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Dr Jenny Rabin
Name:
Dr Jennifer Rabin
Job title:
Associate Professor, Scientist
Place of work / study:
Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto
Area of Research:
My research focuses on women’s brain health, with a particular emphasis on understanding sex-specific biological pathways that contribute to neurodegenerative disease.
How is your work funded:
CIHR, Hilary & Galen Weston Foundation
Tell us a little about yourself:
Dr. Jenny Rabin earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology from York University in Toronto. She completed a joint research and clinical fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where her work focused on vascular contributions to Alzheimer’s disease. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Division of Neurology at the University of Toronto and a Scientist at the Sunnybrook Research Institute. Her research program centers on understanding sex and racial/ethnic disparities in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Rabin has authored over 140 peer-reviewed publications, and her research is supported by national and international funding agencies. She has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Early Researcher Award from the Ontario Government, the Early Career Award from the International Neuropsychological Society, and the Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I have an identical twin sister who is also a researcher, but while I study Alzheimer’s disease, she studies addiction. We’ve been mistaken for each other at conferences, which has led to some unexpected hugs from people I’ve never met! And fittingly, my last name, Rabin, is an anagram of “brain.”
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
I’ve always been fascinated by memory and how deeply it shapes our sense of self and identity. Alzheimer’s disease takes away those memories and, with them, important parts of who we are. I wanted to better understand why this happens and contribute to finding ways to prevent it.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early-career researcher?
Don’t underestimate the power of networking, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people whose work you admire or who you’d like to collaborate with. Some of the most valuable connections I’ve made started with a cold email asking to meet or chat. Most people are genuinely flattered when you express interest in their work and are happy to connect. You never know where a simple conversation might lead!
Favourite film of all time?
Forrest Gump
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Go for a walk in nature
Rahul Sidhu
