2025 Executive Council
Chair
Chanele Polenz, Ph.D.
Chanele is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, studying the bidirectional relationship between depression/anxiety and cardiovascular disease. She completed her doctoral degree at the University of Toronto, where she specialized in inflammation and vascular biology. Outside of lab work, Chanele is passionate about teaching and improving research trainee experiences.
Past Chair
Henrietta “Henny” Bennett, Ph.D. (she/her)
Henny is a postdoctoral fellow at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto, studying regulation of primary ciliogenesis and resorption. She is the former Chair, Secretary and Finance Lead of the Postdoctoral Advisory Committee at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, and former VC Operations for CAPS/ACPP (2023).
As Chair, Henny guides the work of the executive council and it’s working committees, and represents CAPS to our partner organizations. Her goal is to improve the Canadian Postdoc experience.
Vice Chair Communications, French
Marine Hemmerle, Ph.D.
Dr. Marine Hemmerle is a postdoctoral fellow at the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto. She is a molecular and cellular biologist interested in the development of new microscopy tools for the characterization of proteins’ subcellular localization in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. She is the former Event lead of the Postdoctoral Advisory Committee at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.
As VC Communications (French), Marine is responsible for sharing postdoc-related information with Canadian francophone postdoc associations.
Vice Chair Communications
Manpreet Kaur, Ph.D.
Dr. Manpreet Kaur is honored to seek the opportunity to contribute to this association, as she deeply values its mission and the community it fosters. Currently, Dr. Manpreet Kaur is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Food Protein and Bioproducts Lab at the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. She completed her Ph.D. journey at Punjab Agricultural University under the prestigious Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship Program. She was privileged to be a visiting scholar at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, US. Dr. Manpreet Kaur is passionate about strengthening the community by sharing valuable insights and creating a supportive network that enhances research excellence. She believes that by working together, we can amplify opportunities, navigate challenges effectively, and make a meaningful impact in our fields. She is eager to contribute her experience, enthusiasm, and dedication to support fellow postdocs and advance the organization’s goals.
Vice Chair Survey and Data
Titus Oluktibi, Ph.D.
Titus Olukitibi is a Dr. Dick Smith Research Manitoba Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Manitoba, with research focused on understanding the immune interplay responsible for the clearance of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women. His work uses female sex workers from the Sex Workers Outreach Program (SWOP) in Kenya as a cohort. Titus aims to examine memory T cells’ response to HPV recall antigens in women who can clear HPV infection, which may suggest a novel approach for an HPV therapeutic vaccine to reduce HPV-related cervical cancer (CC).
Titus earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Medical Microbiology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, before relocating to Canada for his PhD program. He completed his PhD in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba, focusing on universal influenza vaccine development and characterization.
In addition to his academic achievements, Titus is the founder of Raising the Foundations of Generations Inc. (www.rfgimpacts.org), a faith-based organization dedicated to mentorship and professional development for children and teenagers in Canada.
Vice Chair External
Atena Akbari, Ph.D.
Atena is a postdoctoral associate at Western University, Robarts Research Institute. Her research focuses on studying brain function non-invasively using functional magnetic resonance imaging, particularly at the mesoscopic scale. She is interested in understanding the structural and functional dynamics in both healthy individuals and those affected by neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Through advanced imaging techniques, she aims to advance knowledge in neuroscience and neurodegeneration research.
As of January 2025, Atena has joined CAPS as the Vice Chair External, where she is dedicated to fostering connections and advocating for the interests of postdocs across Canada.
Vice Chair Career Development
Rade Zinaic, Ph.D.
Rade is a Bridging Divides Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Immigrant Health and Wellbeing at Toronto Metropolitan University where he is involved in several projects that explore the nexus between immigrant health and wellbeing and practices such as community gardening, restorative storytelling, and decolonial grassroots empowerment strategies, respectively.
As of January 2025, Rade is serving as the CAPS/ACPP Vice-Chair, Career Development, where he is committed to helping develop platforms for postdoc employment opportunities across sectors and advocating for their professional knowledge and expertise.
Vice Chair Finance
Peter Harrington, Ph.D. (he/him)
Peter is a teaching postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Mathematics at the University of British Columbia, where he is working to improve the experience of first-year students taking calculus. His past research was in mathematical biology, where he used analytical tools from mathematics to better understand the spread of sea louse parasites between salmon farms.
As VC Finance, Peter is in charge of managing the financial activities of CAPS/ACPP. He also sits on the Advocacy and Surveys & Data subcommittees. In 2023 Peter was VC External.
