Dr. Nader Ghasemlou
Dr. Ghasemlou is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Biomedical & Molecular Sciences at Queen’s University, where he leads the Pain Chronobiology & Neuroimmunology Lab. His research team is working at the intersection of neuroimmunology, pain physiology, and circadian biology. Using molecular, cellular, and systems biology, they are working to dissect the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the generation and maintenance of inflammation in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Dr. Marcia Finlayson
Dr. Finlayson’s research program on developing, implementing and evaluating self-management programs and rehabilitation services to enhance the health and well-being of people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). These people include both individuals with the disease and their family caregivers. The ultimate goal of Dr. Finlayson is to enable people affected by MS to lead healthy, meaningful lives and exert choice and control over their participation in daily activities at home and in the community, particularly as they age. She is the co-founder of the International MS Falls Prevention Research Network, which includes 9 other MS rehabilitation researchers from the US, Ireland, Italy, and the UK.
Dr. Ana Wing
Dr. Wing is a neurologist at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC). She is also an Assistant Professor at the Division of Neurology at Queen’s University. Wing is an expert in neuroimmunology, Multiple Sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases of the Central Nervous System.
Dr. Moogeh Baharnoori
Dr. Baharnoori is a specialist in multiple sclerosis and related neuro-inflammatory disorders. She was the medical director of the multidisciplinary MS clinic in the Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), now working at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Neurosciences Center.
Dr. Manon Choinière
Dr. Choinière is a Professor at the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine of the Université de Montréal and works as a full-time clinical scientist at the Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal where she does evaluative, epidemiological, and clinical research on acute and chronic pain. Her research work is steadily funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé. She has published more than 140 articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented her work at numerous international and national meetings. She is also one of the founding members of the Quebec Pain Research Network and the Canadian Chronic Pain Network.
Dr. Gabrielle Pagé
Dr. Pagé is an expert in ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) of chronic pain and their association with biopsychosocial outcomes. She now co-leads the CircaPain study with NPI Dr. Ghasemlou.
Dr. Zihang Lu
Dr. Lu is a Biostatistician and Epidemiologist in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University. Prior to coming to Queen’s University, he was a Biostatistician at the Hospital for Sick Children. He completed his Ph.D. and MSc in Biostatistics at the University of Toronto. He is actively developing new statistical and machine-learning models to analyze complex data in clinical research.
Doriana Taccardi
Doriana Taccardi is a PhD candidate in the Ghasemlou Lab who leads and coordinates the CircaMS project. She has an MSc in Clinical Psychology and has worked for the National Health Service in London, UK, for the past 3 years as a Clinical Research Practitioner coordinating several epidemiological and randomized control trials (RCT).
Hailey Gowdy
Hailey Gowdy (PhD student) studies the circadian control of chronic pain and other neuroimmune conditions. Hailey has a background in Life Sciences (BScH) from Queen’s University. She has built the CircaPain study and is coordinating the CircaMS project along with Doriana Taccardi.
Vina Li
Vina Li (PhD student) studies the potential role of circadian rhythms in MS using animal models of MS, including the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and cuprizone models. Vina graduated from Connecticut College (USA) with a double major in neuroscience and biochemistry. She designs and conducts pre-clinical experiments for the CircaMS project.
Laura Granger
Since my diagnosis over 8 years ago, I have navigated the complexities of living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This journey has provided first-hand experience with the healthcare system and managing chronic illnesses. My volunteer work with the MS Canada has deepened my commitment to advocating for MS patients and addressing healthcare inequalities. Currently pursuing a Master of Public Health in Social Policy at the University of Victoria, I am excited to bring my education and lived experience to Queens University for the CircaMS project to advance MS and CFS research.