Research

Experience | Interests | Publications | Conferences

Current Research Aims

• Dissecting & digitizing trapezius in adult & infant cadaveric specimens
• Quantifying the comprehensive 3D architecture of the connective & contractile components of trapezius throughout the muscle volume
  
• Rendering high-fidelity 3D models of trapezius from cadaveric data
• Developing a novel detailed ultrasound protocol for trapezius based on modelled cadaveric data superimposed on scanned skeletal landmarks
• Evaluating tissue stiffness in the connective & contractile tissues of trapezius using ultrasound 2D shear wave elastography (US 2D–SWE)

Previous Projects & Experience

• Investigating the neural underpinnings of object memory destabilization
  
  • Rodent models & behavioural paradigms
  • Systemic & intracranial injections
  • Cranial cannulation surgeries & transcardial perfusion
  • Tissue sectioning & histochemical staining
  • Western blotting
• Volumetric analysis of longitudinal cerebellar development in preterm infants
  • MRI analysis & voxel tracing

Previous Projects & Experience

• Investigating the neural underpinnings of object memory destabilization
  
  • Rodent models & behavioural paradigms
  • Systemic & intracranial injections
  • Cranial cannulation surgeries & transcardial perfusion
  • Tissue sectioning & histochemical staining
  • Western blotting
• Volumetric analysis of longitudinal cerebellar development in preterm infants
  • MRI analysis & voxel tracing

Scholarships & Research Funding

• Carlton and Marguerite Smith Medical Research Fellowship
  (September 2020 – August 2021)
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
  (May 2017 – August 2020)
• CIHR Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement
  (September – December 2019)
• University Health Network Educational Advancement Stipend
  (September 2016 – April 2017)

Conference Awards

• University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies Conference Grant (December 2019)
• American Association for Anatomy (AAA) Travel Award to attend the 19th Congress of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (August 2019)
• American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA) Early Career Award  (June 2019)
• AAA Student/Postdoctoral Travel Award (April 2019)
• Sandy C. Marks Jr. Student Poster Presentation Award (July 2018)
• Polatajko-Howell Student Conference Presentation Fund (July 2018)

Publications

• Stiver ML, Cloke JM, Nightingale N, Rizos J, Messer W, Winters BD (2017). Linking muscarinic receptor activation to UPS-mediated object memory destabilization: implications for long-term memory modification and storage. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 145, 151–164.
  
  • Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2017.10.007
• Zwicker JG, Miller SP, Grunau RE, Chau V, Brant R, Studholme C, Liu M, Synnes A, Poskitt KJ, Stiver ML, Tam EW (2016). Smaller cerebellar growth and poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm infants exposed to neonatal morphine. The Journal of Pediatrics, 172, 81–87.
  
  • Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.12.024
• Stiver ML, Kamino D, Guo T, Thompson A, Duerden EG, Taylor MJ, Tam EW (2015). Maternal postsecondary education associated with improved cerebellar growth after preterm birth. Journal of Child Neurology, 30(12), 1633–1639.
  
  • Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073815576790
• Stiver ML, Jacklin DL, Mitchnick K, Vicic N, Carlin J, O’Hara M, Winters BD (2015). Cholinergic manipulations bidirectionally regulate object memory destabilization. Learning & Memory, 22(4), 203–214.
  
  • Available at: https://doi.org/10.1101/lm.037713.114

Publications

• Stiver ML, Cloke JM, Nightingale N, Rizos J, Messer W, Winters BD (2017). Linking muscarinic receptor activation to UPS-mediated object memory destabilization: implications for long-term memory modification and storage. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 145, 151–164.
  
  • Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2017.10.007
• Zwicker JG, Miller SP, Grunau RE, Chau V, Brant R, Studholme C, Liu M, Synnes A, Poskitt KJ, Stiver ML, Tam EW (2016). Smaller cerebellar growth and poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm infants exposed to neonatal morphine. The Journal of Pediatrics, 172, 81–87.
  
  • Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.12.024
• Stiver ML, Kamino D, Guo T, Thompson A, Duerden EG, Taylor MJ, Tam EW (2015). Maternal postsecondary education associated with improved cerebellar growth after preterm birth. Journal of Child Neurology, 30(12), 1633–1639.
  
  • Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073815576790
• Stiver ML, Jacklin DL, Mitchnick K, Vicic N, Carlin J, O’Hara M, Winters BD (2015). Cholinergic manipulations bidirectionally regulate object memory destabilization. Learning & Memory, 22(4), 203–214.
  
  • Available at: https://doi.org/10.1101/lm.037713.114

More Coming Soon!