Staff & Students
Graduate Students
Anderson Lab |
Kristofor Ellestad
E-mail: ellestad@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-3945
Supervisor: Dr. Colin Anderson
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: University of Alberta
Academic Interests:
I'm studying the role of co-inhibitory receptors and ligands on the generation of immune tolerance.
Non-Academic Interests:
I'm an avid gardener and I play guitar in a rock and roll band. If your computer is broken, I can probably fix it!
Publications:
Noorbakhsh, F, K. K. Ellestad, et. al. (2010). “Brain microRNAs targeting neurosteroidogenesis in multiple sclerosis mediate demyelination and neurodegeneration.” Journal of Immunology, manuscript under review.
Antony J.M., A.M. Deslauriers, R.K. Bhat, K.K. Ellestad, C. Power (2010). Human endogenous retroviruses and multiple sclerosis: Innocent bystanders or disease determinants? Biochim Biophys Acta. 2010 Aug 6. [Epub ahead of print]
Na, H, W. Huisman, K. K. Ellestad, et al. (2010). “Domain- and nucleotide-specific Rev response element regulation of feline immunodeficiency virus production.” Virology 404(2): 246-60.
Noorbakhsh, F, R. Ramachandran, N. Barsby, K. K. Ellestad, et al. (2010). “MicroRNA profiling reveals new aspects of HIV neurodegeneration: caspase-6 regulates astrocyte survival.” The FASEB Journal, 24(6): 1799-1812.
Maingat, F, S. Viappiani, Y. Zhu, P. Vivithanaporn, K. K. Ellestad, et al. (2010). “Regulation of Lentivirus Neurovirulence by Lipopolysaccharide Conditioning: Suppression of CXCL10 in the Brain by IL-10.” J Immunol 184(3): 1566-74.
Ellestad, K. K., S. Tsutsui, et al. (2009). “Early life exposure to LPS suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by promoting tolerogenic DCs and regulatory T cells.” J Immunol 183(1): 298-309.
Antony, J.M., K. K. Ellestad, et al. (2007). “The human endogenous retrovirus envelope glycoprotein, syncytin-1, regulates neuroinflammation and its receptor expression in multiple sclerosis: a role for endoplasmic reticulum chaperones in astrocytes.” J Immunol 179(2): 1210-24.
Ellestad, K. K. and B. G. Magor (2005). "Evolution of transcriptional enhancers in the immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene: functional characteristics of the zebrafish Eμ3' enhancer." Immunogenetics 57(1-2): 129-39.
Stafford, J. L., K. K. Ellestad, et al. (2003). "A toll-like receptor (TLR) gene that is up-regulated in activated goldfish macrophages." Dev Comp Immunol 27(8): 685-98.
Baldwin Lab |
Dominic Golec
E-mail: golec@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-6958
Supervisor: Dr. Troy Baldwin
Program: MSc
Alma Mater: University of Alberta
Academic Interests:
I am interested in the molecular mechanisms of early thymocyte development. My main focus is on the role of Ras/MAPK signaling during thymopoiesis.
Non-Academic Interests:
I play the upright bass and mandolin. I spend my winter weekends in the mountains skiing and I love the great outdoors.
Awards:
- 2009 and 2010 AHFMR Summer Studentships
Nancy Hu
E-mail: qhu@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-6958
Supervisor: Dr. Troy Baldwin
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: University of Alberta
Academic Interests:
My research examines the molecular mechanisms of thymocyte negative selection, particularly the function and role of the proteins Bim and Nur77 in this process.
Non-Academic Interests:
Biking, running, dancing, music and volunteering.
Awards:
- AIHS Studentship
- NSERC CGS-M, 2008
- Ralph Steinhauer Award of Distinction
- Walter H. Johns Graduate Fellowship, 2008
- AHFMR Summer Studentship, 2008
Publications:
Hu Q, Sader A, Parkman JC, Baldwin TA, Bim-mediated apoptosis is not necessary for thymic negative selection to ubiquitous self-antigens. 2009. J Immunol. 183(12): 7761-7.
