Basic Science Trainee Committee

The NMD4C Basic Science Trainee Committee (BSTC) represents the interests of trainees within the network, offering an opportunity for professional growth for future leaders in neuromuscular research.

Meet the Basic Science Trainee Committee

The BSTC communicates the training and professional development needs of trainees to the NMD4C pre-clinical science pillar leads, providing feedback, and suggesting improvements to existing NMD4C trainee opportunities. The BSTC is composed of 9 members, including a chair, co-chair, secretary, and general members, representing the diversity of the Canadian neuromuscular trainee population.

Jean-Philippe Leduc-Gaudet

BSTC Co-Chair (2025)
Assistant Professor, Medical Biology Department at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)

Emma Sutton

BSTC Co-Chair (2025-2026)
Postdoctoral Fellow | The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Adrien Rihoux

BSTC Secretary (2025)
PhD Student in Neurosciences at Centre de recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM), Montreal | Martine Tetreault Lab

Haley Geertsma

Postdoctoral Fellowship Funding Recipient & BSTC Sub-Committee Member (2026–Present)
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Ottawa | CHEO Research Institute

Pauline Garcia

BSTC Sub-Committee Member (2026–Present)
Postdoctoral Fellow | CHU Sainte Justine - Université de Montréal 

Umme Sabrina Haqu

BSTC Sub-Committee Member (2026–Present)
PhD candidate, Department of Neuroscience, University of Alberta | Yokota lab Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute

Caroline Part

BSTC Sub-Committee Member (2026–Present)
PhD student, University of Ottawa | CHEO Research Institute

Mathias Bell

BSTC Sub-Committee Member (2026–Present)
PhD Student in Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University

Jaskaran Singh

BSTC Sub-Committee Member (2026–Present)
PhD Student in Neuroscience | INRS – Institut national de la recherche scientifique

Ohanes Ashekyan

BSTC Sub-Committee Member (2026–Present)
Ph.D. Candidate in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) | Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa

Magda Lesinski

BSTC Sub-Committee Member (2026–Present)
PhD Candidate in Integrative Physiology, McMaster University

Sean Ng

BSTC General Member
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, Biozentrum, Basel, Switzerland

Rebecca Yaworski

BSTC General Member
PhD Student, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, | Neuroscience Program at the University of Ottawa

Shatha Atieh

BSTC General Member
Ph.D. candidate in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa

Jaryeon Lee

BSTC General Member
MSc student, York University’s Stem Cell Research Group, Muscle Health Research Center

Matthew Triolo

BSTC General Member
Postdoctoral Fellow, Khacho Lab, University of Ottawa

Basic Science Trainee Committee Projects

The BSTC works on projects to strengthen the collaborative landscape of basic neuromuscular research resources in Canada.

biobank working group page

Create an open-source database of research protocols and expertise from neuromuscular research labs in Canada. Share your lab's expertise here!

Implement individual traineeships to learn specialized techniques. Learn more about the NMD4C collaborative training awards!

Support the organization of events, workshops, and activities geared towards trainees that promote professional and personal development

About the Committee

Eligibility:

All current basic science trainees that are members of the NMD4C are eligible to be members of the BSTC.

Term:

Members of the BSTC will serve for a term of 2 years, with the possibility of renewal for 2 consecutive terms.

Selection:

NMD4C pre-clinical science pillar leads will select the chair and co-chair. New members will be selected by the NMD4C pre-clinical science pillar leads in consultation with the BSTC chair and co-chair.

Terms of Reference:

The BSTC terms of reference can be found here.

BSTC logo