Bishop’s University

Undergraduate Research Spotlight: Mirana Iliza:

Mirana Iliza is a third-year Bachelor of Arts student in Psychology at Bishop’s University, whose academic and research pursuits reflect a strong interest in understanding the relationship between brain structure and behavior. After completing CEGEP in Montreal, she chose Bishop’s University for its supportive community and the freedom it offered to explore her academic and personal interests while building meaningful connections.

Her research journey began at the SLIC Laboratory at Université de Sherbrooke, where she worked on integrating neuroimaging datasets into the ENIGMA Toolbox. Through this experience, she observed structural brain differences across various neurological conditions, sparking her interest in how such changes influence behavior. This work laid the foundation for her upcoming summer project, which will investigate the association between hippocampal atrophy and hyperreligiosity in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), particularly in the context of Geschwind syndrome.

Mirana’s research contributes to two significant areas. First, the ENIGMA Toolbox project makes large-scale neuroimaging datasets more accessible to researchers worldwide, enabling cross-condition comparisons in disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Second, her TLE project aims to address important gaps in understanding behavioral changes associated with the condition, potentially helping clinicians recognize and manage these manifestations more effectively. Through this research, she hopes to improve patient care while advancing knowledge in clinical neuroscience.

Her experiences at Bishop’s University have also shaped her long-term career goals. Mirana is interested in combining research with clinical practice, ultimately pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology or neuropsychology. Her work has clarified her desire to contribute to research that directly benefits patients while engaging with them in clinical settings.

Throughout her studies, she has faced challenges such as learning to work with complex neuroimaging data and programming tools (Python, Conda, MATLAB) without prior experience, and balancing multiple responsibilities, including research, coursework, leadership roles, and part-time work with children with special needs. Despite these challenges, she has developed strong research, leadership, and communication skills. As Vice-President of the Student Representative Council, she coordinates academic initiatives, facilitates meetings, and advocates for student interests. She also co-founded the Women’s Health Research Club, fostering discussions on scientific research and organizing events like Brain Awareness Week.

Mentorship has played a key role in her development. Dr. Samantha Côté recognized her interest in research and connected her with Dr. Sara Larivière at Université de Sherbrooke, who has been instrumental in her growth as a researcher. Additionally, the supportive environment of the SLIC Laboratory has reinforced the importance of collaborative and nurturing research communities.

The most rewarding aspect of Mirana’s studies has been witnessing the real-world application of psychology and neuroscience. Through her research and leadership initiatives, she has seen the value of making scientific knowledge accessible and engaging for others. She balances her academic and personal life through intentional planning, prioritizing rest and self-care, and maintaining hobbies such as baking and photography.

Mirana Iliza’s dedication to research, leadership, and community engagement reflects her commitment to advancing scientific understanding while contributing meaningfully to the well-being of others.

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Joannie St-Germain B.Sc. ’16, M.Sc. (she/her/elle)
RESEARCH OFFICER
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND GRADUATE STUDIES
819-822-9600 x 2242

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