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endMS Bits and Pieces Newsletter
2026 endMS Summer School participants Larry Afun, University of Toronto Awo Emmanuela Hilda Amegonou, Université de Montréal Margherita Calderaro, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Yi-Han Chen, The University of Western Ontario Cynthia Chung, University of British Columbia Hanna Elford, University of British Columbia Emilie Fortunato, Memorial University of Newfoundland Rainie Fu, University of British Columbia Renata Ghenno Manrique, Montreal Neurological Institute Dana Huang, University of Toronto Andrea Klassen, Governors of the University of Alberta Victoria Krasnyk, The Hospital for Sick Children Kurt McInnis, University of Ottawa Sher Li Oh, University of British Columbia Samantha Robinson, Queen's University of Kingston Matheus Rocha, Memorial University of Newfoundland Vahid Safdari, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, Québec Tayma Shaaban, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Mavi Sorella, McGill University Hayley Turner, University of Manitoba Cameron Whalen, The University of Western Ontario Jiaqi Zhu, University of British Columbia
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Sharing opportunities to learn about multiple sclerosis (MS) research, to network, to attract and retain trainees in the field of MS related research.
May 2026 Issue #39
Exciting News Alert! Thrilled to unveil the successful applicants to the 2026 - 2027 endMS SPRINT and the 2026 endMS Summer School! We congratulate and extend a warm welcome to: hashtag
2026-2027 incoming SPRINTers Seid Mussa Ahmed, University of British Columbia Diala El Masri, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Samantha Ghanem, Queen's University of Kingston Nitya Khetarpal, Université de Montréal Fanny Martinez, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Jonathan Monteiro, University of Toronto Siddhi Patel, Memorial University of Newfoundland Preya Uday Patel, University Health Network Lucia Belen Varela, University of Manitoba
endMS SPRINT Team Updates
We extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Dr. Michelle Ploughman, a valued member and supporter of the endMS National Training Program. Michelle was an endMS Summer School alumni (2010), endMS SPRINT mentor (2013–2014), governance committee member, and co-host of the 2017 endMS Summer School at Memorial University, Michelle made lasting contributions to MS research and training. She will be deeply missed. Her loss is felt across the MS community in Canada and beyond.
The 2026 endMS Summer School is quickly approaching! Co-hosts Drs. Marcia Finlayson, Afolasade Fakolade and Nader Ghasemlou and members of the Queens University and MS Clinic at Kingston Health Sciences Centre are very excited to host the endMS Summer School in Kingston, June 15-18, 2026 Visit the Summer School page for more info on the program We look forward to seeing the 2025-2026 endMS SPRINTers present on their yearlong team projects at the Summer School! They recently had the opportunity to work on their projects in person and to network. Hannah Bernstein,McGill University Gabriela Blaszczyk, University of Toronto Molly Pitkethly, University of British Columbia Mahir Rahman, University of Calgary Landon Scholly, University of Calgary Lauren Strasser,The Hospital for Sick Children Doriana Taccardi,Queen's University Thomas Worthington,University of British Columbia Jennifer Zagrodnik, Memorial University of Newfoundland
2024-2025 SPRINT team: Lies Van Horebeek; Aysika Das; Jake Neufeld; and Raphael Schneider(SPRINT Mentor) published on their SPRINT Team Project: (2026). When is the radiologically isolated syndrome already multiple sclerosis according to the 2024 McDonald criteria? Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 26, Article 26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-026-01495-1
2025-2026 SPRINTers Gabriela Blaszczyk, Doriana Taccardi, and Mahir Rahman met with their SPRINT mentor Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie at Dalhousie University in Halifax (March 21–23) The team came together to advance their interdisciplinary learning project, collaborate in person, and continue developing their research focused on multiple sclerosis.
Mourning the loss of Dr. Michelle Ploughman
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Visit the SPRINT page for more info on the program.
The International Brain Research Organization (IBRO ) will be at the 19th Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting being held May 18-21, 2026 Stop by IBRO booth #4 to meet their team.
