Meet Our Researchers
Meet the team members that works in the Stroke and Cognition Research Group
Principal Investigator
The founder and head of our operations
Philip Barber
Dr. Philip A. Barber is an Associate Professor of Neurology in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary where he co-directs the Stroke Prevention Clinic and is a member of the Calgary Stroke Program. Dr. Barber’s major interests are dementia and infarct maturation.
As the Principal Investigator of the PREVENT study, Dr. Barber aims to detect dementia in subjects at risk of the condition many years before it develops. By taking this approach, we hope to be able to do something about it at the earliest opportunity.
Dr. Barber enjoys the outdoors with his family during his free time. He is usually so invested in his work that he forgets to switch on his office lights after sunset and works in the dark, using his laptop as the only source of light!
Research Assistants
George Tadros
George is a Neuroscience undergraduate student at the University of Calgary, where he is working towards getting his Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience. He has been part of Dr. Barber’s lab and the PREVENT team since 2019. George loves working with kids, so it is his dream is to get his MD and become a pediatric neurologist. In his free time George loves to sit on the couch and read books from his absolute favourite genre, epic fantasy. He also enjoys playing squash and table tennis with his friends and is an avid follower and fan of Barcelona FC and all things soccer (George loves being a soccer ref).
Catarina Avila
Catarina is currently a second-year undergraduate student studying Neuroscience at the University of Calgary. She has recently joined the Barber lab group and is excited to learn more about clinical neurosciences. She hopes to earn her MD and work in the field of neuro-oncology. Catarina was a scout for nine years and served as the Group Youth Commissioner in her scout group. Not only does she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, she loves to play board and card games! Catarina also enjoys gardening!
Dorothy Chacinski
Dorothy is an undergraduate student of psychology at the University of Calgary. She has a history of volunteering and conducting research in long-term care, most recently working on the front lines of the pandemic. Her research interests include clinical geropsychology and cognitive decline. In her spare time, Dorothy enjoys exploring the outdoors and values spending time with her family.
Raneem Sheronick
Raneem Sheronick is a Research Assistant in Dr. Barber’s lab. She has a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a minor in Bioengineering from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. She recently moved to Calgary and will be starting her MSc in Biomedical engineering in January 2022. In her free time, Raneem enjoys reading mystery novels, painting, and spending time with friends and family.
Britney Denroche
Britney is in her last year of her Bachelor of Science in health and exercise physiology. She has developed a passion for neuroscience in her studies and is excited to be a new addition to the Barber lab group. She plans to pursue her MD and a career in the surgical field. Britney was a competitive athlete in the sport of baton twirling for 14 years. She was a member of Team Canada and won gold in the team event in 2015. She enjoys reading, watching Critical Role, cheering on the New England Patriots, and eating loads of sushi.