Each year, we add new contributors to the MedGen blog, staffed entirely by MHSc. Graduate students from the Medical Genomics Program at the University of Toronto. Read about us here.
The Class of 2026
Nasim Azizi is currently a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics candidate at the University of Toronto. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, where she developed a passion for genomics. Her interest in bioinformatics began during her time at the Geniran Lab, where she learned Python programming and its applications in genetics. Through her undergraduate and graduate studies, she became deeply interested in computational data analysis and its role in advancing genomic research.
Beyond her academic pursuits, she gained wet lab experience through volunteering, where she worked with DNA cloning, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. Nasim aspires to continue exploring the intersection of genomics and bioinformatics to contribute to advancements in the field.
Priyal Bhavsar is a current graduate student at the University of Toronto obtaining her Masters of Health Science degree in the Medical Genomics program. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, specializing in Forensic Biology. During her undergraduate studies, Priyal became interested in learning more about analyzing the vast amount of data within our genome and using it to foster meaningful advancements in health and patient care. After her undergraduate studies, Priyal went on to obtained a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research from Seneca College to further develop a strong foundation in drug development, pharmacogenetics, clinical trials and health regulations and guidelines. Within the Medical Genomics program, Priyal hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the link between the extensive information encoded in our genome and its ability to revolutionize disease detection, personalized medicine and public health interventions. Her current academic interests within the program lie in how sequencing technologies and bioinformatic tools can be optimized to improve precision medicine approaches for patients with rare and complex diseases. Beyond her academic and professional interests, Priyal enjoys trying new foods, doing yoga and reading.
Anushka Deshmukh is a graduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University, with minors in Business Administration, Philosophy, and Theatre. During her undergraduate studies, Anushka completed a capstone research proposal on target discovery for precision medicine in neuroendocrine tumors using CRISPR and studied abroad at the University of Dundee, investigating gene expression in tomato plants to improve crop resilience against pathogens.
Professionally, Anushka has worked in functional genomics, educational psychology, and program coordination. As a Functional Genomics Co-op at UCB, she optimized CRISPR screens for neuroinflammation research, gaining experience in gene editing, biochemical assays, and data analysis. In Portugal, she researched self-regulated learning as a Research Assistant, and at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, she helped manage operations for a physiotherapy program as a Program Coordinator.
Anushka is passionate about leveraging computational tools and CRISPR technologies to advance precision healthcare, with a focus on innovative therapies for complex diseases. She is also committed to community service, having contributed to policy analysis and social media strategy with the Sexual Violence Prevention Association.
Outside of academics, Anushka enjoys reading, photography, exploring new spots in the city, and engaging in theatre and creative writing.
Sofia Edissi is a graduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing her MHSc in Medical Genomics. She holds an HBSc in Biomedical Science from the University of Ottawa. Sofia’s first exposure to research was through a CO-OP placement in a microbiology lab where she worked on numerous projects involving foodborne pathogen detection. This placement introduced her to a myriad of molecular biology and microbiology techniques, sparking her enthusiasm for wet lab work and transforming her perspective of research. During her honour’s thesis, Sofia worked with zebrafish to study fin regeneration and became fascinated by their broad application and utility in research.
Through her experiences, Sofia recognized her true interests lie in clinical genetics, specifically pediatric genetic testing and newborn screening. This interest led her to the Medical Genomics program, where she aims to expand her knowledge of genomic methods and explore new areas to enrich her perspective of the medical genomics field.
Outside of academics, Sofia enjoys exploring different fitness studios, testing out new recipes, and spending time outdoors.
Weier Fan is a graduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics. She holds an Honour Bachelor of Science in Biology and Forensic Science from the University of Toronto.
During her undergraduate studies, Weier developed a deep passion for the sciences, especially in genetics. After graduating, she went on to work in the pre-incubation section of a microbiology lab at Bureau Veritas to gain hands-on experience. Her time there pushed her to further her education in genomics, where she hopes to apply her expertise and contribute to advancements in human genetics. Beyond academics, Weier enjoys cooking, travelling, and solving puzzles. You can also find her at a bubble tea shop or restaurant spending time with friends and family.
Connie Fierro is a Master of Health Science student in the University of Toronto’s Medical Genomics program. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, where she graduated with high distinction, specializing in Fundamental Genetics and its Applications. During her undergraduate studies, Connie pursued research at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Research Institute in the Ivakine Lab, where she worked on developing a CRISPRa system to target the mutant protein responsible for Frontotemporal dementia.
Beyond her research, Connie volunteers at the Fred A. Litwin Family Centre in Genetic Medicine at the University Health Network. She is passionate about clinical care and is pursuing an observership at Boomerang Health. She was actively involved in the UofT community, participating in the Fundamental Genetics and Its Applications Student Association (FGASA), the Human Biology Students’ Union, and Brain Changes (UofT Chapter). She also served as President of her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta.
Connie’s academic interests focus on cancer genetics, particularly rare pediatric cancers. She is confident that the Medical Genomics program will equip her with the skills and connections needed to make a meaningful impact in the field of pediatric care.
Nithya Gopalakrishnan is a first year Master’s in Health Science in Medical Genomics Candidate at the University of Toronto. Prior to her graduate studies, she moved from Alberta to Ontario to obtain her Honours Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Toronto with a dual major in Genome Biology and Health & Disease, and a minor in Immunology.
Over the course of her undergraduate degree, Nithya participated in a breadth of research projects, including as a summer research student in a gut microbiome paediatric immunology lab, a clinical research assistant under the department of Thoracic Surgery at Toronto General Hospital, and as a genetic engineer working to transform E. coli as a putative methanotroph with U of T’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team. Nithya has also been involved in community health work, completing a paediatric health fellowship with St. Michael’s Hospital geared around disseminating reproductive and mental health digital information to sociolinguistic enclaves in the GTA, and in volunteering for U of T’s sexual education centre as a means of furthering access to reproductive health supports for the community at large.
Outside of school, you can find Nithya trying to keep her herb garden alive, fermenting things in her cabinets and fridge, or biking around Toronto.
Lathursha Kalaranjan is a graduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Forensic Biology from the University of Toronto Mississauga. During the final year of her bachelor’s degree, Lathursha completed her honours capstone project designing and constructing research on expirated patterns through which she picked up on the intricacies of research and ethics. Simultaneously, she worked as a junior research assistant at the Hospital for Sick Children, where she worked in the recruitment of participants and collection of general data as well as biological samples.
During her undergraduate studies, Lathursha discovered her passion for computational biology and the applications of programming for biological research. She has taken several courses in bioinformatics, genomics, and population genetics through which she learned how to use Python, R, and command-line for biological computations. These experiences have sparked her interest in bioinformatics and population genetics as efficient avenues for medical research and personalized medicine.
Rohan Khan is currently a MHSc student at the University of Toronto in the Medical Genomics program who completed his BSc at the University of Calgary in Molecular and Microbial Biology. As part of the GEMM group at the University of Calgary, Rohan analyzed metagenomic sequences of thermophilic bacteria to identify high-temperature variants of the assA gene for potential use in bioremediation. Following his undergraduate degree, Rohan worked on developing machine learning models using 16S rRNA bacterial sequencing data to predict hydrocarbon sites.
Beyond research, Rohan is passionate about teaching and expanding access to education. He has worked as a tutor, helping students who faced challenges in traditional learning environments, and has also served as a business mentor, guiding students through the entrepreneurship process. These experiences have strengthened Rohan’s passions around making education more inclusive and teaching concepts to those unfamiliar with them. This, combined with his background in biology has fueled his interest in communicating science in a manner that is engaging and accessible to broader audiences.
His expertise in computational biology and next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis led him to transition from microbial genomics to human genetics. By joining the Medical Genomics program, Rohan hopes to explore NGS applications in medicine further. In the future, he wants to bridge his backgrounds in molecular biology, genetics, and computation to drive innovations in personalized healthcare through genomics.
Outside of academia, Rohan enjoys classical literature, playing badminton, and weightlifting.
Yusra Khan is a graduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Master of Health Science (MHSc) in Medical Genomics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Biochemistry from McMaster University.
During her undergraduate studies, Yusra conducted two research projects in Dr. Jonathon Stone’s lab, where she explored the resilience of biological organisms under extreme conditions. Her thesis focused on the effects of radiation on tardigrades, animals known for their survival capabilities. Through this work, she developed a strong interest in molecular biology, experimental design, and data analysis.
Beyond research, Yusra is currently involved in academia as a teaching assistant and a scientist in school volunteer. Her passion for science communication and education extends beyond the classroom, as she enjoys engaging with the latest advancements in genomics and their implications for personalized medicine.
Now, Yusra is eager to explore the intersection of genetics, bioinformatics, and clinical applications. She is particularly interested in how genomic data can inform precision medicine strategies and improve patient outcomes, specifically for cancer patients. She hopes to share insights on emerging trends in genomics, discuss the challenges and ethical considerations of the field, and highlight the latest research shaping the future of medicine.
Mahek Khatri is a Master of Health Science candidate in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Botany and a Master of Science in Cytogenetics, Molecular Biology, and Plant Biotechnology from the University of Mumbai, India. While her fascination with genetics began in middle school, it was during her undergraduate studies that her passion for genetics and genomics truly solidified.
During her graduate studies in India, Mahek completed two thesis projects—one focused on detecting chromosomal abnormalities in couples with bad obstetric history and infertility through karyotyping, and another on the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities in high-risk pregnancies using cytogenetic techniques. She gained hands-on experience in a genetic testing laboratory under Dr. Usha Dave, an experience that deepened her interest in medical genomics and its clinical applications.
Mahek is passionate about expanding global access to genomic testing and advocating for its integration into clinical practice, particularly in the context of personalized medicine. She envisions a healthcare system where genomics plays a central role in individualized treatment approaches.
Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Mahek enjoys spending time with loved ones, customizing shoes, and painting anything she can get her hands on.
Kayla Krolikowski is a Master of Health Science (MHSc) student in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences, Specializing in Health Sciences with Biology, with a Major in Genetics from the University of Western Ontario. During her final year of undergraduate studies, Kayla completed a practicum at Health Experiences Canada, contributing to various projects, including a scoping review on long COVID in primary care. She then worked as a research trainee at the University of Toronto, conducting an environmental scan of training programs in Ontario designed to enhance patient engagement in learning health systems.
As a graduate student, she aims to combine her knowledge of public health with her interest in genomics and the clinical implementation of genetic technologies. With the hope of ultimately improving the quality of life for patients.
Currently, Kayla volunteers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Dr. Robin Hayeems laboratory and contributes as a baseline curator with ClinGen. Additionally, she mentors high school students, helping them explore their interests in STEM. Outside of her academic pursuits, Kayla enjoys running, experimenting with new recipes, and spending time with family and friends.
Yael Kvint is a graduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology from York University. During her time at York, she focused most of her upper-year courses in genetics and genomics. Already deeply interested in applied genetics, Yael found that these courses further fueled her passion for the rapidly evolving field.
In the final year of her undergraduate studies, Yael completed an honours thesis analyzing the transcriptome of the Pokeweed plant. The bioinformatics aspect of her project captivated her interest, highlighting how meaningful insights could be generated from a large, complex pool of genetic data.
Beyond her academic tenure, Yael volunteered at a cardiology clinic, where she shadowed a registered genetic counsellor. This unique experience allowed her to witness the challenges bridging clinical and laboratory practices, as well as the impact of these gaps on patient care. It was this exposure that funneled her focus towards the specialized field of medical genomics. Throughout her graduate studies, Yael aims to develop a versatile skillset tailored to the genomics sector, aspiring to contribute to the large-scale integration of precision medicine into healthcare over the coming years.
Amy Li is a graduate student at the University of Toronto, where she is pursuing a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Medical Science with a specialization in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences from the University of Western Ontario.
Amy’s passion for variant interpretation began during her undergraduate years, where she learned about the critical role of human genetic variation in health and disease. As a summer research student in the Héon Lab at SickKids, she performed next-generation sequencing to study the segregation of two rare variants in a patient affected by coloboma. She further honed her bioinformatics skills in an undergraduate course, analyzing next-generation sequencing data to investigate evolutionary patterns, adaptation, and disease epidemiology. Together, these experiences sparked her interest in variant analysis and bioinformatics, inspiring her to make a meaningful impact in the field. Looking ahead, she aims to apply and develop computational tools to assess the clinical significance of genetic variants and their impact on patient outcomes.
Beyond her academic and research endeavors, Amy enjoys dancing, listening to podcasts, thrifting, and traveling. She is currently a Research Volunteer at the Computational Cancer Genomics Lab at the Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower.
Michelle Mariaprabhu is a Master of Health Science student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences with an Interdisciplinary Minor in Sustainability from McMaster University. As part of her thesis project under the Department of Health, Evidence, and Impact, Michelle examined the impact of arsenic exposure in water on maternal health outcomes, analyzing research to identify key patterns and implications for public health.This role sharpened her ability to evaluate how environmental and genetic factors intersect to influence reproductive health outcomes.
Michelle’s background in research and current graduate studies have deepened her interest in prenatal screening and diagnostics, reproductive and cancer genetics, and the role of precision medicine in advancing maternal and women’s health. She is committed to advancing innovations that enhance patient outcomes, advocating for equitable access to genetic healthcare, and bridging the gap between data and clinical practice. Driven by a passion for science communication, Michelle seeks to transform complex discoveries into clear, accessible insights, ensuring scientific advancements reach and benefit those who need them most.
Michelle is currently a volunteer at the HIV Prevention Lab and a Research Assistant at the HOPE Centre at Toronto Metropolitan University. Outside of academics, she enjoys exploring Toronto’s vibrant food scene, spontaneous travels, live music, and outdoor adventures, always with a camera in hand to capture it all!
Putri Ramadani is a graduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Master of Health Sciences in Medical Genomics. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Indonesia, on a scholarship and was later awarded a full scholarship from the Indonesian Government to continue her graduate studies overseas.
Her interest in genomics emerged while working on the policy, cost, and clinical outcomes evaluation of Indonesia’s HPV vaccination program, a project led by Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) Indonesia. This experience, along with her participation in the MIT X BioFarma Hackathon 2023, solidified her passion for integrating genomics and healthcare innovation.
Currently, Putri is a part-time Bioinformatics Intern at Kalbe Farma, Indonesia’s largest pharmaceutical company, where she collaborates remotely with AI engineers to develop digital healthcare innovations. This role has deepened her enthusiasm to learn programming and its applications in genomics and bioinformatics. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, she is the co-founder and mentor at ScholarSoed, a youth community dedicated to helping Indonesians pursue graduate studies through scholarships.
Michelle Spivak is a graduate student in the Medical Genomics program. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto where she majored in Fundamental Genetics and Its Applications and Genome Biology. Her previous research focused on using model organisms to investigate genetic mechanisms, applying next-generation sequencing to identify genetic variants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and leveraging CRISPR-based tools, site-directed mutagenesis, and recombinant protein expression to analyze the plant shikimate pathway.
Michelle contributed to patient care at the Bhalwani Familial Cancer Clinic and the Breast Cancer Gene Carrier Clinic at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, assisting with clinical operations for individuals undergoing genetic counseling for hereditary cancer risk. Beyond her research and clinical work, she supported the commercialization of health innovations at MaRS and the Ontario Brain Institute, helping early-stage startups translate scientific discoveries into real-world applications. Michelle aims to continue bridging the gap between research and practice by leveraging genomic insights to enhance healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.
Olivia Tesolin is a graduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences, with a specialization in cancer research.
During her time at Queen’s University, Olivia was captivated by the intricacies of genomics and its potential to revolutionize biomedical and cancer research. She continued this journey with an undergraduate thesis in cancer biology and genetics under the supervision of Dr. Harriet Feilotter. Her research focused on investigating the potential limitations and clinical utility of liquid biopsy testing earlier in patient assessment and to augment tissue biopsy testing for lung adenocarcinoma. This experience propelled her to continue graduate studies in this field, deepening her expertise in medical genomics. She continues to advance her knowledge and skills as a research volunteer with Dr. Rebekah Jobling, conducting genome analysis at the Cardiac Genome Clinic and in pharmacogenomic validation projects led by Dr. Lei Fu at the Sunnybrook Research Institute and Dr. David Yuan at the European Bioinformatics Institute.
Olivia hopes to advance her knowledge and career at the vanguard of the field, as there are many growing opportunities between the development of new technologies and clinical service. Her interests lie at the intersection of discovery and implementation. Engaging with peers and experts while gaining insights into the field fuels her passion. She loves to connect with others and is always happy to chat. Reach out to her and stay tuned for her upcoming work!
Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Olivia enjoys reading non-fiction, spending time with family and friends, and swimming, cycling, and running as a triathlete.
Erika Tvaskis is a graduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto in 2024, with a double major in Cell & Molecular Biology and Fundamental Genetics and Its Applications. During her undergraduate studies, Erika conducted an original research project in the Ringuette lab, investigating the role of SPARC (Secreted Protein, Acidic, Rich in Cysteine) on collagen deposition and hemocyte migration during Drosophila melanogaster embryogenesis. She continued working as a research assistant in the same lab until graduation, and also interned at a cancer support foundation and a health consulting and investment firm.
Erika is interested in applying computational methods to interpret genomic data and advance personalized medicine. She has a particular interest in epigenetics, CRISPR, organoids, and cancer research. Beyond the realm of biology, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and skating.
Isabella Vessio is a graduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science with a specialist in biology from the University of Toronto Mississauga. During her undergraduate career, Isabella conducted a systematic review to establish criteria for improving the validity of community science data and proposed alternative solutions. She also collaborated as a research scientist with the Global Urban Evolution Project (GLUE), contributing to a global effort to investigate whether urban environments influence adaptation in white clovers (Trifolium repens) through hydrogen cyanide production. These opportunities equipped her with a strong research background and practical and analytical skills, including bioinformatic and statistical methodologies for data analysis.
With a curiosity to explore clinical genetics, Isabella completed an internship with the Cancer Genetics and High-Risk program at Sunnybrook Hospital. She supported genetic counsellors with cancer risk assessments through the organization of genetic testing, patient education, and cancer screening program referrals. She continues volunteering with the program, learning about the efficiency of early cancer screening and genetic testing.
The acquisition of knowledge throughout her educational journey, combined with her own familial experiences, ignited and consolidated a passion for pursuing a career in genetics and genomics. Isabella has witnessed first-hand the impact that chronic and genetic health conditions can have on both an individual’s life and members of entire families. She hopes to contribute to increased screening for early disease detection, identify potential treatments for affected individuals, and promote advancements in individualized medicine, enabling it to be brought to the forefront of clinical practice.
Outside of her academic and career pursuits, you will likely find Isabella at a concert, baking homemade treats for loved ones, or getting lost in a good book.
Paula Zachcial is currently a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics student at the University of Toronto. She is an alum of the school, previously completing her Honours Bachelor of Science where she double majored in Neuroscience and Molecular Genetics & Microbiology with a minor in Psychology.
Her passions lie in the genetic exploration of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, with a particular emphasis on environmental contribution. Paula hopes her experience as a Pharmacy Assistant can help her apply this interest to the medical field to design better, multifaceted and more personalized treatments for those affected with these disorders. She aims to get into the field of neurogenetics and contribute to researching effective, patient-tailored treatment options by analyzing their genetic, epigenetic and psychological profiles. Outside of her studies, Paula enjoys weightlifting, travelling and dancing.
