Azrieli Accelerator Professorships
As part of the Azrieli Accelerator's mission to advance transdisciplinary research in neurodevelopment across the lifespan, eight faculty positions were created across UCalgary's campus with expertise exploring neurodevelopment from diverse disciplinary perspectives.
Dr. Tamara Bodnar, PhD
Azrieli Accelerator Assistant Professor in Transdisciplinary Neurodevelopment Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
Dr. Tamara Bodnar studies Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) using a translational approach that includes pre-clinical animal models and clinical research. Her work examines the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on the gut-brain-immune system across the lifespan, and parallel outcomes in children and adults with FASD. Dr. Bodnar is an Indigenous scholar and has ongoing partnerships with Indigenous communities with the goal of re-framing conversations and education around alcohol-use and FASD, as well as decreasing stigma. Read more about Dr. Bodnar's work.
Dr. Stephanie Chipeur, JD
Azrieli Accelerator Assistant Professor in Law & Disability Policy, Faculty of Law and School of Public Policy
Dr. Stephanie Chipeur studies human rights and disability policy with the aim of reforming program design and compensation amounts for caregivers. Her research centres around understanding case law and advancing comparative policy analysis related to caregivers of youth with disability. Read more about Dr. Chipeur's work.
Dr. Maryam Faiz, PhD
Azrieli Accelerator Associate Professor in Neurodevelopment, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine
Dr. Maryam Faiz's lab investigates astrocyte diversity in development and disease to discover new approaches for brain repair. The research in her lab spans four interconnected areas: how astrocyte heterogeneity emerges during development, how different astrocyte populations respond to injury, the gut-microbiota-astrocyte axis, and astrocyte reprogramming for repair in the central nervous system. Given the complexity of cellular heterogeneity, her program employs collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches ranging from whole-animal behavior to single-cell omics.
Dr. Eli Kinney-Lang, PhD
Azrieli Accelerator Assistant Professor in Inclusive Biomedical Engineering Technologies for Neurodevelopment, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering
Dr. Eli Kinney-Lang has been investigating the intersection between neurotechnology and neurodevelopment for the better part of the last decade. His primary interest is looking at how to improve brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for children living with complex needs, particularly through a lens of inclusive engineering and game development. As Azrieli Accelerator Assistant Professor, Co-Director of BCI4Kids, and CEO and Founder of BCI Games, Dr. Kinney-Lang is expanding the impact and reach of BCI systems for children. Read more about Dr. Kinney-Lang's work.
Dr. Chunlong Mu, PhD
Azrieli Accelerator Assistant Professor in Microbiome and Neurodevelopment, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine
Dr. Chunlong Mu's research focuses on the role of gut microbiome and ketogenic therapy in pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, including infantile epilepsy, autism, and ADHD. His goal is to understand how the gut microbiome influences health and to develop intervention and prevention strategies that improve child health and wellness.
Dr. Linda Nguyen, PhD
Azrieli Accelerator Assistant Professor in Youth, Sibling, and Community Engaged Research, Faculty of Social Work
Dr. Linda Nguyen studies how to support youth with disabilities and siblings during the transition to adulthood. Throughout her research, she partners and engages with interested parties including youth with disabilities, siblings, families, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and policymakers. Dr. Nguyen aims to mobilize and apply her research to inform policies and health practices. Read more about Dr. Nguyen's work.
Dr. Laura St. John, PhD
Azrieli Accelerator Assistant Professor in Exercise and Health Research for Neurodiverse Women & Girls, Faculty of Kinesiology
Dr. Laura St. John is an AuDHD self-advocate who studies physical literacy for neurodiverse populations. Her research focuses on people with intellectual disability, developmental disability, autism, and ADHD, studying how health outcomes (i.e., anxiety, sleep, motivation) as well as sexual and reproductive health can be improved through greater physical literacy skills in neurodiverse young women. Read more about Dr. St. John's work.
Dr. Ami Tint, PhD
Azrieli Accelerator Assistant Professor in Neurodiversity & Intersectionality, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts
Dr. Ami Tint uses multiple methods to understand how to improve supports and services for people with neurodevelopmental conditions, with a particular focus on the mental health needs of Autistic girls and women. She studies program development and evaluation with the aim of improving equitable access to care for neurodivergent people. Dr. Tint strives to achieve meaningful community partnerships and engages in coproduced research to inform clinical practice.
Azrieli Accelerator Professors in the news
Azrieli Accelerator professorship program helps break down faculty barriers
With Dr. Tamara Bodnar as the program's inaugural recruit, the Azrieli Accelerator professorship program brings new strengths to neurodevelopment research.
Dr. Stephanie Chipeur exploring intersection of disability and law
New course examines how Canadian law and public policy impact lives of people with disabilities.
Advancing physical literacy for neurodiverse populations
Former Special Olympics coach, Dr. Laura St. John, ramps up her game in physical literacy for neurodiverse people.