Lindsey Thurston, PhD
Lab Manager – einsteinlabmanager@utoronto.ca
Lindsey Thurston received her PhD in psychology and neuroscience from the University of Toronto where she studied gender/sex, neuroendocrinology, and behaviour in white matter microstructure. Her multimodal neuroimaging work attempts to bridge social and scientific domains by drawing on neurofeminist frameworks. Lindsey’s master’s research, conducted at Queen’s University, explored working memory and psychopharmacology in non-human animal models. Lindsey aspires to be Editor-in-Chief of a scientific journal and in her spare time she photographs the city of Toronto.
Noelia Calvo, PhD
Post-doctoral Fellow – noelia.calvo@utoronto.ca
Noelia Calvo is a Linguist and PhD in Psychology from Argentina. She is now working as a postdoctoral fellow at the Einstein lab. Dr. Calvo researches risk and reserve proxies in dementia. She is particularly interested in the role of language, ethnicity and biological sex in Alzheimer’s disease. To understand the interactive effects of different social determinants of health, Dr. Calvo uses behavioral data (quantitative and qualitative) together with neuroimaging techniques, and multivariate analysis. The ultimate goal of her research is to facilitate and promote health equity in the study and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of the lab, Noelia enjoys reading, biking and trekking.
Reubs Walsh, PhD
Post-doctoral Fellow – reubs.walsh@utoronto.ca
Reubs J Walsh is a multidisciplinary scientist with degrees in human physiology, cognitive neuropsychology, and clinical developmental psychology. Their work focusses on understanding how the social environment shapes individuals’ biology, especially their brains, and draws on the philosophical and political works of neurodivergent, queer/trans and intersectional feminist movements and scholars. As a postdoctoral fellow in the Einstein lab, they investigate how biosocial processes related to gender/sex – including gender-affirming medical treatments using hormones, and social stress and isolation – influence how the brains of trans women and non binary people PAMAB change in older age. Their project uses neuropsychological testing, multimodal neuroimaging, and qualitative methods to obtain a deeper understanding of these participants’ experiences, and how those experiences may have influenced the health of their aging brains. Outside the lab, Reubs enjoys building skills within the performing arts, using those skills to communicate the scientific ideas and knowledge that motivate their commitment to building a more equitable society, and spending time with their friends, family and communities.
Alyssa Smith, PhD
Post-doctoral Fellow – alyssac.smith@utoronto.ca
Alyssa Smith received her PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Waterloo. Her doctoral research investigated the relation between oral contraceptive use and attention-related traits and states. In the Einstein Lab, she is exploring the role of sex steroid hormones in the development of adolescent brain and investigating the relation between cognitive task performance and brain structure in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers before and after prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. Alyssa is also interested in and has conducted prior research on individual differences in cognition, attention during lectures, information search behaviours, media multitasking, and flow. Outside of research, she can be found in spin class, painting, reading, or chasing after her dog Finn – before indulging in her reality TV obsession.
Sophia Zhao
PhD Student – sophiayt.zhao@mail.utoronto.ca
Sophia received her Honours B.Sc. in Psychology and Physiology from the University of Toronto and has an interest in the neurological mechanisms associated with different cognitive functions, especially related to aging and disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. She is an incoming doctoral student for Fall 2022. Outside of the lab, Sophia enjoys playing tennis, baking, and trying new restaurants with friends and family.
Jana Galley
PhD Student – jana.galley@mail.utoronto.ca
Jana received her Honours B.A. in Communication and Media Studies and Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology from Carleton University. She joined the Einstein Lab in the Fall 2022 as a graduate student, eager to explore the dynamic interplay between the mind, the brain, and the social world. She is especially interested in understanding the relationship between hormones and embodied cognition and combining qualitative and quantitative research methods. Outside of the lab, she loves listening to podcasts, taking long walks in the dog park, and embracing any opportunity to travel.
Michelle Galper
PhD Student – michelle.galper@mail.utoronto.ca
Michelle (she/her) received her Honours B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from Queen’s University. She is an incoming PhD candidate for the Fall 2023 cohort, and is very excited to be joining the Einstein lab. She is interested in researching the many intersecting factors (both biological and environmental) that impact cognitive function in later life, and how these factors affect the brain at a structural, functional, and neuropsychological level. Outside of the lab, Michelle enjoys all things music, camping, and trying new restaurants around the city!
Jenalyn Ormita
PhD Student – jenalyn.ormita@mail.utoronto.ca
Jenalyn Ormita (she/her) received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honours) from Mount Royal University. She joined the Einstein lab in Fall 2024 as an incoming doctoral student. With knowledge in psychology and women’s and gender studies, Jenalyn is interested in studying how cognition and various biological factors are affected by social factors such as race, gender, culture, and immigration. Jenalyn‘s research interests ultimately stem from her desire to understand others and promote social justice using a multidisciplinary and intersectional lens. Outside the lab, she enjoys playing volleyball, dancing, and spending time with loved ones!
Lucy Muir
PhD Student – lucy.muir@utoronto.ca
Lucy joined the Einstein Lab as a doctoral student in 2024. She completed her Honours B.A. in Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University where she developed a passion for biopsychosocial research on sex, gender, and aging. Lucy is now nurturing that passion with her graduate studies. She researches menopause as a biological, psychological, and social process, and is exploring the complex ways that menopause may influence cognitive health. Outside the lab, Lucy is a committed long-distance runner, an avid concert-goer, and loves to participate in community theatre.
Shreeyaa Ramana
Research Assistant – shreeyaa.ramana@utoronto.ca
Shreeyaa received her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Toronto. She manages the database for the Estrogens & Cognition project, supervises the work of undergraduate research assistants, and supports the day-to-day operation of the lab. Shreeyaa is fascinated by the utility of neuropsychological tests in understanding complex relationships between the brain and behaviour and is also an avid consumer of research on knowledge translation. Outside of her work in the lab, she is a science communicator and enjoys reading fiction and playing basketball!
Galo Ginocchio
Research Assistant – galo.ginocchio@mail.utoronto.ca
Galo holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bioethics from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Science in Community Health, focusing on Addictions and Mental Health, with a Collaborative Specialization in Addiction Studies from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. He supports data analysis and collection in the lab, and directs the University of Toronto Sex, Gender, and Neuroscience Fellowship program. Galo’s scholarly pursuits include community-based participatory research, exploring the needs of diverse communities, and positive psychology intervention development, implementation, and evaluation. Outside of the lab, Galo enjoys biking, camping, and science fiction.
Research Assistants
- Dorrin Taghdisi
- Jacki Zhao
- Madi Gibbs
- Michael Howard
Project Students
- Zaki Ul Haq
- Trisha Menon
- Tracy Thong
- Quinn Tan
- Claire Li
Research Volunteers
- Eithar Fadl
- Kavvya Agarwal
- Prathiga Suthanthirarajan
- Yumo Zhang
- Comfort Oluwagbamila
- Michelle Teng