Education & Research Experience                                      

 

  • Northwestern University, Evanston Illinois, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2023-present; Mentor: Ken Paller

Research topic: Investigating the Practices, Benefits and Neural & Physiological Correlates of Contemplative Sleep Practices.

 

  • Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada                       

Co-Director, Geriatric Psychiatry lab:  2017 – 2018; Director: Soham Rej

Clinical Research Associate, 2016-2017

Clinical Research Assistant, 2016

Research topic: Biological mechanisms & effectiveness of Mind-Body Interventions such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Tai-Chi, and other types of meditation to treat psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

  • McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Ph.D. in Neuroscience (GPA 3.9), 2015; Mentor: Naguib Mechawar

Masters in Neuroscience, fast track to Ph.D. after 11 months (GPA 4.0), 2009 – 2010

Thesis title: Evidence of astrocyte and macrophage activation in the anterior cingulate white matter of depressed suicides.

  • Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico

B. Sc. in Biology, 2008; Mentor: Francisco Fernandez de Miguel

Thesis title: Morphologic characterization of proteins involved in the somatic secretion of serotonin.

 

Professional Experience                            

Host a Pet Inc.                                                                                                                        2017 – 2020

CEO & Co-Founder

  • Launched a startup which is a marketplace (mobile application & website) that connects pet owners with certified Hosts, offering 6 services.

  • Fundraised over $100K for operations and generated over $26,000 of revenue in 14 months.

  • Managed operations and resources of platform (2K users), hired and directed 7 employees.

  • Offered more than 1300 services, increased sales 300% over 12 months with 70% retention.

 

Expertise                                                          

Brain Imaging: Electroenephalogram, polysomnographic data collection and analysis.  Sleep Scorig: staging both offline for standard scoring and online for targeted lucidity reactivation. Clinical Trials: conceived, designed and executed more than 10 clinical trials Microscopy Software: Neurolucida (light microscopy), EM3D (electron microscopy), FV 1000, Leica  (laser scanning confocal microscopy); Histology in human brain: Immunocytochemistry, Golgi staining,  Nissl staining; Imaging in cell culture:  triple fluorescent immunohistochemistry, calcium imaging; Cell culture: immortalized cell lines, primary cell cultures; Molecular techniques: Real-time PCR; Electrophysiology: patch-clamp whole-cell and inside out, intracellular recording, EEG, software: Clampfit & Axoscope; Biochemical techniques: transfection of TRP and calcium cells into Human Embryonic Kidney cells; Computational: Python, Statistical analysis/graphing with GraphPad, SPSS, Image.

 

Peer-reviewed Research Grants                                          

 

Tiny Blue Dot                                                                                                                  May 2024

  • Contemplative Sleep Science: A New Avenue for Spiritual Insight and Mental Health

    Role: Principal Co-Investigator, Amount: $500,000

International Association for the Study of Dreams                                                December 2023

  • Contemplative Sleep Science: A New Avenue for Spiritual Insight and Mental Health

    Role: Principal Investigator, Amount: $500

Varela Grant -Mind and Life Institute                                                                     January 2023

  • Investigating the Practices, Benefits and Neural Correlates of Tibetan Dream Yoga

    Role: Principal Investigator, Amount $20,000.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)                                                     March 2020

  • Automatic Self-Transcending Meditation in Treatment-Resistant Late Life Depression

    Role: Co-Investigator with Akshya Vasudev & Soham Rej, Amount: $413,100

Drummond Foundation                                                                                             February 2018

  • Preventing Cognitive Decline in Older Adults with Depression and Anxiety using Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

  • Role: Co-Investigator with Soham Rej, Amount: $25,000.