Stephanie Nicol
E-mail: snicol@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-6958
Supervisor: Dr. Troy Baldwin
Program: MSc
Alma Mater: University of Alberta
Academic Interests:
The establishment of central tolerance is crucial to the development of the adaptive immune system. One mechanism to establish tolerance is by thymic negative selection, and my research will focus on the roles of PD-1 and Gadd 45beta in that process.
Non-Academic Interests:
Golfing, skiing, travelling, running.
Kieran Ryan-Jean
E-mail: ryanjean@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-6958
Supervisor: Dr. Troy Baldwin
Program: MSc
Academic Interests:
Investigate the involvement of theRasGRP family of RasGEFs in the delvelopment of both classical T cells and non-classical T cells of the iNK-T and CD8aa lEL lineages. I am particularly interested in aspects of immunology and microbiology that have implications for the prevention and/or treatment of disease. I also have a strong interest in physics and astrophysics in particular.
Alexander Suen
E-mail: aysuen@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-6958
Supervisor: Dr. Troy Baldwin
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: University of Waterloo
Academic Interests:
I am looking at the effects of Bim on negative selection to tissue restricted antigens as well as peripheral activity of T-cells.
Non-Academic Interests:
I enjoying swimming and ultimate sports.
Awards:
- CIHR CGS-M (2010)
- Walter H. John's Graduate Fellowship (2010)
Barry Lab |
Bettina Bareiss
E-mail: bareiss@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-7437
Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry
Program: PhD
Academic Interests:
Investigations into how poxviral protein p28 can regulate cellular protein degradation.
Awards:
- Provost Doctoral Entrance Award, University of Alberta
Robyn-Lee Burton
E-mail: robynlee@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-7437
Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry
Program: MSc
Alma Mater: University of Alberta
Academic Interests:
I am interested in the strategies utilized by poxviruses to evade host immune responses, thereby ensuring their successfull replication and dissemination.
Non-Academic Interests:
Snowboarding, biking, camping, cooking/baking, movie nights
Ninad Mehta
E-mail: ntmehta@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-7437
Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: Georgia State University
Academic Interests:
F1L is an apoptosis inhibitor. My project tries to understand how F1L influences apoptosis.
Personal Interests:
Video games, outdoor camping, biking.
John Thibault
E-mail: jthibaul@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-7437
Supervisor: Dr. Michele Barry
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: University of Lethbridge
Academic Interests:
I'm interested in a group of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 like proteins that are encoded by various poxviruses. The goal is to examine their protein - protein interaction at the mitochondria that enable the viruses to prevent viral-induced cell death.
Non-Academic Interests:
Similar to my interests in the microscopic world, I have a passion for the macroscopic world as well. I thoroughly enjoy the great outdoors. And I'll never pass up an adventure or a great flick.
Burshtyn Lab |
Chelsea Davidson
E-mail: chelsead@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-0645
Supervsior: Dr. Deborah Burshtyn
Program: PhD
Alma Mater University of Alberta
Academic Interests:
I am interested in the genetic variation of a receptor expressed on human Natural Killer (NK) cells called LILRB1. I want to determine the role of these genetic differences in establishing expression patterns on NK cells versus other immune cells. Additionally, I will look at the impact of the changes on binding to LILRB1’s various ligands.
Awards:
- MS Society of Canada 2011-2012
- Alberta Graduate Scholarship 2011
- QEII Graduate Scholarship 2010-2011
- CIHR CGS-M 2009-2010
Publications:
1) CL Davidson, NL Li, and DN Burshtyn. LILRB1 polymorphism and surface phenotype of natural killer cells. 2010 Human Immunology 71:942.
