PDF Trainee
Dr. Adil Alkas
Thompson group
Education
B.Sc. in Chemistry, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2010
M.Sc. in Chemistry, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2014
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 2019
Research: My master study focused on preparation of furan-containing Schiff Bases and their group 4B metal complexes. I completed my Ph.D. at Massey University with Prof. Shane Telfer. My Ph.D. study involved synthesis of multicomponent metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their applications in catalysis, gas adsorption and fluorescence. My current work focuses on synthesis of new bis/tris[Ru(II)-pyrrolide] complexes, investigation of their photophysical properties, and their use as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy.
Recent Conference Presentations
Poster: Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Thermolysis and Modification of a Multicomponent Metal-Organic Framework, New Zealand Institute of Chemistry Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand, Nov. 2019.
Oral: Synthesis of Multicomponent Metal-Organic Frameworks, The 6th International Conference on Metal-Organic Frameworks & Open Framework Compounds, Auckland, New Zealand, Dec. 2018.
Publications
Alkaş, A., Friche, L.E.S., Harris, S. N., & Telfer, S. G. (2020). Thermal Elimination of Ethylene from Cyclobutyl Groups Characterised by X-ray Crystallography in a Metal-Organic Framework Matrix. Chemistry-A European Journal, 26(45), 10321-10329.
Alkaş, A., Cornelio, J., & Telfer, S. G. (2019). Tritopic Triazatruxene Ligands for Multicomponent Metal-Organic Frameworks. Chemistry-An Asian Journal, 14, 1167-1174.
Alkaş, A., & Telfer, S. G. (2019). Synthesis and Characterization of Zn-carboxylate Metal-Organic Frameworks Containing Triazatruxene Ligands. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 72 (10), 786-796.
Fun Facts: I used to be a nomad travelling between east and southeast Turkey depending on seasons. My study enthusiasm made me an intercontinental nomad who is still trying to understand postmodern life.
Ph.D. Trainees
Anupama Ghimire
Rainey group
Current Degree: Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Education
MSc Pharmacy - Kyungpook National University, South Korea (2017/03 – 2019/02)
Bachelor of Pharmacy- Kathmandu University, Nepal (2010/08 – 2014/06)
Research: My current research in the Rainey Lab focuses on characterizing the structure and mechanical properties of hybrid aciniform-pyriform silks from spiders. It is expected that hybrid silks will have improved mechanical properties and will merge features of both aciniform and pyriform silk proteins. My research will develop a new biomaterial comprising of two different classes of spider silk proteins. During my MSc, I was in Natural Products Medicine Lab where I was involved in the isolation of chemical constituents from plant extracts, followed by purification, characterization, and evaluation of biological activities.
Award
KNU International Graduate Scholarship (KINGS) provided by Kyungpook National University, South Korea
Poster
Isolation and cytotoxicity evaluation of the chemical constituents from the fruits of Piper longum Linn. against human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Fall International Conference of Pharmaceutical Society of Korea. South Korea, October 2018
Fun Fact(s): I love cooking, dancing and taking photos. I also enjoy watching series, especially Korean dramas.
Elisa Ospanow
Jakeman group
Current Degree: Ph.D. Chemistry
Education
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hannover (B.Sc. Biochemistry)
Medical School Hannover (M.Sc. Biochemistry)
Research: Most of my research projects including my Master thesis were carried out in Chemistry labs where I did a lot of total synthesis of bioactive compounds. My research was focused on synthesizing new derivatives of antibacterial compounds, which can be seen as a novel class of antibiotics. A lot of these derivatization are based on computer modeled activity and steric interactions as well as biological test results.
Fun Fact(s): I love cooking and baking as I suppose most Chemists do. Being active has always been a big part of my life. I have played handball for most of my life. Also, I enjoy learning new languages and instruments as I believe you are never too old for that.
M.Sc. Trainees
Jacob Campbell
Thompson group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Applied Science (Chemisty)
Education
B.Sc. Chemistry at Saint Mary's University in 2019. Certificate of honours (Chemistry) at Saint Mary’s University in 2020.