 

Awards, Honours & Scholarships                                      

 

·       Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, U.S.A., Amount: $122,000 USD (2023; appointed)

·       Doctoral Scholarship “Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología” (CONACyT), Mexico, Amount: $150,000 USD (2009)

·       Mass Media Science Fellowship from American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to communicate complex scientific issues in CNN, Amount: USD 5,000 (2015; declined)

·       Returning Student Award, McGill University, Amount: CAD 10,000 (2014)

·       Anne and Richard Sievers Award for Science Leadership, McGill University, Amount: CAD 2,000 (2014)

·       Graduate International Travel Fund, McGill University, Amount:  CAD 2,200 (2013)

·       CAN-ACN travel award, CAN-ACN, Amount: CAD 500 (2013)

·       13 AMBGC best Neuroscience Poster Presentation Award, McGill University, Amount: CAD 200 (2013)

·       Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award, McGill University, Amount: CAD 500 (2013)

·       McGill Transfer Award, McGill University, Amount: CAD 5,000 (2012)

·       Graduate Excellence Award in Neurology and Neurosurgery, Amount: CAD 5,000 (2012)

·       Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award, McGill University, Amount: $500 (2012)

·       McGill GERI/Provost Graduate, McGill University, Amount: CAD 5,000 (2012)

·       AMBGC Best Poster Presentation award, Amount: CAD 150 (2011)

·       First place award in the contest “Science photography,” U.N.A.M., Amount: $ 10,000 MN (2009)

·       Ixtli- DGAPA –UNAM Scholarship $ 5,000 MN (2001)

 

Teaching & Mentorship                                                    

 

Internship Teacher- Emory-Tibet Science Initiative                                                                       2023

Northwestern University, Evanston, USA.

·       Trained monastic scholars to conduct electroencephalogram overnight experiments to study sleep and dreaming.

Course Lecturer- Mental Illness and the Brain                                                                    2016-2020

McGill University, Montreal, Canada

·       Lectured courses on Basic Neurobiology, Depression and Suicide and Bipolar disorders (fall).

Student Supervision as Research Associate/ Co-Director

·       Master’s thesis in Psychiatry Sophia Escobar (completed) 2017-2019, McGill University, Thesis Title: Mind-body intervention in late-life depression/suicide.

·       Ph.D. student in Psychiatry Angela Potes Holguín, 2016-2017, McGill University.

·       Master’s student Rebecca Fox 2016-2017, Concordia University, achievement: 1 publication

·       International Medical Graduate Marina Khalil, 2016,

·       Undergraduate student Roya Taheri, 2017

·       Trained 11 research assistants in clinical data management, data entry, analysis in SPSS and conduct clinical assessments: Claudia Beliveau, Julia Novielli, John Inhaber, Michelle Yang, Juliana Van Amsterdam, Veselko Vakula, Corina D Alesio-Worth, Camille Bouchard, Mariana Fregoso, Amanda Marino, Ian Bernstein

Student Supervision during Ph.D. Studies

·       Undergraduate student Marina Wakid 2014-2015, McGill University, achievement: 1 publication

·       Undergraduate student Samuel Comeau 2013-2014, Universite Laval, achievement: 1 publication

·       Undergraduate student Camille Boudreau-Pinsonneault 2012-2013, achievement: 1 publication

Other volunteered mentorship

·       Judge at the annual Study Senior School Science Fair at The Study High School, February 2016

·       Brain Awareness Week, organized by the Montreal Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience, taught grade 6 classes in elementary schools about the five senses and the role and functioning of the brain, March 2012.

 

Publications (by relevance)                                              

 

Metrics: 29 published manuscripts, 4 under revision, 6 first author with 1624+ citations, 1 last & corresponding author, 4 with Impact Factor above 12 points, 1700 total citations, i10-index 17.

 

1.     Campillo-Ferrer T., Alcaraz-Sánchez A., Torres-Platas SG. (2024). A theory-driven, mindfulness-based guide to facilitate and explore lucid sleep and altered states of consciousness during sleep. Under review.

2.     Chintha S., Escobar S., Nassim M., Nazar R., Wu J., Cinalioglu K., Torres-Platas SG., Rej S. (2024). Does MBCT affect psychodynamic defense mechanisms and self-rated mindfulness in older adults?  Under review.

3.     Tzioridou S., Campillo-Ferrer T., Cañas-Martín J., Schlüter L., Torres-Platas SG., Gott JA., Soffer-Dudek N., Stumbrys T., Dresler M. (2024). The Clinical Neuroscience of Lucid Dreaming. Under review.

4.     Xia T., Chen D., Zeng S., Yao Z., Liu J., Qin S., Paller KA., Torres Platas SG., Antony JA., Hu X. (2024). Aversive memories can be weakened during human sleep via the reactivation of positive interfering memories. PNAS in press.

