John Peever, PhD: Principal Investigator
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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.

Aurora Portoraro, Lab Manager/Technician

I completed my BSc with Honours at the University of Toronto in Life Sciences where I double majored in the Biology Specialist program and Nutrition. My major responsibilities as Lab Manager/Technician is overseeing the day to day operational needs in the lab of 15+ students (PhD, MSc, BSc, and undergraduates), understanding research facility/equipment requirements, managing strain specific mice colonies and enforcing biosafety standards. In my free time I love to read, cook, and go for runs.

Sara Pintwala, PhD Candidate

I am a PhD candidate in the Peever lab studying the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Specifically, I am trying to develop a novel therapeutic strategy for narcolepsy by transplanting cells in the brain. Before joining the Peever lab for my graduate studies I completed my HBSc at the University of Toronto. During this time, I was an undergraduate thesis student with Dr. Peever in my final year. In my spare time I enjoy biking and cooking.

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.

Anita Taksokhan, PhD Student

My interest in research began when I did a thesis at Western University on attention using touchscreen chambers. I am now a PhD student interested in the role of brainstem dorsal pons, projecting to the basal forebrain area, in production of theta oscillations. These theta oscillations are heavily involved in memory and learning of novel experiences. Outside the lab I enjoy exploring ethnic restaurants, having political debates, and sketching.

Brittany Dugan, PhD Student

Hey there! My name's Brittany, and I'm originally from Ottawa where I completed my BSc at Carleton University in Neuroscience, with minors in both Statistics and Psychology. My PhD project focuses on the relationship between RBD and synucleinopathic disorders such as PD and MSA. In my free time, I love to sing, play video games, and thrift! ​

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.

Gerard Kim, MSc Student

​I did my undergraduate thesis at Western University, studying dopamine levels in rodent cognition in touchscreen chambers. Now I am a Master's student in the Peever lab, enthusiastic about investigating the neural circuitry of REM sleep generation. My project involves using viral vectors and fibre-photometry to localize candidate glutamate neurons involved in generating REM sleep. Outside of the lab, I like to work out and travel.

Steven Ngo, MSc Student

Having completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, I developed an interest in the work conducted at the Peever lab. My research seeks to investigate the role of glutamatergic neurons in the regulation of REM sleep through the use of optogenetics. Aside from my research interests, I love playing guitar. I also enjoy reading Greek mythologies, playing sports and gaming. 

Ryan Ruan, MSc Student

Hi there! I'm Ryan, a Master's student here at the Peever Lab researching the role of GABA/Glycine cell ablation in the Ventromedial Medulla on RBD pathology. I received my Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto, majoring in human biology. In my free time, I love going for archery, playing video games, and hunting down new restaurants!

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

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

Business Process Integration 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

MSc Students

Andrea Bevan

Sharshi Bulner

Garret Horton

Negar Golmohammadi

Daniel Li

​Dillon McKenna

Paul Sanghera

Matthew Snow

Nicole Yee