2) Burshtyn DN and C Davidson. Natural Killer Cell Conjugate Assays Using Two-Colour Flow Cytometry. “Natural Killer Cell Protocols: Cellular and Molecular Methods”, Campbell, KS and M Colona (Eds), The Humana Press Inc. 2nd ed. edition (December 17, 2009)
3) BCS Montgomery, J Mewes, C Davidson, DN Burshtyn, and JL Stafford. Cell surface expression of channel catfish leukocyte immune-type receptors (IpLITRs) and recruitment of both Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)-1 and SHP-2. Developmental and Comparative Immunology (2009), 33(4):570-82.
Li Fu
E-mail: lfu1@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-0645
Supervisor: Dr. Deborah Burshtyn
Program: PhD
Academic Interests:
KIR3DL1, the human NK inhibitory receptor, has been linked to delay progression to AIDS. The receptor has three Ig domains, playing different roles in ligand recognition. I'm working on distinguish the impact of each Ig domain, especially the first domain.
Non-Academic Interests: Reading, golfing, swimming
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
Alma Mater: University of Alberta
Academic Interests: I am investigating the regulation of variable expression and the signaling potential of the inhibitory receptor LIR-1 in human natural killer cells.
Non-Academic Interests: Hockey and golf
Awards:
- Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship (Doctoral) 2009
- ALIS Graduate Student Scholarship 2009
- Profiling Alberta’s Graduate Students Award 2009
- Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship (Master’s) 2008
Publications:
1) Davidson CL, Li NL, Burshtyn DN. 2010. LILRB1 polymorphism and surface phenotypes of natural killer cells. Hum Immunol. 2010 Oct;71(10):942-9.
Kinola Williams
E-mail: kinola@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-5650
Supervisor: Dr. Hanne Ostergaard
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: University of Manitoba
Academic Interests:
I study how different viruses regulate NK cell function.
Non-Academic Interests:
Reading, watching movies, singing and dancing.
Publications:
Geisbert, et. al. (2008). J Virol. 82 (11); 5664-5668.
Marzi, et. al. (2011) JID. Submitted.
Elliott Lab |
Christopher Green
E-mail: cdgreen@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-0888
Supervisor: Dr. John Elliott
Program: MSc
Alma Mater: University of Calgary
Academic Interests:
My area of research is to investigate the interaction between contact allergens and the innate immune system.
Non-Academic Interests:
Soccer, golf, camping and hiking.
Publications:
Vogt, S.L., C. Green, K.M. Stevens, B. Day, D.L. Erickson, D.E. Woods, and D.G. Storey. 2011. The Stringent Response Is Essential for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence in the Rat Lung Agar Bead and Drosophila melanogaster Feeding Models of Infection. Infect. Immun. 79: 4094-4104
Evans Lab |
Megan Desaulniers
E-mail: mdesauln@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-2106
Supervisor: Dr. David Evans
Program: MSc
Academic Interests:
Studying poxvirus control of protein transport as well as virus assembly.
Non-Academic Interests:
Soccer
Branawan Gowrishankar
E-mail: branawan@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-2106
Supervisor: Dr. David Evans
Program: MSc
Academic Interests:
My project involves evaluating the oncolytic (cancer killing) potential of a vaccinia virus lacking its ribonucleotide reductase small subunit in tissue culture and in mouse models
Non-Academic Interests:
Comic books, video games, complicated board games, and listening to varieties of heavy metal. I am also a bit of a nerd for medieval European history and Norse mythology.
Awards:
- CIHR Banting and Best Master's Award (2009)
Publications:
Gammon DB, Gowrishankar B, Duraffour S, Andrei G, Upton C, Evans DH. 2010 Vaccinia virus-Encoded Ribonucleotide Reductase Subunits are Differentially Required for Replication and Pathogenesis. 6(7): e1000984.
Melissa Harrison
E-mail: melissa2@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-2106
Supervisor: Dr. David Evans
Program: MSc
Alma Mater: University of Alberta
Academic Interests:
I am currently crystallizing the single stranded DNA binding proteins from various poxviruses and characterizing their binding properties.
Non-Academic Interests:
Playing the flute, soccer and lacrosse.