5.     Alcaraz-Sánchez A.,  Demšar E., Campillo-Ferrer T., Torres-Platas SG. (2022). Nothingness is all there is: An exploration of objectless awareness during sleep. Frontiers in Psychology (IF. 2.99) 10:13:901031. 

6.     Belliveau C., Nagy C., Escobar S., Mechawar M., Turecki G., Rej S., Torres-Platas SG.  (2021). Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on peripheral markers of stress and inflammation in older adults with depression and anxiety: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry (IF. 3.53) 24:12:804269. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.804269

7.     De-Miguel FF., Leon-Pinzon C, Torres-Platas SG., Del Pozo V., Hernández-Mendoza G., Aguirre-Olivas D., Méndez Ambrosio B., Moore S.,  Sánchez-Sugía D., García Aguilera MA.,  Martínez-Valencia A., Ramírez Santiago G., Rubí M. (2021). Extrasynaptic Communication. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience (IF. 4.0). Apr 30; 14: 638858. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.638858.

8.     Nassim M., Park H., Dikaios E., Potes A., Elbaz S., Mc Veigh C., Lipman M., Novak M., Trinh E., Alam A., Suri R., Thomas Z., Torres-Platas SG., Vasudev A., Sasi N., Gautier M., Mucsi I., Noble H., Rej S. (2021). Brief Mindfulness Intervention vs. Health Enhancement Program for Patients Undergoing Dialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Healthcare (IF. 2.8) 9(6):659.

9.     Moussaoui G, Rigas C., Escobar S., Torres-Platas SG., Castel S, Yang M., Inhaber J., Novielli J., van Amsterdam J., Sasi N., Potes A., Nikolitch K., Penheiro R., Looper K., Segal M., Elie D., Kiss A., Selchen S., Herrmann N, Sekhon H., Rej S. (2021). Brief Mindfulness-Oriented Interventions (MOIs) Improve Psychiatric Symptoms in a Psychiatric Inpatient Unit: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial. Psychosis (IF. 1.21)

10.  Lavin P., Nazar R., Nassim M., Dikaios E., Novak M., Mucsi I., Trinh E., Potes A., Alam A., Suri RS., Thomas Z., McVeigh C., Lipman M., Torres-Platas SG., Noble H., Linnaranta O., Rej S. (2021). Do Brief Mindfulness Intervention (BMI) and Health Enhancement Program (HEP) Improve Sleep in Hemodialysis Patients with Depression and Anxiety? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Healthcare (IF. 2.5) Oct21;9(11):1410. 

11.  Rigas C., Park H., Nassim M., Su CL., Greenway K., Lipman M., McVeigh C., Novak M., Trinh E., Alam A., Suri R., Mucsi I., Torres-Platas SG., Noble H., Sekhon H., Rej S., Lifshitz M. (2021). Long-Term Effects of a Brief Mindfulness Intervention vs. a Health Enhancement Program for Treating Depression and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: a randomized controlled trial. Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease (I.F. 1.77). 10.1177/20543581221074562

12.  Fotso Soh J.,  Almadani A., Beaulieu S.,  Rajji T., Mulsant BH. ,  Su CL.,  Renaud S., Mucsi I.,  Torres-Platas SG.,  Levinson A., Schaffer A.,  Dols A., Cervantes P., Low N.,  Herrmann N.,  Mantere O., Rej S. (2020). The effect of atorvastatin on cognition and mood in bipolar disorder and unipolar depression patients: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord (IF. 4.04). Feb 1;262:149-154.

13.  Dikaios E., Escobar S., Nassim M., Su CL., Torres-Platas SG., Rej S. (2020) Continuation Sessions of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT-C) vs. Treatment as Usual in Late-Life Depression and Anxiety: An Open-Label Extension Study. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (IF. 3.8) 35(10):1228-1232. doi: 10.1002/gps.5360.