Quratulain Zulfiqar Ali is a clinical research professional with over a decade of clinical experience and a strong background in medical research, particularly in the field of genetics. She holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and is currently pursuing a Master of Health Science (MHSc) in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto, further solidifying her expertise in the intersection of genetics and medicine.
Specializing in genetic research, Quratulain has extensive experience with complex genetic epilepsies, exploring their causes and bridging the gap between genetic discoveries and clinical applications. Her role in the Adult Genetic Epilepsy (AGE) Lab as a Clinical Research Associate at Toronto Western Hospital has been pivotal in inspiring her pursuit of medical genomics. Working under Dr. Danielle Andrade, she witnessed the profound impact of genomics on patient outcomes. A strong advocate for the power of collaboration, Quratulain actively participates in local and international collaborations bringing together researchers from around the world to study the genetic basis of epilepsy.
Quratulain’s work includes studies on the adult phenotypes of genetic disorders such as CHD2 and SYNGAP1, as well as investigations into how genetic variants influence surgical outcomes in drug-resistant epilepsy. She has also explored the clinical implications of genetic findings, such as the use of an antiseizure medication Stiripentol in adults with Dravet syndrome, highlighting the importance of monitoring metabolic markers like ammonia and carnitine. Through her research, she not only aims to advance scientific understanding but also directly inform clinical practice, improving patient care.
Beyond her professional achievements, Quratulain is dedicated to community service and education. She volunteers with the Etobicoke Humane Society and St. John Ambulance, applying her medical expertise to support both human and animal welfare. In her personal time, she enjoys photography, particularly photojournalism, capturing the fleeting, everyday moments that often go unnoticed.
The Class of 2025
Pamela Alamilla is a graduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in molecular genetics, microbiology, and cell biology from the University of Toronto.
During her undergraduate studies, Pamela discovered a passion for programming that kickstarted her journey into the field of computational biology. She worked as a research assistant in the Osmond Lab, where she simulated diploid evolution over time and space and used Python to visualize the resulting coalescent trees in three dimensions. She then collaborated with faculty from the Department of Molecular Genetics to aid in the creation of an R programming course for undergraduate genetics students. These experiences deepened her interest in bioinformatics and ignited her desire to contribute meaningfully to this field. In the future, Pamela aims to develop innovative computer programs and methodologies with which to analyze large genomic datasets.
Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Pamela enjoys reading nonfiction, boxing, weightlifting, and travelling. She is currently a Surgical Technician at the Surgical Skills Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital.
C’airah Ceolin is currently a MHSc Medical Genomics candidate at the University of Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Science with specialized Honours in Genetics from the University of Western Ontario. In the final year of her bachelors degree, C’airah completed her honours thesis on the spatiotemporal characterization of nek2 during zebrafish early development under the supervision of Dr. Greg Kelly. C’airah’s primary academic interests lie in prenatal and pediatric diagnostic testing, personalized healthcare as well as the ethical and legal implications of genomic testing. C’airah is specifically interested in the genetic causes of pediatric diseases and translating genomic data into the health care system for improved patient care and treatment. Currently, C’airah volunteers with The Hospital for Sick Children (Sickkids) in Dr. Ashish Deshwar’s laboratory and with ClinGen assisting in variant annotation. Outside of her academic interests, C’airah enjoys hiking, painting and traveling.
Monica Chacón Grijalva is a graduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a MHSc in Medical Genomics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Guelph and an Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology from Seneca College. Her interest in the cancer field was propelled during her university studies, while completing a literature research project with Dr. Wei Zhang for targeting cancer biomarkers.
After graduating, Monica started working as a Stem Cell Specialist at the Philip S. Orsino Cell Processing Laboratory at the Princess Margaret Hospital. During her two years processing stem cell and bone marrow transplant products for cancer patients, she acquired invaluable experience in aseptic techniques and standard of care procedures. This experience sparked her interest in cancer diagnostics through bioinformatics, which she hopes to work for in the future. Outside academics, she enjoys traveling, animals, and the outdoors.
Rushil Dua is a first year Masters of Health Science in Medical Genomics student at the University of Toronto. He completed his Hons B.Sc in Biomedical Science at the University of Ottawa in 2023. Previously, he has taken many courses in genomics and genetics and has completed research projects in population genetics. In addition, he completed his honours thesis with the Beug Lab at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, understanding the role of specificity protein 3 in T-cell activation. He is currently working as a Literature Curator with the Toronto biotech startup Deep Genomics and is becoming increasingly interested in the role of non-coding RNA in gene regulation. Following this interest, he hopes to continue working in the RNA-therapy space and potentially pursue a related doctoral degree, or further explore the realm of gene editing technologies. Rushil also has an interest in science education and is hoping to teach genetics or genomics courses at a college or university level in the future.
Faizan Hasan is currently pursuing a MHSc degree in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Astronomy from McMaster University. Although the two disciplines might seem like an odd combination, they helped Faizan realize that he enjoyed computational work but was also passionate about research in medicine. Although the two are not commonly taught together, he recognized that the field of genomics offers a perfect blend of the two subjects and decided to whole-heartedly pursue it. During his undergraduate tenure, he successfully completed two genomics-related research projects in Dr. Jonathon Stone’s lab, computationally analyzing the effects of synonymous codon usage bias in thermophilic prokaryotes. He also honed his wet-lab skills by working as a microbiology laboratory intern during the summer. Faizan now volunteers in Dr Gary Bader’s Lab, helping with various tasks related to developing and testing their recently published computational tool called BIONIC. In addition to his academic work, Faizan is passionate about helping the community, volunteering at PATHWAYS to tutor high school students from low-income households at risk of dropping out. He also enjoys playing the guitar, reading books, and cooking somewhat decent food.
Erin Hsue is a graduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in English & Cultural Studies from McMaster University. During her undergraduate career, Erin served as a Research Assistant at Hamilton Health Sciences, investigating the clinical significance of the ABCA4 (p.2588G>C, p.G863A) variant in patients with bilateral optic atrophy. Additionally, she worked as a Staff Writer at Her Campus McMaster, authoring monthly articles covering diverse topics aimed at female university students.
Erin’s interests are centred around the intersection of her undergraduate studies and experiences, which blend elements of genomics and communication. She is enthusiastic about using her interdisciplinary background to combat healthcare inequities – particularly in the lack of genetic testing in marginalized communities, and bridging the communication gap in genomics.
Currently, Erin volunteers in the Cancer Clinical Research Unit at Princes Margaret Cancer Centre, collaborating with patient partners (CHARM, OHCRN, UNIFY) and preparing donor reports. She also serves as a baseline curator at ClinGen. In her leisure, you’ll find Erin immersed in pages of a captivating novel, savouring culinary adventures, or engaging in many rounds of mahjong with family and friends.
Kobe Huynh is a graduate student in the MHSc Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. He obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queen’s University. During his undergraduate degree, Kobe volunteered at Science for All Audiences, a non-profit organization that aims to the reduce the literacy gap between the public and scientists. Kobe is passionate about bioinformatics and computational data analysis. He is interested in the intersection of medical genomics, bioinformatics, and data science leading to the advancement of personalized medicine. Outside of academics, he enjoys cooking, watching films, and photography.
Areeba Imran completed her undergraduate degree in the Honour’s Life Sciences Program at McMaster University in 2023. Exposed to an interdisciplinary approach to science, she developed a passion for research and genetics. This led to her completing her undergraduate honour’s thesis in pediatric genetic syndromes, focusing on the clinical utility of epi-signature testing. The success of her thesis led her to pursue her graduate studies at the University of Toronto. She is a MHSc Medical Genomics candidate and strives to solidify her skills in bioinformatics tools.
Currently, Areeba has joined the Graduate Peer Support Network at the University of Toronto as the Research and Advocacy co-lead and is working with ClinGen as a comprehensive curator for somatic variants. She hopes to utilize the skills she learns from her master’s degree to make genomics more accessible. She is interested in learning more about genomic technologies that can revolutionize the field of genetics in the coming years.
Azin Keshavarz holds a bachelor’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology and is currently a student in MHSc. Medical Genomics. With a strong belief in the potential of integrating genomics data into treatment strategies, she finds alignment with the program’s objectives. Joining Dr. Moein Farshchian’s lab marked a crucial turning point for her, where she acquired skills in Linux bash scripting, RNA-seq data analysis, and R programming while actively contributing to research on diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She has enriched her academic journey through teaching assistantships and international courses, where she expanded her knowledge of medical bioinformatics. Azin envisions her long-term goals in translational research, investigating the role of non-coding RNAs and transcription regulation in disease initiation and progression. Azin aims to contribute to advancing precision medicine clinical research by interpreting -omics data, thereby shaping the future of innovative healthcare solutions.
Outside the academic hustle, she finds joy in photography and unwinds by playing classical guitar.
Heidi Li is currently a graduate student in the M.H.Sc Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She received an Honours Bachelor of Science in Immunology and Human Biology from the University of Toronto. During her fourth-year research project, which focused on enteric adenovirus, Heidi picked up her interests in laboratory science and virology. After graduation, she joined a COVID-19 testing laboratory at Sunnybrook Hospital as a lab technician, where whole genome sequencing technologies were used for pathogen genome analysis. This experience inspired Heidi a lot, fostering a strong interest in computational virology and medical genomics.
Heidi aims to strengthen her knowledge in genomics and genomic analysis and to explore advanced sequencing technologies through the Medical Genomics program. Ultimately, Heidi hopes to contribute to the interdisciplinary field of genomic analysis with a specialization in pathogen genomic surveillance. During her free time, Heidi is also passionate about painting, pencil sketching, and scientific illustration.