Vice Chair Operations
Camille Rousseau, Ph.D.
Dr. Rousseau, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute since July 2024, is working on a priority setting partnership to establish the next research priorities in brain-related implications of heart failure. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Ottawa (2016), a Master of Arts in Child and Youth Studies from Brock University (2018), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of British Columbia (2024). The postdoctoral fellowship is contributing to the enrichment of her expertise in patient-centred research strategies and public engagement in scientific research.
Stagiaire postdoctorale à l’Institut de cardiologie de l’université d’Ottawa depuis juillet 2024, la Dre Rousseau, en partenariat avec les patients partenaires, se concentre sur les priorités en matière de recherche de pathologies cérébrales concomitantes associées à l’insuffisance cardiaque. Elle est titulaire d’un baccalauréat ès sciences de l’Université d’Ottawa (BSc spécialisé Psychologie, 2016), une maîtrise ès arts de Brock University (MA in Child and Youth Studies, 2018) et un doctorat de The University of British Columbia (PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, 2024). Son stage postdoctoral contribue à son perfectionnement en usage de stratégies de recherche axées sur le patient et l’engagement des publics à la recherche scientifique.
Co-Vice Chair International
Luis Terrazas Salgado, Ph.D.
Dr. Luis Terrazas-Salgado is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Environmental Toxicology in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge since April 2024. Under the supervision of Professor Steve Wiseman. Dr. Terrazas is interested in how aquatic organisms respond at the molecular and biochemical level when exposed to biotic and abiotic stressors. In particular, he is interested in identifying the molecular responses that result in physiological dysfunctions and the molecular responses that allow organisms to cope with exposure to stressors. He obtained a PhD in Ecotoxicology from the Food and Development Research Center, Mazatlan Unit, Sinaloa, Mexico in 2023. In 2017, he obtained his MSc in Environmental Biotechnology. He also obtained the title of Engineer in Biotechnology in 2015.
From 2015 to early 2024, he was a professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Durango Campus Mazatlan, where he taught classes in biochemistry, medical informatics, research methodology and nutrgenomics.
Dr. Luis Terrazas-Salgado is the author of several scientific articles published in recognized journals and has participated in various national and international conferences.
Co-Vice Chair International
Songho Faye Dione, Ph.D.
Docteur Songho Faye Dione est stagiaire postdoctoral en droit public au département des sciences juridiques de l’UQAM depuis septembre 2024. Il mène, sous la supervision du Pr. François Roch, un projet de recherche sur la protection des droits humains par les institutions internationales à l’heure des menaces asymétriques. Il est titulaire d’un Doctorat en droit public à l’Université Alioune Diop de Bambey au Sénégal en 2023. En 2019, il obtient son Master en droit public, option Administration Publique. Il est aussi titulaire d’une licence dans la même spécialisation en 2016.
De 2018 à début 2024, il a été assistant à l’Université Alioune Diop de Bambey où il dispensa des séances de travaux dirigés en droit constitutionnel, droit administratif, droit de la fonction publique et droit administratif des biens.
Docteur Songho Faye Dione est l’auteur de plusieurs articles scientifiques publiés dans des revues reconnues. Parmi ces articles, nous pouvons citer entre autres :
– la liberté de circulation des personnes et des biens dans l’espace CEDEAO: quels défis face au terrorisme islamiste ?
– l’usage de drones dans la lutte contre le terrorisme dans l’espace CEDEAO: quelles perspectives d’encadrement par le droit ?
– le droit international humanitaire à l’épreuve des conflits armés en Afrique: exemples des pays de la Commission du Bassin du Lac Tchad (CBLT).
– le régime juridique des infractions qualifiées de terrorisme au Sénégal : entre procédure exorbitante de droit commun et protection des droits et libertés consacrés.
Vice Chair Membership
Yu (Yulian) Weng, Ph.D.
Dr. Yu Weng, also known as Yulian, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Toronto Metropolitan University, specializing in biomedical ultrasound. He began this role in February 2024 after earning his doctorate from Georgia Tech and gaining extensive industry experience in the United States before relocating to Canada. His current goal is to develop next-generation ultrasound imaging systems and drive innovation in biomedical ultrasound technology.
As of January 2025, Yulian serves as the Vice Chair of Membership for CAPS/ACPP. In this role, he is responsible for approving new members, sending welcome communications, and managing membership records. Furthermore, he is dedicated to fostering a stronger, more connected postdoctoral community.