Awards:
- Queen Elizabeth II Award Masters' Level (2010)
- Alberta Cancer Foundation Summer Studentship (2010, undergraduate)
- NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (2009)
Chad Irwin
E-mail: crirwin@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-2106
Supervisor: Dr. David Evans
Program: PhD
Academic Interests:
Myxoma virus has the ability to kill some cancer cells. Current research suggests it does not spread well from the initial site of infection, a characteristic that would be desirable for treating metastatic cancer. My research focuses on improving Myxoma spread and seeing if this translates to a more effective oncolytic virus.
Awards:
- NSERC CGSM (2007-2009
- Alberta Cancer Research Institute Graduate Student Scholarship (2009-present)
Li Qin
E-mail: lq1@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-2106
Supervisor: Dr. David Evans
Program: PhD
Academic Interests:
I am currently working on cloning of vaccinia virus and construction of new recombinant strains, which will be used as vectors for creating oncolytic viruses and vaccines in my future studies.
Non-Academic Interests:
Reading, hiking and cooking.
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:
Regulation of the immune deficiency pathway by the PVR signaling pathway in Drosophila melanogaster.
Non-Academic Interests:
Hiking, Cross-country skiing, fly fishing, running and cooking.
Awards:
- AHFMR Studentship (2010 to current)
- NSERC, PGSD3 (2010 to current)
- Andrew Stewart Memorial Graduate Prize (2010)
- University of Alberta, President’s Doctoral Award for Doctoral Excellence (2008 - 2010)
- University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 75th Anniversary Graduate Student Award (2007 - 2008)
- University of Alberta, Provost Doctoral Entrance Award (2006)
Publications:
Bond, D. & Foley, E. A quantitative RNAi screen for JNK modifiers identifies Pvr as a novel regulator of Drosophila immune signaling. PLoS Pathog (2009)
Bond, D., Primrose, D. A. & Foley, E. Quantitative evaluation of signaling events in Drosophila S2 cells. Biol Proced Online 10, 20-8 (2008)
Silvia Guntermann
E-mail: gunterma@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-0935
Supervisor: Dr. Edan Foley
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: University of Cologne
Academic Interests:
Caspases are cysteinyl aspartate proteases with an important role in programmed cell death and immunity. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a well studied model for apoptotic and innate immune response pathways. Drosophila responds to gram-negative bacterial challenges through the Immune deficiency (IMD) pathway, a signaling pathway with overt similarities to the human TNF pathway. I am interested how the Drosophila caspase Dredd coordinates the actions of IMD pathway signaling and I like to determine the degree of conservation of caspase function between IMD pathway activity and TNF signaling to further characterize the role of caspase-8 in TNF signaling.
Non-Academic Interests:
Skiing, biking, camping – overall enjoying the Rockies
Awards:
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 75th Anniversary
- Graduate Student Recruitment Stipend (GSRS)
Publications:
Guntermann, S., Primrose, D., and Foley, E. Dnr1-Dependent Regulation of the Drosophila Immune Deficiency Signaling Pathway. Dev Comp Immunol. 2009 33(1): 127-134.
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)
Halloran Lab |
Hazes Lab |
Hemmings Lab |
Daniel Kerage
E-mail: dkerage@ualberta.ca
Phone: 780-492-2590
Supervisor: Dr. Denise Hemmings
Program: PhD
Academic Interests:
My project is focused on looking at the direct and indirect effects of cytomegalovirus infection on vascular function during pregnancy.
Non-Academic Interests:
Soccer and curling.
Awards:
- Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) fellowship (2008)
- Leadership Enhancement in Agricultural Program (LEAP) Fellowship (2006)
- Kenya HELB Postgraduate Scholarship (2005)
Publications:
Kerage D, Graham S, Harty J and Mwangi D. November 2008). Evaluation of a Potential Vaccine for East Coast Fever in African Cattle. http://leap.ucdavis.edu/publications/files/Su06-08-11-LEAP_Kerage.pdf/view
Houghton Lab |
Jason Wong
E-mail: jasonale@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 248-1216
Supervisor: Dr. Michael Houghton
Program: MSc
Alma Mater: University of Alberta
Academic Interests:
My research involves assaying for the presence of cross-neutralizing antibodies to HCV epitope-mapping of those antibodies to conserved regions of envelope glycoproteins, and determination of which part of attachment/binding they are active.
