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. Since joining the ASR in 2022, Hailey has acted as the lead coordinator working with Dr. Rizvi on the suicide and depression neuroimaging study stream, brief psychotherapy intervention research and our community outreach efforts.
Anna earned her Bachelor of Applied Science in Social Services from the University of Guelph and is currently completing her Master of Social Work with interests in women’s mental health and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Before joining the ASR, she worked as a crisis counsellor and supported psychosocial and policy research. Within the ASR Program, Anna coordinates the B-SfSL randomized controlled trial.
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 graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Political Science from the University of Toronto, St. George campus. She has held a variety of clinical mental health research positions in Toronto hospitals such as CAMH and UHN, as well as having provided mental health support in positions such as Peer Supporter and Neurofeedback Technician in mental health clinics. Reem is assisting with various studies at ASR, and is mainly engaged in a systematic review of the psychotherapeutic nature and suicide-related outcomes of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy on a variety of psychological disorders.
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.
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.
Elise holds a BSc in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Guelph and a Master of Public Health from Queen’s University. Before joining the ASR, she was part of the Toronto Adolescent and Youth Cohort Study research team at CAMH, where she contributed to innovative research on adolescent mental health, particularly trajectories in youth psychosis. In the ASR, Elise is a Research Coordinator supporting our therapeutic treatment programs including the Integrated Suicide and Trauma Therapy study and the Friends/Family of Individuals at Risk of Suicide Training project.