Nicky Zalasky

Biography

About me

I grew up west of Calgary in the small town of Bragg Creek, Alberta. I completed my undergrad at Mount Royal University, graduating with a BA degree in Psychology with Honours and a Biology Minor. I fell in love with the elegance and complexity of the brain and decided to continue my education in neuroscience at the University of Calgary. I am currently a second-year master’s student in Dr. Zelma Kiss’s lab.
 

My Research

I started my journey in Dr. Zelma Kiss’s lab working as a summer research student on a project investigating the perception of artificial somatosensory stimulation. I am thrilled to continue researching in the Kiss lab as a master’s student, and am now currently working on a project aimed at understanding the role that subgenual cingulate gyrus (SCG) plays during emotional processing in people suffering with depression. Using a microelectrode, we can record neuronal activity from area’s deep in the human brain to better understand the emotional processing networks involved in depression.
 

BRAIN CREATE program aspirations

The BRAIN CREATE program offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with researchers and industries all over the world, prioritizing the commercialization of neurotechnologies. Through this program I hope to participate in academic exchanges and industrial placements to gain experience outside of my own field and niche.
 

Commercialization

Microelectrode recordings are often used to locate and target specific brain areas, such as SCG, for surgical treatment of depression with deep brain stimulation (DBS). While typically used for clinical purposes, microelectrode recordings also provide a unique research opportunity to observe and study the human brain. I plan to utilize this available technology to better understand emotional processing in depression.
 

Post-graduation

Nicky completed her MSc in Neuroscience in July 2022 and is staying on in Dr. Kiss' lab to finish up a few publications. In the future, Nicky is considering a career as a doctor or a physiotherapist.

Awards

NSERC BRAIN CREATE Graduate Scholarship