Jean- Philippe Julien
Jean- Philippe Julien
Canada Research Chair in Structural Immunology
Member, College of the Royal Society of Canada
Senior Scientist, Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute
Associate Professor, Departments of Biochemistry and Immunology, University of Toronto
Education: Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific (IB Diploma, 2001); McGill University (B.Sc., Honour’s in Biochemistry with Minor in Social Studies of Medicine, 2005 as a Loran Scholar); University of Toronto (Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Dr. Emil Pai’s laboratory, 2010); The Scripps Research Institute (Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Dr. Ian Wilson’s laboratory, Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, 2014).

Lab Interests : No moment more precious than solving a structure and seeing its three-dimensional architecture for the first time; then leveraging these molecular blueprints using protein engineering to translate into solutions for global health.

Hometown: Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Canada.

Other interests/hobbies: Playing hockey and basketball, spending time outdoors, being inspired through cinema and reading.

Bhavya Aghera
Bhavya AgheraAdmin Assistant
Education: B.Sc., Honour’s in Biomedical Sciences at Trent University (Peterborough, Ontario).

Scientific Interests: I am interested in the molecular mechanisms by which glycoproteins contribute to immune system function and regulation. Specifically, I am interested in how glycan modifications of immune cell surface receptors and ligands affect signaling pathways and cellular responses, and how these changes can contribute to auto-immune disorders.

Hometown: Gujarat, India.

Other interests/hobbies: I love playing tennis, practicing yoga (I am a certified international yoga instructor), painting, traveling & photography. I look forward to spending quality time and making beautiful memories with family & friends!

Clare Burn Aschner
Clare Burn AschnerCIHR Banting Postdoctoral Fellow
Education: PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (USA); BSc (Honours) in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago (NZ).

Lab Interests: I’m interested in effector functions of antibody responses to infectious diseases, especially with regard to how structure influences function, and how these functions can be engineered to improve antibody responses and develop better vaccines and therapeutics.

Hometown: Dunedin, New Zealand.

Other interests/hobbies: I love cooking, baking (and sharing!), travelling, hiking – especially places my dog is allowed, and spending time with friends and family.

Chao Chen
Chao ChenResearch Associate
Education: Ph.D. Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium; M.Sc. and B.Sc. Food Science, State Key Laboratory of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, China.

Lab Interests: Structure-guided vaccine/antibody design, protein/antibody engineering, protein structure-function relationship, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, biophysics.

Hometown: Wuxi, China.

Other interests/hobbies: Enjoy being outdoors like traveling, hiking and gardening; play badminton and ping-pong, swim.

Hong Cui
Hong CuiLaboratory Research Project Coordinator
Education: Master’s degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Lab Interests: I am interested in applying cell culture and protein purification techniques to help ongoing efforts towards the structural and biophysical characterization of B cell surface receptors with the ultimate goal to develop novel vaccine adjuvants, as well as improve blood cancer treatments.

Hometown: Beijing, China.

Other interests/hobbies: Aside from work, my hobbies are swimming, hiking and picnicking with family and friends.

Julian Gilmore
Julian GilmoreRestracomp MD/PhD Student
Education: BSc. Hon. Chemical Biology (McMaster University), MSc. Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Toronto).

Lab Interests: I am interested the structural foundation of antibody effector function and aim to investigate how effector function can be leveraged in the development of vaccines and therapeutics targeting HIV.

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Other interests/hobbies: Making music, basketball (ie. cheering for the Raptors) and biking really, really long distances!

Sophia Hailemariam
Sophia HailemariamCGS-D PhD Student
Education: B.Sc. Honours Biochemistry at McGill University.

Lab Interests: I am interested in characterizing antibody-antigen interactions using X-ray crystallography and other structural biology techniques to inform the design of more effective Malaria transmission blocking vaccines.

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Other interests/hobbies: Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, traveling, watching/ playing sports, being outside, and spending time with my friends and family.

Fabian Heide
Fabian HeidePostdoctoral Fellow
Education: PhD in Biochemistry (University of Manitoba), BSc Honours in Biochemistry (University of Manitoba)

Lab Interests: I am interested in combining classical structure based drug design methods with machine learning to improve antigens for antibody discovery. I am always curious of how different methods can be used to solve a biochemical problem.

Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Other interests/hobbies: I enjoy the outdoors like hiking and camping, playing soccer, coding, and trying different coffees while traveling.

Danton Ivanochko
Danton IvanochkoRestracomp Postdoctoral Fellow
Education: Ph.D. Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto; M.Sc. Human Molecular Genetics and Honours B.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Ottawa.

Lab Interests: Proteins and protein-related accessories.

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Other interests/hobbies: Activities on frozen or liquid lakes, avoiding serious injuries playing rugby, speculative fiction, and steaks.

Matthew Jackman
Matthew JackmanPostdoctoral Fellow
Education: PhD Structural biology and biochemistry, University of Queensland; B.Sc Honours Biophysics (Dual major), University of Queensland.

Lab Interests: Structural characterization of antibody-antigen interactions using cryo-electron microscopy and x-ray crystallography.

Hometown: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Other interests/hobbies: Reading, watching way too much Youtube, playing video games (including speedrunning), and music (anything from punk pop to technical death metal).

Arif Jetha
Arif JethaDirector of Pre-Clinical Development, Biologics
Education: BSc Biotechnology (UBC), MSc Experimental Surgery (McGill).

Lab Interests: Antibody discovery, engineering, and pre-clinical / clinical development. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing a molecule you’ve worked on benefit the lives of patients.

Hometown: Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada.

Other interests/hobbies: Running, hiking, traveling and a nice patio (preferably with a view)!

Audrey Kassardjian
Audrey KassardjianOGS PhD Student
Education: B.Sc. (Hons) in Immunology, McGill University (2018).

Lab Interests: My research aims to uncover the potential of molecular approaches targeting B cells and other APCs in the design of vaccines against old and emerging pathogens (malaria and COVID-19).

Hometown: Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Other interests/hobbies: Outside of the lab, I love spending time with my friends and family, watching Jeopardy and doing crossword puzzles. I am also always looking forward to the next scuba diving adventure!

Hee Ryung Kim
Hee Ryung KimPostdoctoral Fellow
Education: PhD in Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University (Korea); BSc in Cell Biology & Genetics, University of British Columbia (Canada).

Lab Interests: Understanding of structure-function relationship of antigen-antibody interactions, protein engineering in vaccine therapeutics.

Hometown: Seoul, Korea.

Other interests/hobbies: Watching movies, swimming, and fencing. Yes, sword fights!

Krithika Muthuraman
Krithika MuthuramanOGS PhD Student
Education: Master of Science, Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Bachelor of Technology, Biotechnology, Anna University, India.

Lab Interests: I am interested in studying (1) the immunological, functional and structural basis of antigen-antibody interaction with respect to viral pathogens; (2) Using nanoparticle technology to develop efficacious vaccines and therapeutics against viral pathogens.

Hometown: India.

Other interests/hobbies: Reading, Cooking, Sketching, Painting.

Loan Vu Hong Nguyen
Loan Vu Hong NguyenResearch Technologist II
Education: Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology (Seneca College @ York), H.B.Sc in Biotechnology (York University), M.Sc in Biology ( York University).

Lab Interests: Understanding the pathogenesis of viral infections and supporting the development of multi-specific antibodies as therapeutics against infectious diseases.

Hometown: Vung Tau, Vietnam.

Other interests/hobbies: Hiking, camping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Amy Nouanesengsy
Amy NouanesengsyCGS PhD Student
Education: B.H.Sc. Honours Biomedical Discovery & Commercialization at McMaster University.

Lab Interests: I am interested in developing an oncology therapeutic using protein-based nanoparticles to better target cancerous cells at different maturation stages.

Hometown: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

Other interests/hobbies: I love travelling and exploring the world, especially to see the wondrous sights that nature has to offer. I also enjoy reading, running, hiking, playing the piano and spending time with family and friends.

Katherine Prieto
Katherine PrietoLaboratory Research Project Coordinator
Education: M.Sc. in Biological Sciences-Microbiology, University of the Andes, Bogota, Colombia. B.Sc. in Microbiology and B.Sc. in Biology, University of the Andes, Bogota, Colombia.