Non-Academic Interests:
Elvis impersonator, children's entertainer and antiquing.
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:
Identification of mechanisms that regulate Jun transcription factors in anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive, anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK + ALCL).
Non-Academic Interests:
Camping, skiing, badminton, traveling, playing board games.
Publications:
1) Pearson JD, Lee, JK, Bacani JT, Lai R, and Ingham RJ. NPM-ALK and the JunB transcription factor regulate the expression of cytotoxic molecules in ALK-positive, anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2011; 4 (2): 124-33.
Joel Pearson
E-mail: jpearson@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 248-1960
Supervisor: Dr. Robert Ingham
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: Thompson Rivers University
Academic Interests:
ALK+ ALCL is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. I am interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of this cancer. Specifically, I am interested in the role that the JunB transcription factor is playing in ALK + ALCL.
Non-Academic Interests:
Golfing, camping, traveling.
Awards:
- Alberta Cancer Foundation Studentship (2011-present)
- NSERC CGS-M (2007-2008)
- Michael Smith Foundation for Medical Research Junior Studentship (2008)
- NSERC PGS-D (2009-Current)
- U of A President's Doctoral Prize of Distinction (2009-10)
- UVic President's Scholarship (2007-2008)
Publications:
1) Pearson JD, Lee, JK, Bacani JT, Lai R, and Ingham RJ. NPM-ALK and the JunB transcription factor regulate the expression of cytotoxic molecules in ALK-positive, anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2011; 4 (2): 124-33.
2) Alford SC, Pearson JD, Carette A, Ingham RJ, Howard PL. 2009. Alpha-sarcin catalytic activity is not required for cytotoxicity. BMC Bio Chem. 10:9.
Irvin Lab |
Elisabeth Davis
E-mail: emdavis@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-7564
Supervisor: Dr. Randall Irvin
Program: PhD
Academic Interests:
The Type IV pilus of Pseudomas aeruginosa is a bacterial nanowire and my research focuses on how the bacteria uses this to its advantage and how electrons flow through these proteins. I am also interested in how the pilus can be used to develope fuel cells and biosensor systems.
Non-Academic Interests:
Volleyball, hiking, running, cross country-skiing, singing, playing the piano, and video-gaming.
Awards:
- University of Alberta PhD Scholarship
- Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral (NSERC)
Publications:
1) Chan, K.G. et al. Role of D-alanylation of Streptococcus gordonii lipoteichoic acid in innate and adaptive immunity. Infection and immunity 75, 3033-3042 (2007)
2) Davis, E., Kennedy, D., Halperin, S.A. & Lee, S.F. Role of the Cell Wall Microenvironment in Expression of a Heterologous SpaP-S1 Fusion Protein by Streptococcus gordonii. Applied and environmental microbiology 77, 1660-1666 (2010).
3) Yu, B., Davis, E.M., Hodges, R.S., Irvin, R.T. & Li, D.Y. Surface nanocrystallization of stainless steel for reduced biofilm adherence. Nanotechnology 19, 8 (2008).
4) Yu, B., Lesiuk, A., Davis, E.M., Irvin, R.T. & Li, D.Y. Surface Nanocrystallization for bacterial control. Langmuir 26 (2010).
Kane Lab |
Carla Craveiro Salvado
Email: craveiro@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-8920
Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Kane
Program: PhD
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.
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: PhD
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 |
Jessica Beatty
E-mail: jbeatty@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-5650
Supervisor: Dr. Hanne Ostergaard
Program:MSc
Alma Mater: University of Alberta
Academic Interest:
Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2(Pyk2) is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase implicated in signalling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration and cell survival. My research focuses on examining the potential modification of Pyk2 by sumo-1 in macrophages
Awards:
- CCRI Summer Studentship Award
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).
