Graduate Students

 

Anderson Lab	Baldwin Lab	Barry Lab
Burshtyn Lab	Elliott Lab	Evans Lab
Foley Lab	Gill Lab	Guilbert Lab
Halloran Lab	Hazes Lab	Ingham Lab
Irvin Lab	Kane Lab	Ostergaard Lab
Peppler Lab	Power Lab	Pukatzki Lab
Schang Lab	Smiley Lab	Stein Lab
Tyrrell Lab	West Lab

 

 

 

Anderson Lab

 

Christa Smolarchuk

E-mail: cds1@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-3945

Supervisor: Dr. Colin Anderson

Program: MSc

Alma Mater: University of Alberta

 

 

Academic Interests:

I am looking at the role of the cervical thymus in self tolerance. As well, I am studying the role of co-inhibitory molecules and innate immune cells in diabetes.

Non-academic Interests:

I enjoy playing soccer, badminton and snowboarding.

 

Baldwin Lab

 

 

Nancy Hu

E-mail: qhu@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-8650

Supervisor: Dr. Troy Baldwin

Program: MSc

Alma Mater: University of Alberta

 

 

Academic Interests:

Negative selection is the process by which self-reactive T cells are eliminated during thymic development. My research seeks to define the molecular mechanisms of negative selection, particularly the contributions of the proteins Bim and Nur77.

Non-Academic Interests:

I enjoy cycling, badminton, basketball, attending musical performances, and volunteering.

Awards:

• NSERC CGS-M, 2008 - present
• Walter H. Johns Graduate Fellowship, 2008
• AHFMR Summer Studentship, 2008

 

 

 

Julia Parkman

E-mail: parkman@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-8650

Supervisor: Dr. Troy Baldwin

Program: MSc

Alma Mater: University of Guelph

 

 

 

Academic Interests:

The immune system must be able to mount an effective response against pathogens while remaining tolerant to healthy host tissue. Negative selection is a key process for establishing this tolerance to self. I study the role of PD-1 in thymic negative selection.

Non-Academic Interests:

Reading, cooking, playing board games.

 

 

 

Alexander Suen

E-mail: aysuen@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-8650

Supervisor: Dr. Troy Baldwin

Program: Rotating

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barry Lab

 

Logan Banadyga

E-mail: banadyga@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-7437

Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Alberta

 

 

Academic Interests:

One of the first things a virally-infected cell does is attempt to kill itself—via a process known as apoptosis—in order to prevent virus replication and stymie infection. I’m interested in understanding how poxviruses trigger apoptosis and, ultimately, stop it from occurring. Specifically, my research has focused on the fowlpox virus Bcl-2 homologue, FPV039, and how it interacts with cellular Bcl-2 proteins to inhibit apoptosis.

Non-Academic Interests:

I curl as much as I can in the winter, and I row with the Edmonton Rowing Club in the summer. I like to convince kids that viruses are the raddest things around, so I volunteer regularly with the Let’s Talk Science Partnership programme. I spend a considerable amount of time reading about Science, but I maintain a healthy enough connection with pop culture to prevent becoming too much of a nerd. I like to read and write and cook (but not necessarily in that order). I advocate evolution and oppose seafood. And you might be interested to know that if you Google Image search ‘fowlpox virus’ a picture of me pops up.

Awards:

• AHFMR Studentship (2008 – present)
• NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship - PhD (2007 – 2009)
• NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship - MSc (2005 – 2007)
• Walter H. Johns Graduate Fellowship (2005 – 2008)

Publications:

1. Banadyga, L., K. Veugelers, S. Campbell, and M. Barry. 2009. The Fowlpox Virus Bcl-2 Homologue, FPV039, Interacts with Activated Bax and a Discrete Subset of BH3-only Proteins to Inhibit Apoptosis. J. Virol. 83.
2. Banadyga, L., J. Gerig, T. Stewart, and M. Barry. 2007. Fowlpox virus encodes a Bcl-2 homologue that protects cells from apoptotic death through interaction with the pro-apoptotic protein Bak. J. Virol. 81:11032-45.
   
3. Taylor, J. M., D. Quilty, L. Banadyga, and M. Barry. 2006. The vaccinia virus protein F1L interacts with Bim and inhibits activation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. J. Biol. Chem. 281:39728-39739.
   
4. Wasilenko, S. T., L. Banadyga, D. Bond, and M. Barry. 2005. The vaccinia virus F1L protein interacts with the proapoptotic protein Bak and inhibits Bak activation. J. Virol. 79:14031-14043.
   

