Meet Cristina — A trailblazing neuroscientist who advocates for inclusivity and diversity in research.
Q: What is your role in health research?
A: I am a PhD candidate in rehabilitation sciences at the University of British Columbia. Working closely with Dr. Lara Boyd in the Brain Behaviour Laboratory, I study human behaviour and neuroplasticity after stroke.
Q: What is your research area of interest, and what led you to that interest?
A: I have always been fascinated by the intricate ways in which the brain uses visual information to construct coordinated movement plans, which stems from my passion for sports. This interest paved the way for my journey in research, where I explored human vision and vision recovery after brain injury and completed a master’s degree in neuroscience. Now, during my PhD studies, I combine vision and motor neuroscience to study brain-behaviour relationships and motor recovery after stroke by employing technologies such as robotics, eye tracking and neuroimaging.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your research job?
A: Engaging in research provides me with endless gratification, as I am continuously learning and unearthing new discoveries. The interdisciplinary nature of my work allows me to travel around the world to attend conferences, meet new people and forge meaningful relationships with people with lived experience, health care professionals, program developers and engineers.
Q: What is one of the biggest accomplishments of your career so far?
A: One of my proudest moments was when I was inducted into the Public Scholars Initiative at UBC. This program supports PhD students whose research extends beyond the laboratory and contributes to the public good. My involvement in this initiative has amplified my social network and has enabled me to design research projects with patient partners, leading to a direct and immediate impact on the community.
Q: What is your healthiest habit?
A: I am a huge advocate for mental and physical health and I prioritize self-care on a daily basis. When I feel stressed at work, I take breaks and engage in non-work-related activities that bring me joy — without any guilt.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
A: I love to spend my time hanging out with my dog, Zephyrus, and my partner. We frequently take long walks around our neighbourhood, run the scenic trails of Pacific Spirit Park and watch the beautiful sunsets at Spanish Banks. I also play Ultimate Frisbee, both through the Vancouver Ultimate League and as a member of a team that competes in national and international tournaments. This year, I am intensively training for the 2023 Canadian Ultimate Championships!
Q: What is one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
A: When I was growing up, I spent summers in Italy with my grandparents. As a result, I have a deep appreciation for Italian culture and am able to speak the language fluently.
Q: What is your favorite TV show right now?
A: I am currently enthralled by the Dickinson series on Apple TV. I highly recommend this show to anyone interested in learning about the life and work of Emily Dickinson.
Q: What inspires you?
A: The path to achieving greater representation in science may be long, but knowing that I can be a role model for aspiring LGBTQ scientists fuels my determination to continue the fight for a more inclusive and diverse research community.
Q: What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
A: Trust the process — everything will work out the way it should, regardless of where life may take you along the way.