Neuroscience Training Grants for PhD students and early-career postdoctoral fellows. Offered from the International Brain Research Organization. Discover the eligibility criteria, which costs are covered & the maximum grant amount you can request here
Students and postdoctoral researchers. NSERC offers scholarships and awards for every stage of study, from undergraduate to postdoctoral. More details can be found here
Funding/award competition Opportunities
Upcoming Events, Announcements, and Educational Opportunities
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Translational Neuroimmunology and the Role of the Brain Endothelium in Neuroinflammation Monday, 11 May 2026 - 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM (CET) Meeting´s link
Go the Distance! Make a difference: MS BIKE Take Action and Create Impact: MS WALK
CAPS members are invited to present their "big ideas for the Canadian postdoc landscape and experience" via a 3 minute TEDx style talk at our 2026 AGM, to be held on November 3rd in Regina, Sask. For info and to Apply here
Advocacy Help Build a Stronger Future for Canadians Living with MS . Canadians living with MS deserve fairness today and hope for tomorrow. This spring, you can help make our Members of Parliament aware of our important policy priorities by sending a letter to your local MP.
MS Canada Updates:
Save the date for the ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS meeting October 21-23 2026 Toronto Call for Abstract! Submit your research to be presented as oral or poster presentations Deadline: May 7, 2026 Submit your abstract
Are you a female scientist researching multiple sclerosis (MS)? Apply now for the 2026 Rachel Horne Prize for Women’s Research in MS! This prestigious US$40,000 award will honour a senior female scientist for outstanding contributions to women’s health-related research in MS. Deadline to apply is June 12 2026.
Follow us on X, Bluesky and LinkedIN @endMS sharing announcements, news and opportunities! For more info: https://endmstrainingprogram.ca
Do you want to play a key role in the advancement of biomedical research in Quebec? Apply now for a Research Grants Coordinator Summer Company: A $3,000 Grant for Student Entrepreneurs in Toronto. You can find the full eligibility criteria and application portal here Deadline to apply May 1
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Please share this newsletter with anyone interested in MS related research. To be removed from the endMS Training Program's distribution list, email anik.schoenfeldt@affiliate.mcgill.ca
Career Opportunities
endMS Network Trainee/Alumnae Publications, Awards, Presentations, and Achievements (trainee/alumnae are in bold) - Send us trainee/alumnae achievements! Rochelle Y. Benoit; Sheila Loshi; Craig S. Moore. (2026). Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase—Going Beyond the B Cell. Immunology, Advance online publication, e70126. https://doi.org/10.1111/imm.70126 Raphael Schneider; Koroboshka Brand-Arzamendi; Timothy Reynold Lim; Lisa Eunyoung Lee; Melanie Guenette; Zixuan Hu; Errol Colak; Suradech Suthiphosuwan; Aditya Bharatha; Anthony Feinstein; Jiwon Oh. (2026). Plasma CHI3L1 as a marker of cognitive and structural brain changes in radiologically isolated syndrome.BMJ Neurology Open, 8(1), e001301. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjno-2025-001301 Mada Hashem; Abbey Palset; Ying Wu; A. Max Hamilton; Emily C. Wuerch; V. Wee Yong; Jeff F. Dunn. (2026). Multimodal NIRS–MRI reveals cortical hypoperfusion, hypoxia, and mitochondrial changes in a mouse model of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Imaging Neuroscience, 4. https://doi.org/10.1162/IMAG.a.1192 Sonika Kumari; Samantha Stephens; Paul Yejong Yoo; Kelly P. Arbour-Nicitopoulos; Brian M. Feldman; Marcia L. Finlayson; Ruth Ann Marrie; Robert Motl; Teresa To; E. Ann Yeh. (2026). Built-environment correlates of physical activity in youth with multiple sclerosis.Multiple Sclerosis Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/13524585251407505 Tamanna Islam; Jason A. Berard; Lisa A. S. Walker. (2026). Perceived cognitive fatigability in multiple sclerosis: Input from people with lived experience on unmet needs. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. Advance online publication, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1017/cjn.2026.10531