Azrieli Accelerator Summer Student Awards
In 2026, the Azrieli Accelerator collaborated with the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute and the Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience) program to distribute awards to undergraduate students:
2026 Awardees
Khadija Tembo
Under the supervision of Dr. Brandy Callahan in the Lifespan Brain Health Lab (LiBra Lab), my project examines how perimenopause may affect the brain health of women with ADHD. Estrogen helps regulate dopamine, a brain chemical that supports attention, motivation, mood, and thinking. Because dopamine already works differently in the ADHD brain, declining estrogen levels during perimenopause may affect women with ADHD more than women without ADHD, yet this group remains largely understudied. Estrogen also supports the hippocampus, a brain region central to learning and memory. Using MRI scans, I will explore whether the decline in estrogen levels is associated with differences in hippocampal size, if these differences are linked to memory and other cognitive abilities, and whether these links differ between perimenopausal women with and without ADHD. My goal is to help us better understand how the menopausal transition might uniquely impact the brain and cognitive health of women with ADHD.
Nghi Doan
I am currently conducting a scoping review with Dr. Meadow Schroeder on on-campus accommodations for neurodivergent students in higher education. The objective of this project is to review perspectives of faculty and staff on on-campus accommodations for neurodivergent students in post-secondary education. Specifically, their role and responsibilities in supporting students and barriers of students in accessing and utilizing accommodations.
Danny Guo
Supervisor Dr. Guang Yang
Quan Lam
Supervisor Dr. Tamara Bodnar