Meet the Building Brains Team
Dr. Robbin Gibb is a professor of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge where she studies parental influences on brain development and neuroplasticity. Dr. Gibb was an active member of the Early Years Coalition and has been developing and delivering play programming in the community since 2015. Dr. Gibb mentors a number of University Students through graduate student opportunities, independent, and applied studies. These students gain valuable work experience; BBT and the City benefit from the work they undertake. She provides information for parents, caregivers, educators, seniors, health care workers, program providers, lawyers, judges, and K-12 students through invited talks and workshops in the community.
Dr. Claudia Gonzalez is a Professor and Board of Governors Research Chair in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Lethbridge. Dr. Gonzalez investigates how the human brain processes and integrates sensory and motor information. She is interested in understanding the interactions of the sensorimotor system with cognitive processes such as language, executive function, and spatial abilities. Her approach is developmental spanning from infants to the elderly. Many of the assessment tools used by Building Brains Together have been developed and tested in Dr. Gonzalez’ lab. She also contributes to the program by providing statistical analyses expertise that she passes on to the students.
Celeste Halliwell has a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Lethbridge and has worked with Building Brains since 2016. She started her work as a research coordinator but has since focused on working with Indigenous groups to learn about traditional ways of playing. She has worked closely with Dr. Deborah Pace and has developed relationships with Indigenous leaders (eg. Mary Ellen Little Mustache) who have generously offered to share their knowledge and check the work she has produced on this topic for accuracy of representation. Celeste has completed Tier 1 Systems Navigator, Mental Health First Aid, Resilience Scale Masterclass Certification, Brain Story Certificate, Ages & Stages Questionnaire Training, and Indigenous Awareness Certificate.
Vicki Hazelwood coordinated Lethbridge Early Years Coalition spearheading partnership development with local agencies and educators. Vicki facilitated community engagement strategies advocating for our youngest citizens both locally and provincially within the Ministry of Children's Services. As Building Brains Together Coordinator since 2018, Vicki has gained valuable experience developing and delivering community programs that provide local caregivers, educators, and community members access to evidence-based research and resources in accessible formats. Vicki has created cross-sector partnerships that have fostered interagency working relationships and increased services being brought into the community.
2024 Summer Team
2023 Summer Team
Alumni Students and Staff
Jade
Drayke
Cayley
Rayn
Keva
Karissa
Jaclyn
Sara
Quadri
Chataya
Katie