 

 

Kristin Burles

E-mail: burles@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-7437

Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry

Program: PhD

 

 

 

 

Stephanie Campbell

E-mail: sdc3@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-7437

Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Alberta

 

Academic Interests:

I am currently studying how poxviruses modulate apoptosis in order to evade the immune system and ensure viral propagation.

Awards:

• 2005-Present: NSERC CGS – Masters
• 2005-Present: Walter H Johns Graduate Fellowship
• 2004-2005: AHFMR Summer Studentship

 

 

 

 

Katie Fagan

E-mail: kfagan@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-7437

Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry

Program: MSc

 

 

 

Kevin Quach

Email: qkevin@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-7437

Supervisors: (Rotating)

Dr. Michele Barry

Dr. Stefan Pukatzki

Program: MSc

 

Academic Interests:

Barry Lab: Determining roles of particular proteins during apoptosis

Pukatzki Lab: Timing of toxicity expression during an infection of cholera

Non-Academic Interests:

White water rafting, kayaking, running, rock climbing, history/reading

 

 

 

 

John Thibault

E-mail: jthibaul@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-7437

Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry

Program:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick van Buuren

E-mail: njv@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-7437

Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Victoria

BSc, Biochemistry

 

Academic Interests:

Ectromelia virus a member of the Poxviridae family and is the causative agent of mousepox, a disease in mice highly related to the human disease smallpox. We used bioinformatics to identify four genes within the ectromelia virus genome, EVM002, EVM005, EVM154 and EVM165, which contain C-terminal F-box domains in conjunction with N-terminal ankyrin repeats. These poxviral ankyrin/F-box proteins form functional ubiquitin ligase complexes during infection to mediate the ubiquitination of currently unknown target substrates.

Non-Academic Interests:

I coach trampoline gymnastics at the Phoenix gymnastics center, our team currently consists of 11 National level and 10 provincial level athletes.

Awards:

• 2009 - present: NSERC Canadian Graduate Scholarship
• 2009 - present: AHFMR Scholarship
• 2008-2009: Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship
• 2008: Abstract Award – The XVIIth Annual Poxvirus and Iridovirus Conference, Grainau, Germany

Publications:

1. Mohamed, M. R., M. M. Rahman, J. S. Lanchbury, D. Shattuck, C. Neff, M. Dufford, N. van Buuren, K. Fagan, M. Barry, S. Smith, I. Damon, and G. McFadden. 2009. Proteomic screening of variola virus reveals a unique NF-{kappa}B inhibitor that is highly conserved among pathogenic orthopoxviruses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.
2. van Buuren, N., B. Couturier, Y. Xiong, and M. Barry. 2008. Ectromelia Virus Encodes a Novel Family of F-Box Proteins That Interact with the SCF Complex. J Virol. 82(20).
3. Wilton, B. A., S. Campbell, N. van Buuren, R. Garneau, M. Furukawa, Y. Xiong, and M. Barry. 2008. Ectromelia virus BTB/kelch proteins, EVM150 and EVM167, interact with cullin-3-based ubiquitin ligases. Virology 374: 82-99.
4. Teale, A., S. Campbell, N. van Buuren, K. Watmough, B. Couturier, R. Shipclark, and M. Barry. 2008. Orthopoxviruses require a functional ubiquitin-proteasome system for productive replication. J Virol 83: 2099-108

 

 

 

Kelly Watmough

E-mail: kmottet@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-7437

Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry

Program: MSc

 

 

Academic Interests:

I study p28, a pox virus E3 ubiquiton ligase which interacts with a host E2 to modify protein function.

Awards:

• 2005 Candian Liver Foundation Summer Studentship
• 2004 Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Summer Studentship

 

 

Burshtyn Lab

 

Chelsea Davidson

E-mail: chelsead@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-0645

Supervsior: Dr. Deborah Burshtyn

Program:

 

 

 

 

 

Li Fu

E-mail: lfu1@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-0645

Supervsior: Dr. Deborah Burshtyn

Program: PhD

 

 

 

Academic Interests:

Natural killer cells inhibitory receptors (KIR and LIR). Cooperation with/influence of negative signal pathways.

