Meet the Rookies
Kathryn McIntosh
Dalhousie UniversityI completed my BASc in Electrical Engineering at the University of Toronto, with a minor in Biomedical Engineering and a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business. I then I entered directly into a PhD in Neuroscience. My research involved recording and processing neural signals to understand how information is consolidated and how that process is affected by stimulation and seizures. After my PhD, I moved back to the city where I grew up, Halifax, Nova Scotia, for Medicine at Dalhousie university. I will be staying at Dalhousie, close to my parents and my husband's parents for Neurosurgery residency. Throughout medical school I taught Neuroelectronic Recording and Processing with the Neurotechnology Microcredential Program (a partnership between York University, Queens University and Connected minds). Still a neurotechnology enthusiast, I'm currently helping expand the program through the development of an entrepreneurship-focused program aimed at supporting the next generation of neurotechnology innovators. Outside of work and research, I’m a proud dog mom to two Great Danes, an avid audiobook listener, and a lover of outdoor adventures especially if they involve dogs, volleyball or rock climbing!
Tristan Martin
Université de MontréalTristan is an incoming PGY-1 neurosurgery resident at the Université de Montréal. He previously completed his medical degree there, during which he also earned an MSc in Computational Medicine in neurosurgery. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, focusing on computational methods for the simulation of cerebral vasculature in relation to neurosurgical diseases. Prior to his medical training, Tristan completed a Joint Honours BSc in Mathematics and Physics at McGill University.
Jonathan Hammond
Western UniversityHi! My name is Jon Hammond. I attended medical school at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University (NOSMU) and recently matched to Western Neurosurgery. I grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, and outside of medicine I’m almost always playing sports like hockey and badminton, although recently I’ve started playing pickleball as well. I also love spending time outdoors, reading, watching Marvel movies, and travelling. I have been passionate about neurosurgery for a long time and I’m incredibly excited to start this next chapter.
Ramez Michail
Western UniversityI am a first-year neurosurgery resident at Western University. I completed both my Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing soccer and squash, travelling, and spending time with family and friends. I am excited to begin my neurosurgical training and look forward to meeting colleagues from across Canada at Rookie Camp.
Lyndon Boone
University of TorontoI grew up in Conception Bay South, just outside St. John's, the capital city of Newfoundland. Before medical school, I completed undergraduate studies in Engineering Science and a master's degree in Medical Biophysics, both at the University of Toronto. I completed my medical studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland before matching to the University of Toronto for residency.
Zain Nassrullah
McMaster UniversityMy name is Zain and I'm one of the incoming residents at McMaster this year. I’m a big coffee & tea drinker, I love the outdoors, and I’m super excited about the World Cup this year. Looking forward to meeting everyone!
Farbod Niazi
University of TorontoI’m an incoming neurosurgery resident at the University of Toronto with a strong interest in pediatric and functional neurosurgery, particularly epilepsy surgery, neuromodulation, and neuroimaging. Outside of medicine and research, I am a car enthusiast, I binge-watch good shows, try to stay active, and spend time with friends and family. I also enjoy teaching and collaborative projects. I’m excited to meet everyone at Rookie Camp and looking forward to the years ahead with the team!
Abdulelah Almousa
McGill UniversityI graduated with my medical degree from Saudi Arabia. I am excited to join the Neurosurgery Residency Program at McGill University. I look forward to developing strong clinical and surgical skills and further developing my research experience in Neurosurgery.
Homoud Al Gadheb
Western UniversityHello! My name is Homoud, and I am an incoming PGY-1 at Western. I was born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I have a long list of hobbies that includes everything from history and philosophy to video games and weightlifting.
Mohammed Almanna
University of TorontoNeurosurgery resident at the University of Toronto
Ipinu Fatokun
University of CalgaryHi everyone! My name is Ipinu, and I'm from all over the world (Nigeria, Australia, and Canada). I just completed medical school at the University of Alberta, where I also completed my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience, and I am excited to begin residency in Calgary! Outside of medicine, I enjoy music and movies in all languages, volleyball and F1! I am very excited to join the rookie camp and start the next part of my neurosurgical journey!
Ali Ashraf
University of Ottawa
Caroline Kim
University of British ColumbiaI grew up in Vancouver, studied applied math and computer engineering at Queen's, and returned to UBC for medical school. I spend most of my free time outside running and biking, though every now and then a good book will keep me glued to the couch for an entire day.
Benjamin Brakel
University of British ColumbiaI am an incoming neurosurgery resident at The University of British Columbia with broad academic and clinical interests. I am excited to connect with colleagues from across Canada and continue developing my clinical skill set at this year’s neurosurgery Rookie Bootcamp.
Angela Buchel
University of ManitobaHello! My name is Angela. I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba, where I recently completed medical school. I have lived in Winnipeg for most of my life, but I moved to Vancouver for 4 years to complete my undergraduate degree at UBC. I have been passionate about neuroscience since high school, and I could not be more excited to start neurosurgery residency! Outside of medicine, I spend my time running, baking, and hanging out with my friends and my two cats.
Alexandra De Sequeira
University of TorontoHi everyone! I’m Alex, a PGY-1 Neurosurgery resident at University of Toronto. I grew up in Richmond Hill, just north of Toronto, and went to medical school in Dublin. I’m really looking forward to meeting all of the PGY-1s from across Canada at the bootcamp! In my free time, I love running, playing soccer and going to Barry's Bootcamp workout classes.
Khalid Alshuqayfi
McGill UniversityFrom the shores of Al Qunfudhah (Hometown), Saudi Arabia to the heart of Montreal, Canada, driven by an unwavering passion for Neurosurgery.
Thilan Tudor
McGill UniversityOriginally born and raised in the Toronto area, I moved to the US for my undergraduate studies after high school. I graduated from Middlebury College with a BA in Economics and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. After university, I worked in investment research at Goldman Sachs before transitioning into biotechnology mergers & acquisitions and operations at Intrexon Corporation and biotechnology advisory at Trinity Partners. I attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, graduating with Alpha Omega Alpha honours. I started neurosurgery residency at the University of Manitoba and subsequently transitioned to internal medicine residency at New York University. I am grateful and excited to be returning to Neurosurgery back home in Canada.
Umar Farooq
University of Toronto
Hi everyone, I am an incoming PGY-1 resident at UofT. I'm an IMG who did medical school in Australia but I am originally from the GTA.
Outside of work I love running, cycling, and anything outdoors. Looking forward to meeting you all!
Davaine Joel Ndongo Sonfack
University of SaskatchewanA down-to-earth guy who loves the brain just as much as the gym
Marc-Olivier Comeau
Université LavalLaval University Graduate
Yujin Suk
University of TorontoHello, MD/PhD (supervised by Dr Sheila Singh) from McMaster University incoming PGY1 to University of Toronto neurosurgery program. I love snowboarding and skiing, coffee, walking my husky Millie, and research in CAR T cell immunotherapies for brain tumours.
Timothy Noble
University of OttawaMy name is Timothy Noble, and I am a PGY-1 neurosurgery resident at the University of Ottawa. I was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and I completed medical school at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy sports, fitness and travelling!