PDF Trainee
craig smith
Thompson group
Education
B.Sc. (Hons) – The University of Glasgow
M.Sc. – Southampton University
Ph.D. – The University of Glasgow
Research: My research is focused on the design and synthesis of organic molecules with the pyrrole motif incorporated in them. A main goal is to use transition metal catalysis to functionalise and synthesise these novel, versatile and important structures.
Publications & Awards
Joon Kim, M., Gaube, S.M., Beh, M.H.R., Smith, C.D., & Thompson, A. (accepted 20th September 2019). Synthesis and Reactivity of 2-Thionoester Pyrroles: a Route to 2-Formyl Pyrroles. RSC Advances, (RA-ART-09- 2019-007527).
Smith, C. D., Phillips, D., Tirla, A., & France, D. J. (2018). Catalytic Isohypsic‐Redox Sequences for the Rapid Generation of Csp3‐Containing Heterocycles. Chemistry–A European Journal, 24(65), 17201-17204.
Smith, C. D., & France, D. J. (2014). 2‐Alkenyl Furans from a Palladium‐Catalyzed Cyclization and Coupling of Ene‐Yne‐Ketones. ChemCatChem, 6(3), 711-712.
Hewitt, J. F., Williams, L., Aggarwal, P., Smith, C. D., & France, D. J. (2013). Palladium-catalyzed heteroallylation of unactivated alkenes–synthesis of citalopram. Chemical Science, 4(9), 3538-3543.
Fun Facts: Canada is the 6thcountry I have lived in.
Ph.D. Trainees
Anamika Sulekha
Rainey group
Current Degree: Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Education: Integrated BS-MS, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
Research
I was associated with a protein–NMR lab during my Master's degree. In the Rainey group, I am investigating the structural details of the highly promising aciniform spider silk protein. My first project tests the hypothesis proposed on the initiation of fibrillogenesis pathway aciniform silk using solution-state NMR spectroscopy. Also, I am comparing the effectiveness of different labeling schemes employed in solid-state NMR in order to determine the residue-level secondary structuring in aciniform fibres.
Awards & Citations
Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarship, 2016-2018, Dalhousie University, Canada.
Travel Award for 3rd Summer School on "Theory of NMR-2017", Universitat Leipzig, Germany.
Travel Award for Poster Presentation, MOOT29 NMR Symposium-2016, PEI, Canada.
All India Rank: 49 in Chemistry, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-2016), India.
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE-2016), Government of India.
All India Rank: 81 in Chemistry, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-2014), India.
Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Fellowship (2011-2016), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Presentation
Anamika Sulekha, Lingling Xu, Jan K. Rainey; ‘Testing for a structural trigger for fibrillogenesis in aciniform spider silk’; MOOT31 NMR symposium, October 2018, Sherbrooke, QC.
Anamika Sulekha, Lingling Xu, Jan K. Rainey;‘Initiation of fibrillogenesis in aciniform spider silk’; Maritimes Natural Products Conference 2018, Dalhousie University, NS.
Posters
Anamika Sulekha, Lingling Xu, Jan K. Rainey; ‘An engineered trigger for aciniform silk fibre assembly’; International Biotechnology Symposium, Montreal, QC.
Anamika Sulekha, Lingling Xu, Jan K. Rainey; ‘Testing for localized unfolding as a trigger of aciniform silk fibrillization’;Biophysical Society of Canada Conference, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC.
Anamika Sulekha, Lingling Xu, Jan K. Rainey; ‘Tracking the fibrillogenesis pathway in aciniform silk’, Biophysical Society of Canada Conference, Grad Prep Symposium, May 2018, Dalhousie University, NS.
Anamika Sulekha, Jiji A. C., Vinesh Vijayan; “Ligated peptide Sequences vs. Native Hexapeptides of Tau Protein” MOOT29, October 2016, PEI.
Fun Facts: Indian classical dancer, Pencil sketching, Drawing, writing (used to be columnist for regional magazines and newspapers, guest writer for few online magazines).
