Dr. Augusto Zani, MD, PhD, FACS, FAAP

Dr. Augusto Zani is a Neonatal and Paediatric Surgeon at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and a Scientist in the Development and Stem Cell Biology Program at SickKids Research Institute. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto (U of T). Dr. Zani is an associate member at the Institute of Medical Sciences at U of T, and serves as a committee member in the Translational Research Program of the Department of Surgery at U of T.

He received his MD and completed his paediatric surgical training at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. He earned his PhD from University College London, UK, investigating stem cell therapy in necrotizing enterocolitis. Following this period, he advanced his clinical training in the UK by working in renowned teaching institutions like Great Ormond Street Hospital and King’s College Hospital, London, where he focused on neonatal and paediatric surgery. He then moved to Toronto for a fellowship in neonatal surgery and, in 2016, he joined the faculty in the Division of General and Thoracic Surgery at SickKids. Dr. Zani’s clinical interests are congenital anomalies.

Dr. Zani has funded a translational research program for the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as therapeutic and diagnostic tools for fetal, neonatal, and paediatric conditions.

Lina Antounians
Laboratory Research Project Manager

M.Sc., Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
B.A.Sc., Arts & Sciences, McMaster University

Exploring the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of extracellular vesicles

Dr. Kasra Khalaj
Postdoctoral Fellow

PhD, Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University
M.Sc., Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph
B.Sc., Biomedical Sciences, University of Waterloo

Investigating the therapeutic role of extracellular vesicles in pulmonary hypoplasia via autophagy

Dr. Rebeca Figueira
Postdoctoral Fellow

PhD, Clinical Surgery, University of Sao Paulo
M.Sc., Clinical Surgery, University of Sao Paulo
B.Sc., Nursing, Faculty Estacio de Sao Paulo

Studying the effects of extracellular vesicles on fetal lung vasculature

Fabian Doktor
Research Fellow

MD, University of Leipzig 2019

The effects of extracellular vesicles on a transgenic mouse models of CDH and on rodent hypoplastic lungs secondary to oligohydramnios

Elke Zani-Ruttenstock
Research Fellow

MD, Medical University of Graz 2007

Stem cell derivative therapy in a fetal rat model of gastroschisis

Tasneem Islam

Research Volunteer

H.B.Sc. University of Toronto, 2019

Miguel Garcia

Research Student

H.B.Sc in progress, University of Toronto

Isolation of microglia derived EVs as a marker of neuroinflammation secondary to necrotizing enterocolitis

Lindsey (Renji) Li

Research Student

H.B.Sc in progress, University of Toronto

Defining inflammasome mediators in experimental gastroschisis and the effects of AFSC-EV regenerative therapy

Nazgol Moheimani

Research Student

H.B.Sc in progress, University of Toronto

Regenerative effects of AFSC-EVs on organs beyond the lung

Emily Lo

MSc Student

Neonatology Fellow, University of Toronto (SickKids)

Pediatric Residency, Northwell Health

MD, Central Michigan University

H.B.Sc, University of Toronto

Effects of AFSC-EV administration on the brain in experimental congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Victoria Fortuna

Research Student

H.B.Sc in progress, University of Toronto

Investigating effects of AFSC-EVs administration in experimental bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Miriam Duci

Visiting PhD Student

PhD in progress, University of Padova (Italy)

MD, Paediatric Surgery, University of Padova (Italy)

Investigating neuroinflammation secondary to necrotizing enterocolitis