Jasmine Li is a M.H.Sc student in the Medical Genomics Program at the University of Toronto. She obtained her Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto, with a double major of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology and Health & Disease. To pursue her passion in genetics, she was a research student and volunteer at the Hospital for Sick Children. Her thesis project was focused on the development of mice embryonic hearts with the deletion of ATRX. During the experience, she gained wet lab experiences and developed interest in combining genomic data with the application of computational tools. She believes that the usage of computational tools in genetics and biological science can reach the goal of personalized medicine. Currently, Jasmine is keen and eager to explore how the combination of bioinformatics and genomic data can improve the healthcare system. She thinks that one of the major goals in doing research is to find treatments for the suffering patients. Learning life science is to find cures for diseases. Outside of class, Jasmine loves traveling and cooking.
Lekshmi Mohan is a Master of Health Sciences candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. Her experience in the program has drastically changed her viewpoint of human lives – she says that the greatest miracle of all are human beings, and that our mere existence itself is an unbelievable miracle! Lekshmi earned her Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology from the Vellore Institute of Technology, India. During her Bachelor’s, she represented her University at the OMICS Group Conference and was awarded a recognition for Young Researcher by winning the first place on her topic ‘Drugs for Epimutation obtained from natural products – in-silico drug design’. Her passion for research in the field got her to publish 4 research papers in reputed journals. This landed her a fully funded Research Scholar position at the School of Pharmacy- University of Queensland, Australia, for conducting her thesis component. Her thesis focussed on the development of a system for site specific incorporation of adjuvants with folded protein antigen group: against Streptococcus Pyogenes.
She has a wide exposure and an ability to network with people from different backgrounds as she has lived and studied in Saudi Arabia, India, Australia, and Canada. Prior to starting her master’s program, she worked as a Chemist and a Quality Control Food Inspector in Toronto and Ottawa. Since curiosity in health and community is her main driving force, she went on to receive a post graduate Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology from Centennial College, a Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Affairs- Sciences from Algonquin College, and a certificate in Indigenous Canada from the University of Alberta. All these interests stem from her passion of wanting to contribute to the community since she firmly believes that health is a fundamental right of humans and that equity be served all throughout.
To add on to her love for the community, she was involved in many volunteering services as well. She completed two marathons in India for raising money and awareness for the treatment of Cancer, taught Science to the underprivileged kids of India, and contributed to a charitable initiative called ‘Together Project’ in Toronto by helping new immigrants and refugees find a community for themselves. She is currently volunteering with the Fred Victor homeless shelter to bring a positive change in the lives of homeless and low-income people living across Toronto.
Outside of her academic pursuit, she is a great artist – she loves to dance, sing, and draw. She also enjoys spending time with her family, biking, going out on long walks in nature, and travelling to explore different cultures and cuisines.
Aastha Patel, currently a Master of Health Science candidate in the University of Toronto Medical Genomics program, completed her BSc at McMaster University with a double major in Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour. Following an independent study in the Kolasa lab, Aastha embarked on an honors thesis under the guidance of Susan Marsh-Rollo. In her thesis, Aastha delved into the exploration of eye lateralization in the Ocellated Wrasse, analyzing preferential eye use during stimulus viewing to infer behavioral lateralization in the brain. In a broader scope, she sought to understand the role of brain lateralization in the evolution of vertebrate behaviors.
In addition to her research at the Kolasa lab, Aastha volunteered for the Neurotechnology and Neuroplasticity Lab, contributing to social bias research focused on the impact of childhood trauma on adult sense of agency. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Aastha actively engaged in community service in Hamilton. Notably, her time spent at the Ron Joyce Health Centre left a profound impact, fostering meaningful connections with children through activities such as cooking and craft classes.
Through her volunteering in clinical spaces, such as her time at the Ron Joyce Health Centre, Aastha witnessed firsthand the benefits of personalized medicine. Additionally, her background in neuroscience and psychology fuels her curiosity about how advancements in genetics and genomics can contribute to those field. She anticipates that the Medical Genomics program will provide her with the knowledge and perspective necessary to enhance clinical practices and care for individuals in her community, aligning with her goal of making a meaningful impact in the clinical space.
Yash Patel is a Master of Health Science candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. He holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Honours Biochemistry at McMaster University. At McMaster University, Yash completed his senior thesis at the Yingfu Li lab where he was working with functional nucleic acids. His main project was on the development and characterization of novel DNAzymes for the rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of E. coli O157:H7. Yash has a publication on the use of functional nucleic acids for a bacterial detection platform in Wiley’s DNA Nanotechnology for Cell Research: From Bioanalysis to Biomedicine. Yash enrolled in the Medical Genomics program to gain a deeper understanding and technical skills related to the new era of genomics research, where genomic data is becoming increasingly common and novel therapies are focused on gene therapies. Yash has continued interest in better understanding cancer, the immune system, and stem cells. Yash is interested in learning more about the computational tools related to genomic research. Yash wants to pursue a career in bioinformatics or a PhD to pursue his further passion in this field.
Sananda Pragalathan is a graduate student in the MHSc. Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate degree with honours in Biomedical Sciences specializing in Human Genetics from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, India. During her undergrad, Sananda was one of the recipients of the Chancellor’s Fellowship awards. She investigated the regulation of SFRPs in the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway using curcumin in cervical cancer with this grant. For her undergraduate thesis, she explored the associations of the MTR A2756G polymorphism from the folate metabolism pathway, with male infertility. Her desire to study medical genomics was motivated by her interest in genetics and the significance of genomics in patient care.
Amna Shah is a graduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Master of Health Sciences in Medical Genomics. She holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Nottingham, where she studied on a scholarship. In addition to receiving the Best Research Project and Best Research Proposal Pitch awards, she was honoured to be the Valedictorian for the class of 2020 at the School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham. Notably, her capstone project delved into uncovering the role of Cytochrome P450 (2E1) in the human brain, with a specific focus on Parkinson’s Disease through a literature review.
Amna’s commitment to empowering marginalized individuals went beyond her academic pursuits. For five years, she served as a youth leader at the Dignity for Children Foundation. In her role as the community leader, she organized mobile medical camps for urban refugees in Malaysia. Amna’s commitment to humanitarian causes led to her nomination for the “Youth in Design” pilot project at World Education Services (WES) Canada where she co-design solutions to tackle the gaps in social capital that refugee youth face to enter the labour market in Canada. Her advocacy work encompasses a range of issues, including sexual and gender-based violence, newcomer integration, and refugee rights, with a particular emphasis on improving access to education and healthcare.
Amna is deeply passionate about leveraging genomics for the betterment of healthcare as she is committed to policy work and aims to contribute to government roles, particularly in ensuring equitable access to education and healthcare for underrepresented groups. In addition to her academic pursuits, Amna serves as the Director of Opening Universities for Refugees. In her spare moments, she cherishes spending time with her loved ones and connecting with the world around her.
Farah Shah is currently pursuing MHSc Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. She obtained a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Nottingham. During her undergraduate research, she conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate fat phobia among health care practitioners using the fat phobia scale. Additionally, she delved into a literature review exploring the Effects of Adipokines on Insulin Signaling: are they Friends or Foes?
Farah volunteered as a Crisis Responder in the Community, assisting families grappling with mental health challenges, providing essential support to affected households, and disseminating disease awareness to diverse communities in multiple languages during the Covid-19 pandemic. She actively raised awareness about social issues on numerous platforms, leveraging her creative flair. She has experience of teaching science to high school students for around two years which inspired her to join the Content Developers’ team for Stem Cell Talks 2024 at the University of Toronto. She had the opportunity to shadow a pathologist at Sunnybrook Hospital, which offered a unique learning experience that deepened her understanding of pathology and clinical skills. Through her time volunteering at Michael Garron Hospital, she discovered the profound importance of speaking to patients in a way that resonates with them, making complex medical terms understandable and relatable. This skill, she found, wasn’t just helpful within the hospital walls; it was a key ingredient in unraveling the mysteries of genetic diseases in the world of genomics, where connecting with patients on a personal level is essential for meaningful progress.
Farah’s overarching goal is to enhance global access to genomic testing, advocating for its integration into clinical practice, particularly for personalized treatment approaches within the healthcare system. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, she finds solace in spending quality time with her family, immersing herself in nature, and embracing the beauty of life.
Renée Aline Smith obtained an Honors Bachelors in Science in Genetics and Biochemistry with a Minor in Psychology at the University of Western Ontario. She is currently a MHSc candidate in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. Renée’s interest in medical genomics stems from her patient experience as a type one diabetic and her urge to help others. She is incredibly passionate about being the change she wants to see in the world and to Renée that means providing actionable help to the projects she works on. Throughout her undergrad Renée worked in Vojislava Grbics lab at the University of Western Ontario researching molecular markers for pesticide resistance in Tetranychus urticae Koch. The projects she contributed to here spiked her interest in computational analysis for genetic variants associated with disease.
Alongside her passion for molecular biology, Renée is also passionate about psychology and psychiatry and its implications in medical genomics. This interest was sparked throughout her undergrad at Western where she chose to peruse a minor in psychology alongside her HBSc. Renée believes that studying psychology not only helped to show her niche interests in healthcare, but also thinks that understanding human behavior is the key to being able to make helpful changes in the field she works in. She is excited for her passion for science to be translated into more well-rounded and accommodating patient care when she enters the field.
Liliana Trajceska is currently a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics candidate at the University of Toronto. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Honours Biomedical Sciences with a minor in French Languages at the University of Waterloo. Liliana’s passion for genomics is driven by her curiosity in understanding the mechanisms underpinning uniqueness in humans and rare conditions. Her undergraduate studies in the biomedical field and current graduate studies have inspired her interest in studying reproductive genetics. She aspires to become a part of the field of reproductive genomics, where she can apply her skills to positively contribute to family care and integrate empathetic communication between clinicians and families. Outside of her academics, Liliana loves travelling, exploring new cities, and photographing the journey.
Andeep Turna is a dedicated scholar with a strong foundation in neuroscience and cell & molecular biology, having earned an Honors Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto. Currently pursuing a Master of Health Sciences in the Medical Genomics program at the same institution, Andeep’s academic journey is marked by a passion for precision healthcare and the intersection of computational data analysis and deep learning models in addressing genetic diseases.