Brendan McKeown
Goralski group
Current Degree: Ph.D. Pharmacology
Education
BSc (Biology), University of New Brunswick
BA (English), University of Prince Edward Island
MSc (Human Biology), University of Prince Edward Island
BScPharm (Pharmacy), Dalhousie University
Research: My current research focuses on the pharmacological exploration of jadomycin B, a compound produced by the soil bacterium Streptomyces venezuelae, which has been shown to kill multidrug resistant breast cancer cells in vitro. Jadomycin B shows promise as a new form of chemotherapy because it is not easily removed from cells by the drug efflux transporters which are overexpressed in multidrug resistant cancer cells. It is believed that jadomycin B acts as a topoisomerase II poison, causing double stranded DNA breaks leading to cell death. My goal is to confirm this topoisomerase II poisoning effect in cellular models, then to explore the pharmacology and anticancer effect of jadomycin B in mouse models of breast cancer.
Publications
McKeown, B., J. Kim, K. Patel, C. Neto and R. Hurta. 2016. American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Extract Affects Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins in Human Prostate Cancer Cells in vitro. Horizons in Cancer Research, 62: 161-178.
McKeown, B. T. and R. A. R. Hurta. 2015. Magnolol Affects Cellular Proliferation, Polyamine Biosynthesis and Catabolism-linked Protein Expression and Associated Cellular Signaling Pathways in Human Prostate Cancer Cells in vitro. Journal of Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 5(1): 17-33.
McKeown, B. T.and R. A. R. Hurta. 2014. Magnolol Affects Expression of IGF-1 and Associated Binding Proteins in Human Prostate Cancer Cells in Vitro.Anticancer Research, 34(12): 6333-6338.
McKeown, B. T., L. McDougall, A. Catalli and R. A. R. Hurta. 2014. Magnolol Causes Alterations in the Cell Cycle in Androgen Insensitive Human Prostate Cancer Cells in vitro by Affecting Expression of Key Cell Cycle Regulatory Proteins. Nutrition and Cancer, 66(7): 1154-1164.
Kim, J., B. McKeown, H. Jahic, K. Patel, A. Catalli, M. Kulka, C. Neto and R. Hurta. 2014. Proanthocyanidins From the American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Induce Cell Cycle Arrest in DU145 Human Prostate Cancer Cells in Vitro by Affecting the Expression of Cell Cycle-Associated Proteins. Journal of Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 4(4): 130-146.
Fun Facts: I raced go-karts competitively during high school and my first undergraduate degree. My current hobbies include hiking, photography, succulent gardening, and amateur ornithology.
sarah greening
Thompson group
Current Degree: Ph.D. Chemistry
Education
BSc Chemistry, University of Central Florida, 2015
Research
At the University of Central Florida, I worked with the natural product, podocarpic acid. The work involved copper-catalyzed cross coupling reactions with thiols to develop novel compounds with potential as new drug leads. In the Thompson group, my first project involved the synthesis and study of the photophysical properties of pyrrolyldipyrrin F-BODIPYs.My current work involves the total synthesis of prodigiosin derivatives bearing thioether-substituents in lieu of the biologically active ether substituent.
Publications
Figliola, C., Robertson, K. N., Greening, S. M., & Thompson, A. (2017). Asymmetric dipyrrin and F-BODIPYs conjugated to terminal alkynes and alkenes. The Journal of organic chemistry, 82(13), 7059-7064.
Greening, S. M., Robertson, K. N., & Thompson, A. (2018). Synthesis and characterization of pyrrolyldipyrrin F-BODIPYs. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 17(1), 89-98.
Figliola, C., Greening, S. M., Lamont, C., Groves, B. R., & Thompson, A. (2018). Decarboxylative arylation of substituted pyrroles N-protected with 2-(trimethylsilyl) ethoxymethyl (SEM). Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 96(6), 534-542.
