Meet the 2026 Mini Med School Team

Ailish Babicki-Moore, Master’s Student, Wright Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, UBC

Ailish is blending her love of food with her passion for health to inspire others.

Ailish completed her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at UBC in 2024. After graduation, she took a short break from academia to attend cooking school in France, combining her love of food with her passion for health. This unique experience inspired her to pursue a Master of Science in Kinesiology, where she now works in the END Lab (Exercise, Nutrition & Drugs) under the supervision of Dr. David Wright. Her research explores how weight-loss drugs affect muscle health, a topic that perfectly aligns with her interests and makes her graduate studies deeply rewarding. Reflecting on both her undergraduate and graduate experiences, Ailish is a strong advocate for finding personal meaning and connection in the subjects we study | Learn more about the Wright Research Team

Dr. Inês Caldeira Brás, Postdoctoral Fellow, Hayden Research Team, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children’s Hospital; Faculty of Medicine, UBC

Inês is turning complex brain research into insights everyone can understand.

Inês is a postdoctoral fellow focused on developing novel biomarkers for Huntington disease, with a background studying molecular mechanisms involved in disease progression and degeneration in neurodegenerative disorders. She is passionate about making neuroscience accessible and easy to understand for everyone. Actively engaged in science outreach, Inês is dedicated to inspiring curiosity and demonstrating how neuroscience research translates into real-world insights and potential therapies | Learn more about the Hayden Research Team

Rosalyn Carr, PhD Candidate, Digital Health Innovation Lab, BC Children’s Hospital; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Faculty of Medicine, UBC

Rosalyn is creating digital tools to help kids and family understand research.

Rosalyn is a PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at UBC and a researcher with the Digital Health Innovation Lab at BC Children’s Hospital. Their research focuses on using human-centred design to create digital tools that help return research results to study participants, improving the experience for researchers, children, and families. Before starting their PhD, Rosalyn earned their BASc in Biomedical Engineering at UBC, specializing in biomedical informatics, with a minor in psychology. Outside of research, Rosalyn enjoys teaching workshops at the UBC Pottery Club and volunteering as a figure skating judge | Learn more about the Digital Health Innovation Lab

Dr. Quynh Doan, Senior Executive Director, Associate Dean, Research, Congdon Family Hospital Chair in Research, BC Children’s Hospital; Clinician Scientist, Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UBC

Quyhn is discovering the best ways to care for kids in the ER.

Quynh is a clinician-scientist at BC Children’s Hospital. As a pediatric emergency physician and the Associate Dean of Research, her research focuses on how pediatric emergency departments are used and the impact of emergency care on kids and their families. With a strong passion for youth mental health, Quynh created MyHEARTSMAP, a digital tool designed to help kids, teens, and their families better understand their mental health and find the support they might need. She is also a champion for inclusivity, ensuring research represents families whose first language isn’t English. Growing up in Montréal, Quynh is fluent in French. She completed her medical degree at McGill University and trained in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine at the University of British Columbia. In addition to her clinical training, she earned a Master of Health Sciences and a PhD from UBC’s School of Population and Public Health, combining her medical expertise with a strong interest in health services research. In her free time, Quynh enjoys cooking, eating, and staying active | Learn more about the Doan Research Team

Dana Lao, Master’s Student, Levings Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UBC

Dana is investigating how regulatory T cells could help fight diseases. 

Dana is a second-year master's student at UBC working with the Levings Research Team at BC Children's Hospital. Her research focuses on a special type of immune cell called regulatory T cells, which help reduce excessive immune responses. The team studies how these cells could be used as therapies for immune-related conditions such as graft rejection and type 1 diabetes. Dana is part of a team exploring regulatory T cell therapy for patients undergoing stem cell transplants and also currently serves as the trainee lead for a clinical trial investigating a potential treatment for recent-onset type 1 diabetes. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and hiking | Learn more about the Levings Research Team

Cynthia Li, Master’s Student, Selvanathan Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UBC

Cynthia is studying how brain injuries can change the development of preterm babies.

Cynthia is a first-year MSc student in Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences at UBC. She recently earned an Honours BSc in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University. Her research focuses on neurodevelopment and the use of neuroimaging, with her current project exploring how white matter injuries affect functional connectivity in preterm infants. By studying these injuries and their impact on brain networks, Cynthia aims to help improve clinical outcomes and improve the quality of care for preterm infants | Learn more about the Selvanathan Research Team

Cristian Massaro, Master’s Student, Lunken Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UBC

Cristian is translating complex research on food, lifestyle, and health into practical insights that promote positive change.

Cristian is a graduate researcher who believes science should be something everyone can connect with and learn from. Living with a chronic illness has shown him firsthand the power of shared knowledge and clear communication. His research explores how food choices and lifestyle habits influence overall health and quality of life, with a focus on translating complex science into practical insights people can use every day. Cristian was awarded the national AbbVie IBD Scholarship from Crohn’s and Colitis Canada in recognition of his dedication to research, mentorship, and public engagement. Through his work, he aims to spark curiosity, foster connection, and make a lasting impact in the communities he serves | Learn more about the Lunken Research Team

Dr. Claire Seaton, Researcher & Pediatrician, BC Children’s Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UBC

Claire is dedicated to improving the diagnosis and care of respiratory conditions in children.

Claire is a hospitalist general pediatrician at B.C. Children’s Hospital (BCCH) working with the BCCH Asthma Clinic.  Her pediatric training in Oxford and London, UK led to a respiratory fellowship at BCCH, and she has been at BCCH since 2016.  Her clinical work and research interests have intersected to focus on Knowledge Translation, Implementation Science and Quality improvement, and Education, with a particular focus on common pediatric respiratory conditions.  If she’s not thinking about coughing or wheezing kids, she loves walking her dog, swimming in the ocean, and trying to figure out what her 3 teenage kids are actually talking about! | Learn more about the Seaton Research Team

Pariya Yousefi, Research Assistant, Biggs Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital 

Pariya is exploring how genetics can help improve care for children with rare diseases.
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Pariya is a research assistant in pediatric immunology at BC Children’s Hospital. Her work focuses on understanding how genetic changes impact immune signaling and how these insights can accelerate diagnosis and improve care for children with rare conditions. In her daily work, Pariya designs and conducts bench experiments, reviews genetic variants, and translates complex results into clear, clinically useful summaries. She completed her studies in Montréal before moving to BC to collaborate closely with clinical teams on rare disease cases. With a background in molecular biology and immunology, Pariya is passionate about transforming scientific discoveries into practical solutions for families. Outside the lab, she maintains a steady yoga practice and enjoys exploring new coffee spots with friends | Learn more about the Biggs Research Team