Libin Cardiovascular Institute Trainee Organization (LCITO)
The LCITO exists to bring together trainees within the Libin Cardiovascular Institute
Get involved with the LCITO and stay up to date on events, resources and opportunities for trainees within the Libin Cardiovascular Institute.
This student-led group organizes journal clubs, the Libin Institute's Research Update Seminar Series, mock defense seminars and social events. Get involved with this organization by reaching out to LCITO President Kavithra Karalasingham.
LCITO Contacts
- Kavithra Karalsingham, President - kavithra.karalisingh@ucalgary.ca
- Zahra Hosseini, Vice president - zahra.hosseini1@ucalgary.ca
- Gerardo Balderas, Social and Communications Lead - gerardo.balderas@ucalgary.ca
- Sahar Sajjad, Community Outreach Lead and Women’s Lead- sahar.sajjad@ucalgary.ca
- Jenny Zhang, Postdoctoral Representative - mu.zhang@ucalgary.ca
- Simrandeep Kaur, Journal Club Lead - simrandeep.kaur1@ucalgary.ca
- Mara Marincas, RUSS Lead - mara.marincas@ucalgary.ca
- Laiba Nasir, Undergraduate representative - laiba.nasir@ucalgary.ca
For more information about trainee opportunities within the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, contact Libin Education Operations Coordinator, Alina Kotylova at alina.kotylova@ucalgary.ca.
Members of the 2026-2027 LCITO Executive Team
Dawn Smith
Scholarships
The Institute offers numerous scholarships for all levels of trainees. Please visit this page for the details and application forms.
* Please note completion of the CIHR's Online Training Modules: Integrating Sex & Gender in Health Research is a requirement for Libin Institute funding and scholarships.
Awards
- The Libin Trainee Excellence in Research Award recognized trainees's publication success. If you are a first author for a peer-reviewed publication, you are eligible. Learn more here.
- The Libin Cardiovascular Institute (LCI) Travel Award is intended to help offset costs for LCI trainees travelling to national and international conferences. Learn more here.
Tine Haworth Research Day
The Libin Cardiovascular Institute's annual Tine Haworth Cardiovascular Research Day highlights cardiovascular research being undertaken by trainees. It features a poster competition and scientific talks, as well as the E.R. Smith Lecture. Learn more here.
Learning Opportunities
There are numerous learning opportunities for trainees within the Libin Cardiovascular Institute. For more details, visit this page.
Journal Club Resources
Meet the LCITO Leadership Team
Kavithra Karalasingham, president
Contact: kavithra.karalasingham@ucalgary.ca
Zhara Hosseini, Vice president
Contact: zahra.hosseini1@ucalgary.ca
Gerardo Balderas, Social & Communications Lead
Contact: gerardo.balderas@ucalgary.ca
Sahar Sajjad, Community Outreach and Women's Health Lead
Contact: sahar.sajjad@ucalgary.ca
Mara Marincas, RUSS Lead
Contact: mara.marincas@ucalgary.ca
Simrandeep Kaur, Journal Club Lead
Contact: simrandeep.kaur1@ucalgary.ca
Jenny Zhang. Postdoctoral Representative
Contact: mu.zhang@ucalgary.ca
Laiba Nasir, Undergrad Representative
Contact: laiba.nasir@ucalgary.ca