Awards
ACS Summer School on Green Chemistry & Sustainable Energy Scholarship, 2019
Anna Wilson Scholarship, 2018
Dalhousie President's Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, 2017
Gerry Daulphine Graduate Research Scholarship, 2017
Anna Wilson Scholarship, 2016
Conference Poster/Presentations
Oral: Synthesis of thio-substituted prodigiosenes, 10th Annual Maritime Natural Products Conference, Saint John, NB, 2019
Oral: Towards tbe Synthesis of Thio-substituted Prodigiosenes, 102nd Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Quebec city, 2019
Oral: Towards Prodigiosenes Bearing Thio-substitutents, 9th Maritime Natural Products Conference, King’s University, 2018
Poster: Promoting Green Chemistry at Dalhousie, Science Atlantic/CIC ChemCon, Saint Mary’s University, 2018
Oral: Decarboxylative arylation of substituted pyrroles N-protected with 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl (SEM), Science Atlantic/CIC ChemCon, Saint Mary’s University, 2018
Fun Facts
I love music, specifically singing/dancing and playing guitar. As a result, my favourite thing to do on a Friday night is to go to karaoke. I also like to read and color. My favorite author is Terry Goodkind; and I have to resist the urge to buy a new adult coloring book every time I see one in a shop.
M.Sc. trainees
Abdurrahman Elajmi
Sit group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Chemistry
Education: I did My undergrad in Mezda (Libya)
Research: My Research about BEE and my lab experiences were in medical laboratory technology I worked three year’s full time at Almassara clinic and part-time Medical cupping. I did microbiology, blood bank, Clinical Chemistry, toxicology also Hematology (analyze all blood samples). I have a diploma in a medical laboratory and my research was about blood pressure.
Publications & Awards
Best brother volunteer of a year in memorial university in 2017
Libya creativity award
Conference of volunteer experiences of Canadian immigration organizations
Fun Facts: Volunteering is a big part of my life I am the artist I like to paint and do sports like hiking biking outdoor, also play Chess, Teaching newcomers English language.
alana Rangaswamy
Jakeman group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Chemistry
Education: B.Sc. 2017, Queen's University (Kingston, ON)
Research: My current research involves the synthesis of small molecule derivatives of thymidine as selective, potent inhibitors of a class of enzymes called RmlA. RmlA and its homologues are involved in the biosynthesis of a sugar essential to viability and pathogenicity in certain disease-causing strains of bacteria. Synthesis and characterization of small molecules is followed by quantification of activity and binding within a model enzyme and RmlA homologue, Cps2L.
Publications & Awards
Douglas E. Ryan Prize for Excellence in Graduate Studies in Chemistry (September, 2018)
A. M. M. Rangaswamy, D. Jakeman* Development of thymidine derivatives as inhibitors of Cps2L. Oral presentation at the Maritime Natural Products Conference, August 2018. (Awarded best presentation at M.Sc level)
A. M. M. Rangaswamy, S. O. Sequeira, K. A. R. Lund, D. Jakeman* Development of Thymidine Analogues as Inhibitors of Cps2L.Poster presentation at Science Atlantic Chemistry Conference, June 2018 (Awarded first place poster in biological and medicinal chemistry)
N.L.P Andrews, T. Ferguson, A. Rangaswamy,N. Henning, A. Dudelzak, O. Reich, J. Barnes and H-P. Loock. Hadamard-transform fluorescence excitation emission matrix spectroscopy –July 18th, 2017. Analytical Chemistry 2017, 89, 8554-8564.
Fun Facts: I have an encyclopedic knowledge of the Harry Potter book series. I play 4 instruments and can pretend to play a bunch of others. Everything I know about life I've learned from podcasts.
Alexandra Brown
Langelaan Group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Education
BSc. (Hons) Biology, Acadia University
Research
The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a DNA-binding protein produced by melanocytes, one of the three main cell types of the skin. MITF is needed for their proper growth, development, and survival. However, mutation of MITF results in various genetic diseases and can lead to melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer. My research focuses on characterizing the structural and functional interactions between MITF and its protein co-activators. These findings will help us understand how MITF causes melanoma and may provide new targeted strategies to treat skin cancer.
