Askalan Lab
The Hospital for Sick Children
Staff Neurologist
Neurology
Research Institute
Scientist-Track Invesitgator
Neurosciences & Mental Health
University of Toronto
Assistant Professor
Paediatrics
Phone: 416-813-6659
Fax: 416-813-6334
e-mail: rand.askalan@sickkids.ca
Brief Biography
Dr. Rand Askalan joined the Children's Stroke Program at SickKids to establish a basic research program focusing on childhood stroke. She has spent her research career studying brain response to different types of injuries. Askalan received her undergraduate degree in medical laboratory technology and Masters degree in biochemistry at The American University of Beirut, Lebanon. She subsequently completed her PhD in neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, England in 1994. Askalan pursued additional training in neuroscience research as a post-doctoral fellow in Dr. Mike Salter's laboratory at the SickKids where her research made significant contribution to the understanding of spinal cord injury. She then enrolled in School of Medicine at the University of Toronto to obtain her medical degree in 2001. Askalan completed the postgraduate paediatric neurology training program at SickKids in 2006.
Clinical Care Activities
Neurologist, Children's Stroke Program
Training Director, Stroke Fellowship Program
Research Program
Basic Research
Using neonatal stroke animal models, studies in Askalan’s laboratory focus on understanding the pathophysiology of ischemic injury in the developing brain and designing novel approaches to neuroprotection in paediatric stroke.
Clinical Research
Askalan's clinical research projects investigate the causes, presentations, management and outcomes of stroke in children.
One of her projects is focused on dystonia resulting from childhood stroke. Dystonia is a movement disorder that may result from brain damage. Some of the children who suffered a stroke in a brain structure called the basal ganglia develop dystonia months-years after their stroke. Using a technology called transcranial magnetic stimulation, Askalan's research is trying to understand the cause of dystonia in these children and subsequently design therapies that may improve their quality of life.
Achievements
Clinician-Scientist Award, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 2007-2010
Prichard Day Annual Award for Excellence in Resident’s Research, Division of Neurology, Sick Kids, 2003 & 2005
PSI Resident Research Award, 2004.