Postdoctoral Fellows

Jasdeep KAUR, Post-doctorate In-Progress
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Genetics of hypertension in elderly persons
Nicolas SYLVIUS, Post-doctorate Completed (May 2003 - Aug 2006)
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Present Position: Research Associate, NUCLEUS Genomics, University of Leicester, UK
Thesis/Project Title: Functional consequences of dilated cardiomyopathy mutations
Siham YASARI, Post-doctorate Completed (Oct 2007 – Nov 2009)
Co-Supervisor: Denis Prud’homme (Principal Supervisor)

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Associate, Major Initiatives, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Thesis/Project Title: Effects of exercise training on molecular markers of lipogenesis and lipid partitioning in fructose-induced liver fat accumulation

Research Assistants

Pierrette M. BOLONGO, MSc Completed (Nov 1999 - Aug 2014)
Present Position: Assistant to the director, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa
Anna BREZNAN, BSc Completed (Jan 2002 - Jan 2003)

Clinical Research Coordinators

Tracy JACKSON Completed (March 2004 - May 2009)
Present position: Clinical Research Associate, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa
Michaela GARKISCH, RN Completed (Sept 2001 - April 2003)
Present position: Nurse, University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Angelina TROVARIELLI-JIPSON, RN Completed (Sept 2000 - Sept 2001)
Present position: Nurse, Ottawa Hospital

PhD Students

Corinne WAKED, Doctorate In-Progress
PhD in Population Health, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Impact of physical activity on improving health outcomes in men and women with overweight and the role of ACSL genotype in fatty acid metabolism
Hannah NICOLAS, Doctorate Completed (Jan 2014 - Oct 2020)
Co-Supervisor: Marie-Andrée Akimenko

PhD in Biology, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Understanding molecular mechanisms of striated muscle laminopathies using cellular and zebrafish models
Abishankari RAJKUMAR, Doctorate Completed (Jan 2014 - March 2018)
Co-Supervisor: Mary-Ellen Harper

PhD in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at McGill
Thesis/Project Title: Impact of environmental and genetic regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism on metabolic response in women with overweight or obesity: Molecular and cellular analyses and genetic association studies
Kristi ADAMO, Doctorate Completed (Oct 2001 - Aug 2005)
Co-Supervisor: Denis Prud’homme (Principal Supervisor)

PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR gamma) pathway and Gene-Environment Interactions in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

MSc Students

Qin Tai (Michael) TAN, Master’s Thesis In-Progress
MSc in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Characterization of a zebrafish model of laminopathies
Barrakatou LIGALI EPSE CISSE, Master’s Thesis In-Progress
MSc in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Les Acyl-CoA Synthétases Longues Chaînes (ACSL): leur rôle dans la réponse du myocyte squelettique au Mono-(2 Ethyl Hexyl) Phtalate (MEHP)
Stephen KUTCHER, Master’s Thesis Completed (Sept 2012 - June 2016)
MSc in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, University of Ottawa
Present Position: PhD Student at McGill
Thesis/Project Title: Investigating the influence of NEDD4L in the development of salt sensitive hypertension with age
Hannah NICOLAS, Master’s Thesis Completed (Sept 2012 - Jan 2014)
MSc in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology - Transfer to the PhD Program, University of Ottawa
Present Position: PhD Student University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Characterizing laminopathies in the zebrafish Model
Abishankari RAJKUMAR, Master’s Thesis Completed (Sept 2012 - Jan 2014)
MSc in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Transfer to the PhD Program, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at McGill
Thesis/Project Title: Obesity and the fatty acid transport proteins
Musfira UVAIZE, Master’s Thesis Completed (Sept 2010 - Dec 2013)
MSc in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa
Present Position: PhD Student at University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: The effects of dilated cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation lamin mutations on protein kinase alpha cellular distribution and activity
Emilie BOUDREAU, Master’s Thesis Completed (Sept 2007 - July 2010)
MSc in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Laboratory Manager and Research Technician, University of Toronto
Thesis/Project Title: Lamin A/C and sumoylation: Implication of laminopathic mutant lamin A/C expression on the dynamics of sumo1
Sarah LABIB, Master’s Thesis Completed (Sept 2007 - Oct 2010)
MSc in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa
Present Position: PhD, Clinical Evaluator in the Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate, Health Canada
Thesis/Project Title: The effect of LMNA mutations on lamin A/C and binding partner cellular distribution and interaction
Pallavi GUPTA, Master’s Thesis Completed (Jan 2006 - Jan 2010)
MSc in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Evaluator at Therapeutic Products Directorate, Health Canada
Thesis/Project Title: Characterization of the molecular mechanisms conferring cardiac-specificity to lamin A/C mutations
Stephanie POON, Master’s Thesis Completed (Aug 2001 - April 2004)
MSc in Biochemistry, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine/Cardiology at Sunnybrook, University of Toronto
Thesis/Project Title: The identification and quantification of novel LMNA mutations in dilated cardiomyopathy
Alexandra DUBUC, Master’s Thesis Completed (Sept 2017 - May 2020)
Co-Supervisor: Pauline Darling (Principal Supervisor)

