John Peever, PhD: Principal Investigator

Jimmy Fraigne, PhD: Research Associate

I am interested in understanding how circuits in the brain generate both sleep and wakefulness, and how damage to these circuits can lead to specific disorders. My work in the lab focuses on 2 main questions 1) How does the nervous system couple cortical arousal with the appropriate motor activity to produce meaningful behavior? 2) How is REM sleep and its characteristics generated and controlled? In my spare time, I enjoy food by cooking, finding new restaurants in Toronto, and travelling the world one farmers market at a time. I'm also a flutist and an avid reader of both French and English literature.

Stephanie Tanninen-Bakir, PhD: Lab Manager

I love learning about the networks and computations in the brain that underlie normal functions such as learning, memory, and sleep. I subsequently acquired my PhD in the lab of Dr. Kaori Takehara-Nishiuchi and then transitioned to the Peever lab and CBTC. I am now enjoying research from the managerial side. I also enjoy spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking anything with chocolate. Additionally, I have fun biking around Toronto, exploring cities and nature, interior/architectural design, and reading historical fictions. 

Sara Pintwala, PhD candidate

​I began my research career in the Peever lab as an undergraduate thesis student and after enrolled in graduate studies. My research is focused on orexin neurons and cell transplants in the brain. In my spare time I love to cook, bike and travel.

Han-Hee Lee, PhD student

I am a PhD student working in Dr. John Peever's Laboratory at University of Toronto Department of Cell and Systems Biology. My main research interest is to unveil the neuronal mechanism behind the generation and regulation of REM sleep. The main experimental technique that I am using are optogenetics and genetically assisted circuit mapping. As a researcher, my interest is mainly focused on my research but on my spare time I also like singing to relieve my stress.

Russell Luke, PhD student

I am a PhD student studying the link between REM sleep behavior disorder and Parkinson's disease. In my spare time I enjoy trying new foods, attending concerts and watching horror films. I also like to spend my time practicing martial arts and play the trombone. Being from Hong Kong, I look forward to exploring all the unique places Toronto has to offer.

Andrea Bevan, MSc student

I completed my Bachelor’s of Science at The University of Western Ontario with an honours specialization in Animal Behaviour. I am currently a Master’s Student and I study the link between synucleinopathies, like Parkinson’s disease, and REM sleep behaviour disorder. Specifically, I am interested in how the α-synuclein protein, that forms Lewy bodies in Parkinson’s disease, is involved in the pathology of REM sleep behaviour disorder. Outside of the lab I enjoy swimming, writing and illustrating stories, and exploring the great outdoors. 

Mohamad Hamieh, MSc student

My research is focused on understanding how sodium oxybate, a drug treatment for cataplexy, interacts with the brain. Outside the lab I'm always ready for a pick up game.

Anita Taksokhan, MSc student

My interest in research began when I did a thesis at Western University on attention using touchscreen chambers. I am now a Master’s student interested in the role of glutamergic neurons in the dorsal pons projecting to other brainstem areas to produce theta oscillations during REM sleep. REM theta oscillation is important for emotional memory and learning novel experiences. Outside the lab I enjoy exploring ethnic restaurants, rock climbing, and sketching. ​

Brittany Dugan, MSc student

Hey there! I finished my Bachelor’s of Science at Carleton University in Neuroscience and Mental Health, with minors in both Statistics and Psychology. For my research, I’m interested in the relationship between RBD and synucleinopathies. Outside of the lab, I am super passionate about Disney World, Jurassic Park, and trying new foods!

Alumni

PhD Students

Simon Lui, PhD

Zoltan Torontali, PhD

Jennifer Lapierre, PhD

Peter Schwarz-Lam, PhD

Arash Tadjalli, PhD

Christian Burgess, PhD

Patti Brooks, PhD

Master's Students

Negar Golmohammadi

​Dillon McKenna

Garret Horton

Matthew Snow

Daniel Li

Paul Sanghera

Sharshi Bulner

Nicole Yee

Current Position

Postdoctoral fellow | Dr. Laura Corbit's Lab | University of Toronto

Medical Sciences Liaison | Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Animal Ethics and Compliance Manager | University of Toronto

Research Funding Manager | University of Toronto

Postdoctoral fellow | Dr. Gordon Mitchell's Lab | University of Florida     

Assistant Professor | Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute | University of Michigan

Lawyer | Gilbert's