ITOLiMBiC LAB
Learning, Incentive Motivation, Behaviour in Integrated Circuits
PEOPLE
We are a multicultural lab composed of personnel at all stages of research training.
DRÂ RUTSUKO ITO
Professor, Principal Investigator
My love of neuroscience research began at the University of Oxford while I was completing my BA degree in Physiological Sciences. Subsequently, I obtained my PhD from the University of Cambridge, in which I examined the neural and neurochemical basis of cue-driven cocaine-seeking behaviour. After staying in the same lab for a post-doctoral fellowship to investigate the functions of the limbic-striatal system in reward cue and context learning, I moved back to Oxford University as a Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Fellow to start my independent research program. In 2011, I took up a faculty position at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends, playing the piano, hiking, swimming, eating, cooking and traveling.
JEFFREY KATES
PhD Student
Hailing from Kelowna, B.C., I received my B.Sc. (Hons.) in Neuroscience from the University of Calgary and am currently working towards an M.Sc. in Cell & Systems Biology in Dr. Ito’s lab. I have a keen interest in the neural circuitry underlying motivated behaviour, with my research focused on using chemogenetics to explore the role of ventral hippocampal projections in approach-avoidance conflict. In the future, I hope to expand my research to include topics such as mental health/addiction, machine learning, and neuroeconomics. My interests outside of research include hockey (huge Canucks fan), reading, playing guitar, and astronomy.
TANNER MCNAMARA
PhD Student
While attempting a double major in Russian and Psychology at Carleton College in beautiful Northfield, MN, I landed in Dr. Sarah Meerts’ lab studying female rat mating behaviour, and thus my interest in neuroscience was born. After working a couple lab tech jobs following completion of my degree, I am very happy to be with Dr. Ito at the University of Toronto, where I am excited to combine her interest in approach-avoidance conflict with my interest in providing alcohol to underage rats. Outside the lab, I can usually be found playing chess, frisbee, or soccer. Or cooking and eating. Inside the lab, I can usually be found alone early in the morning drinking lots of coffee while everyone else is still asleep.
NISMA KHAN
PhD Student
I received my B.Sc. (Neuroscience and Human Biology double major) and MA (Psychology, specialization in behavioural neuroscience) from the University of Toronto and I am currently pursuing a PhD in Dr. Ito's lab. When I first joined the lab, I began by exploring the involvement of ventral hippocampal subfields, specifically the vCA1 and vCA3, in decision-making under a cued approach avoidance conflict (AAC). Currently, I am using this technique to further explore the role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in such conflict scenarios, with the intention to eventually elucidate the involvement of the vCA1-mPFC circuit in AAC. Outside of research, my interests include snowboarding, hiking, tennis, biking, and reading.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
JINA JAVID
Research Asssistant
Hobbies:Swimming, Photography, Finding new shows to binge
VICTORIA IVAKITCH
MSc Student, Cell and Systems Biology
I completed my B.Sc. in Human Biology at the University of Toronto Scarborough, with minors in Psychology and French. For my undergraduate thesis, I investigated the effects of prenatal stress on oxytocin receptor expression in rat pups. Now pursuing a M.Sc. in Cell and Systems Biology, I am expanding my interests in neural circuitry and motivated behaviour. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, playing lacrosse, and exploring new cafés around Toronto.
MALIHA TASNIM
Thesis Student
Hobbies: Painting, Singing, Travelling and Baking
CHARISSA CHEUK
Thesis Student
Hobbies: Reading, Creative writing, Crocheting, Being in nature
YAJAN PANCHOLI
MSc Student, Cell and Systems Biology
I received my B.Sc. (Hons.; Systems/Behavioural Neuroscience specialist) from the University of Toronto, and I am currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Cell & Systems Biology in Dr. Ito's lab. I first joined the lab as an undergraduate thesis student, interested in exploring individual differences in stress-resiliency and its impact on motivational conflict processing brain networks in PTSD. This experience sparked my interest in the intersection between behavioural and computational neuroscience. Currently, I am investigating the role of dopaminergic circuits in modulating learning of option values under motivational conflict using chemogenetics and computational techniques such as reinforcement learning and drift diffusion modelling. Outside of research, my interests include travelling, modifying cars, playing chess, and martial arts.
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EMELIA BARBEAU
Thesis Student
Hobbies: Hiking, Reading, Running, and Mixology
ELLAINE TOHAN
Research Assistant
Hobbies: Listening to music, Collecting blind boxes, Trying new restaurants
PICTURES of LIFE in the LAB & OUTSIDE
ALUMNI
Heartfelt thanks to the postdoctoral fellows and students who have passed through the lab. Do keep in touch!
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
Anett Schumacher
Yuan Fang Zhao
Sandeep (Sonny) Dhawan
Zhemeng (Sunny) Wu
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​GRADUATE STUDENTS
Anja Hayen (MSc)
George Wallis (MSc)
Katya Vlassov (MSc)
Laurie Hamel (MA)
Denada Alushaj (MA)
Dylan Patterson (MSc)
David Nguyen (PhD)
Bilgehan Cavdaroglu (PhD)
Dylan Yeates (PhD)
Sadia Riaz (PhD)
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UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Dean Thirwell
Helen Browncross
Rachel Ashwell
Maryam Sharif-Razi
Reema Patel
Peter Rizk
Katrina Bogus
Zahraa Chorghay
Larissa Ferguson
Filippo Raso
Edgor Cole Tolledo
Andrew Mackrell
Matthew McPhee
Abdullah Mosabbir
Lindsay Raoufi
Varia Sajeniouk
Seyon Sivagurunathan
Brindan Sivanandan
Jacob Woldegabriel
Sharon Yoon
Christina Gizzo
Franz Villaruel
Victoria Fugariu
Serena Soleimani
Tharshika Thaangarasa
Vignash Tharmaratnam
Gabriel Carvalho Rodrigues
Mihilkumar Patel
Muhammad Hadi Jamil
Simone Yam
Yujun Zhu
Warda Shabbir
Mahmoud Shaat
Lohitha Kehelwathugoda
Jareeat Purnava
Yuxi Chen
Regan Campbell
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RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Amy Gates
Melissa Canseliet
DinatKhan
Osai Samadi
Yasika Nesarajah
Faith Gallant
Jeffrey Toy
Erind Alushaj
Pugaliya Puveendrakumaran
Katherine Roper
Katherine Riding
Meera-Nirusha Mahendiran
Alicia Ussling
Isabel Bourgault
Nardin Kirolos
Olivia Rennie
Raza Syed
Saranya Naraentheraraja
Elton Yeung
Sajeevan Sujanathan
Kian Sassaninejad
Danzell Lopez
Sally Wu
Yu-Qing Shi
Ann Li
Alyssa Ho
Carl Pinter
Dallas Leavitt
Tina Weng
Nishi Patel
Heala Maudoodi
Madgen Liao
Elias Djemai
Jonathan Manoon
Nithusha Ranjith
Shukkiththa Sivapatham
​Naman Sharma
​Rushil Dave
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