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Contact Us
Down Syndrome Research Foundation 1409 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby
email: info@dsrf.org  Follow us on Facebook  Visit DSRF
 Conference on Developmental Disabilities
 The Centre for Specialized Learning (CSL)
| DSRF Staff
Stephanie joined the Down Syndrome Research Foundation in 2008. She has a college degree and over 25 years accounting experience. Through the years she has worked in many different industries including manufacturing, wholesale distributing, retail, consulting and she has owned her own business. She also has experience in Human Resources and Administration. She is responsible for all of the accounting functions at DSRF, is part of the senior management team, and also assists the Executive Director. Out of all the industries in which Stephanie has worked, she especially enjoys the rewards that come with working for a not for profit organization.
Teresa is a PhD candidate in the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University. Her MEG experience comes from being part of the research and development team who built the first whole-head MEG system (CTF Systems Inc). During the decade that she worked for CTF, Teresa was involved in source modeling research, software development and helped install MEG systems worldwide. She joined DSRF in 2003 to assist in the installation of the DSRF MEG. She is currently the MEG laboratory manager, helping researchers learn how to set up and collect MEG data. Teresa's PhD thesis involves the development of hardware models called phantoms that simulate complex brain activity. Teresa's research is supported by Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research.
Les has been with the DSRF since early 2008, when he was hired on as a Teaching Assistant for the College Age Program. Since then Les has directed our progressive Summer School program, been an advanced tutor for the Latch-On program, and will be running the Transitions program beginning fall 2010.
Christopher Ian Dickson Christopher has worked as an office assistant with the foundation for approximately six years. He is a hard working young man with Down syndrome. His duties in the office include reception and the maintenance of office recycling. In his spare time Christopher is involved in Special Olympics where he participates in swimming, floor hockey and softball. He is also an active member in the “Developmentally Challenged Youth Basketball Association”. Christopher is currently enrolled in the DSRF Latch-On program as well as the Next Chapter Book Club. His experience, knowledge, and friendly personality have become an asset to the DSRF office over the years.
Susan acquired her M.Sc. degree in Speech-Language Pathology from UBC. She obtained research scholarships relating to her thesis on language assessment in young children with autism. Previously, Susan had worked for 10 years with people with developmental disabilities before starting at the DSRF in July 2003. She coordinates the following programs: individual assessment and therapy sessions, group literacy programs, Language Express, consultative services (e.g. for out-of-town clients), and is involved as a consultant with the Early Foundations Preschool. She also enjoys giving presentations to parents and professionals, and has taught an Education course at Simon Fraser University. Susan’s research interests include the efficacy of speech-language treatment specific to people with intellectual disabilities, and along with colleagues from UBC, she has conducted a pilot research program on the use of ultrasound to help improve speech in young adults with Down syndrome.
Miriam has been an Early Childhood Educator since 2003. She has her ECE diploma with a specialization in children with special needs. Her certificate in ASL (American Sign Language) and Deaf Studies is also well used in incorporating language development into the classroom. Miriam has had the opportunity to travel abroad and work with children with varying abilities. She is excited to be a part of the team here at the DSRF and is passionate about building positive relationships with all children and families that attend Early Foundations Preschool.
Catherine graduated from the University of Victoria in 1983 with her teaching degree in Early Childhood/Special Education. She came to the DSRF in 2007 with extensive experience in teaching individuals with varied learning disabilities in the regular classroom, special education resource room and early intervention environments. Catherine is the Teacher for the adult literacy program in South Surrey which focuses on strengthening literacy, math and computer skills following an individualized ability approach. Catherine finds that teaching in this setting has been the most rewarding of her career to date and looks forward to future years of teaching with the DSRF organization.
Hina has been with the DSRF since August 2008 and is working as the office administrative assistant and volunteer coordinator. She graduated from Simon Fraser University with a BA in Psychology and hopes to attain a Masters in Occupational Therapy. Hina comes to the foundation with 4 years of experience as an admin assistant and manages basic office tasks including program registrations, billing and banking. She is currently working with young adults who have Down Syndrome in developing basic job skills including interacting in an office environment. Hina is also the contact person for prospective volunteers wanting to work at DSRF. Although Hina has only been with the foundation for a short time she is excited about the opportunity to work with individuals who have developmental disabilities and to also help in making DSRF a great success.
Amanda, recently certified as an Early Childhood Educator, has experience working with children of all ages. She has coached children and youth in recreational settings for many years, passionate in her role as a teacher and a mentor. More recently, Amanda has gained valuable experience in the classroom working with children 2.5 to 12 years old. She is excited to build positive and meaningful relationships with the children and families of Early Foundations Preschool, and grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn as part of the DSRF team.