Awards:

• 2005 Canadian Liver Foundation Summer Studentship
• 2004 Alberta Heritage FoundationMR Summer Studentship

 

 

 

Nick Li

E-mail: nlli@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-0645

Supervsior: Dr. Deborah Burshtyn

Program: PhD

 

 

Elliott Lab

 

 

Carlos Garcia-Batres

E-mail: garciaba@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-0888

Supervsior: Dr. John Elliott

Program: PhD

 

 

 

Evans Lab

 

 

Don Gammon

E-mail: dgammon@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-2106

Supervisor: Dr. David Evans

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Windsor

 

Academic Interests:

My research is dedicated to understanding how cidofovir, an antiviral agent, normally blocks poxvirus replication, how cidofovir resistance develops in these viruses and how cidofovir affects poxvirus recombination.

Non-academic Interests:

I enjoy various sports including hockey, tennis and golf. I am a war history buff and always enjoy spending a night watching the history channel. Although a former academic and research interest, I personally enjoy understanding how organisms, particularly fish, use pheromones to communicate with each other.

Awards:

• 2004-Present NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship-Masters Level
• 2004 Walter H Johns Graduate Fellowship
• 2004 Alberta Heritage Foundation For Medical Research Summer Studentship 2004
• University of Alberta Masters Entrance Scholarship (Declined)
• 2004 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (Declined)
• 2004 Franklin and Holder-Franklin Award for Undergraduate Research
• 2004 Board of Governors Medal for Biological Sciences (University of Windsor)
• 2002-2004 NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award

Publications:

1. Belanger, A.J., Arbuckle, W.J., Corkum, L.D. , Gammon, D.B. , Li, W., Scott, A.P., and Zielinski, B.S. (2004) Behavioural and electrophysiological responses by reproductive female Neogobius melanostomus to odours released by conspecific males. Journal of Fish Biology . 65: 1-14. (Undergraduate work).
2. Gammon, D.B ., Li, W., Scott, A.P., and Zielinksi, B.S. (2005). Evidence of a male sex pheromone in the round goby. Biological Invasions .00:1-8.
3. Gammon, D.B. , W., Li., Scott, A.P., Zielinski, B.S. and Corkum, L.D. Behavioural responses of female round gobies to odour of conspecifics. Journal of Fish Biology, in review November 2004.

Published Abstracts:

1. Belanger, A.J ., Petruniak, J., Gammon, D. , Corkum L.D. , Li, W. , Scott, A.P., Zielinski, B. 2003. Physiological and behavioural studies suggest the use of sex pheromones duringreproductive activity of the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus ). Chem. Senses 28: 551-56.

 

 

 

Branawan Gowrishankar

E-mail: branawan@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-2106

Supervisor: Dr. David Evans

Program: PhD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chad Irwin

E-mail: crirwin@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-2106

Supervisor: Dr. David Evans

Program: PhD

 

 

 

 

 

Li Qin

E-mail: lq1@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-2106

Supervisor: Dr. David Evans

Program: PhD

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wondim Teferi

E-mail: wondimag@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-2106

Supervisor: Dr. David Evans

Program: PhD

 

 

Academic Interests:

Project to be determined.

Non-Academic Interests:

Soccer

Awards:

• Provost Doctoral Entrance Award, University of Alberta, 2009
• International Scholarship Award of the National University of Ireland, Galway, 2007/2008

 

 

 

Foley Lab

 

David Bond

E-mail: db7@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-0935

Supervisor: Dr. Edan Foley

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Victoria

 

 

Academic Interests:

The Drosophila Imd pathway mediates the innate immune response to gram negative bacteria and shares many overt similarities to the human TNF pathway. Iidentified novel regulators of the lmd pathway through a high-throughput RNAi screen. I will characterize these regulators of lmd signalling further, and determine their relevance in the TNF pathway.

Non-Academic Interests:

Hiking, Cross-country skiing, Fly fishing.

Awards:

• Provost Doctoral Entrance Award
• Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 75th Anniversary Award
• President's Doctoral Prize of Distinction
• NSERC PGSD

Publications:

Bond, D., Primrose, D.A., & Foley, E. Quantitative evaluation of signaling events in Drosophilia S2 cells. Biol. Proced. Online.

 

 

 

 

Silvia Guntermann

E-mail: gunterma@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-0935

Supervisor: Dr. Edan Foley

Program: PhD

 

 

 

 

Brendon Parsons

E-mail: brendonp@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-0935

Supervisor: Dr. Edan Foley

Program: PhD

 

 

 

 

Anja Schindler

E-mail: anja@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-0935

Supervisor: Dr. Edan Foley

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Tuebingen, Germany

 

 

Academic Interests:

The cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is one of the most important inflammatory mediators. I am interested in the regulators that determine whether TNF signaling in target cells leads to an immune response or apoptosis.