Awards:
- President's Doctoral Prize of Distinction
- 75th Anniversary Graduate Student Award
- CIHR Doctoral Research Award
- Tom Wegmann Award
- J. Gordin Kaplan Graduate Student Award
Publications:
Lysechko TL, Cheung SM, and Ostergaard HL. 2010. Regulation of the tyrosine kinase Pyk2 by calcium is through production of reactive oxygen species in cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The Journal of biological chemistry 285:31174-31184.
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.
Amanda Scott
E-mail: anscott@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-5650
Supervisor: Dr. Hanne Ostergaard
Program: MSc
Alma Mater: University of Alberta
Academic Interests:
Cytotoxic T cells induce apoptosis in target cells by both degranulation and by surface expression of Fas ligand. I am focussed on the Fas ligand: under what circumstances do they express FasL, and what impact does this have on the overall cytotoxic response?
Non-Academic Interests:
I enjoy cooking (vegan!) and baking. In all but the most frigid months, I enjoy riding my bicycle. When I'm not studying, I'm reading novels and how-to books and trying to learn German.
Awards:
- 2007 Biology Undergraduate Research Award
- 2010 Alexander Graham Bell CGS
- 2010 Walter H. Johns Graduate Fellowship
Publications:
Saunders HL, Oko AL, Scott AN, Fan CW, Magor BG. The cellular context of aid expressing cells in fish lymphoid tissues. Dev. Comp. Immunol. 2010 (6) 669-76. PMID: 2010 5439
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 consists in the characterization of cytoskeletal proteins involved in the regulation of macrophage adhesion and migration.
Non-academic Interests:
Ultimate frisbee, hiking, skiing and hockey.
Awards:
- NSERC PGS M
- Queen Elizabeth II
- 75th Faculty of Medicine Anniversary Award
- Walter H. Johns
- Provost Doctoral Entrance Award
Publications:
Cell Signal.2011 Apr;23(4):718-30. Epub 2010 Dec 31. Hypophosphorylated and inactive Pyk2 associates with paxillin at the microtubule organizing center in hematopoietic cells. St-Pierre J,Lysechko TL,Ostergaard HL.
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 characterizing a putative T6SS effector protein and determining how type six genes are regulated during infection.
Non-Academic Interests:
Baseball, slo-pitch, volleyball, squash, snowboarding, movies and music.
Awards:
- AIHS Doctoral Studentship
- Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship
- FoMD 75th Anniversary Scholarship
Publications:
1) VasH is a Transcriptional Regulator of the Type VI Secretion System Functional in Endemic and Pandemic Vibrio cholerae.
Kitaoka M, Miyata ST, Brooks TM, Unterweger D, Pukatzki S.
J Bacteriol. 2011 Sep 23. [Epub ahead of print]
2) Vibrio cholerae requires the type VI secretion system virulence factor VasX to kill Dictyostelium discoideum.
Miyata ST, Kitaoka M, Brooks TM, McAuley SB, Pukatzki S.
Infect Immun. 2011 Jul;79(7):2941-9. Epub 2011 May 9.
3) The Vibrio cholerae type VI secretion system displays antimicrobial properties. MacIntyre DL, Miyata ST, Kitaoka M, Pukatzki S. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Nov 9;107(45):19520-4. Epub 2010 Oct 25.
4) Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms of Vibrio cholerae.
Kitaoka M, Miyata ST, Unterweger D, Pukatzki S. J Med Microbiol. 2011 Jan 20.
5) The Vibrio cholerae type vi secretion system: evaluating its role in the human disease cholera. Miyata ST, Kitaoka M, Wieteska L, Frech Maya Kitaoka1, Lukasz Wieteska1, Christian Frech2, Nansheng Chen2 and Stefan Pukatzki1* Front. Microbio. 1:117. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2010.00117
6)
Pukatzki, S., S.B. McAuley and Miyata ST. The Type VI Secretion System: Translocation of Effectors and Effector-Domains. Current Opinion in Microbiology. Accepted for publication (February 2009).
