Down Syndrome Research Foundation

1409 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby
British Columbia, Canada V5B 4J8

email: info@dsrf.org

Dawn McKenna
Executive Director

Dawn has a broad business background with experience and education in finance, human resources and management, and has been involved in the disability community for over ten years. In 1999, looking for new challenges and the opportunity to help make a difference, Dawn left the corporate world and joined the Down Syndrome Research Foundation. She was instrumental in the successful completion of two capital campaigns, raising funds to: i) build a family-centered facility for Down syndrome research and education, and ii) purchase and install state-of-the-art brain imaging equipment, a Magnetoencephalography system (MEG). The Centre and the MEG are enabling new insights into cognitive development and provide the knowledge to develop new educational programs to help children with Down syndrome of all ages reach their full individual potentials.

Dawn was a key member of the executive committee organizing the 9th world Down Syndrome Congress in Vancouver , BC , Canada in 2006, and took over as Chair of the Congress when Josephine Mills was diagnosed with leukemia and unable to continue in the role. Dawn is a member of the Board of a local Rotary Chapter and involved in a variety of community projects.

Email Dawn     Welcome letter from Dawn

Dr. Naznin Virji-Babul (P.T., Ph.D)
Director, Research

Dr. Naznin Virji-Babul is a neuroscientist who is leading the effort to study perceptual-motor and social-emotional development and learning in children and adults with Down syndrome. She uses a combination of behavioural and brain imaging tools (i.e. MEG) to probe the brain and investigate the patterns of brain activation as they relate to perception and learning. Her research is supported by the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) and the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Email Naznin   Naznin's Curriculum Vitae (CV) 

Joy Hayden
Director of Resource & Program Development

Joy brings to the DSRF an extensive background in developing and managing services for children and adults with disabilities. With over 15 years experience, her past accomplishments have included the development of Quay View, a 42-unit, fully-integrated apartment building and family support program that provided information to families on transitional planning, will and estate planning, residential options, as well as social and vocational programs. Joy has also personally experienced the challenges and joys of raising a child who requires additional support, and understands the complexities of accessing quality supports and services.

Email Joy