Research
During my undergraduate research program, I worked on many projects that all had a particular focus on Green Chemistry aspects. The focus of my honours work was to employ a mechanochemical approach and an organocatalyst for use in the Morita-Baylis-Hilman reaction. My most recent work was an improved synthesis of mcm type cationic gemini surfactants using microwave irradiation.
Recent Conference Presentations: Poster: N-Demethylation of dextromethorphan using liquid assisted grinding. 44th Annual Science Atlantic/CIC Student Chemistry Conference, Wolfwille, Canada 2019.
Fun FactsDuring my free time you can catch me at the rock climbing gym, hiking a local trail or swimming at a beach! I have two adorable dogs (very good girls) and I enjoy a wide variety of music.
James Mastin
Jakeman group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Chemistry
Education
BSc Chemistry + Biology at Acadia University
Research: The goal of this research project is to rationally design novel chemical entities (NCEs) for bacterial infections combining chemical and enzymatic approaches. These NCEs are designed to target a specific biosynthetic pathway found in Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria thereby making it an attractive target for the development of a broad-spectrum anti-infective. This pathway is not targeted by any currently approved drugs, nor by any known natural products, nor is there any significant work in the literature regarding the inhibition of this pathway, nor is the pathway present in mammalian cells.
Publications and awards
Acadia Introductory Chemistry Guest Lecturer 2019
Emergency Health Services (EHS) Guest Lecturer 2019
Chemcon by Chemistry Atlantic 2019
E.M. Mosher Bursary Recipient 2015
Fun Fact(s): Good amateur photographer 10% of the time and a bad amateur photographer 90% of the time. Avid tea lover. Ex-high school basketball bench warmer.
Julie Anne Dayrit
Sit Group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Chemistry
Education
BSc with double majors in Biology and Chemistry, and Honours in Chemistry
Research: My honours project focuses on the interaction of two Lentzea bacteria strains against Mycobacterium smegmatis, which is a proxy for tuberculosis causing bacteria. I did pairwise bioassay and found that Lentzeastrains selectively inhibit M. smegmatis. I also did metabolite extractions, i.e. solid-liquid extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, liquid chromatography, HPLC/MS, LC/MS, to isolate the active compound produced by these microbes.
Media: https://bit.ly/3jYCfGz
Conference Presentations
Dayrit, J., Sit, C. “Investigation of Metabolic Profile of Endophyte Isolates from Medicinal Plants,” accepted for oral presentation at the Saint Mary’s University Student Research Day, Halifax, NS, Canada, September 2019
Dayrit, J., Sit, C. “Pairwise Testing of Lentzea strains against Mycobacterium smegmatis to Search for New Anti-Tuberculosis Compounds,” accepted for poster presentation at the 10th Maritime Natural Products Conference, St John, NB, Canada, August 2019
Awards
Springboard Innovation Mobilization COVID-19 Rapid Response Awardee 2020
Cum laude, B.Sc. with Honours in Chemistry 2020
NSERC BIOCREATE Scholarship Awardee 2019
NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award 2018
NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award 2017
Best Undergraduate Presentation Chemistry Research Day, Saint Mary’s University 2017
Faculty Union Scholarship for Academic Excellence Application 2017
Academic Achievement Scholarship, Saint Mary’s University 2015 - 2017
Dean’s List, Saint Mary’s University 2014- 2017
Entrance Scholarship, Saint Mary’s University 2014
Fun Fact(s): I like mixed media painting, listening to podcasts in the morning. I like reading books about the history of the Philippines and traditional herbal medicine used in the ancient times. My interest in cosmetic research and formulation have led me to become involve in hair spray formulation with a start-up company.
Laura McGary
Bearne group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Education
BSc in Biochemistry (honours) co-op, University of Guelph
Research: Research in the Bearne lab specializes in enzymology, including understanding their mechanism, protein-ligand interactions, transition state stabilization, proteomics, and developing inhibitors that target specific enzymes that are of therapeutic interest. My first project will be to study the inhibition of L-fuconate dehydratase- a member of the enolase superfamily of enzymes.
