Bianca Bondi

• Individuals from a socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g., individuals who were or are currently homeless or in the foster care system; were eligible for federal food and nutrition programs [for 2 or more years]; were eligible for Pell grants; received WIC; have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor's degree; grew up in a rural or low-income area)

• Student/Trainee Scholarship
• SPS Conference Mentor

Through my extensive clinical and community involvement, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to service, contributing to research, clinical training, mentorship, and community engagement across diverse settings.

At The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Breaking the Cycle (BTC), and York University, I have led and contributed to numerous projects focused on neurodevelopmental assessments, interventions, and research for vulnerable children. My research examines how early experiences of risk and protection shape neurodevelopment, focusing on children exposed prenatally to substances, those born with perinatal strokes, and those undergoing medical challenges like organ failure, congenital heart disease, and transplantation. My doctoral research involved examining longitudinal neurocognitive trajectories following perinatal arterial ischemic stroke, including consideration of relevant risk and protective factors. This work highlighted the importance of early screening and routine neuropsychological follow-up in supporting neurodevelopmental outcomes. These experiences reinforced my commitment to investigating early intervention’s role in optimizing neurodevelopmental trajectories.

In addition to my research leadership, I have been embedded in clinical settings, where I’ve provided neuropsychological assessments and interventions to children with complex medical and psychological needs. I have extensive experience working with pediatric populations in tertiary care hospitals like SickKids and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, providing assessments for children with stroke, brain injury, and developmental disorders such as ADHD and autism. I have also worked in early intervention settings, such as BTC, supporting children exposed to trauma. My clinical training has been complemented by my commitment to trauma-informed, attachment-based, and behavioural interventions, including dyadic and family play therapies and parent-child interaction therapies to foster parental sensitivity, positive parenting, and child development.

Mentorship and supervision have been essential components of my service. I have mentored 13 students across various stages of their academic journeys, from undergraduates at the University of Toronto and York University to graduate students entering clinical and research fields. I have also mentored children in marginalized communities through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto. As a research supervisor, I have guided students in study design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation, helping them grow academically and professionally. Additionally, I have supervised research staff and clinical trainees, ensuring they gain the necessary skills to contribute to research and clinical practice.

Extracurricularly, I have contributed to leadership roles in the academic community. As a Graduate Student Leadership Representative for the LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research and the Meighen Wright Maternal-Child Health Program, I’ve organized annual conferences, speaker series, and student engagement opportunities. I also served as a representative for clinical students, advocating for their needs and organizing networking events to facilitate professional growth. These roles have allowed me to support the development of future professionals in child psychology, creating spaces for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Overall, my commitment to service is reflected in my efforts across research, clinical practice, mentorship, and community engagement. I am dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations through early intervention, mentorship, and advocating for systemic change. By fostering collaboration, and building partnerships, I continue to contribute to the well-being and advancement of marginalized communities.

My journey to pursuing higher education and establishing a career in clinical neuropsychology has been one of perseverance, shaped by overcoming significant barriers. I am the first in my immigrant family to pursue post-secondary education and the only one to achieve doctoral-level training. Growing up in a low-income household, my family faced challenges. My mother, living with chronic illnesses and on long-term disability, was unable to work, which placed financial strain on our household. Despite these obstacles, I remained committed to my education and professional aspirations, guided by my passion for pediatric neuropsychology.

Paying for my education independently, I worked multiple jobs throughout my undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral training. Balancing academic demands with employment, volunteerism, research leadership, and clinical responsibilities required relentless dedication and time management. I often spent late nights completing assignments after long shifts or working weekends to afford tuition and living expenses. My perseverance was fueled by a determination to build a career that would advance scientific knowledge and positively impact the lives of children and families.

Additionally, I understood that advancing in clinical neuropsychology required building professional networks, a challenge for someone with no prior connections in academia or healthcare. I sought mentorship, engaged in professional organizations, and participated in conferences to create opportunities for collaboration. Despite limited resources, I developed relationships with colleagues and mentors who supported my growth and expanded my understanding of the field.

Reflecting on the mentorship I received, I am committed to paying it forward. I actively mentor trainees, offering guidance to those navigating similar barriers. By creating opportunities for growth, I aim to foster a new generation of neuropsychologists who will continue to expand the field, especially in areas with limited representation. It is essential to me that the mentorship I received is shared with others, breaking down barriers and supporting professional aspirations.

My commitment extends to my career. I am determined to work in the public sector in Canada, serving marginalized populations who lack access to private resources. I believe all children, regardless of background, deserve access to high-quality neuropsychological care, especially those facing compounding risk factors such as chronic illness, trauma, or systemic disadvantage. My work will focus on advocating for these populations and ensuring they receive the support needed to thrive, both clinically and through research initiatives aimed at improving care access and outcomes.

Throughout my academic journey, I also demonstrated leadership and excellence, earning numerous scholarships and awards totaling over $230K in funding. These recognitions acknowledged my academic, research, and leadership achievements, helping ease financial burdens and allowing me to excel in my training. My ability to secure these competitive funding opportunities reflects my perseverance and determination.