Awards
Canadian Graduate Scholarship Masters, CIHR, 2019-2020
Izaak Walton Killam Predoctoral Scholarship, Dalhousie University, 2018-2020
Scotia Scholars Award, Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation, 2018-2020
Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Graduate Scholarship,Dalhousie University, 2018-2020
Graduate Student Research Day 1st Place Poster Presentation Award, Dalhousie University, 2019
Posters
Structural insights into TAZ2-mediated CBP/p300 recruitment by the first activation domain of the melanogenic transcription factor MITF. Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto NMR symposium, Ottawa, Canada, 2019
The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and E1A compete for the same site of the CBP/p300 co-activator. Maritimes Natural Products Workshop, Saint John, Canada, 2019
The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and E1A compete for the same site of the CBP/p300 co-activator. PREP Graduate Student Research Day, Halifax, Canada, 2019
Fun Fact(s)
Sports have always been a passion of mine; a former hockey player and lifelong Buffalo Bills fan. Currently I am team captain of a recreational soccer team.
Bradley Davis
Gray Group
Education: B.Sc. (Biology-Psychology) from University of New Brunswick Saint John
Research
My research focuses on estimating the species richness of endophytic fungi. When investigating fungi for natural product production fungi must first be grown in isolation. With the idea in mind that a greater number of biological sources has the potential to lead to more chemical diversity it becomes necessary to work with as many fungal species as possible. I have isolated fungi from three traditionally used medicinal plants, but the species isolated are culture-dependent; there may be many more fungal species living in the plant tissue that remain un-isolated. I will therefore also be conducting a culture-independent estimate of fungal species richness using next-gen molecular techniques.
Publications & Awards
Zhu, D., et al. 2017. Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of cyclic fluorodiamines containing boronate esters. Heteroatom Chemistry. 28(6).
Estimates of endophyte species richness depend on culture conditions. Conference presentation. 2018 Maritime Natural Products Conference.
Fun Fact(s): I can go 10 minutes without blinking
brandon logan
Sit group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Applied Science
Education
BSc Chemistry, Saint Mary's University
Diploma of Forensic Science, Saint Mary's University
Research: Investigating Nova Scotian Vineyard soil microbial biodiversity and how it impacts wine fermentation. Specifically investigating the difference between natural and conventional vineyards as well as wines fermented in-bottle. Microbial biodiversity will be investigated by various sequencing techniques, and effects on wine fermentation by various instrumental analysis methods.
Conference Poster/Presentations
Presentation: Investigating Microbial Interactions in Natural Wine Fermentation. Saint Mary's University Chemistry Research Day. Halifax, NS. 2019.
Presentation: Investigating Microbial Interactions in Natural Wine Fermentation. Maritimes Natural Products Conference. Saint John, NB. 2019.
Presentation: Investigating Microbial Interactions in Natural Wine Fermentation. 102nd Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibit. Quebec, QC. 2019.
Presentation: Investigating Microbial Interactions in Natural Wine Fermentation. 44th Annual Science Atlantic ChemCon. Wolfville, NS. 2019.
Poster: Investigation of Microbial Effects on Natural Wine Fermentation. Applied Sciences Poster Presentations. Saint Mary's University. Halifax, NS. 2019.
Presentation: Investigating Soil Microbial Biodiversity and how it Impacts Natural Wine Fermentations. Maritimes Natural Products Conference. Halifax, NS. 2018.
Awards
Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship, 2019.
Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship, 2018.
Bill E. Jones Scholarship, 2018.
President's Hall of Academic Excellency Inductee, 2017
Fun Fact(s): Passionate about Basketball. I Enjoy going for drives, listening to music, and photography.
caroline Spence-Elder
Jakeman group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Chemistry
Education: BSc in Biochemistry at Queen's University
Research: The goal of my project is to analyze inhibitors of RmlA homologs to develop a novel antibiotic target.
Publications & Awards
Ho, J., Mudraboyina, B., Spence-Elder, C., Resendes, R., Cunningham, M.F., and Jessop, P.G. (2018). Water-borne coatings that share the mechanism of action of oil-based coatings. Green Chem. 20, 1899–1905.
Presented my research on the Water-borne coatings at ChemCon 2018.
Fun Fact(s): Love to enjoy the great outdoors on hikes, sketching and painting.
Christopher Fetter
Bearne group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Education: I completed my Hon. BSc at UNB Fredericton.