Non-Academic Interests:

Painting, photography, reading, ice skating, skiing, dancing, travelling

Awards:

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Publications:

Primrose, D.A., Chaudry, S., Johson, A.G., Hrdlicka, A., Schindler, A., Tran, D., Foley, E. Dnr1 interactions of DNR1 with the apoptotoic machinery of Drosophila melanogaster. J Cell Sci 2007.

 

 

 

Gill Lab

 

Selena Wang

Email: szui@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 248-1128

Supervsior: Dr. Ron Gill

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of British Columbia

 

 

Academic Interests:

I examine how and by what mechanisms long-term tolerance to allogeneic islet transplants is established via specific immunotherapeutic agents.

Non-Academic Interests:

Dancing, drawing, painting, doodling with anything that leaves a mark on any surface that can be marked.

Awards:

• Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship (University of Alberta)
• Gladys Wirtanen nee Woodrow Studentship Award (Alberta Diabetes Institute)

 

 

Guilbert Lab

 

No MMI Graduate Students at this time

 

Halloran Lab

 

No MMI Graduate Students at this time

 

Hazes Lab

 

No MMI Graduate Students at this time

 

 

Ingham Lab

 

 

Jason Lee

E-mail: jklee@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 248-1960

Supervisor: Dr. Robert Ingham

Program: MSc

Alma Mater: University of Alberta

 

 

Academic Interests:

Epstein-Barr virus, a human gammaherpesvirus, is associated with a variety of human cancers - including certain types of T cell lymphomas. My research looks at how LMP2A, an EBV encoded latent membrane protein, contributes to the pathogenesis of these EBV-positive malignancies - specifically the proliferation and migration of EBV-positive T cells through altered signal transduction events.

 

 

Joel Pearson

E-mail: jpearson@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 248-1960

Supervisor: Dr. Robert Ingham

Program: PhD

 

 

 

Academic Interests:

E3 ubiquitin ligase enzymes play an important role in regulating protein levels by targeting specific proteins for degradation. Itch is an E3 ligase that is important in the immune system. I am interested in identifying substrates of Itch in lymphocytes.

Personal Interests:

Golfing, traveling.

Awards:

• NSERC CGS-M (2007-2008)
• Michael Smith Foundation for Medical Research Junior Studentship (2008)
• UVic President's Scholarship (2007-2008)

 

 

Irvin Lab

 

 

Elizabeth Davis

E-mail: emdavis@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-7564

Supervisor: Dr. Randall Irvin

Program: PhD

 

 

Academic Interests:

I am interested in Pseudomonas aeruginosa binding to stell surfaces and how the surface can be nonstructured to alter bacterial adhesion.

Non-Academic Interests:

Playing the piano, singing, cross-country skiing and wood burning.

Awards:

• University of Alberta PhD Scholarship

 

 

 

 

John Yu

E-mail: yyu2@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-7564

Supervisor: Dr. Randall Irvin

Program: PhD

 

 

 

 

Kane Lab

 

Carla M. Craveiro

Email: craveiro@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-8920

Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Kane

Program: MSc

Alma Mater: Concordia University College

 

 

Academic Interests:

Natural killer cells are part of the innate immune system. These cells have both activating and inhibiting receptors, referred to as Ly49 in the mouse & rat. My research focuses on interactions between Ly49 and class I MHC.

Non-Academic Interests:

I love sports, especially soccer. I also enjoy travelling.

 

 

 

Catherine Ewen

E-mail: cewen@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-8920

Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Kane

Program: PhD

 

Academic Interests:

My work is focused on phenotypically defining CD8+ T cell populations, and establishing the functional repertoire that these subsets may employ in response to acute or chronic viral infections.

Awards:

• CIHR Master’s Research Award
• 75th Anniversary Faculty of Medicine Graduate Student Award

Publications:

1. Sipione, S., Ewen, C., Shostak, I., Michalak, M., Bleackley, R.C. (in press) Impaired cytolytic activity in calriticulin-deficient cytotoxic T cells. J. Immunol.
2. Rong, J., Xu, X., Ewen, C., Bleackley, R.C., Kane, K.P. (2004) Isolation and characterization of a novel single-chain Fv specific for human granzyme B. Hybridoma and Hybridomics. 4: 219-231.
3. Ewen, C. , Kane, K.P., Shostak, I., Griebel, P.J., MacElhaney, J.E., Bertram, E.M., Watts, T.H., Bleackley, R.C. (2003) A novel cytotoxicity assay to assess antigen-specific CTL responses using a colorimetric substrate for Granzyme B. J. Immunol. Methods. 276: 89-101.
4. Baca-Estrada, M.E., Ewen, C., Mahoney, D., Babiuk, L.A., Wilkie, D., Foldvari, M. (2002) The haemopoietic growth factor, Flt3L, alters the immune response induced by transcutaneous immunization. Immunology. 107 (1): 69-76.
5. Ewen, C. , and Baca-Estrada, M.E. (2001) Evaluation of Interleukin-4 by ELISA is influenced by the consumption of IL-4 by cultured cells. J. Interferon and Cytokine Res. 21: 39-43.
6. Babiuk, S., Baca-Estrada, M.E., Babiuk, L.A., Ewen, C., and Foldvari, M. (2000) Cutaneous vaccination: the skin as an immunologically active tissue and the challenge of antigen delivery. J. Controlled Release. 66: 199-214.
7. Baca-Estrada, M.E., Foldvari, M., Ewen, C., Badea, I. and Babiuk, L.A. (2000) Effects of IL-12 on immune responses induced by transcutaneous immunization with antigens formulated in a novel lipid-based biphasic delivery system. Vaccine. 18: 1847-1854.

 

 

 

Deanna Hockley

E-mail: dhockley@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-8920

Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Kane

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Alberta

 

Academic Interests:

Currently I am researching the role of co-stimulation in naive CD8+ T cell activation and memory generation.

Non-Academic Interests:

Ice hockey, badminton, hiking, snowshoeing, camping

Awards:

Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship

Publications:

Kokaji, A.I., Hockley, D.L. and Kane, K.P. IL-15 transpresentation augments CD8+ T cell activation and is required for optimal recall responses by central memory CD8+ T cells. J. Immunol. 180:4391-401 (2008).

 

 

Wayne Juang

Email: sjuang@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-8920

Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Kane

Program: MSc

Alma Mater:

University of British Columbia

 

Academic Interests:

Central memory T cells are an important aspect of the adaptive immune system. After an initial encounter with a pathogen, memory T cells "remember" the bug and can provide us with better and faster protection in future encounters. My research interests are to further understand memory T cells and investigate ideal reactivation conditions of these memory T cells.

Non-Academic Interests:

I love jogging, music and movies.

 

 

Elsa A. Marquez

Email: emarquez@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-8920

Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Kane

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Arizona

 

 

Academic Interests:

My research focuses on looking at the function of peptide anchor residues bound to class I MHC molecules and how these can potentially determine NK cell Ly49 receptor specificity.

 

 

Ostergaard Lab

 

 

Daniel Atumba

E-mail:

Phone: (780) 492-5650

Supervisor: Dr. Hanne Ostergaard

Program: PhD

 

 

 

Awards:

Leap Fellowship

 

Samuel Cheung

E-mail: scheung1@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-5650

Supervisor: Dr. Hanne Ostergaard

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Manitoba

 

 

Academic Interests:

My research interest is to determine the molecular regulation and biological function of the tyrosine kinase Pyk2 in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). I hypothesize that Pyk2 is important for aspects of CTL polarization and subsequent release of cytotoxic mediators leading to cell lysis.

Awards:

• President's Doctoral Prize of Distinction
• 75th Anniversary Graduate Student Award
• CIHR Doctoral Research Award

 

 

Ana Clementin

E-mail: clementi@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-5650

Supervisor: Dr. Hanne Ostergaard

Program: PhD

 

 

 

Academic Interests:

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes lyse target cells by at least two distinct general mechanisms: degranulation of cytolytic molecules and surface expression of FasL, which induces apoptosis of Fas-expressing target cells. My goal is to understand the regulation of the FasL pathway.

Publications:

Castelli, ME; Fedrigo, GV; Clementin, AL; Ielmini, MV; Feldman, MF and Garcia Vescovi, E. Enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) integrity is a checkpoint for flagellar biogenesis in Serratia marcescens. Journal of Bacteriology 120(1):213-220, 2008.

 

 

Joëlle St. Pierre

E-mail: joelles@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-5650

Supervisor: Dr. Hanne Ostergaard

Program: PhD

Alma Mater:

Université du Québec à Montréal

 

Academic Interests:

My research is focused on the role of CD45 in innate immunity. I am particularly interested in its role in regulating macrophage activation through the pathogen-recognition receptor Dectin-1.