Daniel Unterweger
E-mail: dunterwe@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-4437
Supervisor: Dr. Stefan Pukatzki
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: University of Ulm
Schang Lab |
Abdullah Awadh
E-mail: awadh@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-6606
Supervisors: Dr. Luis Schang
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: BSc at King Abdulaziz University (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
MSc at University of Manitoba
Academic Interests:
Discovery and Development of Novel Antiviral Agents
Non-Academic Interests:
History, Civilization, Financial planning and budgeting, Self-learning, Travel and Solo sports
Awards:
- University of Manitoba Entrance Scholarship (2009)
- Employer scholarship (King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia) for Master (2009) & PhD (2011 degrees)
- First rank prize on bachelor degree, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia (2004)
- University excellent GPAs in prizes in undergraduate study, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia (2002, 2003)
Che Colpitts
E-mail: ccolpitt@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-6606
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)
Shmulevitz Lab |
Adil Mohamed
E-mail: adilm@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 248-1960
Supervisor: Dr. Maya Shmulevitz
Program: MSc
Academic Interests:
Identify and characterize host and reovirus proteins involved in p38 and RIG-l pathways
Publications:
Journal of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Epigenetic Differences Between Human Papillomavirus Positive and Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Biron, Vincent; Mohamed, Adil; Hendzel, Michael;Underhill, D. Alan; Seikala, Hadi
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.
Kevin Quach
Email: qkevin@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-7437
Supervisor: Dr. Jim Smiley
Program: MSc
Academic Interests:
Herpes Simplex virus' manipulation upon cell signalling pathways that regulate a diversity of cellular processes.
Non-Academic Interests:
Running, swimming, traveling, cooking, white-water rafting, kayaking, camping, reading, wood-work and roller blading.
Publications:
Population genetic structure of chinook salmon in Lake Huron (in review).
Alexandra Rose
Email: arrose@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-1040
Supervisor: Dr. Jim Smiley
Program: MSc
Alma Mater: Memorial University of Newfoundland
Academic Interests:
The HSV-1 virion host shutoff (vhs) protein acts as both an endoribonuclease and a translational regulator of viral gene expression. My research focuses on the mechanism by which vhs stimulates translation by activating IRES-like elements located within the 5' UTR's of the viral mRNA.
Non-Academic Interests:
Dance, horseback riding, cooking, reading and traveling.
Publications:
Mercer, R.G., Quinlan, M., Rose, A.R., Noll, S., Beatty, J.T., and Lang, A.S. Phosphorelay proteins affecting motility and gene transfer agent production in Rhdobacter capsulatus. For submission to FEMS Microbiology Letters, estimated submission date October 2011.
Ulrike Strunk
Email: strunk@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-1040
Supervisor: Dr. Jim Smiley
Program: PhD
Alma Mater: Bielefeld University
Academic Interests:
VP11/12 is a HSV-1 tegument protein that plays a key role in manipulating the TCR-pathway. My research aims to identify the interactions between host cell proteins of the TCR-pathway and VP11/12 to elucidate the mechanisms of VP11/12-regulation on TCR-signaling.
Non-Academic Interests:
I'm a huge movie person that also likes to cook, swim, play volleyball and travel.
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.
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:
- Walter H. Johns Graduate Scholarship, 2011
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research Master's Award, 2011
- Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry 75th Anniversary Scholarship, 2010
- TEC Edmonton Innovations in Health Award, 2009
- Canadian Liver Foundation Summer Studentship Award, 2008
- Peter Jang Leadership Award, 2008
- WISEST/TEC Edmonton Health Innovation Award, 2009
Daniel Pang
E-mail: dp1@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-9819
Supervisor: Dr. Lorne Tyrrell
Program: MSc
Alma Mater: University of Toronto
Academic Interests:
Comparing disease and host response to hepatitis A virus and hepatitis C virus infection in mice with chimeric human livers.
Non-Academic Interests:
Dragon boat, basketball, table tennis, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, tennis, travelling, video games
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
