I am a Research Project Manager in the Rutka lab, with extensive experience in wet laboratory research across a broad range of techniques, including molecular biology, immunohistochemistry, imaging mass cytometry, and related methodologies. My current research focuses on glioblastoma lineage plasticity and the diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumour microenvironment.

Prior to joining James Rutka’s lab in 2025, I worked in the laboratory of James Dowling in Genetics and Genome Medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children, contributing to myogenesis studies and therapeutic discovery for childhood muscle diseases. I am the author of 41 scientific publications, including first-author and co-first-author papers published in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, JCI, and JCI Insight.

I am passionate about mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in molecular biology techniques.

Since childhood, cancer research has been my greatest aspiration, despite the significant challenges of pursuing this path in my home country, Lebanon. I was fortunate to immigrate to Canada, where I was able to begin transforming that dream into reality. Science has always been my passion, and cancer research is the field to which I am deeply committed. At the Brain Tumour Research Centre, I am pursuing this goal under the mentorship of James Rutka. I am particularly drawn to brain tumour research because of its complexity and the challenge of addressing questions that often lack clear answers. Understanding the brain tumour ecosystem requires investigating the tumour microenvironment, immune cell infiltration, and the role of normal brain cells in disease progression. One technique that has especially inspired me is Imaging Mass Cytometry, which enables the in-depth study of this complexity at high spatial resolution. My goal is to continue advancing in science and contribute meaningful translational impact to the care and outcomes of pediatric patients.

The BTRC has been my research home for years, starting with Dr. Abhijit Guha then Dr. James Rutka. I greatly value the collaborative environment, the depth of shared scientific knowledge and the collective commitment to advancing brain tumour research and patient care.

A career in science is both exciting and challenging. Research requires patience, persistence, and resilience, as experiments often fail and progress depends on continuous troubleshooting and repetition. Success in science is driven not only by hard work and determination, but most importantly by passion for discovery and perseverance through challenges.

Outside of science, I enjoy cooking, baking, reading, hiking, as well as spending time with my 3 girls and two cats, Vivi and Bambie.

I would love for Jennifer Lopez to portray me in a movie, as I think she would capture both my passion for science and the perseverance required to overcome the many challenges that come with scientific research, including optimizing complex antibody protocols.