With a keen eye for social justice, Andeep envisions the transformative potential of computational biology research in dismantling socio-economic barriers and mitigating racial biases pervasive in diagnostic medicine. His commitment to advocacy spans various fronts, evidenced by his leadership role as the technical lead of Water Allies, where he championed social, women’s, and environmental rights throughout his undergraduate tenure.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Andeep demonstrated his dedication to community service by volunteering in his local hospital’s physical therapy and adult mental health wards. Beyond his academic and advocacy pursuits, Andeep finds solace in creative writing and the creation of scientific educational content, showcasing his multifaceted interests and talents.
Driven by a profound sense of purpose, Andeep Turna aspires to leverage his growing expertise in medical genomics and computational biology to pioneer advancements in precision healthcare, foster inclusivity in diagnostic practices, and effect positive change on a societal scale.
Aisha Wada is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. She earned her medical degree from Gulf Medical University in the United Arab Emirates, graduating as the top student in her class. Her clinical experience includes both general medicine and pediatrics. Her passion for genetics and genomics originated from caring for patients with sickle cell disease in Nigeria and witnessing the diagnostic odyssey for children with rare diseases. She is driven by a desire to harness genomics as a tool to improve healthcare in the developing world. In her current role as a Senior Research Assistant in Oncology at the University of Calgary, she actively contributes to innovative research using real-world evidence. After her master’s degree, she plans to pursue training in both laboratory and clinical genetics, with special interests in reproductive, pediatric and oncology genetics.
Yuxi Yang is currently a graduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Master of Health Sciences in Medical Genomics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Human Biology, with a minor in Immunology from the University of Toronto in 2022. During her time as an undergrad, she had the opportunities to explore myeloma research in a lab at Princess Margaret cancer research tower, where she gained extensive experience on wet lab techniques. From this experience, she recognized the need of integrating computational methods in clinical research. Therefore, Yuxi started to look for other research opportunities which she believed was effective to delay the onset of diseases. Finally, she chose to complete her thesis project in Professor Ahmed El-Sohemy’s laboratory, where she investigated if genetic variations of aoc1 gene will affect the correlations between dietary histamine and plasma protein concentration expressions. These opportunities ignited her interest in genomic research, which led her to this current path.
Jade Zhang is a current graduate student at the University of Toronto completing a Master’s of Health Sciences in Medical Genomics. She obtained her Honour’s Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, specializing in Fundamental Genetics and Its Applications and majoring in Genome Biology. Jade’s interests lie across many different subjects, but she is extremely interested by the larger field of genomics, how it interplays with healthcare, and the potentials for integrating genomics into precision medicine. Jade’s journey into genetics and genomics began in her undergraduate studies, culminating in a final research project in the Costain Lab studying somatic cancer variants in the PTEN gene to leverage germline variant pathogenicity. It is through the combined experiences of her supervisors and professors alike that she pursued a master’s degree and she looks forward to implementing real change in the future.
The Class of 2024
Ilham Abbasi obtained a Bachelor of Science with specialized Honours in Biochemistry from York University, and is currently a MHSc Medical Genomics candidate at the University of Toronto. Her interests in genetic disease and computational data analysis were initially sparked by her honours thesis project during her undergraduate studies, where she examined the underlying causes of brain dysfunction in autism. To translate this passion to the field of genomics, she began volunteering at Rare Genomics Institute as a patient advocate associate and variant analyst. Here, she became well-versed in the process of obtaining genomic sequencing services and what it means for families as they navigate their results. Prior to beginning her Master’s studies, she worked as a research assistant at St. Michael’s Hospital, working on various qualitative studies for supporting accessible genetic testing for cancer patients. Her long term goals are to increase genomic testing and health service accessibility for marginalized communities, and to better inform clinical practice and care for ethnic minorities. When she’s not nose-deep in her academic pursuits, Ilham can be found releasing her creativity through the art of sculpting.
Syed A K Shifat Ahmed is a graduate student in the MHSc Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. He holds a doctorate degree from the University of Ulster, UK. In his PhD research he successfully applied the anti-quorum sensing (QS) ability of natural compounds to reduce virulence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. His research also involved in understanding the QS mediated adaptation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Cystic Fibrosis patients through transcriptomic and sequencing studies. He was a research fellow in the UK National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded project titled “Improving Health in Slums”, investigating healthcare availability and access among slum residents in Asia and Africa. He has a professional teaching experience of over 5 years at Independent University, Bangladesh. He is hoping to use the MHSc Medical Genomics program to learn about cutting-edge genomics research and bioinformatic tools in solving issues of clinical concerns. His current interest lies in understanding the role of human microbiome in health and disease.
Nowrin Aman is a Master of Health Sciences candidate in Medical Genomics at University of Toronto. She is a highly motivated and compassionate physician, passionate about clinical research and humanitarian work. She completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College, Bangladesh.
She has extensive experience working in challenging environments and has demonstrated exceptional clinical skills, organizing skills and empathy. She has worked in the largest refugee camp in the world, the Rohingya refugee camp, where she gained invaluable experience working with marginalized populations. She has been the Chair of the Organizing Committee of the largest medical students’ conference in Bangladesh, devoting her time and skills as a medical student in the development of professional and clinical skills of medical students across the country.
Currently, Nowrin is working at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Women’s College Hospital (WCH) as a Clinical Research Coordinator. Her highlighted projects involve gaining insight into genetic, environmental, and demographic risk factors for children diagnosed with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and the umbrella of glomerular diseases, in large prospective studies. Additionally, she is also working on a longitudinal study aiming to create a data repository of information study to understand the predictive risk factors of long-term survival in childhood solid organ transplants. During the pandemic, Nowrin worked on an observational study looking at duration of protective immunity and genetic risk predictors of antibody responses in COVID-19 recovered individuals.
Nowrin is a firm believer in bridging clinical knowledge and skills with genomics to apply them to practical applicable results. Her current focus is on pharmacogenomics and understudied kidney diseases in genomics. She hopes to integrate her knowledge and experience to improve patient outcomes and develop innovative treatment options for patients with kidney diseases.
When Nowrin is neither working nor studying, she enjoys sunbathing, biking and loves taking pictures. Her alter ego is a supermodel dancer.
Nina Anggala is a graduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Masters of Health Sciences in Medical Genomics. She holds a Bachelor of Science with High Distinction in Cell and Molecular Biology, with a double minor in Immunology and Physiology. Nina’s interest in the intersection between genetics and healthcare began with her role as a Medical Volunteer with the Global Brigades dispatch to El Paraíso, Honduras where a primary objective was tracking HPV infection rates across rural South America.
She is particularly interested in the socioeconomic implications of precision medicine. During her undergrad, she held an Administrator position within the Canadian Voices Against Racism (CANVAR) organization. She has previously interned with Stella’s Place, a mental health charity in Toronto providing free services to youth aged 13-29. Currently, she volunteers at Mount Sinai Hospital in Dr. Elena Greenfeld’s lab and with the ClinGen Cerebral Palsy Gene Curation Expert Panel. She is also a member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee within the Molecular Genetics Graduate Student Association.
Thomas Barbazuk is a graduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Masters of Health Sciences in Medical Genomics. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science with a specialization in Genetics from the University of Florida in 2021. Thomas’ primary academic interests lie in harnessing the power of transcriptomic approaches to elucidate the nuances in aberrant gene expression that typify carcinogenesis. Thomas is specifically interested in exploring tumor heterogeneity using cutting-edge spatial transcriptomic and scRNA sequencing methods. Outside of his academic pursuit, Thomas is a decorated interdisciplinary cyclist who has spent more than a decade riding between the tape.
Lise Cinq-Mars is currently a candidate in the Master of Health Science – Medical Genomics Program. She completed a BSc at Dalhousie University where she majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. Lise was a very successful varsity athlete, competing for Dalhousie’s Women’s Swim Team for five years of undergraduate studies. Lise qualified annually for USPORTS and consistently placed in the top 8 nationally. Her success and leadership in the pool earned her awards including Rookie of the Year, Swimmer of the Year, Academic All-Canadian, and was also voted Captain in her final two years. Lise is passionate about giving back to her community and volunteered at the Ronald McDonald Family Room in the Izaak Walton Killam Hospital for Children while living in Halifax. During the COVID-19 pandemic she volunteered as a Crisis Responder with Kids Help Phone, recognizing the surge of youth struggling with mental health. Lise currently works at The Hospital for Sick Children conducting COVID-19 research with Dr. Michelle Science and Dr. Julia Orkin. She hopes to take the knowledge from the Medical Genomics Program and apply it as she pursues an M.D. specializing in Pediatric Oncology.
Brooke Coe is currently perusing a Master of Health Science degree at the University of Toronto. She recently completed a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George, BC. For Brooke, this degree program sparked a distinct interest in genetics and medicine based on yearning to understand the underpinnings of human disease. However, while most of her colleagues decided to add hard science minors to their biochemistry degrees, Brooke was awestruck by socioeconomic inequities affecting rural health care in northern BC, thus she chose to add a Political Science minor onto her educational plate. It was this mix that allowed Brooke to explore the information gap between medical research and stakeholders in medicine, sparking a true passion for her. This is what led Brooke to the Medical Genomics program, where she hopes to utilize the training to open doors for genomic research implementation in clinical spaces, to educate civilians and policy makers on genomic research, and increase access to life-change genomic medicine. Beyond her academic and professional interests, Brooke enjoys spending time with her cat, watching reality TV, and baking tasty treats for her friends, family, and colleagues.
Kamalika Deka holds a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Genetics with specialization in Genetic Counselling from Vellore Institute of Technology, India and is a 2024 batch MHSc candidate in Medical Genomics program at University of Toronto. During her first graduate degree, she went on to complete her thesis on Genetic Counselling and Cytogenetics of Primary Amenorrhea. This propelled her interest in genetic counselling, and she went on to become a board-certified genetic counselor in India.