Non-academic Interests:

Hiking, climbing, cross-country and backcountry skiing

Awards:

• NSERC PGS M
• Provost Doctoral Entrance Award
• Walter H. Johns

 

 

Kinola Williams

E-mail: kinola@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-5650

Supervisor: Dr. Hanne Ostergaard

Program: Rotating

 

 

 

 

 

Peppler Lab

 

No MMI Graduate Students at this time

 

Power Lab

 

André Deslauriers

E-mail: adeslaur@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492- 2148

Supervisor: Dr. Christopher Power

Program: MSc

Alma Mater: University of Lethbridge

 

Academic Interests:

My research is focused on the role of the human endogenous retrovirus (HERV-W) envelope protein, Syncytin-1, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Non-Academic Interests:

I enjoy skiing, sports, travelling, writing and cooking.

 

 

Pukatzki Lab

 

 

Sarah Miyata

E-mail: smiyata@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-4437

Supervisor: Dr. Stefan Pukatzki

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Waterloo

 

 

Academic Interests:

I study the type six secretion system of Vibrio cholerae. My project involves determining how type six genes are regulated during infection. I am also currently working on characterizing a putative effector protein of this system.

Non-Academic Interests:

I enjoy going to the gym, listening to music, shopping and playing softball, squash and Guitar Hero.

Awards:

• Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship

Publications:

Pukatzki, S., S.B. McAuley and S.T. Miyata. The Type VI Secretion System: Translocation of Effectors and Effector-Domains. Current Opinion in Microbiology. Accepted for publication (February 2009).

 

 

Maya Kitaoka

E-mail: kitaoka@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-4437

Supervisor: Dr. Stefan Pukatzki

Program: MSc

 

 

Academic Interests:

I am interested in host-pathogen interactions and working on Type VI Secretion System in U. cholerae.

Non-Academic Interests:

Skiing, swimming, badminton

Awards:

University of Alberta Master's Scholarship

 

 

 

Schang Lab

 

Che Colpitts

E-mail: ccolpitt@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-4437

Supervisors: Dr. Luis Schang

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: University of Regina

 

Academic Interests:

Novel inhibitors of viral fusion

Non-Academic Interests:

Most sports, especially badminton, tennis and swimming. Travelling, hiking, camping. Reading.

Awards:

• NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship (2009 - present)
• NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship (2008-2009)
• University of Regina FGSR Graduate Scholarship (2008, 2009)
• R.A. Kellin - J. Neuhard Graduate Entrance Scholarship in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology (2007)
• NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (2005, 2006, 2007)

 

 

Smiley Lab

 

 

Brett Duguay

E-mail: duguay@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-1040

Supervisor: Dr. Jim Smiley

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: Dalhousie University

 

Academic Interests:

I currently study the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) protein UL12.5 and its role in depleting mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We are interested in determining how mtDNA depletion occurs as well as what effect this process has on viral replication and pathogenesis.

Non-Academic Interests:

I enjoy hiking, cycling and playing guitar.

 

 

 

Meaghan Hancock

Email: mhancock@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-2317

Supervisor: Dr. Jim Smiley

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: B.Sc. McMaster University

 

Academic Interests:

Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) has two modes of infection: lytic and latent. During lytic infection of epithelial cells, the approximately 80 viral genes are expressed in a temporal fashion, from immediate early (IE), early, to late genes. During latent infection of neurons, the HSV genome is transcriptionally silent, except for a small region known as the latency-associated transcript. To understand why herpesvirus genomes are transcriptionally silent in some cells but not others, I am using a tissue culture model of latent infection termed quiescence. In this model, restrictive cells are infected with a recombinant HSV that lacks the major viral regulatory proteins VP16 and ICP0. VP16 is a tegument protein and potent viral IE gene transactivator, as it recruits transcription factors and chromatin remodeling complexes to the IE promoters to stimulate their transcription. ICP0 is an IE protein that is also required for efficient IE gene transcription, and is known to degrade several cellular proteins via its action as an ubiquitin E3 ligase. Cells infected with the VP16 - ICP0 - recombinant virus maintain the viral genome in a stable, quiescent state but do not express viral genes unless the genome is reactivated by the addition of exogenous ICP0. I am interested in understanding the cellular mechanism that silences the incoming viral genome, and how the proteins VP16 and ICP0 function to prevent the genome from this fate. We hope that by understanding these mechanisms we can better understand the biology of latently-infected neurons and the eventual silencing of transgenes that occurs when using recombinant herpesviruses as viral vectors.

Non-academic Interests:

I enjoy traveling, hiking, camping and cooking.