14.  Fotso Soh J., Beaulieu B., Trepiccione F., Mantere O., Torres-Platas SG., Robert W., et al., (2020).  A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial of Atorvastatin for Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus in Lithium-Users. Bipolar Disorders (IF. 4.9). Feb;23(1):66-75

15.  Torres-Platas SG., Escobar S., Belliveau C, Wu J, Sasi N., Fotso J., Potes A., Thomas Z., Goodman A., Grad R., , Looper K., Segal., Berlim M., Vasudev A., Moscovitz N., Rej S. (2019). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Intervention for the Treatment of Late-Life Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Primary Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychother Psychosom (IF. 13.7) ;88(4):254-256

16.  Pokrzywko K., Torres-Platas SG., Abdool PS., Nassim M., Semeniuk T., Moussa Y., Moussaoul G., Leon C., Baici W., Wilkins-HoM W., Blackburn P., Friedland J., Nair V., Looper K., Segal M., Woo T., Bruneau MA., Rajji TK., Rej S. (2019). Early Clinical Exposure to Geriatric Psychiatry and Medical Students' Interest in Caring for Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry (IF. 7.2). Jul;27(7):745-751

17.  Vasudev A., Torres-Platas SG., Karefoot K., Potes A., Therriault J., Gifuni A., Segal M., Looper KJ., Nair V., Lavretsky H., Rej S. (2019). Mind-Body Interventions in Late-Life Mental Illnesses and Cognitive Disorders: A Narrative Review. 27(5):536-547

18.  Cruceanu C., Schmouth JF., Torres-Platas SG., Lopez JP., Ambalavanan A., Spiegelman D., Rochefort D., Hince P., Gauthier J., Lafreniere RA., Dion PA., Alda M., Tureck G.i, Guy R. (2017). Rare susceptibility variants for familial bipolar disorder point to a role for G protein-coupled receptors. Molecular Psychiatry (IF. 13.2) doi: 10.1038.

19.  Thomas Z., Novak M., Torres-Platas SG., Gautier M., Potes Holgin A., Fox R., et al. (2017). Brief mindfulness meditation for depression and anxiety symptoms in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A pilot feasibility study. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (IF. 4.6) 12(12):2008-2015.

20.  Torres-Platas SG., Nagy C., Wakid M., Turecki G., Mechawar N. (2016). Glial fibrillary acidic protein is differentially expressed across cortical and subcortical regions in healthy brains and down-regulated in the thalamus and caudate nucleus of depressed suicides Molecular Psychiatry (IF. 13.4) Apr;21(4):509-15.

21.  BellS.,  Maussion G., JefriM.,  Peng H.,  TherouxJF.  ,Silveira H.,  Soubannier V., Wu Hé, Hu P.,  Gala E., Torres-Platas SG., Boudreau-Pinsonneault C., O'Leary LA.,  Galat V.,  Turecki G., Durcan TM. , Fon EA.,  Mechawar N., Ernst C. (2018). Disruption of GRIN2B Impairs Differentiation in Human Neurons. Stem Cell Reports (IF. 6.0). Jul 10;11(1):183

22.  Elie D., Marino A., Torres-Platas SG., Noohi S., Semeniuk T., Segal M., Looper KJ., Rej S. (2017). End-of-life Care Preferences in Patients with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness and Chronic Medical Conditions: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry (IF. 7.2) 2018 Jan;26(1):89-97

23.  Fotso Soh J., Torres-Platas SG., Beaulieu S., Mantere O., Platt R., Mucsi I., Saury S., Renaud S., Levinson A., Andreazza AC., Mulsant BH., Müller D., Schaffer A, Dols A, Low. N., Cervantes P., Herrmann N., Christensen BM., Trepiccione F., Rajji T., Rej S. (2018). Atorvastatin in the Treatment of Lithium-Induced Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus: The Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial BMC Psychiatry (IF. 4.4). Jul 16, 18(1):227

24.  Potes A, Torres-Platas SG., Thomas Z., Vasudev A., Lavretsky H., Rej S. (2017) Tai Chi Interventions in Mental Illness: Results From a Pilot Study in Adults and a Systematic Review in Older Adults. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (IF. 7.2) S100-S101

25.  Moussaoui G., Van Amsterdam J, Fotso Soh J., Torres-Platas SG., Rej S. (2017). Current Pharmacotherapies in Older Age Bipolar Disorder. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry (I.F. 0.5)

26.  Nagy C., Torres-Platas SG., Mechawar N., Turecki G. (2016). Repression of Astrocytic Connexins in Cortical and Subcortical Brain Regions and Prefrontal Enrichment of H3K9me3 in Depression and Suicide Int J Neuropsychopharmacol (IF: 4.8):  1;20(1):50-57.