Lab Interests: I want to support ongoing efforts towards the design and characterization of novel protein antigens with the ultimate goal to develop vaccine technologies against malaria using Molecular Biology, Protein Biochemistry and Biophysical techniques.

Hometown: Manizales, Colombia.

Other interests/hobbies: Hiking, ice skating, traveling and spending time with my family.

Elaine Thai
Elaine ThaiPhD Student, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar
Education: Graduate student, Department of Biochemistry at University of Toronto

Lab Interests: I am interested in characterizing the binding of antibodies to malarial antigens, and use this information for structure-guided immunogen design and antibody engineering.

Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Other Interests/Hobbies: I love swimming, watching movies, reading, writing, and spending time with family and friends. I am also a lifeguard and swim instructor.

Deeva Uthayakumar
Deeva UthayakumarCGS PhD Student co-supervised with Chao Wang
Education: B.Sc. Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University, Montréal, Canada; Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Leading International Vaccinology Education at Université Claude Bernard Lyon and Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne in France, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Universitat de Barcelona in Spain, and University of Antwerp in Belgium .

Lab Interests: I am interested in applying biochemical and immunological techniques to characterize novel protein regulators of neuroinflammation, such as in the context of depression.

Hometown: Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Other Interests/Hobbies: Travel, nature, reading/watching science-fiction and fantasy, watching basketball, general fitness and recreational activities, video games, hanging out with friends and family, trying new cuisines.

Randy Yoo
Randy YooCGS PhD Student
Education: B.Sc. (Honours) Biochemistry, University of British Columbia (2021).

Lab Interests: I am interested in using structural biology techniques to help better understand how our immune system responds to malaria-causing parasites.

Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Other Interests/Hobbies: Running, hiking, drinking too much coffee, and spending time with friends and family.

Past Trainees

Dorota Borovsky
Dorota Borovsky2018 NSERC USRA Summer Research Student
Jacob Carson
Jacob Carson2016 SSuRe Undergraduate Summer Student
Steven Choi
Steven Choi2015-2016 Undergraduate Volunteer
Andrew Dayton
Andrew Dayton2023 ISSRP Undergraduate Student
Simran Dosanjh
Simran Dosanjh2019 Summer Undergraduate Intern
June Ereno
June Ereno2015-2018 CIHR Banting Postdoctoral Fellow
Sara Insausti Gonzalez
Sara Insausti Gonzalez2019 Visiting PhD student - University of the Basque Country
Zaky Hassan
Zaky Hassan2018-2019 BCH374/UROP Undergraduate Research Student
Sotaro Hirai
Sotaro Hirai2019-2020 BCB430 Undergraduate Research Student
Ryu Won Kang
Ryu Won Kang2022-2023 IMM450 Undergraduate Research Student
Iga Kucharska
Iga Kucharska2018-2022 Restracomp Postdoctoral Fellow
Prasun Kundu
Prasun Kundu2017-2018 Postdoctoral Fellow
Benjamin Martinez
Benjamin Martinez2019 NSERC USRA Summer Research Student
Brandon McLeod
Brandon McLeod2016-2022 Restracomp PhD Student
Thandeka Moyo
Thandeka Moyo2016-2017 Visiting Ph.D. student, University of Cape Town
Jocelyn Newton
Jocelyn Newton2019-2021 Postdoctoral Fellow
Clara Eléonore Pavillet
Clara Eléonore Pavillet2015-2016 BCH471 Undergraduate Research Student
Swetha Raman
Swetha Raman2016-2019 MITACS Postdoctoral Fellow
Edurne Rujas
Edurne Rujas2018-2020 Marie Curie Global Postdoctoral Fellow
Stephen Scally
Stephen Scally2016-2019 CIHR Postdoctoral Fellow
Taylor Sicard
Taylor Sicard2015-2022 PhD Student, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar
Eric Sun
Eric Sun2021-2023 CGS Applied Master's Student
Ruiyang Tang
Ruiyang Tang 2022 Graduate Student Intern