Research: I am currently investigating aspects of catalysis of the enzyme mandelate racemase and corresponding subgroup enzymes. By using classical enzymology techniques combined with modern proteomic methods I hope to learn more about this interesting group of enzymes. Previously, I completed my honors studies in organic synthesis of isoindolinones at UNB in Fredericton under the supervision of Dr. Sara Eisler.
Publications & Awards
Graduate student presenter at the Maritime Natural Products Conference
Fun Fact(s): I enjoy canoeing and playing the alto saxophone. I do both often with my brother and father in my home town of Fredericton NB.
jeffrey simmons
Rainey group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Education: I completed my BSc at Dalhousie University (2013/09 - 2017/05) with a chemistry major and an economics minor
Research: For my graduate studies work, I focus on trying to characterize spider attachment silk, also known as pyriform silk. This is one of seven classifications of silk that can be found naturally in spider webs. As the name suggests, pyriform silk serves as the junction former in spider webs, attaching different silk types together, and serving as part of the attachment disc, which attaches spider webbing to substrates (e.g. walls, ceilings, etc.). Through analysis of mechanical and structural properties of recombinant pyriform based silks, I am trying to provide the first comprehensive analysis of this type of spider silk.
Publications & Awards
MOOT 31 NMR Symposium Poster Presentation (upcoming): Orthogonal 19F-labelling on ligand and receptor to probe peptide-GPCR interactions; Sherbrooke, QC; October 19, 2018
18th International Biotechnology Symposium and Exhibition Poster Presentation: Production and characterization of recombinant pyriform silk; Montreal, QC; August 14, 2018
PREP Graduate Student Research Day Poster Presentation: Investigation and production of recombinant pyriform silk; Dalhousie University; Halifax, NS; May 18, 2018
Teaching Assistant Professional Development Day Oral Presentation: Tips and Strategies for Effective Laboratory Teaching; Dalhousie University; Halifax, NS; September 12, 2018
Fun Fact(s): During my free time I like to sing, play guitar, and play sports such as softball, badminton and golf.
Marija Veljanovska
Gray Group
Education
B.Sc. (Honours) Biology-Psychology with a minor in Chemistry
M.Sc. Biology
Research: My research focuses on the development an application of a simplified bioactivity profiling strategy to natural product discovery.
Conference Oral Presentations
Veljanovska, M., J. Johnson and C. Gray. 2019. The development and application of a simple bioactivity profiling strategy to natural product discovery. Presentation at the Maritime Natural Products Conference. Saint John, NB.
Veljanovska, M. 2019 Natural Products Research: developing an approach in drug discovery to save time and money. Presentation during the School of Graduate Studies, 3 Minute Thesis competition. Fredericton, NB.
Veljanovska, M., A. Flewelling, J. Johnson and C. Gray. 2018. The development and application of a simple bioactivity profiling strategy to natural product discovery from a library of endophytic fungi. Presentation at the Maritime Natural Products Conference. Halifax, NS. Received an award for “Best MSc Presentation”.
Poster Presentations
Veljanovska, M., A. Flewelling, J. Johnson and C. Gray. 2019. The development and application of a simple bioactivity profiling strategy to natural product discovery from a library of endophytic fungi. Poster Presentation at the University of New Brunswick Graduate Research Conference. Fredericton, NB.
Fun Fact(s): I have a black belt in judo.
nicholas morehouse
gray group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Chemistry
Education: BSc in biology at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John
Research: I have worked in the natural products research group for the past two years of my undergraduate performing antimicrobial susceptibility assays and using spectrometry techniques to assign stereochemistry for my honours project. For my master’s research I am working on isolating natural products from fungi isolated from medicinal plants, marine macro alga, or sea foam. The projects I am working on are being selected using LC-MS, NMR metabolomics and Bioactivity.
Publications & Awards
Poster Presentation, Isolation and identification of 3,5-dihydroxyhexanoic acid oligomers from an unidentified endophyte, MNPC 2017
Conference Presentation, Isolation and structure determination of a polymeric fungal natural product, MNPC 2018
Best MSc presentation award, MNPC 2018
Fun Fact(s): My hobbies include kayaking, hiking and going to the beach. Interesting fact is I wear plaid almost daily.