27.  Devorak J., Torres-Platas SG., Davoli MA., Prud'homme J., Turecki G., Mechawar N. (2015) Cellular and molecular inflammatory profile of the choroid plexus in depression and suicide Frontiers in Psychiatry (IF. 4.7):  Oct 19;6:138

28.  Cruceanu C., Powell P., Cheng T., Sanja R., Lopez JP., Torres-Platas SG., O. Gigek C., Alda M., Rouleau GA., Pavlidis P., Turecki G. (2015). Transcriptome sequencing of the anterior cingulate in bipolar disorder: dysregulation of G protein-coupled receptors. American Journal of Psychiatry (IF. 19.2): Nov 1;172(11)

29.  Huh C., Amilhon B., Ferguson K., Torres-Platas SG., Manseau F., Peach J., Scodras S., Mechawar N., Skinner F., Williams S. (2014). Excitatory inputs determine phase-locking strength and spike-timing of parvalbumin and somatostatin interneurons during intrinsically generated hippocampal theta rhythm. Journal of Neuroscience (IF. 5.3): June 22; 36(25):6605-22

30.  Torres-Platas SG., Comeau S., Rachalski A., Dal Bo G., Cruceanu C., Giros B., Turecki G., Mechawar N. (2014). Morphometric characterization of microglial phenotypes in human cerebral cortex. J Neuroinflammation (IF. 4.3) Jan; 11(12)

31.  Torres-Platas SG., Cruceanu C., Chen G., Turecki G., Mechawar N. (2014). Evidence for increased microglial priming and macrophage recruitment in the dorsal anterior cingulate white matter of depressed suicides. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity (IF. 19.22) Nov;42:50-9

Comment on: And the BBI 2014 award for lead actor in "neuroinflammation and depression" goes to… Brain, behavior, and immunity (I.F. 19.2) Nov;42:48-9.

32.  Torres-Platas SG, Hercher C, Davoli MA, Maussion G., Labonté B., Turecki G., Mechawar N. (2011). Astrocytic Hypertrophy in anterior cingulate white matter of depressed suicides. Neuropsychopharmacology (IF. 7.6) Dec;36(13):2650 **

**Conceptualized image from recent paper selected as cover art portrait of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology (2011)

 

Oral presentations                                                         

Summary: 16 national and international oral presentations, 20 poster presentations.

1.     Ligmincha International- Dream Yoga Dialogues, One of four invited speakers in a one-week retreat to discuss current topics on Dream Yoga, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A. (2023).

2.     International Association for the Study of Dreams. Investigating the Practices, and Neurophysiological Correlates of Tibetan Dream & Sleep Yoga, Ashland Oregon, U.S.A. (2023).

3.     Inaugural Love and Time Conference. Neural Correlates of Dream Yoga and its Effects on Cognitive Insight, Consciousness, and Mind Wandering, Online (2022).

4.     Minimal Phenomenology Experience (MPE) Workshop. Neural Correlates of Dream Yoga and its Effects on Cognitive Insight, Consciousness, and Mind Wandering, Frankfurt, Germany (2021).

5.     Annual Summit on Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing. Mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms, New York (2021).

6.     The American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry. The mind and beyond: the role of mindfulness and transcendental meditation practices in late-life mood disorders, Atlanta (2019).

7.     The American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry, Mind-Body Interventions for Late-Life Mental Health and Cognition, Dallas (2017).

8.     Jewish General Hospital Research Day, Brief Mindfulness Meditation for Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Dialysis: A Randomized Control Trial, Montreal Qc., (2016).

9.     Society for Neuroscience Nanosymposium, Evidence for increased microglial priming and macrophage recruitment in the dorsal anterior cingulate white matter of depressed suicides, Washington DC (2014).

10.  Society for Neuroscience Nanosymposium, Morphological characterization of microglia in human neocortex, San Diego CA (2013).

11.  9th Conference of Mexican Graduate Students and Researchers in Canada
CEIMEXCAN, Cerebral Inflammation in depression and suicide, Montreal Qc (2014).

12.  Douglas student research Day, Douglas Mental Health University Institute Montreal, Qc., Cerebral inflammation in depression and suicide, Montreal Qc (2013).

