciences. She holds a MA in Music Therapy from the University of Roehampton in London, UK and is also a Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow (NMT-F) and Registered Psychotherapist (RP). Melissa is a practicing music therapist supporting clients with autism, neurorehabilitation, dementia, and mental health concerns. Melissa’s research interests lie in exploring the effects of music-based interventions for depression.

Anna is a Registered Social Service Worker with experience as a crisis counsellor and mental health support assistant for children and survivors of abuse. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Community Social Services from the University of Guelph, specializing in Youth and Family Counselling. Her aspiration is to pursue a Master of Social Work, focusing on effective healthcare interventions for acute mental health crises. Within the ASR Program, Anna is involved in the Supportive Trauma Exposure Preparation (STEP) study and provides assistance on the Suicide Biomarker projects.

Elizabeth received her BSc in Psychology from York University and is currently completing her Masters of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health at King's College London. Prior to joining St. Michael's Hospital, Elizabeth gained significant clinical experience working as a Psychometrist at both Baycrest and SickKids Hospitals, and as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, investigating drugs to enhance social communication in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. At the CDSS, Elizabeth serves as a Clinical Trial Coordinator, where she coordinates clinical trials exploring innovative treatments for depression.

Jaehee achieved an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, specializing in Psychology. She is diligently pursuing her Master of Science in Pharmacology at the University of Toronto, and her research endeavors center around the characterization of dopamine receptor binding in treatment resistant depression (TRD). Jaehee's aspirations are firmly rooted in the realm of clinical science. She envisions a future as a trailblazing neuropsychiatry researcher with the pursuit of knowledge and dedication to the field of mental health and treatment.

Reem is entering her fifth year at the University of Toronto studying psychology and political science, with a passion for mental health research and practice. Prior to joining ASR, Reem was a Research Placement Student at CAMH aiding with a longitudinal cohort study investigating youth mental health concerns. She is also currently a neurofeedback technician at a private psychology clinic. As part of ASR, Reem is involved in aiding with a systematic review paper investigating the effects of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. 

Leen received her BSc and MSc degree in Neuroscience from Carleton University. She is currently a PhD student with the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto, and her project uses neuroimaging to investigate dopamine receptor binding in treatment-resistant depression. Leen is dedicated to advancing research improving therapeutic outcomes for patients and bridging the gap between scientific research and the community to challenge and reduce stigma towards mental health.

Rhea is entering her third year at the University of Toronto, studying a double major in Human Biology and Psychology, with a minor in Physiology. Having always been passionate about mental health, Rhea aspires to pursue a career as a clinical psychologist, with a focus on children and young adults. As an undergraduate thesis student within the ASR program, Rhea will be assisting in clinical interviews as well as data collection under Dr. Rizvi.

Onjoli graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science and a double minor in Biology and Psychology. She is an MSc student with the Institute of Medical Science and plans to transfer into the PhD stream next year. Onjoli is currently working on a project with Dr. Rizvi to assess the efficacy of a novel psychotherapy - Brief-Skills for Safer Living - in a randomized control trial.