Alysen graduated top of her class, with honours, from Brock University with a degree in Biological Sciences.  During her undergraduate career, she held multiple NSERC undergraduate student research fellowships and it was during this time that her passion for research began.  She went on to complete a Masters in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, with a Deans award, from the University of Ottawa in 2012.  Following her masters’ degree, Alysen worked as a senior research technician in a top research lab in Ottawa, studying the metabolism of stem cells.

In her spare time, Alysen loves spending time with her family – being the mother of two young boys. She is likewise a phenomenal baker, with cupcakes being her particular specialty.

Delphie undertook an undergraduate degree in psychology and soon after graduation, competed for Canada as part of the National Canadian freestyle mogul team. In 2008, she retired from skiing and started working as a research assistant at the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR), where she evaluated an optimal approach to effective pharmacological treatment of depression. Most recently, Delphie completed her PhD in neuroscience in the field of neurogenesis and mechanisms of cellular regeneration. Delphie’s combined experience in both clinical and fundamental research make her uniquely qualified to run our research program.

In addition to her academic achievements, she is a gold medalist at the World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championships as a purple belt and in January 2015, she was ranked #1 in the world in her age, weight and belt class.