What is the REC?
CCNA’s Research Executive Committee (REC) evolved from the Steering Committee that developed the CCNA grant application in 2013-2014.
The REC is composed of: The Scientific Director (Chair), the Associate Directors, the leaders of the CCNA Themes, leaders of the Dementia Research Support Hub, leaders from the COMPASS-ND and CAN-THUMBS UP Platforms.
The main functions of the REC include:
- Setting research priorities
- Policy strategy and decisions
- Relationships with CCNA Partners
- Annual review of Teams’ progress
- Coordination of activities among CCNA research themes
- Deciding funding, including use, allocation of shared resources, and approval of budgets

Howard Chertkow
Scientific Director
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Natalie Phillips
Associate Scientific Director and COMPASS-ND Lead
Department of Psychology
Concordia University
Montreal, Quebec
Melissa Andrew
Theme 3 Lead
Faculty of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Juanita-Dawne Bacsu
Engagement of People With Lived Experience Program Lead
Thompson Rivers University, School of Nursing

Amanpreet Badhwar
Neuroimaging Platform Lead
University of Montreal, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM)


Jennifer Bethell
Engagement of People With Lived Experience Program Lead
KITE, Toronto Rehab Institute, University Health Network
Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Michael Borrie
COMPASS-ND Lead
Aging, Brain and Memory Clinic
St. Joseph’s: Parkwood Institute
London, Ontario
Richard Camicioli
Theme 2 Lead
Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta

Gillian Einstein
Sex and Gender Hub Lead
Department of Psychology
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
John D. Fisk
Ethical, Legal and Social Issues Standing Committee Lead
Department of Psychiatry
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Mario Masellis
Theme 2 Lead
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Carrie McAiney
Knowledge Mobilisation Program Lead
Associate Professor
School of Public Health and Health Systems
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
JoAnne McLaurin
Theme 1 Lead
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Manuel Montero-Odasso
Training and Capacity Building Lead
Departments of Medicine, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics
University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario
Haakon Nygaard
CAN-THUMBS UP Lead
Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
Rosanna Olsen
Neuroimaging Platform Lead
University of Toronto and Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest

Maria Natasha Rajah
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Lead
Department of Psychology
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto, Ontario
Pamela Roach
Indigenous Cognitive Health Program Lead
School of Medicine
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
Julie Robillard
Ethical, Legal and Social Issues Standing Committee Lead
Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia

Jennifer Walker
Indigenous Cognitive Health Program Lead
Faculty of Health Sciences
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario


Get the latest news
Keep up to date with the latest research developments at CCNA. Our “News” section provides information on studies, new developments and key findings in brain health research.



