Your endMS Experience Matters: Share Your Story The overarching goal of the endMS National Training Program is to nurture a strong, relevant, and innovative MS research community in Canada by providing structured interdisciplinary training and networking opportunities. As part of our on-going quality improvement and program evaluation efforts, we want to document how participation in the program (endMS Summer School and/or SPRINT) has impacted you and your career. If you are willing to participate in a brief, virtual interview to share your perspectives, please reach out using this QR code or email shiropa.noor@queensu.ca
2027 endMS Summer School Save the Date! June 14-17, 2027 Theme: “Neuro recovery and repair from bench to bedside and beyond” Where: The University of Saskatchewan Applications: Call for applications will be announced in December For more info: endMS Summer School
endMS Bits and Pieces Newsletter
Congratulations to SPRINT alum Aysika Das on receiving the Best PhD Oral Presentation Award in Immunology at the 2026 Annual Biomedical Symposium at Memorial University of Newfoundland. This wonderful achievement recognizes Aysika’s research and presentation excellence. Congratulations, Aysika! Congratulations to SPRINT alum Sameera Zia on receiving a Brain Star Award for her research examining the role of microglia in myelin repair in multiple sclerosis. Conducted at the University of Alberta, her work identified microglial states associated with successful remyelination, providing potential new targets for therapies aimed at promoting myelin repair. Congratulations, Sameera, on this exciting recognition! Read more about Sameera’s research
Sharing opportunities to learn about multiple sclerosis (MS) research, to network, to attract and retain trainees in the field of MS related research.
October 2026 Issue #43
endMS SPRINT Spotlight & Celebrations
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2027-2028 endMS Scholar Program for Researchers in Training (SPRINT) Stay tuned! Applications: Call for applications will be announced in December For more info: endMS SPRINT
MSToronto2026 Patient day 2026 - Free event Join us for Patient Community Day 2026, Friday, October 23, 2026.15:00–18:00 EDT A dedicated event for people affected by MS, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD). Online, and at Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Learn more and register here
MS Canada Updates
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That Was Then, This Is Now: The Evolution of MS Research (virtual) A historical journey from how we used to study MS to the powerful tools we now apply to "Canada's Disease" Tuesday, October 20 • 4 - 6 PM EDT, at the InterContinental Toronto Centre. Online registration and In person registration.
Upcoming Events, Announcements, and Educational Opportunities
Early Career Clinician & Scientist Summit Applications are open for the ACTRIMS Early Career Clinician & Scientist Summit! Designed to support the next generation of MS clinicians and researchers, the Summit offers opportunities for education, mentorship, networking, and career development. Application deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026 Learn more and apply here
Neuroscience Career Opportunities Explore ongoing neuroscience job opportunities through the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN) job board, featuring research, academic, and other career postings across Canada and beyond. View current job postings
Career Opportunities
MS Canada Day on the Hill 2027 MS Canada is accepting applications for Day on the Hill 2027, taking place May 2–4 in Ottawa. Early-career researchers and trainees are encouraged to apply for this unique opportunity to join the MS community in meeting with parliamentarians and advocating for MS research and policy priorities. Applications close October 16. Learn more and apply Final Reminder: Register for the 2026 endMS Conference Join the MS research community in Saskatoon, November 29–December 2, for the 2026 endMS Conference. Registration closes October 23 Register today
Professorship in neuroscience. The Centre de recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM) and the Université de Montréal Department of Neurosciences are currently recruiting an Assistant or Associate Professor-Researcher in Neuroscience to develop an innovative research program focused on neuronal regeneration, spinal cord injury, stem cells, and next-generation therapeutic approaches. Apply now
ECTRIMS Clinical Training Fellowship The ECTRIMS Clinical Training Fellowship Programme offers neurologists and physicians a one-year funded fellowship at a European MS clinic or research centre, providing specialized training in MS patient management and care. The program is open to physicians worldwide, with training completed in Europe. Learn more and apply
IBRO Neuroscience Training Grant Consider applying for an IBRO Neuroscience Training Grant, which supports PhD students and early-career postdoctoral researchers to attend neuroscience training courses. Ready to take the next step in your neuroscience training? Start your application & apply by Oct 31, 2026
Funding/Award Opportunities
Canada’s Best Postdoctoral Fellowship Program – Fall 2026 The RI-MUHC is accepting applications for its Canada’s Best Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, offering a $70,000 annual stipend plus research and training support. Application deadline: October 31, 2026. Apply here Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral Learn more and apply Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master's Program Learn more and apply 2027 Undergraduate Summer Research Program Applications open November 2nd for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s 2027 Undergraduate Summer Research Program, offering students hands-on, MS-focused research experience alongside leading researchers. Learn more about the Program 2026 Health System Impact Fellowship Applications are open for the 2026 Health System Impact Fellowship, offering doctoral trainees and postdoctoral researchers an embedded research opportunity to develop leadership skills and apply their expertise to real-world health system challenges. More details here.