MSc in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Assessing the Nutritional Status of Children Admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Bachelor’s and Bachelor’s Honours Students

Violet MICKHAIL Completed (May 2021 - May 2022)
Co-Supervisor: Marie-Andrée Akimenko

HSS4901, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Characterization of Adult Zebrafish lamin A/C mutation as model for striated muscle laminopathies
Parnian HOSSEINPOUR SAMIM MAMEGHANYCompleted (Sept 2019 - May 2020)
HSS4901, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: A Zinc Transporter 7 Polymorphism Associated with Hypertension in the Salt Sensitive Population
Christina CHARARA, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Aug 2019 - May 2020)
BIM4009, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Les effets du di-(2-éthylhexyl) phtalate sur les niveaux d’expression du PPARɑ et du PPARγ dans les muscles squelettiques des souris
Juliette THIBAUDEAU, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (May 2019 - May 2020)
Co-Supervisor: Marie-Andrée Akimenko

HSS4901, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Fertility, sex determination and survival in lmna loss-of-function zebrafish mutants
Nia KANG, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Aug 2019 - Feb 2020)
HSS4900, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Genetic determinants of salt-sensitive hypertension
Barrakatou LIGALI EPSE CISSE, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2018 - May 2019)
HSS4901, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Les Acyl-CoA Synthétases Longues Chaînes 4 (ACSL4): leur rôle dans la réponse du myoblaste squelettique au Mono-(2 Ethyl Hexyl) Phtalate (MEHP)
Marianne SAURIOL, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2017 - May 2018)
HSS4901, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: The effects of MEHP on ACSL genes expression within C2C12 mouse myoblast cells
Danick GOULET, Bachelor’s Completed (May 2017 - Dec 2017)
HSS4900, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Prokect Title: PKCα expression differences in lmna mutant zebrafish embryos
Katyanna MENARD, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2015 - May 2016)
HSS4901, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Student University of Ottawa School of Nursing
Thesis/Project Title: Looking for epigenetic profile differences in fatty acid proteins between high and low responders of caloric restriction
Veronique CHOLETTE, Bachelor’s Completed (Jan 2014 - May 2015)
HSS4900, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Etude des niveaux de méthylation du gène de l’ACSL5 dans le foie de souriceaux en réponse au régime alimentaire de leur mère biologique
Caroline DICAIRE, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2013 - May 2014)
HSS4901, University of Ottawa
Present Position: University of Ottawa Medical Student
Thesis/Project Title: Influence du génotype de FATCD/36 et FATP1 sur la réponse à des modifications du style de vie chez les femmes en surpoids
Karolina KAMINSKA, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2012 - May 2013)
HSS4901, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Graduate Student
Thesis/Project Title: Assessment of the influence of ACSL5 genotype on body composition change after lifestyle intervention
Hannah NICOLAS, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2011 - May 2012)
Bachelor's Honours, University of Ottawa
Present Position: PhD Student University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Genetics of salt sensitive hypertension in a Caucasian population
Karalyn MCRAE, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2010 - May 2011)
Bachelor's Honours, University of Ottawa
Present Position: PhD Student at Queen's University
Thesis/Project Title: The genetic basis to salt-sensitive hypertension in a Caucasian population: a GWAS and candidate gene analysis
Daniel SOONG, Bachelor’s Completed (Sept 2009 - Dec 2009)
HSS4900, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Medical Student
Thesis/Project Title: ACSL5 genotype and obesity phenotype relationship in women
Akil HAMZA, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2007 - May 2008)
Bachelor's Honours, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Graduate Research Assistant, University of British Columbia
Thesis/Project Title: Investigating genetic mechanisms leading to dilated cardiomyopathy
Emilie BOUDREAU, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2006 - May 2007)
Bachelor's Honours, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Laboratory Manager and Research Technician, University of Toronto
Thesis/Project Title: Dilated cardiomyopathy patients' DNA screening and in vitro expression of identified mutations
Andrea HATHAWAY, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2005 - May 2006)
Bachelor's Honours, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: In vitro examination of the functional consequences of various lamin A/C mutations
Melhem WEHBE, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2004 - May 2005)
Bachelor's Honours, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Criblage et analyse des conséquences fonctionnelles des mutations de la lamine A/C chez des patients atteints de cardiomyopathie dilatée
Nicole MIKHAEL, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2004 - May 2005)
Bachelor's Honours, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Clinical Research Associate, the Ottawa Hospital
Thesis/Project Title: Influence of GLUT2 genotype on glucose homeostasis and body composition variables, at baseline and post-exercise training, among type 2 diabetes patients
Diana MALOUF, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Sept 2003 - May 2004)
Bachelor's Honours, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Determination of genes involved in the resistance to obesity
Dana ELSAID, Bachelor’s Completed (Sept 2020 - May 2021)
Co-Supervisor: Marc Ekker (Principal Supervisor)