As a genetic counselor, Kamalika has counselled numerous cancer patients, addressing their queries related to genetic testing. She has worked on research exploring the prevalence of Epstein Barr Virus in breast cancer patients. She has also worked in a government-funded project, wherein the goal was to profile the breast cancer patients of North-East India and identify any at-risk family members via their BRCA gene status. Many different genetic techniques were compared during this project to find the one that was financially most effective. Through this project she understood the need for a specialized skillset to analyze the genetic data. Thus, she decided to pursue the Medical Genomics program.
Her long-term professional goal is to be able to contribute to cancer genomics research and improve the genetic diagnosis of diverse set of populations. Kamalika besides pursuing her academic passions, loves singing, watching true crime documentaries, and exploring multicultural cuisines while travelling.
Solomiya Hnatovska is a M.H.Sc. student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto (U of T). Her interest in genomics was sparked during her B.Sc. at U of T, where she completed a double major in Cell and Molecular Biology and in Genome Biology. Learning about the parasitic nature of transposable elements in her evolutionary genomics class inspired her to pursue research in this area. Through two consecutive undergraduate thesis projects, under the supervision of Professor Stephen Wright and Professor John Stinchcombe, she investigated the evolutionary dynamics of transposable elements, with a focus on their adaptive potential in an agriculturally invasive plant. With a continued interest in this topic, she completed a M.Sc. degree in the Wright Lab at U of T. Her, desire to learn how genomic information can be applied to solving human health problems has led her to her current degree. She is particularly interested the understanding the genomic and environmental risk factors underlying complex diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Outside of her genomics interests she enjoys drawing, painting, and getting outside into nature.
Vivian Hong is a M.H.Sc. candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Science with High Distinction at the University of Toronto, obtaining a double major in Molecular Genetics & Microbiology and Genome Biology. As part of the undergraduate work-study program, Vivian worked as a research assistant at the Enenkel Lab, which investigates proteasome dynamics and protein degradation pathways using yeast models. This opportunity sparked her interest in molecular genetics research for rare diseases. Currently, Vivian is a research volunteer with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in the Department of Rheumatology as part of the Hiraki Lab, which studies the genetics of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus (NLE). She is interested in clinical genetics research for rare diseases and the development of personalized medicine. Outside of academia, Vivian enjoys drawing, road trips, and binging TV shows with her friends.
Kevin Navarro Hernandez is a Master’s of Health Sciences candidate in the Medical Genomics program and the class representative at the University of Toronto. He obtained his co-op undergraduate degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Through his co-op degree, he gained wet lab and in silico experience in biomedical fields. Kevin is a very passionate and hardworking person who has had to overcome many challenges as an international student. Despite these obstacles, he has always found a way to succeed and keep going forward in his path to becoming a professional in the field of genomics. His interest and passion for genomics helped him find the path he is currently pursuing. Kevin aims to be a pioneer in the field of medical genomics by revolutionizing the healthcare system. He believes Next Generation Sequencing has the potential to give us an edge towards preventative and personalized medicine which could improve the health care system as we know it.
Mailoan Panchalingam is a current graduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. He holds a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in Microbiology from the University of Waterloo. During his time here, he was enrolled in the co-op program and received a placement as a research assistant at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre within a cancer treatment focussed lab. While working in this lab, he was given multiple research projects involving using ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles to treat prostate cancer (PC-3) tumours within in vivo rabbit samples. The research experience he had gained in this lab ignited his passion towards learning more about genetic cancer mechanisms and how they can be applied to therapeutics. This passion drove him to apply to the Medical Genomics program with the end goal of one day being able to work in a cancer immunotherapy focussed research lab and possibly even earn a PhD in the near future. As of right now, he plans to learn more about the clinical aspects of variant analysis in a cancer diagnosis and treatment through the Medical Genomics program.
Pooja Kiran Ravi is a current Master’s of Health Science candidate in the Medical Genomics program at University of Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and a Master of Science in Biotechnology degree from University of South Florida. During her bachelor’s she volunteered at a computational biology lab that fanned the flames of her ever present interest in genomics. After graduating and working in various fields related to her masters, her work at Hussman Institute of Human Genomics in Miami, FL was her stepping stone to learning more in the field of genomic data. She follows her family’s footsteps in atypical education trajectories and her insatiable curiosity led her to the MedGen program. She’s passionate about studying Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric diseases using bioinformatic methodologies and is looking forward to contribute to the field by bringing in her unique perspective.
Outside of her work and education, Pooja spends her time enjoying the cold Canadian weather, reading, baking and counting the days before she’s reunited with her puppy who lives in India.
Kajeetha Sarvananthan is currently a Master’s of Health Sciences candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics from McMaster University. During her time as an undergraduate student, she was able to explore different venues of research by working at a clinical cardiovascular lab that studied endothelial function and completing a thesis project studying acquired resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana.
She has worked in multiple medical diagnostic laboratories assisting with COVID-19 testing and vaccine validation which was the start to her interest in medical genomics. Exploring various clinical diagnostic labs had led her to her role as a lab technician at LifeLabs Genetics where she assisted with the non-invasive prenatal testing workflow and screening patient requisitions for hereditary cancer panels and NTRK fusion testing. Being exposed to the potential of next generation sequencing and sequential testing in the realm of genetics had garnered her passion in variant analysis.
Coupled with her ever evolving interest in cancer genetics she hopes that one day she could contribute to the field of oncogenomics and help add to the repertoire of clinically actionable therapeutic targets in cancer diagnosis. In her free time Kajeetha loves to do photography, write poetry, go hiking and conquer escape rooms!
James Sayre joined the Master’s of Health Science in Medical Genomics program as a new candidate – and Torontonian – in Fall 2022. Coming from Halifax Nova Scotia, James completed his undergraduate at Dalhousie University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and a certificate in Environmental Impact Assessment. As an interdisciplinarian, James’ interests lie at the intersection of political economy, genomic medicine, and health care delivery. James is passionate about the positive potential of genomics in all areas of care, and wants to help the field continue to meaningfully contribute to improving patient outcomes for the Pan-Canadian community.
Sean Williams is a current graduate student in the Master of Health Science Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. He completed his Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto in 2022, where he double majored in Health & Disease and Genome Biology and minored in Immunology. He has always been naturally interested in the mechanisms of disease and understanding the impact that disorders can have on the human body. Combined with his fascination with human genetics, Sean is interested in understanding rare and complex disorders and studying new therapeutic avenues through the genomic lens. Specifically, he is interested in the role of genomics in personalized medicine. Outside of his studies, Sean is an avid comic book fan, and he enjoys watching movies & tv shows and drawing.
The Class of 2023
Tanvi Anandampillai is currently a Master’s of Health Sciences candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Toronto. During Tanvi’s undergrad, she was a research assistant at the Yuzwa Lab, where she worked on understanding how neural precursor cells in the developing mammalian brain respond to extrinsic cues in their microenvironment. In her final year, she completed her undergraduate thesis on the role of microglial cells in neurodegenerative disorders and how modulating these cells via small molecule inhibitors helps to decrease disease progression. She is interested in pharmacogenomics and precision medicine and aims to further this interest either by pursuing a PhD or as a senior laboratory professional at a biotech company.
Anahita Bahreini-Esfahani is a graduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She holds a BSc. with high distinction specializing in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto, which sparked her primary interest in the complex interaction between genomics, environment, and disease. She has been involved in several research projects with diverse topics. In her third year of undergraduate studies, she translated ancient 13th century poetry from Farsi to English. In her final year of undergraduate studies, her thesis focused on how 3D learning impacts student learning in cell molecular biology. She is currently involved with the SEDI (Social-Emotional Development and Intervention) lab at UTM, investigating how the COVID-19 pandemic affects children aged 3-8 years old. Anahita is no stranger to Canada’s healthcare system as she is involved in both The Hospital for Sick Children (Sickkids) and Trillium Health Partners as a volunteer and patient information clerk. Anahita plans on taking her knowledge from the medical genomics program to medical school with a focus on clinical genetics. Anahita’s academic interests include the role of genetics in stem cells, particularly induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), cancer research and personalized medicine. Outside of academia, she loves travelling, skygazing and reading historical novels.
Kassandra Bisson is a graduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Masters of Health Sciences in Medical Genomics. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Science in Biopharmaceutical Sciences specializing in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Ottawa in 2021. During her undergrad, she worked as a research assistant at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Ottawa, ON, wherein she explored molecular identification and detection of fungal plant pathogens. This undergraduate research opportunity allowed her to discover a newfound passion for molecular genetics and genomics research. Her current academic interests primarily focus on pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine, as well as the interplay between the human genome and the microbiome.
Hamid Farahmand is a M.H.Sc. Medical Genomics candidate at the University of Toronto.He commenced his academics with a Bachelor of Fisheries and Environment Science at the University of Tehran. He started his genetics studies when he became engaged with his master’s thesis regarding chromosome sex manipulation and sex control in the common carp. He then pursued this fascination with his doctoral thesis on the antisense technology to produce reversible sterility in tilapia using the transgenic approach, under the supervision of Professor Norman Maclean at the University of Southampton, UK. He was an educator and a researcher in the field of fisheries biotechnology, and in particular the use of genomics approaches for commercial applications. Following graduation, his conducted two years of research at the University of Rhode Island, USA. He also has two years research experience at the University of Windsor, Canada. Currently, he is upgrading his knowledge in the field of Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. His main interests are cancer genomics and pharmacogenomics to understand how genomics can be incorporated into these areas of medicine. He is also interested in reproductive genomics.