Oliver Kuehm
Bearne group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Education: I hold an undergraduate degree from St. Francis Xavier University in Chemistry with honours
Research
I am researching different members of the mandelate racemase subgroup of the enolase superfamily of enzymes. Of note, I am looking at an enzyme called reverse thymidylate synthase (rTS) that is overexpressed 80-fold in chemotherapy resistant cell lines of multiple cancers. In our lab, we focus on active-site chemistry, and in the case of rTS, searching for a substrate to formulate hypotheses of its clinical mechanism of action.
Awards: I currently hold a Killam predoctoral scholarship.
Fun Fact(s): I am a huge sports fan and love video games!
Roberto Diaz-Rodriguez
Thompson group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Chemistry
Education: B.Sc. Honours in Chemistry from Dalhousie University (2014 – 2018) with a Certificate in Medicinal Chemistry. I completed my Honours project in the Thompson group.
Research: I work on synthetic methodology development and characterization of red-and near-infrared chromophores and fluorophores, particularly aza-dipyrrins and their complexes. My research is mostly organic with a bit of an organometallic bent. I am currently working on several projects including development of new synthetic routes towards aza-dipyrrins, investigation of the electronic properties of dipyrrins, substitutions at boron of aza-BODIPYs, and the use of these compounds in biological imaging.
Publications
Diaz-Rodriguez, R. M., Robertson, K. N., & Thompson, A. (2019). Classifying donor strengths of dipyrrinato/aza-dipyrrinato ligands. Dalton Transactions. 48(22), 7546-7550.
Diaz-Rodriguez, R. M., Robertson, K. N., & Thompson, A. (2018). Synthesis and reactivity of aza-dipyrrin alkali metal salts. Chemical communications, 54(93), 13139-13142.
Awards
2014 – 2018 IB Renewable Scholarship; Hugh Graeme Fraser Memorial Prize (2018); Rosemary W. Blount Smith Award (2018); MNPC 2018 Best Undergraduate Oral Presentation Award; NSGS Master’s Scholarship.
Recent Conference Presentations
Diaz-Rodriguez R, Gaube S, Thompson A. (2017). Synthetic Methodology Development Towards Pyrroles and Aza-BODIPYs. Maritime Natural Products Conference, August 2017, Charlottetown, PEI [Poster]
Diaz-Rodriguez R, Robertson K N, Thompson A. (2018). Synthesis and Reactivity of Aza-Dipyrrin Alkali Metal Salts. Science Atlantic Chemistry Conference, June 2018, Halifax, NS [Poster]
“Functionalization at Boron of Aza-BODIPYs using BCl3” Maritime Natural Products Conference, August 2018, Halifax, NS [Oral Presentation]
Fun Facts: Music is one of my great passions; I am a big fan of progressive metal, play a couple of instruments and enjoy making effects pedals for electric instruments in my free time. Bit of a geek and a huge League of Legends fan, and also love cycling.
stephan Warkentin
rainey group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Education: BSc. Honours Biochemistry - The University of Manitoba
Research: Currently I am studying nanoparticles formed by the repeat unit of an aciniform spider silk protein. One goal of the project is to generate and optimise a methodology for the formation of nanospheres, characterise these nanospheres, and investigate their potential as a drug-delivery vehicle. I am also investigating putative micelles formed by these proteins in solution which may elucidate the early stages of the transition from soluble protein to silk fibre. Micelle formation may also be relevant to the production of nanospheres. Previously I completed an undergraduate research project on the genetic regulation of a quorum sensing signalling molecule produced by a bacterium. This signal activates biocontrol genes which allow the bacterium to protect canola plants from a common fungus.
Publications & Awards
PREP Graduate Student Research Day (2017) – Poster
International Biotechnology Symposium (2018) - Poster
Maritimes Natural Products Conference (2018) - Poster
Fun Facts: I like hiking and martial arts.
