2025 Rookies

  • Eddie Guo

    UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

    Eddie Guo is a neurosurgery resident at the University of Toronto. He completed medical school at the University of Calgary, where he served as President of the Calgary Medical Students’ Association and did research exploring applications of artificial intelligence in medical education and neurosurgery. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with loved ones, exploring restaurants, working out, and playing pool.

  • Anujan Poologaindran

    UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

    Grew up in Toronto, lived around Canada/in the UK, now in Edmonton for residency!

  • Retage Al Bader

    WESTERN UNIVERSITY

    I'm from Halifax and completed undergrad at Dalhousie and moved to Windsor, Ontario for med school.

  • Aline Han

    WESTERN UNIVERSITY

    I am a big foodie who loves trying dishes from different cultures in good company!

  • Amro Mohammad

    MCMASTER UNIVERSITY

    I am an incoming Neurosurgery resident at McMaster University. Before Hamilton, Montreal was home for close to 14 years - where I earned my medical degree! Beside Neurosurgery, I like chess, good coffee, and long bike rides.

  • Jean-Louis Parmasad

    UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

    Ottawa native, die-hard Sens fan, and weekend warrior on the tennis court and golf course. When life gets stressful, you'll find me in the kitchen baking up a storm

  • Khalid AlShammari

    MCMASTER UNIVERSITY

    My name is Khalid A. AlShammari, I was born, raised and grew up in city called Hail. I do enjoy traveling, writing poetry and capturing moments that are fleeting in sense.
    I am passionate about neurosurgery as I love to see innovation and the continuous development of the field.

  • Faisal Alfakeeh

    DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

    I was born and raised in Riyadh. I’m about to start my neurosurgery residency at Dalhousie University, and I’m really excited for this new chapter. I enjoy traveling, discovering new places, and playing video games in my free time.

  • Joseph Nashed

    UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

    Attended Queen’s University for MD - Entering PGY1 at Ottawa U

  • Sarah Tinawi

    WESTERN UNIVERSITY

    I’m a neurosurgery resident training at Western University. I completed my medical degree at Laval University, shaped by a strong passion for both medicine and the human experience.

    I am passionate about neurosurgery, and I also believe that creativity is essential to staying sane in this high-stakes field. When I’m not in the hospital, you’ll probably find me getting lost in a book or wandering in a museum. I like to think my love for art helps me balance out the chaos of residency. Also, it gives me an excuse to sip overpriced coffee while discussing abstract paintings with absolutely no expertise…

  • Yoojin Choi

    UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

    I graduated from high school on the East Coast (New Brunswick) and gradually made my way to the West Coast. Along the way, I earned a BSc from McGill University, a PhD from the University of Toronto, and an MD from the University of British Columbia. In my free time, I enjoy singing at karaoke bars, playing the piano, and exploring new tea flavours at local cafés.

  • Bianka Bezuidenhout

    UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

    I completed my undergrad at the University of Ottawa before making my way to the University of Toronto for medical school. Throughout my academic career I have been an active member in my community taking on several leadership roles and starting up new initiatives. Outside the hospital, you’ll usually find me exploring the city’s best fitness classes, hunting down the perfect matcha, or diving into all things beauty and skincare. Born and raised in South Africa, I come from a long line of adventurers, which probably explains my love for hiking, biking, camping, and traveling the world. I’m beyond excited to be starting my neurosurgery residency here at U of T, and even more excited to meet the team and get started on this new chapter!

  • Kenneth Ong

    UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

    I am an incoming UBC resident who also completed my medical school at UBC. I am looking forward to meeting and working with this year's cohort!

  • Donovan Cassidy-Nolan

    DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

    I come from a small town by the Bay of Fundy, in Nova Scotia. For fun I like to do zebrafish research, play the fiddle, and ski.

  • Sabra Salim

    UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

    Hello! My name is Sabra and I am one of the incoming R1s at UofT. I did my undergraduate degree at McMaster in Biology and PNB, followed by a Master's in Biochemistry in the lab of Dr. Sheila Singh working on CAR-T therapy. I finished medical school at Queen's University and am now looking forward to coming back home to Toronto. I was born and raised in the GTA along with my twin sister (who is starting OB at Mac) and a younger brother. In a rare spare moment, I play a few instruments and sing with friends, spend time with my loved ones, and cafe hop.

  • Zeel Patel

    UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

    Zeel grew up in Calgary, AB and is now back home as a first-year neurosurgery resident at the University of Calgary. Prior to this, he had completed both his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Toronto. In his free time, Zeel loves to explore new cafes, follows the NBA, and is always looking for new music recommendations!

  • Djessmy Michel

    UNIVERSITY OF SHERBROOKE

    Hi, I’m Djessmy! I’m from Quebec. Outside of medicine, I’m all about creativity — I love video editing, coding little side projects, and reading. I’m also really into fitness and anything that challenges me physically or mentally.

  • Natalie Tilbury

    UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN

    I grew up in Saskatoon, did my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at the Uaniversity of Calgary, then returned home to Saskatchewan for medical school. In my free time I enjoy travelling, reading with a book club, vintage and thrift shopping, and spending time with my family.

  • Germain Sophie Ngana

    MCMASTER UNIVERSITY

    Sophie Ngana is a first-year neurosurgery resident at McMaster University. She completed her undergraduate studies in molecular genetics at the University of Toronto before entering the MD/PhD program at McMaster. Her doctoral research, supported by the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, explored microbiotal influences on neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease using a C. elegans model.Outside of the hospital and lab, Sophie enjoys thrifting, antiquing and musical theatre. She’s thrilled to be joining the McMaster neurosurgery team and looks forward to the exciting years ahead.

  • Ahmad Ozair

    MCGILL UNIVERSITY

    Ahmad Ozair is a postdoctoral research fellow in neurosurgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD. He is also a Clarendon Scholar (awarded to the top 1% of graduate students at the University of Oxford) for Oxford's MSc in Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC) course.
    Ahmad is an incoming neurosurgery resident at McGill University (Montreal Neurological Institute).

  • Seika Taniguchi

    UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

    Raised in Vancouver BC, I've called the mountains and oceans my home and playground for many years. I love all things related to: dogs, coffee, road running/trail running and fitness. I'm super excited to be here in Toronto and to start my training in neurosurgery! I can't wait to meet my amazing cohort of future surgeons

  • Neevya Balasubramaniam

    MCGILL UNIVERSITY

    Neevya Balasubramaniam completed her medical degree at McGill University and she's excited to be continuing her residency in her hometown. She’s passionate about global neurosurgery and medical education, and has gone on many side quests to pursue this. Outside the hospital, Neevya enjoys all things arts-related, playing basketball, and spending quality time with her loved ones.

  • Karolanne Toulouse

    UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

    Originally from Quebec, Karolanne completed her medical degree at McGill University and is gearing up to start her neurosurgery residency at the University of Manitoba. In a past life, she was a sushi chef and true gym enthusiast, competing in weightlifting and CrossFit. When not in the OR, she can be found lifting weights, befriending pets, or pretending her Spotify playlists are medically approved.

  • Crystal Ma

    UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

    I am a first year resident at the University of Calgary.

  • Ore Adeyinka

    UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN

    Hometown of Windsor but excited to train in Saskatchewan. For fun I like hanging out with friends, music, seeing movies and travelling. Super excited to start my neurosurgery journey!

  • Yamine Benabdesselam

    UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

  • Blaire Magee

    UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

    I grew up in NB, went to Dalhousie for med school and now in Edmonton for residency.