Alexander's background is in physics and signal processing. He received his Ph.D. degree from Moscow Physical Technical Institute (Russian Federation). Alexander got hands on experience with MEG (Magnetoencephalography) working for three years as a research scientist at CTF Systems (later VSM Medtech), which until 2007 was one of the world leaders in design and manufacturing of MEG instruments. He joined DSRF in April 2007 to help scientists and doctors working in DSRF MEG lab with their projects and data analysis. Alexander's own research interests are mainly focused on development of new techniques for analysis the magnetic field of the human brain, that may help us better understand how the human brain is functioning.
Natalie is a graduate from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor in Business Administration and honours in Sustainability. She joined the DSRF team in 2010 and has previous experience in project management, event marketing, and event sponsorship. Natalie believes the old proverb "it takes a village to raise a child". Fuelled by this belief, she supports causes such as health care and education for youth of all stages of learning and growth. Natalie is responsible for fund development here at the Foundation. If you are interested in becoming an individual or corporate donor please give her a call today. Email Natalie
Jenea is a speech language pathologist who obtained her M.Sc. degree from UBC. She completed her thesis, specializing in comparing vocabulary development in typical children to those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Jenea has worked with the DSRF since 2007, working primarily with the students in the adult literacy program in South Surrey. She also is involved in individual speech and language assessment and therapy sessions. Jenea enjoys working with a variety of different populations, but is particularly interested in working with families of preschool aged children with developmental disorders. Email Jenea
Jill earned her Master’s of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of British Columbia and her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Linguistics from McGill University. At UBC, she was involved in research on the narrative skills of bilingual school-aged children and also did her own thesis research on the vocabulary skills of bilingual children with autism spectrum disorders. Jill worked as a Supported Childcare Consultant, a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, and a Behaviour Interventionist before coming to DSRF in January 2010. She is now providing individual, consultative and group therapy, and assessment services at our main location in Burnaby, as well as individual therapy services in White Rock. Jill is excited to work as a member of DSRF’s team and to continue conducting speech-language therapy research in the future. Email Jill
Deanne is a young woman with Down syndrome and has worked as an office assistant with DSRF for approximately 10 years. She brings with her skills she has acquired through 21 years of work experience at Mc Donald’s and Pacific West construction company. In addition she also runs her own home business crocheting and knitting various items for special customer orders. Deanne is a very dedicated office assistant. She assists in answering the phones, stocking offices supplies and provides a friendly face to the reception office.
Eleanor joined the DSRF team in August 2008 as teacher of the Latch-On Program for young adults. Eleanor has her degree from McGill University in Kindergarten and Elementary Education and is now accredited to teach the Latch-On Literacy Program. Eleanor has years of experience working with youth including experience at Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre where she was grant manager of the summer and winter day camps. She worked at Aunt Leah’s Independent Life Skills Society, a non-profit organization that assists disadvantaged youth lacking stable support systems in their lives. As a youth worker she provided support and helped adolescents learn the necessary life skills to live independently. Most recently, she worked at the Vancouver Learning Centre for 4 years where she taught adults and children with learning difficulties. As the teacher of the Latch-On program, Eleanor manages two classes of 10 students that attend twice a week. The program is aimed at increasing literacy in six areas: reading, writing, talking, viewing creativity, and technology. Email Eleanor
Nimet has been with the Down Syndrome Research Foundation since September 2001 and has supported the Foundation in different capacities over the years, from events to finance and administration. Currently Nimet is the Foundation’s Event Co-ordinator, responsible for the very popular “Up The Down Market Dinner” held in 4 cities across the country. Another extremely popular annual family event is the “Run Up for Down Syndrome”, a 5 km Run/Walk held in June each year at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC. The Foundation’s events calendar is a busy one, and Nimet never forgets to keep the events grounded on the mission of supporting our member families. Nimet is very passionate about the work done at DSRF. When asked what drives this passion, Nimet simply replies, “It is so gratifying to be able to help families touched by Down syndrome, and make a positive contribution to their lives, that it is easy to be passionate about my work”. Please contact Nimet if you have any questions about sponsoring or participating in one of our wonderful events. Email Nimet
Kim received her undergraduate degree in Education from the University of Alberta, and taught in mainstream as well as alternative and Special education programs in Alberta for 11 years. She completed graduate coursework in Special Education at the U of A, and is in the process of completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Simon Fraser University. Kim has helped coordinate a variety of research projects on a part-time basis at DSRF since the summer of 2007.
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Stephanie Carbonette 
Teresa Cheung 
Les Cole 
Susan Fawcett 
Miriam Hron 
Catherine Kubat 
Hina Mahmood 
Amanda Mawanay 
Alexander Moiseev 
Natalie Morin 
Jenea Paralejo 
Jill Petersen 
Deanne Sharon Russell 
Eleanor Stewart 
Nimet Tejpar 
Kim Watt 