Tam Pham
Rainey Group
Current Degree: M.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Education: B.Sc at the University of Toronto, double major in Biochemistry and Chemistry
Research: I started my research journey with an undergraduate-level competition iGEM. We developed a biosensor to gold metal using a metalloprotein GolS. Later on, I was given the opportunity to study about a metalloprotein called NikR with the Zamble Lab that introduces me to using 19F-NMR techniques. This has led me to enter the Rainey Lab looking at the ligand-receptor interaction between the receptor APJ and its endogenous ligand apelin. We will incorporate a variety of different techniques suitable for on-cell NMR studies.
Publications & Awards
Pandey, A.; Leblanc, D. M.; Parmar, H. B.; Pham, T. T. T.; Sarker, M.; Xu, L.; Duncan, R.; Liu, X. and Rainey, J. K. , (2019) Structure, amphipathy, and topology of the membrane-proximal helix 8 influence apelin receptor plasma membrane localization. BBA - Biomembranes1861(11):183036. - Impact Factor: 3.438.
Oct, 2019 - 32nd NMR MOOT Minisymposium Conference (Oral)
Aug, 2019 - CREATE BioActives Workshops (Poster)
June, 2018 - Science Atlantic - CIC Chemistry Conference (ChemCon) 2018 (Presentation)
April, 2017 - Honour Thesis Student Presentation (Presentation)
June 20th, 2018 - Graduated University of Toronto with an Hon B.Sc with Distinction.
June 7th, 2018 – Science Atlantic – CIC Chemistry Conference: Best overall oral presentation in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry
October, 2016 – Bronze Metal at the International Genetic Engineering Machine (iGEM) Jamboree, MIT University.
2015, 2014 - Dean’s List Scholar by the University of Toronto
2013 – Ted Mossman Entrance Scholarship, University College of University of Toronto
2012 – Saint John Volunteer Award
Fun Facts: Outside of research realm, I volunteered and sat as a Board Member of 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy organization for diversity and youths within 2SLGBTQIA+ in Nova Scotia. In my free time, I like to cook and draw to channel my inner artistic self.
Undergrad Trainee
Connor Cranstone
Langelaan Group
Current Degree: B.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research: The project I am working on is concerned with characterizing the interactions between two proteins that are critical for expression of genes targeted by the canonical Wnt signalling pathway. These proteins are β-catenin and Crebs-binding-protein (CBP). Β-catenin has two major functions: the first aids in cell adhesion while the second transfers signals from the cytosol to the nucleus to activate gene expression. CBP is a histone acetyltransferase, which is a protein that can modify the proteins bound to DNA in order to change its accessibility for transcriptional machinery. Understanding the interactions between these two proteins is crucial for further understanding of the Wnt signalling pathway and how certain disease states manifest from mutations in these genes.
Fun Fact(s): I enjoy the outdoors – camping and hiking are some of my favorite things to do, but I also enjoy playing board games and video games.
Kaitlyn Blatt-Janmaat
Sit group
Current Degree: B.Sc. Chemistry
Research:
- Designing a method to reproducibly inoculate pyrolysis material with beneficial bacterial strains and using them to enhance plant growth. Plant growth bacteria promoting (PGPB) are crucial for the health of plants and agricultural soil. Introducing PGPB into the soil has the potential to benefit agricultural yields while minimizing environmental impact.
- Investigating volatile microbial inhibitionviaSPME-GC-MS and characterizing antimicrobial compounds.Volatile compounds are important in signalling and are a largely untapped resource for natural products. Many of these compounds are crucial for the growth regulation of microorganisms within a convoluted microbiota; such as in the soil or the gut.
Publications & Awards
NSERC-USRA
Globalink Research Award
CSC Best Undergraduate Poster in Biomedical Division
Fun Facts: Loves to hike, pole dance, cook, and lives in a house full of plants
Matthew clinton
gray group
Current Degree: B.Sc. Chemistry
Research: My past research includes an independent, local study about opinions and awareness of Integrated Medicine. At the Natural Products Research Group, I have made contributions to their plant and fungi libraries, primarily through microplate antimicrobial susceptibility assays.
Fun Facts: I love being outdoors, especially running and hiking. I also enjoy music and reading.