PBTSG TEAM
RESIDENTS & FELLOWS
Dr. Michelle Kameda-Smith
Academic Background
McMaster Neurosurgery Resident, Hon Co-op BSc (Waterloo), MSc (Western), MBChB (Glasgow), PhD (McMaster)
Projects with PBTSG
Single center review MRI and operative factors associated with cerebellar mutism, national multi-center review MRI and operative factors associated with cerebellar mutism, salvage therapy for recurrent medulloblastoma, national multi-center review of salvage therapy for recurrent medulloblastoma, NF1-OPG Gadolinium study, and neuropsychhological outcomes in children after posterior fossa tumour treatment.
Fun Fact
Completed 2x Ironman competitions
Dr. Leonard Verhey
Academic Background
Dr. Leonard Verhey is a resident in neurological surgery at Spectrum Health – Michigan State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at Central Michigan University College of Medicine. Prior to relocating to Michigan, he completed a PhD in neuroscience and biophysics at the University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children.
Projects with PBTSG
His clinical interests are in pediatric and skull base-vascular neurosurgery, and his current research focuses on pediatric neuroendoscopy and neuro-oncology as well as minimally-invasive subcortical approaches for hemorrhagic and mass lesions.
Dr. Chantal Cacciotti Dr. Rebecca Voth Dr. Majid Aljoghaiman
ASSOCIATED STAFF
Dr. Constantine Samaan
Dr. Forough Farrokhyar
Dr. Jeffrey Greenspoon
Joann Duckworth, RN
Dr. Blake Yarascavitch
Dr. Anthony Whitton
Dr. Olufemi Ajani
Dr. Nina Stein
Dr. Ali Yikilmaz
Dr. Cheryl Alyman
Shawde Campbell, CRA
COORDINATOR
Arjun Rao
Academic Background
I am currently in my fourth year of undergraduate studies, completing my Bachelor of Arts and Science (Honours) Degree at McMaster University.
Projects with PBTSG
I am currently working on a quality of life study investigating outcomes of patients with pediatric ependymoma versus medulloblastoma.
Fun fact
I completed my final year of high school in the USA at Montverde Academy, while playing soccer with SIMA. I also love playing the violin!
MEMBERS
Ahad Daudi
Academic Background
Currently in the 4th year of my undergraduate degree in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program at McMaster University.
Projects with PBTSG
Assessing Post-Operative Intellectual and Academic Outcomes as Compared to Conservative Means for Oligodendroglioma Treatment: A Retrospective Study
Fun fact
I love playing and watching cricket alongside weight-lifting in the gym.
Smeet Solanki
Academic Background
Currently finishing my Master of Engineering, specializing in Neuroengineer from UBC! Mac Alumni graduated from Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour.
Projects with PBTSG
I am currently studying ophthalmologic symptoms on screening and management of neurofibromatosis 1.
Fun Fact
Along with creative writing, I also enjoy playing all percussion instruments.
Kristal Cerga
Academic Background
Currently studying Medicine at McMaster after graduating with a double major in Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour
Projects with PBTSG
Quality of Life for pediatric intracranial neoplasms
Fun Fact
I speak fluent Albanian! I am also a budding plant enthusiast.
Kyra Horsthuis
Academic Background
I am currently a medical student (c2024) at McMaster. Before that, I completed 3 years of undergraduate studies working on my HBSc at the University of Toronto in Neuroscience and Pharmacology.
Projects with PBTSG
Research project coming soon!
Fun Fact
I really love baking, playing the piano, and collecting houseplants!
Alina Pace
Academic Background
I am a Combined Honours Arts & Science and Biology student at McMaster University (c2025).
Projects with PBTSG
Under development.
Fun Fact
In my spare time, I'm a Wikipedia editor!
Dana Abdel Hafeez
Academic Background
Medical student at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (c2024) with a Bachelor of Health Sciences (2018-2021) from McMaster University.
Projects with PBTSG
Exploring whether MB subtypes have a tendency to arise in certain locations of the Brain and using that to inform prognostication.
Fun Fact
I was a clarinetist in orchestra for 12 years and published a personal anthology in 2021!
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Dr. Sheila Singh
Dr. Sheila Singh is a Pediatric Neurosurgeon at McMaster Children’s Hospital, Professor in the Department of Surgery (Division of Neurosurgery) at McMaster University, and Principal Investigator at the Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute (SCC-RI). She is also the Founder and First Director of the McMaster Surgeon Scientist Program, and holds a Tier 1 (Senior) Canada Research Chair in Human Cancer Stem Cell Biology.
As a pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Singh is acutely aware of the needs of patients and clinicians dealing with these diseases. Her unique perspective as a surgeon-scientist guides her research questions and areas of focus.
Since 2007, Dr. Singh and her lab have focused their research around human brain tumours and brain tumour initiating cell (BTIC) activity. Through understanding molecular mechanisms that govern BTIC self-renewal, and applying a stem cell biology framework to the study of cancers, Dr. Singh is able to take more targeted and effective therapies back to the clinic.
Dr. Adam Fleming
Dr. Adam Fleming is a Pediatric Neuro-oncologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology at McMaster University. After earning his undergraduate degree in Chemical/Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University, Dr. Fleming completed his M.A.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering and MD at the University of Toronto. Following a Pediatrics residency and Hematology-Oncology fellowship at BC Children’s Hospital (University of British Columbia), he developed a particular interest in childhood brain tumours. This led him to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children’s Hospital (Harvard University), where he completed sub-specialty training in Pediatric Neuro-oncology.
With appointments at Montreal Children’s Hospital and McMaster Children’s Hospital, Dr. Fleming has been the site principal investigator for several industry and government-sponsored clinical trials in the field of brain tumour research.
Megan Brookbank
Academic Background
I am currently a medical student at McMaster in the Class of 2025. Before medical school, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at McGill University.
Projects with PBTSG
Under development.
Fun Fact
I have a tattoo of the hippocampus!
Lee McMillan
Academic Background
I am pursuing a Combined Honours Degree in Arts & Science and Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behaviour.
Projects with PBTSG
Assessing Post-Operative Intellectual and Academic Outcomes as Compared to Conservative Means for Oligodendroglioma Treatment: A Retrospective Study
Fun Fact
I write poetry as a daily journaling exercise!
Russell Beltran
Academic Background
I am currently in my second year in the Hon. Integrated Science program at McMaster University, with a concentration in biology.
Projects with PBTSG
Under development.
Fun Fact
I have a shared passion for graphic design and videography!
Anish Puri
Academic Background
I am currently in my fourth year of undergraduate studies in the Honours Neuroscience program at McMaster University.
Projects with PBTSG
Currently in the planning stages.
Fun Fact
I am a 3rd degree black belt in karate!