Awards:

• 2009 AHFMR Studentship
• 2004-2005 NSERC Canadian Graduate Scholarship
• 2005- NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship
• 2004- Walter H Johns Scholarship

Publications:

1. Hancock MH, Corcoran JA, and Smiley, JR. Herpes simplex virus regulatory proteins VP16 and ICP0 counteract an innate intranuclear barrier to viral gene expression. Virology. 2006 Aug 15;352(1):237-52
2. Chew T, Noyce R, Collins SE, Hancock MH, Mossman KL. Characterization of the interferon regulatory factor 3-mediated antiviral response in a cell line deficient for IFN production. Mol Immunol. 2009. Jan;46(3):393-9
3. Hancock MH, Mossman KL, and Smiley JR. Cell fusion-induced activation of interferon-stimulated genes is not required for restriction of a herpes simplex virus VP16/ICP0 mutant in heterokarya formed between permissive and restrictive cells. Journal of Virology. 2009 Jun 17. [Epub ahead of print]

 

 

 

 

Xiaoqing Hou

E-mail: xhou@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-1040

Supervisor: Dr. Jim Smiley

Program: MSc

 

 

 

Melany Wagner

Email: melany@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-1040

Supervisor: Dr. Jim Smiley

Program: PhD

Alma Mater: B.Sc. Waterloo University, M.Sc. University of Western Ontario

 

Academic Interests:

I study the activity of the herpes simplex virus protein, VP11/12. This protein appears to be tyrosine phosphorylated specifically in lymphocytes. Tyrosine phosphorylation events are often associated with signalling and I have begun to elucidate how VP11/12 alters signalling in lymphocytes.

Awards:

• Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 75th Anniversary Graduate Student Award 2009
• Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Student ship 2005-2009
• Provost Doctoral Entrance Award 2005-2006

Publications:

Zahariadis, G., Wagner, M.J., Doepker, R.C., Maciejko, J.M., Crider C.M., Jerome, K.R., Smiley, J.R. Cell-type-specific tyrosine phosphorylation of the herpes simplex virus tegument protein VP11/12 encoded by gene UL46. J Virol. 2008 July;82(13):6098-108

Wagner, M.J., Hussain, S., Mehan, M., Verdi, J.M., Delovitch, T.L. A defect in lineage fate decision during fetal thymic invariant NKT cell development may regulate susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. J Immunol. 2005 Jun 1;174(11):6764-71

 

 

Fred Wu

Email: fwu2@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-1040

Supervisor: Dr. Jim Smiley

Program: MSc

Alma Mater: University of Western Ontario

 

Academic Interests:

My research objective is to elucidate mechanisms by which herpes simplex virus may activate protein kinase B.

 

 

Stein Lab

 

No MMI Graduate Students at this time

 

 

Tyrrell Lab

 

Ran Chen

E-mail: rchen3@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-5285

Supervisor: Dr. Lorne Tyrrell

Program:PhD

 

 

Academic Interests:

1. Hepatitis C & hepatitis B virus co-infection in chimeric mouse model

2. Duck hepatitis B virus acute & chronic infection in pekin duck model

3. Duck hepatitis B virus superinfection exclusion

 

 

 

Kristen Miller

E-mail: kmiller1@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-9819

Supervisor: Dr. Lorne Tyrrell

Program: MSc

 

Academic Interests:

Our lab previously designed zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) that can bind HBV cccDNA which is found in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes and is the reservoir for HBV persistence. I am testing these designed ZFPs for their ability to inhibit HBV transcription in infected human hepatoma cells.

Non-Academic Interests:

Fishing, tennis, cooking, cross-country skiing, sewing

Awards:

• Canadian Liver Foundation Summer Studentship Award, 2008
• Peter Jang Leadership Award, 2008
• WISEST/TEC Edmonton Health Innovation Award, 2009

 

 

 

Ramin Sarrami-Forooshani

E-mail: rsarami@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-5285

Supervisor: Dr. Lorne Tyrrell

Program: PhD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Li Zhao

E-mail: lz1@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-9819

Supervisor: Dr. Lorne Tyrrell

Program: PhD

 

 

Academic Interests:

I work on the role of dendritic cells during HCV infection.

Awards:

• 2009 Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL) Student Research Prize
• 2007 CASL Student Research Prize

 

 

 

Kim Zimmerman

E-mail: kaz1@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-9819

Supervisor: Dr. Lorne Tyrrell

Program: PhD

Alma Mater:

University of British Columbia

 

 

 

Academic Interests:

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes lifelong chronic infection, resulting in end-stage liver disease, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapeutics, such as nucleoside analogs, inhibit viral production but do little to target the viral reservoir, called covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). We have designed zinc finger proteins (ZFP), a type of DNA binding protein, to bind the cccDNA of HBV and duck HBV (DHBV) as a novel therapeutic approach. We have been able to show that the designed ZFPs can inhibit viral transcription both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating a unique approach to directly target the viral reservoir and inhibit it.

