Our Team

grainy navy monochrome photo of Dr. Sarah MacEachern. She has long, light hair and is wearing tortoise shell glasses

Dr. Sarah MacEachern MD PhD FRCPC Principal Investigator

Dr. MacEachern is an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at the University of Calgary and a Developmental Pediatrician at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. She has a PhD in Neuroscience and specialty training in Pediatrics and Developmental Pediatrics. She leads the Precision Neurodevelopment Lab. Clinically, she sees pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and has a special interest in children and youth with NDDs who have severe behaviours of concern such as aggression or self-injury. She is also the Medical Lead for the NDD Care Coordination Project.

grainy navy monochrome photo of Dr. Myka Estes. She has short dark hair and is wearing black glasses.

Dr. Myka Estes PhD MSc
Research Manager

Dr. Estes is a highly experienced researcher with 20 years of experience in translational interdisciplinary research. She has a PhD in Neuroscience and a Masters in Immunology. Her research interests include behaviours of concern, sleep difficulties, and patient access to care. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time in the great outdoors with her husband and dog. 

Advisory Council
Research Partners

grainy teal monochrome photo of Greta Heathcote. She has long, light hair and is wearing earrings and a collared shirt

Greta Heathcote

Greta is a family research partner with the Precision Neurodevelopment Lab along with her son, Callum. She is currently Associate Director, Work-Integrated Learning for Neurodiverse Students Initiative at the University of Calgary. Greta is interested in contributing to research that supports families of neurodivergent children and creating neuro-affirming work environments.

Simple line illustration of Callum Heathcote. He is smiling, wearing a ballcap, and is framed by a textured half circle.

Callum Heathcote

Callum is a 10 year old family research partner with Precision Neurodevelopment Lab. Keen to share his lived experiences in the research and co-design process, Callum loves to share stories, drawings, ideas, and his youthful perspectives with the research team. He is passionate about biathlon, Lego, and learning more about history.

Simple line illustration of Elizabeth Deliscar. She is smiling and is framed by a textured half circle.

Elizabeth Deliscar

Elizabeth is a 13 year old family research partner with Precision Neurodevelopment Lab.  Elizabeth loves to share her lived experience, ideas and thoughts through a variety of means, including drawing, painting, and conversations with the research team. Elizabeth is passionate about science experiments, being active, and arts and crafts.

grainy teal monochrome photo of SSuzanne Deliscar. She has shoulder-length dark hair and is smiling.

Suzanne Deliscar

Suzanne is a family research partner with the Precision Neurodevelopment Lab along with her daughter, Elizabeth. She is currently a Spanish and French legal translator and an authentication & legalization agent. Suzanne has been involved in a number of hospital and university studies as a research participant and has spent time involved with online groups that support parents of children with special needs and other caregivers.

grainy teal monochrome photo of Noah Bloom. She has short, curly hair and is smiling

Graduate Student Trainees

Noah Bloom
MSc Student, Medical Science

Noah completed her Bachelor of Science - Honours, with a specialization in Biomedical Biology at Laurentian University. She is in her first year of the Masters in Medical Sciences program at the University of Calgary. Noah has worked with autistic people and children and adults with other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in social, recreation, and long-term treatment settings. Noah is passionate about bridging scientific research with her understanding and experience of youth with NDDs to help further research in the field. Away from school, Noah enjoys playing music, hiking, baseball, and reading.

grainy teal monochrome photo of Simran Chahal. She has shoulder-length dark hair and is smiling

Simran Chahal
MSc Student, Neuroscience

Simran is currently pursuing her Masters in Neuroscience, and has completed her Bachelor’s of Science – Honours in Neuroscience at the University  of Calgary. Simran’s research interests pertain to care coordination in children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders, and understanding how to best care and advocate for individuals with behaviours of concern. In her free time, Simran enjoys lifting weights and crocheting.

grainy teal monochrome photo of Ishnoor Nahal. She has long, dark, wavy hair and round glasses

Ishnoor Nahal
MSc Student, Medical Science

Ishnoor (she/her) is a Master of Medical Science Student at the University of Calgary. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences and Native Studies alongside a Research Certificate in Science at the University of Alberta. Her research project involves co-designing a sleep intervention for youth with neurodevelopmental disorders who have behaviors of concern as well as undertaking a clinical feasibility test of the sleep intervention. Outside of the lab, she enjoys knitting, baking, and building her knowledge regarding Indigenous Health. 

grainy teal monochrome photo of Garazi Casillas. She has long, dark hair and is smiling.

Garazi Casillas Martinez
MSc Student, Neuroscience

Garazi completed her Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering as she was very interested in improving the quality of life of human beings, and gaining knowledge about the interaction between medicine and biology with technology. She joins us from the Basque Country (Spain), having decided to embark on this unique adventure of travelling to Canada to study Neurosciences at the University of Calgary. In her research project, she investigates the structural and functional properties of the brain in children with severe behaviours, while analysing the application of an innovative mock MRI scanner for the acquisition of their brain images. She is an open-minded, creative, and motivated person who loves painting, being surrounded by nature, travelling and meeting people from all over the world.

Present Undergraduate Researchers

grainy red monochrome photo of Maggie Ryan. She has shoulder length light hair with bangs and is smiling.

Maggie Ryan
Undergraduate Researcher and
Summer Student (2023, 2024)

Maggie is a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology student at the University of Calgary. She began working with autistic youth through Society for Autism Supports and Services and developed an interest in working with individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and involving herself in research in this area. Outside of school she enjoys painting, listening to music, and playing ringette.

Amani Ahmed
Undergraduate Researcher and
Summer Student (2024)

Amani is currently completing a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary. She joined the PN lab eager to learn more about neurodiversity and has research interests aligning with improving the processes for diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders. During her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, reading, and volunteering within her community.

Anza Momin
Undergraduate Researcher and Summer Student (2024)

Anza is a University of Calgary student currently in her fourth year, majoring in psychology. She is deeply passionate about working with children and holds an Early Childhood Educator diploma certificate. Currently, she works as a developmental aide to an autistic child. Her experiences in this role have heightened her interest in researching neurodevelopmental disorders, fuelling her desire to join the Precision Neurodevelopment Lab and contribute to improving the lives of these children. Beyond her academic pursuits, she finds joy in binge-watching Bollywood movies, indulging in painting sessions, and exploring different restaurants. 

Past Undergraduate Researchers

Grainy red monochrome photo of Tina Ram. She has long dark hair, is wearing round glasses, and is smiling.

Tina Ram
Summer Student (2023)

Tina completed her Bachelors of Science - Honours, with a major in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary and is now a Masters in Neuroscience student at the University of Calgary. Tina’s research interests are understanding the mechanisms that underly a neurodevelopmental disorders. Passionate about using my knowledge of science and experience in research to help bridge the gap in knowledge to increase others quality of life. In her free time she enjoys going for walks and reading.