ITOLiMBiC LAB
Learning, Incentive Motivation, Behaviour in Integrated Circuits
PEOPLE
We are a multicultural lab composed of personnel at all stages of research training.
DR RUTSUKO ITO
Associate 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.
DR SANDEEP DHAWAN
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Following a BA in Psychology at York University, my passion for neuroscience led me to Scotland where I completed an M.Res and a PhD at the University of St Andrews. Working with Prof. Verity Brown, I explored the role of the rodent subthalamic nucleus in executive functioning – particularly how this region mediates the formation of ‘attentional set’. I am interested in both the learning and memory processes exercised during ‘problem solving’, and I am currently investigating the contribution of the rodent medial temporal lobe to approach-avoidance decision making as a member of both the Ito-LiMBiC (Dr Rutsuko Ito) and Lee-MTL (Dr Andy Lee) labs. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling to new places, reading about astronomy, and playing guitar, hockey, and video games.
DR ZHEMENG WU
Post-Doctoral Fellow
I completed my PhD in Experimental Psychology in University of Oxford, where I used a combined electrophysiology and neuroimaging approach to investigate the interaction between MTL and PFC in recognition memory in non-human primates. Currently, I’m working in both the Ito-Limbic and Lee-MTL labs to continue my interests on memory. Using a cross-species approach, I aim to investigate the role of MTL in mediating temporal memory and approach-avoidance decision making. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling around the world, making coffee and spending time with my family and friends
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BILGEHAN CAVDAROGLU
PhD Student
I completed my BA and MA in psychology at Koc University in Istanbul. During my MA, I studied optimal behavior in temporal and numerical decision making task with humans and mice under the supervision of Dr. Fuat Balci. I am currently investigating decision making under approach avoidance conflict using novel operant paradigms in Ito Lab. I am hoping to use the information gained from these novel paradigms for explaining problematic decision making processes in disorders such as drug addiction and anxiety and elucidate the brain pathways behind them. In my spare time I enjoy reading about history, politics, science fiction and spending time with friends.
SADIA RIAZ
PhD Student
I completed my B.Sc. (Neuroscience specialist) and MA (Psychology, with a specialization in behavioural neuroscience) at the University of Toronto, and am currently pursuing a PhD at the Ito Lab. I first joined lab as an undergraduate thesis student, interested in examining the role of the hippocampus in contextual memory processing. My undergraduate research experience helped me realize my passion for behavioural neuroscience research and paved the way for my graduate career at the Ito lab. Currently, I am investigating the role of the medial prefrontal cortex in contextual memory processing and, more broadly, I am interested in investigating and elucidating the neural circuitry underlying contextual versus cue memory processing. Besides research, I enjoy teaching, spending time with my cat, family and friends, watching movies, and being organized.
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.
TANNER MCNAMARA
PhD Student
I rWhile 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.
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.
DYLAN YEATES
PhD Student
I am PhD student co-supervised by Drs Ito and Andy Lee. I completed my BA in Psychology at the University of British Columbia, under the supervision of Dr Stan Floresco. My current research involves looking at how the hippocampus processes and resolves approach-avoidance conflicts in animals and humans. Outside of the lab I enjoy reading about science and history, cooking, and exploring the city!
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
LOHITHA KEHELWATHUGODA
Thesis Student
Hobbies: Listening to music, Collecting vinyls, Reading, and Horror movies.
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HEALA MAUDOODI
Thesis Student
Hobbies: Reading novels, Writing, Cycling, and Spending time with family/friends
REGAN CAMPBELL
Thesis Student
Hobbies: Horseback riding, Reading and Embroidery.
NAMAN SHARMA
Volunteer
Hobbies: Poetry writing, Video editing and Running
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SANKEETHA KATHIRKAMATHAMBY
Volunteer
Hobbies: Singing, Reading mystery novels, Watching mystery or comedy Netflix shows
FARIHA ATQIYA
Volunteer
Hobbies: ReadIing, Going on walks,Watching true crime videos
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WARDA SHABBIR
Volunteer
Hobbies: Painting, Reading, Listening to music, and Playing tennis
PICTURES of LIFE in the LAB & OUTSIDE
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ALUMNI
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
Anett Schumacher
Yuan Fang Zhao
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Anja Hayen (MSc)
George Wallis (MSc)
Katya Vlassov (MSc)
Laurie Hamel (MA)
Denada Alushaj (MA)
Dylan Patterson (MSc)
David Nguyen (PhD)
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
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