13.  Douglas student research Day, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Evidence of astrogliosis in the anterior cingulate white matter of depressed suicides, Montreal Qc (2011).

14.  5th Conference of Mexican Graduate Students and Researchers in Canada
CEIMEXCAN, Cerebral Inflammation in depression and suicide, Ottawa Gatineau (2010).

15.  UNAM Faculty Biology, Natural resources symposium Santa Maria Guienagati Oaxaca, to sustainability UNAM, Mexico (2006).

16.  XI Ecology student Symposium, Distribution of Tillandsia recurvata in two phorophytes (Ziziphus sp. y Mimosa sp.), in Metztitlán Hidalgo valley, UNAM, Mexico (2005).

 

Reviewer activity                                                            

Peer-Review of Original research articles

OBM geriatrics, July 2020

·       Journal Preventive medicine, November 2020

·       Journal of Clinical Psychology, September 2020

·       Brain Behaviour and Immunity, August 2020

·       Journal of Clinical Psychology, February 2020

·       Journal of Clinical Psychology, November 2019

·       Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, September 2019

·       Psychophysiology, February 2019

·       Immunobiology, June 2016

·       Biological Psychiatry, October 2014

·       The American Journal of Psychiatry (Gustavo Turecki), May 2014

·       Molecular Psychiatry, April 2012 (Gustavo Turecki)

·       British Journal of Nutrition, May 2012 (Naguib Mechawar)

·       Archives of Suicide Research (Gustavo Turecki), March 2013

Peer-Review of Grant Proposals

·       American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (Gustavo Turecki) December 2012

·       American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (Gustavo Turecki) January 2012

 

Diplomas, Certificates                                                     

Certificate, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Group Therapist (MBCT), University of Toronto, 2016

·       Completed the certification to deliver MBCT as group therapy in the CLSC Benny Farm

Certificate, Foundations of Project Management, Mitacs Step, 2014

·       Foundations of Project Management 1 & 2 workshop series (32 hours)

Diploma, Introductory course in Immunology, American Association of Immunologists, University of Pennsylvania, 2013

·       7-day intensive course with the world’s leading experts in immunology.

Dobson Cup, McGill University, 2012

·       Dobson Cup for best business idea to commercialize indigenous products through e-commerce in Canada and U.S. – reached the second round

Certificate, Basic business skills workshop - McGill University, 2011

·       6-month workshop series hosted by Desautels faculty of management, participated in GMCA case competition (2014)

Certificate, Learning to Teach: McGill Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Teaching and Learning Services, 2010

·       1-day workshop

Training, Electron tomography analysis, 3D reconstruction and manipulation of EM3D software, Stanford University, 2007.

·       1-week training at the Uel Jackson McMahan`s laboratory, from image acquisition with electron microscopy to rendering the final 3D reconstruction of synaptic vesicles.

 

Committee leadership & Volunteering                                

Volunteering

·       Board Member - Frisson de Colline Foundation September 2020-2021.

·       Volunteer- provided company and friendship to a person suffering from schizophrenia to promote good mental health. Compeer Montreal / Entre-Amis Association Bénévole, August-December 2018

·       Board Member- Graduate/Postdoctoral Studies & Advisory Committee for International Students, McGill University Senate, September 2013.

·       Academic Mentor- after-school program for adolescents with learning difficulties, Agence Ometz, August 2015- April 2016

·       Director of Professional Relations for the Graduate Management Consulting Association, June 2014

·       Public Relations Officer for the Graduate Students Association for Neuroscience (GSAN), September 2013

·       Designed and performed workshops with ethnic communities living in the Sian K’an jungle to assess development sustainability for the Government of Mexico, January- June 2008.

 

Sports & Interests                                                          

·       Circus Acrobat Performer-Aerial silks, Cirque du Soleil Scholar (performed 8 aerial silk shows).

·       Mexican Folklore Dancer (performed in 20+ shows).

·       Travelled to 28+ counties (India, U.S.A., Turkey, Germany, U.K., France, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Uganda, Canada, Nepal, Australia, Zambia, Guatemala, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Czech Republic, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Botswana, Monaco, Colombia)

 

Languages                                                         

·       English (fluent), Spanish (native), French (fluent) and Portuguese (beginner)