HSS4901, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Mechanisms dopaminergic neuron death and survival in zebrafish
Nayaar ISLAM, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (Jan 2020 - May 2020)
Co-Supervisor: Marc Ekker (Principal Supervisor)

HSS4900, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Chemogenetic ablation of dopaminerginerons in zebrafish
Katarina VUKOVOJAC, Bachelor’s Completed (Jan 2018 - May 2018)
Co-Supervisor: Catherine Pound (Principal Supervisor)

HSS4900, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: A systematic review of croup treatments for children admitted to the hospital
Camille ST-ONGE, Bachelor’s Completed (Jan 2016 - Aug 2016)
Co-Supervisor: Nicolas Corradi (Principal Supervisor)

HSS4900, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Phylogénomique mitochondrial des gloméromycètes: analyse de 4 chaînons manquants
Eleni RAMPHOS, Bachelor’s Completed (Jan 2014 - May 2014)
Co-Supervisor: Katey Rayner (Principal Supervisor)

HSS4900, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: MiR-33 control of PGC1a and PDK4 genes in macrophage energy homeostasis
Louis DEL RE, Bachelor’s Completed (Sept 2013 - Dec 2013)
Co-Supervisor: Régis Vaillancourt (Principal Supervisor)

HSS4900, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: What is the effect of using pictograms as a method to improve communication, understanding and recall of medication administration directions, instructions and information?
Audrey ATTALI, Bachelor’s Honours Completed (May 2010 - Aug 2010)
Co-Supervisor: Sylvie Braschi (Principal Supervisor)

HSS4900, University of Ottawa
Present Position: University of Ottawa Medical Student
Thesis/Project Title: Effect of diet and resistance training on the role of dietary Advanced Glycation End products (AGE) in the development of abdominal obesity: A MONET Study

Interns

Célia BOUMGHARCompleted (Jan 2019 – Sept 2019)
Research Internship, University of Ottawa
Project Title: Identification and genotyping of zebrafish with lmna KO
Parnian HOSSEINPOUR SAMIM MAMEGHANYCompleted (Aug 2018 – Sept 2019)
Research Internship, University of Ottawa
Project Title: Diet influence on ACSL expression in mice skeletal muscle
Asli-Oubah FUADCompleted (Oct 2018 – Jan 2019)
Research Internship, University of Ottawa
Project Title: Diet influence on ACSL expression in mice adipose tissue
Yuxuan (Max) JIANGCompleted (July 2017 - Aug 2017)
Research Internship, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Student University of Western Ontario
Project Title: Protein Kinase C alpha expression in transgenic zebrafish carrying the zebrafish lamin A wild type transgene
Raquel MONTAGNER ROSSICompleted (May 2016 - Aug 2016)
Research Internship, Science without Borders, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Medical Student, Brazil
Thesis/Project Title: Genetic determinants of salt sensitive hypertension
Raoul SALMONCompleted (April 2016 - Aug 2016)
Research Internship, Université de Lorraine, France
Thesis/Project Title: Génotypage de poissons zèbres présentant des mutations dans le gène des lamines A et C
Jessica CHANCompleted (Aug 2010 - Dec 2010)
Research Internship, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Family Physician
Thesis/Project Title: Expression of ACSL5 isoforms

UROP Students

Laurianne PERRONCompleted (Jan 2017 - May 2017)
UROP, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Generating a line of transgenic and lamin A/C mutant zebrafish in order to study cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy
Suzanne SIMBACompleted (Jan 2016 - May 2016)
UROP, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: MEHP regulates the expression of genes in c2c12 mouse myotubes
Katyanna MENARDCompleted (Jan 2015 - May 2015)
UROP, University of Ottawa
Present Position: Student University of Ottawa School of Nursing
Thesis/Project Title: Identification and genotyping of zebrafish with lmna KO
Matthew ZOGHTCompleted (Jan 2015 - May 2015)
UROP, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Phenotyping of zebrafish with LMNA mutations
Véronique CHOLETTECompleted (July 2013 - Dec 2013)
UROP, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Épigénétique du gène ACSL5 et la perte de poids
Maude COUSINEAUCompleted (Jan 2013 - May 2013)
UROP, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: L’obésité et le génotype du gène codant pour la protéine de transport des acides gras 1(FATP1) au polymorphisme rs11666579
Caroline DICAIRECompleted (Jan 2013 - May 2013)
UROP, University of Ottawa
Present Position: University of Ottawa Medical Student
Thesis/Project Title: Génétique et obésité - L’influence du polymorphisme FAT/CD36 rs3840546
Abhi BHANDARICompleted (Sept 2011 - Dec 2011)
UROP, University of Ottawa
Thesis/Project Title: Genotype-specific weight loss in obese women