Yayra Gbotsyo is an M.H.Sc. student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS. Her appreciation for genomics began in her second year of university when she was introduced to the Human Genome Project and its offshoot of exciting advances in medicine and healthcare. She was fascinated by the proposed directions of human genetics to develop therapeutic solutions for ‘genetic mishaps’ such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
With this passion, Yayra pursued an Honor’s project working in the labs of Drs. Tom MacRae and Laura Weir, where she gained valuable research experience studying the gene expression of Heat Shock Proteins. She also had amazing opportunities to shadow an Oncopathologist at the Queen Elizabeth II hospital (Halifax, NS) and worked on the pediatric Oncology & Hematology Unit of the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (Halifax, NS) where she observed many cancer diagnoses and various treatment strategies for combating them. With the rapid progression of gene evolution in cancer, these were eye-opening experiences that helped her understand how important correct diagnoses are for patients. Yayra hopes to one day contribute to cancer research after completing her M.H.Sc., as well as help improve genetic research into diseases that specifically plague individuals of lower minority, such as the Black community.
Outside of her academics, Yayra enjoys playing the guitar and spending her summer in recreational soccer leagues.
George Guirguis is currently a Master’s of Health Science candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. He has completed his Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the Memorial University of Newfoundland in Nutritional Biochemistry. His honours project investigated the effects of exercise and post-exercise meals on the lipid profile of red blood cells. During his undergraduate studies, George developed a passion for the field of genetics and wished to pursue it further and apply it to advance personalized medicine. In his free time, George enjoys hiking, reading, and is a licensed pilot.
Sornnujah Kathirgamanathan is currently a graduate student in the M.H.Sc Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She obtained her H.B.Sc in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Toronto in 2021, during which she developed a strong interest in bioinformatics. This newfound fascination led her to complete a minor in Computer Science, during which she gained an appreciation for the importance of computational approaches to analyze the vast amounts of genomic data available – one of the current bottlenecks in the field. Her future goal is to be able to bridge her scientific curiosity with her desire to provide compassionate care for others. Outside her school work, Sornnujah tries to be an active member of her community. She currently volunteers as a Kids Help Phone Crisis Hotline Responder and works with Toronto Public Health’s COVID-19 Response Team. Sornnujah is also one of two Medical Genomics Representatives in the Molecular Genetics Graduate Student Association for the year 2022-2023.
Yasmeen Kurdi is currently a MHSc candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She graduated in 2020 from the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus with an Honors Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology. As part of her undergraduate thesis project, Yasmeen worked on bio-engineering probiotic yeast cells to express anti-inflammatory proteins as a potential therapeutic for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Furthermore, she was a research assistant at Toronto General Hospital and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, working on patient enrollment in clinical trials and conducting a systematic literature review on the late effects of endocrine therapies in postmenopausal women with breast cancer, respectively. Most recently, Yasmeen worked at Dynacare as a clinical laboratory assistant in the COVID-19 department, which sparked her interest in leveraging genomic data to better inform disease diagnosis, therapy, and prevention. In particular, she is very passionate about championing research in the realm of women’s health – a field she believes is understudied and underfunded. Outside of academia, Yasmeen enjoys keeping active, being a fiction bookworm and frequenting karaoke lounges with friends.
Meredith Laver is a M.HSc. student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto, and a graduate of the Molecular Genetics undergraduate program. She is pursuing a career as a Clinical Geneticist and is passionate about improving the quality of medical care through compassion and a thorough approach to diagnosis and care. Her research interests include the genetic basis of neuropsychiatric disorders, pharmacogenetics testing, and drug development for rare genetic disorders. She completed an undergraduate research thesis investigating the principles of pharmacogenetic panel design and implementation. Meredith has volunteered at the Clinical Genetics department at North York General Hospital since 2018, where she assists with administration for the hereditary cancer clinic and other programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped to found and direct ALAB Resource Clinic, aimed at providing direct practical support and resources to unhoused people in shelters and encampments around Toronto.
Radhika Mahajan is currently a Master of Health Science candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Technology in Genetic Engineering from SRM University, India. During her undergrad, she explored different fields of genetics and gained practical experience in microbiology, forensics, and medical genetics.
Radhika worked as a research volunteer at a school for disabled children, where she studied their family history and provided counselling to their parents. This piqued her interest in the clinical aspect of genetics. With this professional goal in mind, Radhika did her final year thesis on regulation of gene expression by the epigenetic phenomenon of genomic imprinting, from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Before starting her Master’s, she spent a year volunteering with different organizations in India, where she provided counselling to mental health patients and HIV/AIDS positive patients. She also worked as a research assistant at a COVID-19 testing laboratory. Radhika is a motivated and passionate individual who is deeply fascinated by complex genetic disorders and plans to use the skills gained from the Medical Genomics program to work in research focused in this area. Outside of academics, she enjoys ice skating, watching movies and exploring different cuisines.
Alexandra Margaritescu is an MHSc candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto because she is fascinated by the application of genetic research in human care. She obtained her HBSc in Biology from the University of Toronto where she studied cell biology, evolutionary biology, plant and animal biology, and biostatistics. Her undergraduate thesis project focused on the influence of habitat and morphological characteristics in the vocalizations of passerine species. This was only the beginning of Alex’s pursuit into science, as she is currently exploring the rapidly developing field of genomic medicine. Having previously worked in specimen databasing at the Royal Ontario Museum, she now seeks to transfer these skills to other fields in biology, such as interpreting high throughput sequencing data and genetic variants. Currently, Alex enjoys learning about Mendelian disorders and their potential for gene therapy. Her love for animals led to her involvement in providing veterinary care for rodents used in research. She is currently working as a Laboratory Animal Technician at the Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research. Besides academia, Alex enjoys gaming or just being able to spend time around animals and nature.
Paul McKay is a medical genomics master’s student at the University of Toronto. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor concentration in French language from McGill University. During his four years at McGill, Paul was actively involved in various community initiatives that pushed him towards his current path of pursuing a career in genomic medicine. His community engagement includes being an acting member of the McGill Biochemistry Undergraduate Society for three consecutive years, being a McGill Science orientation week leader, and working as a volunteer in the Montreal Children’s hospital pediatric intensive care unit. Paul is currently beginning volunteer work with ClinGen, where through community-driven variant curation he hopes to contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of disease.
Saloni Modi is a Master of Health Science candidate in the Medical Genomics program at University of Toronto. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Science degree with a specialist in Health and Disease at the University of Toronto (St. George), with a focus in developmental biology. During Saloni’s undergraduate studies, she worked as a student research intern at the Sokolowski lab, where she worked with a PhD student in his research determining the role of protein isoforms in pleiotropy for foraging genes in the fruit fly – Drosophila melanogaster. In her final year, she completed her undergraduate thesis with the Dementia Ageing Technology Engagement (DATE) Lab under Dr. Arlene Astell where she focused on creating a SMART goal based visual aid for older adults to help implement change in health-related lifestyle. Before starting her Master’s, Saloni spent the summer working as a student researcher for the DATE lab where she became a part of the Interdisciplinary Trainee Research Innovation Challenge (iTRIC) group. For this, she actively worked on a study called CIRCA-CA with a group of qualified individuals from the University Health Network. This project was funded by a grant that through the iTRIC competition and the Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging. The research study was primarily based on creating a digital platform for older adults with cognitive impairment which helps them connect with their loved ones by presenting common topics for conversation. Along with this, in October 2021, Saloni was the main presenter at a conference held by the Canadian Association on Gerontology. She presented a poster version of a scoping review conducted by her and a co-researcher, titled “Older Adult Peer-Peer Group Engagement Supporting Health Objectives: A scoping Review”. Her experiences have led Saloni to become a driven and passionate individual with an eagerness to push the boundaries of science and fuel her knowledge. She hopes to work as a senior laboratory professional, where she can utilize her gained knowledge, experience and understanding of the fundamental development and genetic pathways which impact human health at the molecular level.
Elvira Mukharryamova holds a Bachelor of Science degree in cellular, molecular, and microbial biology from Thompson Rivers University and is currently an MHsc candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. During her undergraduate years, Elvira went on to complete two related research projects focusing on the subcellular architecture of eukaryotic cells. Specifically, she investigated the peculiar phenomenon of liquid-to-liquid phase separation that underlies the formation of cellular compartments in the absence of a lipid membrane. Elvira decided to pursue a career in medical genomics due to her dedication to the cause of prevention and treatment of genetic illnesses. As someone passionate about improving health outcomes for patients troubled by debilitating disorders, her long-term professional goal is to contribute toward the advancement of preventative and personalized medicinal approaches based on genomics.
Aside from genetics, teaching is another of Elvira’s greatest passions, which she was able to explore during her time as an undergraduate student. Before starting her master’s degree, Elvira held a position as a Supplemental Learning Mentor at Thompson Rivers University, where she provided academic support to first-year biology students. Elvira is currently working as an academic coach helping younger children to become interested in math and sciences. When she is not studying or teaching, Elvira enjoys spending her time practicing yoga, playing musical instruments, and exploring Toronto’s Jazz bars.
Celia Pennimpede is a graduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She graduated in 2021 with a Bachelors in Biochemistry from McGill University in Montreal. During her undergraduate degree, she enrolled in a Medical Genetics course which sparked her interest in the field. She is interested in learning more about rare and complex diseases and their genetic etiology. Throughout her studies, Celia worked in the field of customer success and developed a strong background in communications. She hopes to use her experience and bridge the communication gap in genomics in the future.
Neta Pipko is currently an MHSc in Medical Genomics candidate at the University of Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry with a specialization in Biomedical Research. During her undergraduate degree, she explored the scientific realm by working as a food microbiologist, a research student in an immunology lab, and explored her creative skills as a cosmetic scientist in the beauty industry. It was not until her senior thesis that she was introduced to the field of genomics and the existing gaps in clinical care. Her thesis work with Dr. Karun Singh involved delving into the complex genetics of autism spectrum disorder to identify common molecular pathways shared amongst autism risk genes. This sparked her interest to continue to explore the clinical and genetic heterogeneity surrounding neurodevelopment disorders. She is also very passionate about precision medicine, pharmacogenomics, and cancer genomics. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new cuisines, and spending time in the outdoors.
