CHARLab PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Charlotte W. Usselman, PhD
Area of interest 
Neurovascular control of blood pressure and the impact of sex and gender on cardiovascular health
Home town
West McGillivray, Ontario
About me
Academic lifer who is dedicated to using her position to help underserved and marginalized people understand and improve their cardiovascular health. In my free time you can find me chillin with my family, playing with Albus and Ruby (our resident animals), hitting a patio with some friends, or gardening (quite solidly in my gardening era at the moment), all of which is usually done with a killer soundtrack (activity soundtracks being a MUST). Oh or sleeping. BIG sleep fan over here.
CHARLab Graduate Students
Laila A. Chaudhry - PhD Candidate (Psychology) – Year 6
Area of interest 
Social neuroscience and psychophysiology of pain
Home town
Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA
About me
INTJ, Canadian-American, Netflix-obsessed, Feminist, Psychologist foodie. Current research examines how sex, gender, and psychological variables affect biomarkers of acute pain
Alicia Duval – PhD Student (Clinical Psychology), Year 5
Area of interest 
The impact of mindfulness interventions on (neuro) psychological and physiological health in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Home town
Ottawa, Ontario
About me
I'm a 5th year Clinical Psychology student, specializing in Neuropsychology. My research area is related to cardiovascular health, cognitive functions, and psychological interventions in PCOS.
Jinan Saboune – PhD Candidate, Year 3
Area of interest 
Neurovascular Control of Blood Pressure across the Lifespan of Women
Home town
Toronto, Ontario
About me
UofG Biomed alumni in molecular cardiology. Passionate about closing the gender gap and improving women's heart health. Activities outside the lab include running, travelling, hiking, yoga, and bachata!!
Danielle Berbrier – PhD Student, Year 2
Area of interest 
Control of the skeletal muscle vasculature in females with polycystic ovary syndrome
Home town
Montreal, Quebec
About me
I’m the token Montrealer, pronounce my last name as you see fit. I’m a sushi and candy lover but I hate dessert. White Air Force 1’s all day every day. I’m a basket-baller when I'm not busy tearing my ACL. My friends are my family. Most importantly I love learning about cardiovascular physiology, anything and everything PCOS, and being a part of the CHARlab! #WHODATnation
Brittany Schwende – PhD Student, Year 2
Area of interest 
The effect of PCOS on blood pressure regulation
Home town
Elora, Ontario
About me
I am a second year PhD student from Ontario! I study how PCOS affects mechanisms involved in blood pressure control. Outside of the lab, my favourite things to do are drink coffee and eat a croissant, go for a long run, hang with my dog Mayble and binge bravo – you know, all the finer things of life!
Will Huckins – PhD Student, Year 1
Area of interest 
The role of physical activity in mediating cardiometabolic disease risk and health related physical fitness amongst individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome
Home town
West Bolton, Qc
About me
The lab’s token male; just trying to figure out what I'm doing and have fun in the process.
Keila Turino Miranda – PhD Student, Year 1
Area of interest
Polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiovascular outcomes in transgender, gender-diverse and non-binary individuals on exogenous testosterone
Home town
Cardenas, Cuba
About me
Interested in the intersection between sex (biological attributes) and gender (sociocultural factors) which are important determinants of health not only in the transgender, gender-diverse and non-binary population, but all populations. Aiming to incorporate these factors into all aspects of research - while also addressing social determinants of health contributing to quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Outside of the lab I enjoy picking up a wide variety of hobbies - most recently I’ve picked up crochet!
Emily Bensimon – MSc Student, Year 2
Area of interest 
MSNA responses to an isometric handgrip exercise in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Home town
Montreal, Quebec
About me
Born and raised in MTL, but I still always feel like a tourist whenever I come downtown... could be my stellar sense of direction or could be that Montreal has way too many fun activities and I have yet to tackle them all! On that note, I LOVE traveling and being a tourist (even in my own city! ). Long walks are my therapy, and I am a sucker for a good romantic comedy (I think I have watched “just go with it” and “blended” an embarrassing number of times.) I love playing soccer, dancing and rewatching Gilmore Girls (favourite show!) and I am extremely excited to be doing my masters with this lab!!
Emily Van Berkel – MSc Student, Year 1
Area of interest
Sex and within-female differences in the balance of cardiac output and vascular resistance during acute stress
Home town
Dorchester, Ontario
About me
It’s me, EVB! A small-town Ontarian who was destined to be a Montrealer thanks to my Dad – go Habs! In the wise words of Julie Andrews, these are a few of my favourite things: warm London Fogs, fun books, crochet projects, good meals at new restaurants, pretty sunsets, sour candy, cheesy early-2000s rom-coms, Disney, motionball, country music, and ice cream. Mac Kin grad, recently converted to a German Shepherd lover, former Team Canada athlete in synchronized skating, and currently super excited to be a CHARLabber for the next two years!
Shannon Delage – Incoming MSc Student
Area of interest
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Vascular response in women across the menstrual cycle
Home town
St-Hubert, Quebec
About me
I am caffeinated 24/7. You can find me carrying around an iced latte with oat milk (year-round) and my massive water bottle and listening to nothing other than Taylor Swift. I love figure skating, singing, baking, making coffee, trader joe’s, walks downtown, watching grey’s anatomy, listening to Taylor Swift and cuddling with my dogs (or any dogs really). I am interested in everything women’s health and physiology and I’m really happy to be a part of CHARlab!
CHARLab Summer Undergraduate Student Research Assistant (USRA)
Pamela Fankem - U3
Area of interest
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The link between heart rate variability, sleep disturbance and depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Home town
Calgary, Alberta
About me
I was born in Montreal but grew up in Calgary...but honestly, I feel like my parents did me wrong cause I should've lived near a beach lol. I love discovering new music and expanding my vinyl collection, taking photos on film and editing videos! I love to cook, but not as much as a love to eat and spending time with friends and family. I've played volleyball for as long as I can remember and I'm a sucker for a good reality TV show (LOL). I'm super excited to be in the lab this summer, learning and growing my understanding of women's CV health.