Vice-Chair Website
Maxime Ranger, Ph.D.
Maxime is a postdoctoral fellow at Laval University in Quebec City. He holds a PhD in civil engineering from the Technical University of Denmark, and works on the durability of concrete strcutures and the design of low-carbon concrete mixes.
As VC Website, Maxime is responsible for administrating the website, ensuring that all CAPS/ACPP information are available in both English and French.
Advisor
Edris Madadian, Ph.D.
Edris Madadian is a former AMTD Global Talent Postdoctoral Fellow (University of Waterloo) and a Killam Postdoctoral Scholar (Dalhousie University). He served CAPS/ACPP as Chair from 2021-2023 and built strong relationship with the postdoctoral association across Canada as well international counterpart. His area of expertise is primarily in the design of renewable energy systems and sustainable engineering for a wide range of applications including agricultural, oil and gas, and automotive industries.
As Advisor Edris is focused on continuing to strengthen both the support offered to Canadian postdocs by CAPS/ACPP, and its advocacy work.
Advisor
Emma Griffiths, Ph.D.
Advisor
Christine Gibb, Ph.D.
Advisor
Catherine Hume, Ph.D. (she/her)
Catherine is a postdoctoral associate in the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary, studying how cannabis use alters appetite and metabolism. She is the former CAPS-ACPP Website Management and Communications VC, and Executive of The Postdoctoral Fellows Association of The University of Calgary.
Member-At-Large
Tamanna Jahan, Ph.D.
University of Saskatchewan
Member-At-Large
Claire Hales, Ph.D.
University of British Columbia
Claire Hales is a postdoctoral research fellow at The University of British Columbia (UBC), where Claire uses computational modeling to investigate the cognitive processes underlying behaviors related to gambling disorder and other psychiatric illnesses. Claire aims to improve understanding of brain function in health and disease by bringing together interdisciplinary research expertise across theoretical and experimental approaches, including decision making models, behavioral psychopharmacology and molecular neuroscience. Claire has an active role as Vice President External within the UBC Postdoctoral Association, is postdoctoral representative on the International Students Acceleration and Advising Committee and a mentor within the Postdoctoral Peer Mentorship Program within the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. Claire is passionate about advocating for a better, brighter future for postdocs within UBC and further afield, and supporting postdocs in pursuit of this goal.
Member-At-Large
Alsayed Mostafa, Ph.D.
University of Alberta
Alsayed is a postdoctoral fellow in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Alberta (UofA). His current work focuses on combining the principles of environmental biotechnology and bioelectrochemistry to develop bioenergy and resource recovery from waste and wastewater. Currently, Alsayed serves as Vice President (External) in the Postdoctoral Fellows Association (PDFA) of the University of Alberta. Alsayed obtained his Ph.D. in early 2022 from Inha University, South Korea, where he also served as a postdoctoral fellow. Before settling in Canada, Alsayed worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the State University of New York, USA.
As Member-At-Large, Alsayed contributes to discussions and serves as a bridge between CAPS/ACPP and the PDFA of UofA to ensure that the opinions of the PDFA of UofA are reflected and to pass on CAPS/ACPP ideas and recommendations to the PDFA of UofA. Alsayed’s ultimate goal is to improve the conditions of the Canadian postdoc community.
Member-At-Large
Carina Oedingen, Ph.D. (she/her)
University of Calgary
Carina joined the University of Calgary in April 2024 as a Postdoctoral Associate in the Eyes High Postdoctoral Match-Funding Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from the Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, a master’s degree in public health from the University of Bielefeld and a doctoral degree in public health from the Hanover Medical School in Germany and worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Her research is focused on stated preference methods and eliciting patient preferences interested in how stakeholders make decisions and how these can be incorporated in health-policy making aiming to improve people’s health and the healthcare system. She is a Member-At-Large and the Vice President External for the term 2024-2025 from the Postdoctoral Association of Calgary (PDAC).
Member-At-Large
Arash Salahinejad, Ph.D.
Western University
Dr. Arash Salahinejad is a postdoctoral fellow at the Robarts Research Institute, Western University (UWO). He specializes in testing innovative therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on evaluating the efficacy of new drugs targeting amyloid beta (Aβ). Arash’s research aims to assess the prophylactic effects, as well as potential side effects, of these new treatments on cognition and behavior. Arash actively fosters collaboration, advocates for postdoctoral interests, and works to enhance the visibility and impact of postdoctoral research within the broader scientific community, while supporting the well-being and professional development of other postdocs.