These experiences have shaped my character and deepened my understanding of resilience and hard work. I bring this perspective into my clinical and research work, striving to support children and families facing unique challenges. My journey has taught me that barriers, no matter how significant, can be overcome with persistence, resourcefulness, and a steadfast commitment to one’s goals.

Attending the AACN Annual Meeting would provide transformative benefits to my professional development and offer significant value to the neuropsychology community. This conference is a premier opportunity to engage with leading experts, gain insights into cutting-edge research, and explore advancements in clinical neuropsychology practice. As a clinical research post-doctoral fellow focusing on pediatric populations with complex medical conditions, participating in this conference would deepen my knowledge of evidence-based interventions, precision medicine approaches, and innovative assessment strategies. I aim to integrate this knowledge into my work, including implementing neuropsychological programs for new populations and evaluating interventions for children with congenital or acquired conditions.

A key aspect of my attendance is delivering a workshop presentation on "Translational Neuropsychological Service Pathways in Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)." Preparing and presenting this workshop provides invaluable experience in knowledge dissemination, allowing me to share practical approaches to providing neuropsychological care to children with CHD. Engaging with attendees during the workshop would refine my communication skills, foster collaborative discussions, and enhance my ability to translate research into actionable strategies, benefiting both my professional growth and the broader neuropsychology community.

The conference also offers unparalleled opportunities to network with trainees and early-career professionals. Connecting with peers fosters meaningful relationships that may lead to future collaborations, mentorship, and professional growth. As a Canadian trainee, attending would allow me to exchange ideas and discuss shared challenges with others at similar career stages globally. The trainee-focused programming would also provide insight into career development, board certification preparation, and transitioning from trainee to independent practitioner.

Additionally, the AACN Annual Meeting provides rare access to resources and guidance on board certification in clinical neuropsychology. Navigating this process is uniquely challenging in Canada due to limited local resources. The conference would allow me to connect with professionals who have completed this process, attend sessions addressing certification requirements, and gain valuable insight into best practices. By achieving board certification, I would enhance my professional credibility and mentorship opportunities in Canada, enabling me to guide future neuropsychologists.

Beyond personal growth, my attendance would have a ripple effect on the professional community. Engaging in discussions, attending workshops, and networking across specialties would refine my methodologies and facilitate knowledge exchange. I am committed to sharing conference insights with colleagues, trainees, and interdisciplinary teams through presentations and discussions. This dissemination would improve the quality of care and broaden interventions for underserved clinical populations, including children with rare diseases.

Lastly, as an advocate for integrating patient and family perspectives into clinical care, I see this conference as an opportunity to explore and contribute to conversations on inclusive, family-centered practices. Sessions aligned with my expertise in pediatric neuropsychology would provide tools and perspectives to enhance my contributions to advancing neuropsychology in ways that prioritize patient-centered outcomes.

I am dedicated to fostering healthy relationships through mentorship and supervision. I have been involved in numerous student mentorship programs across my undergraduate and graduate career, including the University of Toronto’s Psychology Student Mentorship Program and York University’s Psychology Undergraduate Mentorship Program which allowed me to support undergraduate mentees in their pursuit of graduate studies. As a Graduate Student Mentor, I also provide support to new graduate students entering graduate studies. I was part of the ASD Mentorship Program, working with undergraduate students with ASD to help them meet their goals. I was also a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto for three years, a not-for-profit organization that supports children from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds through one-to-one mentorship. Cumulatively, I have mentored 13 students across various programs.

In addition to mentorship, I am also passionate about supervision. I have co-supervised three honours thesis students at The Hospital for Sick Children across various undergraduate institutions. I have also supervised 21 research staff, clinical fellows, and research and medical students across my various involvements at The Hospital for Sick Children. Clinically, I have also supervised four junior trainees. These experiences underscore my commitment to empowering mentees and ensuring their success.

As a first-generation university student from an immigrant family, I deeply understand the unique challenges faced by individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds. I benefited significantly from mentorship opportunities that supported my professional growth. I bring a genuine understanding of the value of networking and creating opportunities for oneself, particularly in a niche field such as neuropsychology. At the AACN Annual Meeting, I can offer mentees guidance not only on academic and career development but also on navigating the complexities of professional advancement in our field. Moreover, my lived experience allows me to empathize with mentees who may face systemic barriers including financial restraints and limited professional networks.

This mentorship experience aligns seamlessly with my long-term professional goals. I am committed to integrating mentorship into my clinical practice and academic endeavors, ensuring that support and opportunities for growth are accessible to the next generation of professionals. By serving as a mentor, I can provide mentees with insights specific to neuropsychology, including advice on navigating graduate school, and advancing clinical skills. This experience would also allow me to develop my skills as a mentor in the context of a professional conference.

As a post-doctoral fellow, attending the AACN Annual Meeting represents a significant opportunity for professional development. In Canada, resources to learn about board certification in neuropsychology are limited, and this conference would provide me with invaluable insights into this process. The sessions and networking opportunities at AACN would also allow me to connect with leaders in the field, which is vital for my career growth. However, financial constraints remain a challenge as I continue in a trainee role with financial burdens related to registration exams and board certification. This scholarship would enable me to take full advantage of this professional opportunity while continuing to contribute meaningfully to the neuropsychological community.