Dr. Armin Yazdani, Supervisor 

Armin Yazdani is an Academic Associate with the Office of Science Education and teaches in the Undergraduate Neuroscience Program at McGill University. His research focuses on how to use Neuroeducation for improving teaching and learning in science. He holds a PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University and MSc in Cellular and Molecular Medicine from University of Ottawa.

Hilary Sweatman, Instructor

Hilary is a PhD Candidate at the Montreal Neurological Institute, where she employs brain imaging techniques to investigate memory and social communication development in children with autism. Beyond her research, she is dedicated to enhancing the accessibility of science and has established programs at McGill to empower trainees with skills in science communication. Hilary also works at McGill's Office of Science Education, where she aims to equip undergraduate students with neuroscience-backed study strategies. She holds an BSc (Hons) in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Toronto.

Jean-Christophe Boivin, Instructor

Jean-Christophe is a PhD Candidate in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience at McGill University. Under the supervision of Dr. Tomoko Ohyama, he uses cutting-edge optogenetic and imaging techniques to study how the nociceptive system of Drosophila larva adapts to prior noxious experiences. Outside of his research, Jean-Christophe held Teaching Assistant positions for courses in neuroethology and neuro-ethics, aiming to guide undergraduate students in scientific and essayistic writing assignments. He holds a BSc in Neuroscience, Cognitive and Behavioural stream, from McGill University.

Sophie Keenan, Instructor

Sophie is a second-year Master’s student with a research focus on global development policy, approached through a post-structural lens. Her thesis critically examines how global health governance in the post–COVID-19 era continues to operate through implicit anti-Black governing rationalities, often delegitimizing the agency and capacity of Global South actors. Sophie has served as a teaching assistant for Professors Fernando Núñez Mietz, Daniel Douek, and William Clare Roberts, supporting courses on topics ranging from international state behavior to classical Greek philosophy. This is Sophie’s second year teaching MSA, and she’s excited to continue learning from her students as much as she teaches them.

Kalia Hoechstetter, Instructor

Kalia (Kali) is an M.A. student in Political Science at McGill University with concentrations in international relations and research methods. She is affiliated with the Centre for International Peace and Security Studies, where her research focuses on international law and the institutionalization of legal norms.

This is Kali’s second summer instructing at MSA, and she is excited to be back! At McGill, she has served as a Teaching Assistant for several political science courses related to international relations and international law. Prior to beginning her graduate studies, she worked with the United Nations Office on Sexual Violence in Conflict, MADRE, and the Post-Conflict Research Center in Sarajevo.

In September 2026, Kali will be starting her PhD in Political Science at Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois). Kali holds a B.A. in Political Science, a B.A. in Spanish, and a Certificate in International Relations from the Honors College at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.