Non-academic Interests:

Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Hiking

WP Mentorship Program, Nellie McClung Science fair

Awards:

• NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS-D) (2007-Current)
• Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Studentship (2005-current)
• Walter H Johns Graduate Fellowship (2005, 2007, 2008)
• NSERC Postgraduate scholarship (PGS-M) (2005-2006)
• Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 75th Anniversary Award (2005-2006)
• Stem Cell Network Co-op Training Award (2003-2004)
• UBC Undergraduate Scholar Program (1999-2000, 2003-2004)
• NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (2001, 2002)
• Norman MacKenzie Alumni Entrance Scholarship (1999-2000)
• Governor General’s Award (Bronze, 1999)
• British Columbia Provincial Scholarship (1999)

1. Zimmerman, K.A., Fischer, K.F., Joyce, M.A., and Tyrrell, D.J.L. (2008). Zinc finger proteins designed to specifically target duck hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA inhibit viral transcription in tissue culture. Journal of Virology. 82: 8013 – 8021.
2. Zimmerman, K.A., Fischer, K.F., Joyce, M.A., and Tyrrell, D.J.L. (2007). Designed zinc finger proteins bind duck Hepatitis B virus enhancer DNA and decrease production of viral RNA, proteins and progeny. HepDart 2007. Frontiers in drug development for viral hepatitis. Dec 9-13, 2007. Lahaina, Maui. Poster Presentation.
3. Zimmerman, K.A. , Fischer, K.F., Joyce, M.A., and Tyrrell, D.J.L. (2007) Hepatitis B Virus-binding Polypeptides and Methods of Use Thereof. U.S. Patent Application 60/972,644.
4. Zimmerman, K.A., Fischer, K.F., Tyrrell, D.J.L. and Joyce, M.A. (2007) Designed zinc finger proteins bind duck Hepatitis B virus enhancer and decrease production of vrial RNA, proteins and progeny in vitro. Proceedings of the 2007 International Meeting on the Molecular Biology of Hepatitis B Viruses. Sept 16-20, 2007. Rome, Italy.Oral presentation.
5. Zimmerman, K.A., Fischer, K.F., Joyce, M.A., and Tyrrell, D.J.L. (2007) Designed zinc finger proteins bind human Hepatitis B virus with nanomolar dissociation constants. Proceedings of the 2007 International Meeting on the Molecular Biology of Hepatitis B Viruses. Sept 16-20, 2007. Rome, Italy. Poster presentation.
6. Zimmerman, K.A. , Fischer, K.F., Joyce, M.A., and Tyrrell, D.J.L. (2006) Chimeric endonucleases as novel therapeutics targeting the cccDNA of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Proceedings of the 2006 International Meeting on the Molecular Biology of Hepatitis B Viruses. Sept 17-20, 2006. Vancouver, B.C. Oral presentation.
7. Zimmerman, K.A. , Fischer, K.F., Joyce, M.A., and Tyrrell, D.J.L. (2006) Chimeric endonucleases as novel therapeutics targeting the cccDNA of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. 10 th Annual Immunet Retreat. May 18-19, 2006. Edmonton, A.B. Poster presentation.
8. Joyce, M.A., Walters, K., Zimmerman, K.A., Pietschmann, T., Zhu, L., Gao, T., Kneteman, N., Katze, M., Wakita, T., Bartenschlager, R., and Tyrrell, D.J.L. (2005) Infection of the SCID/Bg Alb-UPa transgenic human chimeric mouse with both full-length positive strand RNA from Hepatitis C Virus and Virus derived from tissue culture. Proceedings of the 12 th International Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus and Related Viruses. Oct 2-6, 2005. Montreal, QC. Oral presentation.
9. Zimmerman, K.A , Lehnertz, B., and Rossi, F. (2003) High-Throughput Screen for Chromatin Boundary Elements in the Mouse Genome. Proceedings of the 1 st Stem Cell Network Annual General Meeting. Sept 18-20, 2003. Vancouver BC. Poster and Abstract.

 

 

 

West Lab

 

Stacey Gelowitz

Program: MSc

E-mail: staceyg@ualberta.ca

Phone: (780) 492-6151

Supervisor: Dr. Lori West

Program: MSc