Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowships
The fellowship is awarded to postdoctoral fellows with a track record of innovation activities. Innovation activities refers to translating research results into societal impact. Working with non-academic research partners, creating a start-up, working with innovation organizations and engaging with government and not for profit organizations on policy development are all examples of innovation activities.
The 2025-26 Innovation Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. David Borkenhagen, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine
Dr. David Borkenhagen is a postdoctoral fellow at the Mathison Centre for Mental Health and Education at the University of Calgary. Borkenhagen’s research is evaluating the effectiveness of a community-based initiative in youth mental health collaborating with research partners in Iceland where a similar program was previously implemented.
Supervisor: Dr. Paul Arnold, MD, PhD
Dr. Mona Parizadeh, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine
Dr. Mona Parizadeh works as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary, where she researches microbial ecology and computational biology. She's developing a research computing bootcamp for international and immigrant researchers and evaluating participant satisfaction.
Supervisor: Dr. Marie-Claire Arrieta, PhD
Dr. Tahereh Rashnavadi, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine
Dr. Tahereh Rashnavadi holds two masters degrees in the fields of biomedical engineering, and information and communication technology and is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Calgary. Rashnavadi is developing a novel analysis tool used to enhance treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy research.
Supervisor: Dr. Pierre Levan, PhD
Dr. Kaylee Rich, PhD, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Kaylee Rich joined the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary as a MSc student in September 2017. As a postdoctoral researcher, her groundbreaking work is developing new methods to gain biological insights from complex datasets, with applications in infectious disease and precision medicine.
Supervisor: Dr. Jeroen de Buck, PhD
Dr. Anastasiia Stepanchuk, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine
Dr. Anastasiia Stepanchuk is a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary. Stepanchuk is developing novel spectral pathology methods (ex. molecular tissue analysis) to study neurodegeneration, such as dementia. All while starting a social enterprise based in neuroscience, psychology and culture including participants from neurodivergent groups, multicultural communities and the elderly.
Supervisor: Dr. Peter Stys, MD