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2026 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research Brain Canada has launched the 2026 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program. This program supports researchers at that early stage. The 2026 competition is expected to fund 20 to 25 grants of $100,000 each over two years. Letters of Intent are due November 3, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET. Full applications are due February 17, 2027 at 5 p.m. ET. Learn more
Page 4 of 5 Rochelle Y. Benoit; Neva J. Fudge; Shane Arsenault; Lillian McGrath; Sarah Anthony; Mark Stefanelli; Fraser Clift; Craig S. Moore. (2026). Investigating Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition on B-Cell and Monocyte Phenotype and Function in Multiple Sclerosis.Neurology Open Access, 2(3), e000146.https://doi.org/10.1212/WN9.0000000000000146 Paul Yejong Yoo; Auva Zarandi; Samantha Stephens; Teresa To; Ruth Ann Marrie; Marcia Finlayson; Robert Motl; E. Ann Yeh. (2026). Racial identity, marginalization, and depression in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 32(10), 1109–1118.https://doi.org/10.1177/13524585261453239 Arthur R. Chaves; Aidan Peters; Kai Curbelo-Torrejon; Shida Pourlotfi; Jordan D. Pumphrey; Tamanna Islam; Lisa A. S. Walker; Sara Tremblay; Lara A. Pilutti. (2026). Exercise with motor cortex high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation enhances cardiovascular efficiency and lower-limb function in multiple sclerosis: A crossover, double-blind, and proof-of-principle study.Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 114, 107668.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2026.10766 Tatiana P. MacKeigan; Megan L. Morgan; Sierra Mitchell; Peter K. Stys. (2026). Misfolding protein pathology detected in a chronic mouse model of multiple sclerosis.Neuroscience, 595, 28–36.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.12.063 Aysika Das; Deepak K. Kaushik. (2026). Investigating Glycolysis in Primary Microglia Using Extracellular Flux Assay. Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE), (230), 69638.*https://doi.org/10.3791/69638 Deepak K. Kaushik; Aysika Das; Claudia Silva; Charlotte D’Mello; Nizar J. Bahlis; Antoine Dufour; Mei Xue; Paola Neri; Neda Ghasemi; Daniel Bennin; Leonardo G. N. de Almeida; Sagar Patel; V. Wee Yong. (2026). EMMPRIN-mediated metabolism of monocytes promotes disease progression in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.Journal of Neuroinflammation. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-026-03991-0 Risavarshni Thevakumaran; Stephan Blinder; Marcus Couch; Alexey Kostikov; Rozalia Arnaoutelis; Sridar Narayanan; Pedro Rosa-Neto; Douglas L. Arnold; David A. Rudko. (2026). Subcortical microglial inflammation is uniquely linked to subpial cortical demyelination in multiple sclerosis.NeuroImage: Clinical, 49, 103962.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2026.103962
endMS Network Trainee/Alumni Publications, Awards and Presentations (trainee/alumni are in bold) - Don't hesitate to send us your latest achievements!
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Follow us on X, Bluesky and LinkedIN @endMS sharing announcements, news and opportunities! For more info: https://endmstrainingprogram.ca
Sameera Zia; Marianela E. Traetta; Charbel S. Baaklini; Brady P. Hammond; Rebecca K. John; Katherine M. Souter; Niels Meijns; Larry K. A. Afun; Sharmistha Panda; Fernando González Ibáñez; Mena K. Burr; Eva Dhupia; Abhisha M. Rathod; Andre O. Faria; Dhruvish Zaveri; Sowmya Challa; Eugene Hahn; Sohrab B. Manesh; Kelly V. Lee; Madelene F. S. Ho; Timothy N. Friedman; Aislinn D. Maguire; Arina Pang; Olivia Farkas; Bożena Szulc; Luiz Tenorio; Diya Vyas; Olivia R. La Caprara; Wolfram Tetzlaff; Sarthak Sinha; Gregory J. Duncan; Anastassia Voronova; Bradley J. Kerr; Marie-Eve Tremblay; Jeff Biernaskie; Geert Schenk; Jason R. Plemel. (2025). Age-impaired remyelination is associated with dysregulated microglial transitions.Nature Communications, 16, 9951.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64906-w Emily C. Wuerch; Charbel S. Baaklini; Ping Zhang; Marlene T. Mørch; Austin Che; Charlotte D'Mello; Chang-Chun Ling; V. Wee Yong. (2026). Myelin debris uptake by macrophages and microglia: Resolution of foam cells with a series of novel cyclodextrins.Neurotherapeutics, 23(4), e00943. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurot.2026.e00943 Erin Leigh MacMillan; Bretta Russell-Schulz; Glaynel Alejo; Christopher T. Harp; Briana Cameron; Ryan C. Winger; Sherman Jia; Ann E. Herman; Jasmyne Kassam; Michael Waine; Irene M. Vavasour; Helen Cross; Roger C. Tam; Anthony L. Traboulsee; Robert L. Carruthers; Shannon Heather Kolind. (2026). Longitudinal magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of metabolite changes over 2 years in relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis treated with ocrelizumab.Multiple Sclerosis Journal. Advance online publication.https://doi.org/10.1177/13524585261456964 Félix Distéfano-Gagné; Nesrine Belhamiti; William Saxon; Sara Bitarafan; André Machado Xavier; Stéphanie Fiola; Serge Rivest; David Gosselin.(2026). Multi-tier signaling and chromatin remodeling coordinate microglia inflammatory states and activities associated with demyelination.Cell Reports, 45(7), 117569.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117569 Maxime Bigotte; Adam M. R. Groh; Elia Afanasiev; Vincent Wong; Kevin Lancon; Moein Yaqubi; Finn Creeggan; Airton Sinott; Junze Pei; Craig S. Moore; Adil Harroud; Raphael Schneider; Philippe Séguéla; Marc Charabati; Fiona Tea; Antoine P. Fournier; Yu Chang Wang; Jiannis Ragoussis; Alexandre Prat; Simon Thebault; Stephanie Zandee; Jo Anne Stratton. (2026). Cerebrospinal fluid-driven ependymal motile cilia defects are implicated in multiple sclerosis.Brain, 149(8), 2654–2667.https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf440
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Please share this newsletter with anyone interested in MS related research. To share announcements in a future edition, please email anik.schoenfeldt@affiliate.mcgill.ca