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Meet the Team

McGill.CA / Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Regulation

CHARLab Principal Investigator

Dr. Charlotte W. Usselman (PhD) Associate Professor

Area of interest Smiling woman with long, wavy blonde hair, wearing a sleeveless black top against a light gray background. The mood is cheerful and approachable.

Impacts of sex and gender on cardiovascular health and the neurovascular control of blood pressure

Home town

West McGillivray, Ontario

About me

Academic lifer dedicated to using her position to help improve cardiovascular health outcomes in people who have been underserved and marginalized within health research. In my free time you can find me relaxing at home with my family (including our resident cats and dog), catching up with friends (usually over good food), gardening, reading, gaming, or sleeping.
 

CHARLab Graduate Students

Amélie Debray - Postdoctoral Fellow

Area of interest A smiling person with long brown hair wearing a dark shirt and earrings against a gray background.

Exercise, thermoregulation, and cardiovascular risk management in women

Home town

Le Mans, France

About me

My research interests focus on the interaction between cardiovascular and thermoregulatory systems at rest and during exercise, with the aim of better understanding exercise tolerance, adaptation, and cardiovascular health in relation to the menopausal transition. A central goal of my work is to develop evidence-based, sex-specific exercise strategies that optimize health outcomes and risk management.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, hiking, and traveling—always eager to discover new landscapes in good company!
 

Brittany Schwende – PhD, Year 4

Area of interest Person smiling in a black blazer and white shirt against a light background.

My PhD dissertation investigates the autonomic control of blood pressure in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). More broadly, I am interested in how women-specific life stages and conditions impact cardiovascular health. I am also interested in how biological factors interact with social determinants to further shape women's cardiovascular health.

Home town

Elora, Ontario

About me

I enjoy baking sourdough, taking long runs along the canal, reading, finding delicious coffee and croissants, and being a dog-mom.
 

Alicia Duval – Ph.D. 7 (Clinical Psychology)

Area of interest  A woman with long, wavy blonde hair in an indoor setting with artwork and a plant.

Cognitive function in females with polycystic ovary syndrome

Home town

Ottawa, Ontario

About me

I'm a 7th year Clinical Psychology/Neuropsychology candidate, currently completing my neuropsychology residency at the Montreal General Hospital. I’m interested in all things related to women’s brain health. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family (& my cat), going to Zumba, and cooking.
 

Will Huckins – PhD Candidate – Year 3

Area of interest Person wearing a patterned shirt and a lanyard.

The impact of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and the hyperandrogenism characteristic of the disorder, on cardiovascular health and athletic performance.

Home town

West Bolton, Qc

About me

The labs token male; just trying to push forward some impactful research and have a good time while doing it.
 

Keila Turino Miranda – PhD Student, Year 3

Area of interest A woman with long brown hair wearing a dark green top stands in front of a plain, light-colored background, smiling slightly at the camera.

Minority stress, hormone use, and blood pressure regulation in transgender, gender-diverse, and non-binary adults

Home town

Calgary, Alberta

About me

Interested in the intersection between sex and gender which are important determinants of health not only in the transgender, gender-diverse, and non-binary population, but all populations. Outside of the lab I enjoy picking up a wide variety of hobbies – most recently I’ve picked up cross-stitching!
 

Shannon Delage – PhD Student, Year 1

Area of interest a woman wearing a sleeveless light green top smiling at the camera

Cardiovascular health behaviours, minority stress, hormone use & blood pressure regulation in transgender, gender-diverse and non-binary adults.

Home town

St-Hubert, Quebec

About me

My PhD work investigates the vascular, cardiac, and autonomic control of blood pressure in transgender, gender-diverse, and non-binary adults and how these physiological mechanisms interact with health behaviours, hormone use and minority stress experiences to determine cardiovascular health! I am caffeinated 24/7. You can find me listening to Taylor Swift while carrying around an iced latte with oat milk (year round). I love running, yoga, figure skating, singing, baking, making coffee, and hanging out with my dogs.
 

Faith Olarinde – PhD Student, Year 1

Area of interestPerson with curly black hair and glasses smiling outdoors with trees and mountains in the background.

Chemoreflex sensitivity and function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Home town

Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria

About me

Lifelong learner interested in integrated physiology! Outside of academics, I enjoy crocheting, playing the guitar, curating playlists, hiking, reading, watching movies, and the occasional bed-rotting on slow days.
 

Etay Ben-Eli – U3 Honours Undergraduate Student

Area of interestMan with dark hair and beard, wearing a black blazer and white shirt with a gold pendant necklace, smiles slightly against a textured wall.

Minority stress, physical activity, blood pressure regulation in transgender, gender-diverse, and non-binary adults

Home town

Montréal, Québec

About me

Fresh into the research field, with a love for physiology and cardiovascular health. I teach intro anatomy at McGill, and I run a YouTube channel where I teach children about the human body. I love Olympic Weightlifting, traveling the world, and most of all, energy drinks!

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