Previous research experience in my undergrad included investigating specific enzymes that catalyze the degradation of health-promoting flavonol compounds, such as kaempferol and quercetin. Furthermore, I looked at whether the catabolism of flavonol glycosides was essential for polar auxin transport in plants, and the impact of this transport on plant growth and development.
Awards
NSERC USRA (2019)
University of Guelph, Entrance Scholarship (2015)
Fun Fact(s): I love to waterski, kayak, go boating, and pretty much any other water activity. I also love to play hockey and I am a big Leafs fan!
Kirstyn Forgrave
Gray group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Biology
Education
Bachelor of Science from the University of New Brunswick
Research: For my honours project I attempted to isolate a macrolide from a Penicillium sp. fungus isolated as an endophyte. My research currently involves isolating and identifying potentially new natural products with antimicrobial activity from endophytic fungi.
Posters
Isolation and identification of natural products from a Penicillium sp. fungus isolated as an endophyte of the marine macroalga Desmarestia viridis. BioActives CREATE Workshop, Saint John, Canada.
Isolation and identification of natural products from a Penicillium sp. fungus isolated as an endophyte of the marine macroalga Desmarestia viridis. Maritimes Natural Product Conference, Saint John, Canada.
Awards
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Undergraduate Student Research Award, University of New Brunswick, 2019
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Undergraduate Student Research Award, University of New Brunswick, 2020
NBIF Graduate Merit Award, University of New Brunswick, 2020-2021
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council- Canada Graduate Scholarships Master’s Program, University of New Brunswick, 2020-2021
Fun Fact(s): I enjoy reading, being outdoors, video games and painting.
Nicola Augustin
Sit group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Chemistry
Education
B.Sc. with honours in Biology at Saint Mary’s University
Research: The use of biofertilizers as an alternative to chemical fertilizers is becoming a promising technology for more sustainable farming practices. My project focuses on the benefits of growth promoting bacteria on plant growth, pest resistance and crop yield. The aim of this study is to develop a new biofertilizer using a mixture of plant growth promoting bacteria in conjunction with biochar as an applicator.
Awards
2016-2019 Renewable Entrance award, Saint Mary’s University
2019,2020- Deans Award for Summer research
2020- President’s Hall of Academic Excellence Inductee
Fun Fact(s): I enjoy singing and storytelling. I can talk an awful lot in the right company.
Robert Riley
Speed group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Chemistry
Education
BSc. (Hons), Saint Mary's University
Research: The Speed group focuses on metal free transformations of organic compounds using catalytic and stoichiometric amounts of functionalized N-heterocyclic phosphines. My research revolves around the use of N-heterocyclic phosphines (diazaphospholenes) in radical chemistry.
Publications
Riley, R. D.; Dickie, D. A.; Land, M. A.; Kemp, R. A.; Macdonald, C. L. B.; Werner‐Zwanziger, U.; Robertson, K. N.; Clyburne, J. A. C. Heavy Metals Make a Chain: A Catenated Bismuth Compound. Chemistry – A European Journal 2020, 26 (34), 7711–7719.
Presentations
The Chemistry of Bis-phosphinoamine Ambidentate Ligands and a Rare Example of Bismuth Coordination (Chemcon 2018).
Posters
Coordination Chemistry of the Basic Halogenated Aniline PYE ligand (Saint Mary’s Research Day 2017).
Fun Fact(s): I really enjoy physical activities (lifting weights, basketball, football, and hiking).
Shanukie Embuldeniya
Goralski group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Biology
Education: I completed my BSc in Neuroscience and Biology at Dalhousie University.
Research: My current research looks into the anticancer properties of anthocyanins in the aquatic lace plant, Aponogeton madagascariensis. My work will attempt to answer how anthocyanin triggers programmed cell death in two aggressive lines of breast cancer cells by investigating different antioxidant and molecular signaling pathways involved. By understanding the mechanism of action involved, my goal is to establish lace plant anthocyanin as a viable anticancer agent for breast cancer.
Fun Fact(s): Outside of academia, I enjoy volunteering with the Scientists in the Schools Program (SITS) to help mentor young students who show interest in pursuing careers in science. I also love dancing, going on long hikes and travelling to interesting places with long histories.