Milcah Sutanto obtained her Honours Bachelor of Science specializing in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Toronto and is now a Master’s of Health Sciences student in Medical Genomics. She is passionate about science education and clinical research. To pursue these interests, she volunteers and works at the Hospital for Sick Children and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, respectively. In her role at SickKids, she supports the rheumatological research and knowledge team with observational research activities and with creating social media content to bring awareness to rheumatological disorders and resources. At Sunnybrook, Milcah supports surgical oncology clinical trials, which has solidified her interest in health care outcomes research. Currently, Milcah is eager to explore how bioinformatics and machine learning can help ameliorate our healthcare system with the goal of improving patient healthcare experience and outcomes. Outside of academics and research, Milcah enjoys practicing her barista skills, baking sourdough bread, and cooking in her beloved Staub Dutch oven pot.
Gabriela Tanumihardja is currently pursuing her Master’s of Health Sciences in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. She completed her HBSc. double majoring in Neuroscience and Biochemistry with a minor in Psychology from the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. After a few years away from the field, Gaby obtained a Data Science diploma from BrainStation where she developed her passion for data. In pursuing her Master’s degree, Gaby is excited to combine her passions for human biology and data. Her academic interests particularly lay in the advancement of personalized medicine, big data and multi-omics research, and building interpretable and responsible machine learning models. In her spare time, Gaby enjoys travelling, experimenting with recipes in the kitchen, and hanging out with her two dogs.
Yuan Tian is currently a Master of Health Science candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She holds her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology and Statistics double major, Immunology minor from the University of Toronto. During her undergraduate, she has worked as a biostatistician assistant in Shandong Provincial hospital to analyze drug effect data of patients after thyroid cancer surgeries. After results analysis, she found relevant genes played an important role, which inspired her to consider applying statistics in the genetic field. Her zest to explore the efficient statistical method in genetic data analysis drove her to further study in the Medical Genomics program. She aspires to a clinical career as a genetic biostatistician, especially in drug use and dosage control. Her primary interest is to develop a statistical tool that can accurately predict drug use based on patient-related data. Outside of academics, Yuan loves music, especially musicals and symphonies.
Anthea Travas is pursuing a Master of Health Science in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Specialized Honours) degree at York University where she majored in Biology. Anthea spent most of her undergrad getting actively involved in various fields of genetics research, ranging from developmental genetics, population genetics and transcriptional regulation. As a Molecular Genetics research assistant, she has contributed to multiple Canada-wide Genome projects aimed at developing genetic-based tools to improve the decline of honeybee health. She also completed her thesis exploring the role of Small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) in degrading RNA polymerase II during UV-induced DNA damage. To accompany her love for wet-lab research, she has developed a keen interest in using computational techniques to analyze genomic data. Equipped with rapidly evolving bioinformatic tools, she is excited to bring genetics to the forefront of clinical practice. By merging these areas of expertise, Anthea hopes to discover new genotype-phenotype associations and facilitate the diagnosis of genetic diseases. Outside of genetics, Anthea enjoys channelling her creativity through painting, and she can often be found kilometres deep in a hiking trail.
The Class of 2022
Nihal Almenabawy is a medical genomics master’s student of at University of Toronto. She has MD degree in Pediatrics from Cairo university. Her MD thesis focused on novel gene discovery in patients with intellectual disability and brain malformation. She is a faculty member at Cairo university. She works in the field of pediatric neurology and metabolic disorders at Cairo University Children’s Hospital. She worked as a research fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital focusing on variant interpretation and candidate gene discovery in a cohort of patients recruited from Cairo University Children’s Hospital. She aims to bridge the gap between genomics medicine and clinical care by incorporating genomic information into clinical care to properly diagnose and manage her patients and to offer them the highest level of counseling and prenatal diagnosis. She is also interested in neurogenetic research and discovering new genes for diagnosing her patients and solving their mysteries. Outside academics, she enjoys outdoor activities as cycling, hiking and diving.
Liali Aljouda is currently a student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She is a medical doctor who obtained her medical degree from Palestine, after which she pursued a pediatric residency at Makassed hospital in Jerusalem. She has four years of experience working in the pediatric field, and she does not see herself leaving the practice anytime soon. Her main interest is studying clinical and metabolic genetic disorders in children. As she cares about her patients’ health and wants to provide solid, evidence-based advice, she pursued a master’s in medical genomics at the University of Toronto. She believes that genomics will provide her as a pediatrician with new and often unexpected insights into the biological basis of health and disease. She aims to integrate genomics into practice to provide better disease prevention, more accurate diagnosis, safer drug prescriptions and more effective treatments for the many diseases and conditions that affect health.
Emma Bohn is currently a Master’s of Health Sciences candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology & Genetics from McMaster University. During her time as a research assistant in the Cerebral Palsy Discovery Lab at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Emma has developed a keen interest in the complex genetic landscape underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. Through her experience in clinical and health economic research, she has contributed to large-scale evidence synthesis initiatives to support the development of clinical practice guidelines and tools demonstrating the value of novel therapeutic interventions. Emma looks forward to directing these skills and interests towards contributing to the development of evidence-based best practices that will help to guide healthcare decision-making and accelerate the implementation of genomic information into clinical practice.
Jordan Chalmers is a Master of Health Science candidate in the Medical Genomics program at University of Toronto. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Biology and Psychology at Queen’s University, with a focus in molecular biology. During Jordan’s undergrad, she worked as a student research intern at Princess Margaret Hospital, where she worked on clinical drug trials investigating novel drug-gene interactions with triple-negative breast cancer. In her final year, she completed her undergraduate thesis studying the insulin signalling pathway in C. elegans and the effects of insulin over-expression in different tissues to determine the possibility of tissue-directed therapy/treatments for diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. Before starting her Master’s, she spent a year working full time as a research laboratory tech in the genotyping facility at PMH. Jordan is a passionate and motivated individual with a thirst for knowledge and one who thrives on pushing the boundaries of science. She hopes to work as a senior laboratory professional, where she can utilize her gained knowledge and deeper understanding of the fundamental biological processes that directly impact human health at the molecular level.
Meredith Curtis completed her Honours BSc. with a specialization in Psychology and minor in Health Sciences in 2017 at the University of Ottawa. To pursue her interest in genomic medicine, Meredith worked as a research coordinator for various studies implementing whole-genome sequencing at the Hospital for Sick Children. From these experiences, she gained an appreciation for precision medicine and developed a keen interest in genome analysis and scientific communication. This led to her current pursuit of advancing her education as a MHSc candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto.
David Di Iorio holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo in Honors Co-op Biology and is currently a candidate for an MHSc in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. He has worked in various laboratory roles, including Molecular and Enzymology lab technician for Dr. Rose, the Chairman of Biology at the University of Waterloo. In this role, David conducted two research projects studying the genes of human gut microbiota proteins, their roles in starch utilization, and their clinical application in future diabetes treatment options.
Currently, David is endlessly fascinated by the genetics of aging, and their role in age related diseases. He hopes to one day be a part of the research that moves towards cures for common age relates diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Cancer.
David spends his free time volunteering at the Toronto Wildlife Center as a Wildlife Rehabilitator, where he works with veterinarians to provide safe and effective recovery of orphaned or injured wildlife via wound treatments and administration of medicine. When David is not pursuing his degree or volunteering, he can be found playing piano and drums, or reading an unnecessarily large fantasy novel.
David is currently a member of the Molecular Genetics Graduate Student Association for 2021-2022, as one of two Medical Genomics Representatives.
Karen Fang holds a HBSc in Forensic Science & Biology from Laurentian University. She absolutely enjoyed her undergraduate studies and liked learning about forensic DNA analysis and investigative techniques. She then moved into her role at SickKids where she focused on furthering the molecular characterization in Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) gliomas. Karen is currently in her graduate studies at the University of Toronto, where she will be completing a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics. She is passionate about cancer genomics and bioinformatics. In her free time, she enjoys camping/road trips, kickboxing, and various sports.
Anjali Jain is currently pursuing her MHSc in Medical Genomics from University of Toronto. She is a Gold Medallist from Amity University, India where she completed her B.Tech degree in Bioinformatics. Her zest to explore the field of Bioinformatics led her to undertake a variety of research projects during her undergrad. One such notable project was related to data mining where she identified genes linked to Type II Diabetes associated complications from the PubMed literature database. In addition, she worked at a start-up company based in Delhi where she contributed to the development of a software which aims to facilitate donor-recipient HLA matching in cases of organ transplantation. She has a strong interest in exploring the field of variant analysis and developing bioinformatics tools to analyse genomic data. She is deeply fascinated by precision medicine and hopes to contribute to bringing it into the clinic. Outside of academics, Anjali expresses her creativity through arts and craft and Bollywood dancing.
Ayesha Kidwai is a Master of Health Science student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She earned her Bachelor of Technology degree with high distinction in Biotechnology from Amity University, India. During her undergraduate project, she had the opportunity to investigate the genetic variants in CYP1A1 gene through restriction analysis in patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer at a renowned medical university in India. This ignited her interest into the promising field of genomic medicine. She is an avid learner with strong interest in studying human genetic variations and their role in tumorigenesis. Ayesha aspires to pursue her career as a variant analyst in a clinical setting with a goal of integrating her knowledge in precision medicine. She hopes to bridge the prevailing knowledge gap between the pioneering genomic research and the current clinical practices in oncology. Outside of genetics, Ayesha enjoys watching movies, taking long nature walks and exploring diverse cuisines in Toronto.
Daniel Kiss is a graduate student in the University of Toronto’s Medical Genomics program. He holds an HBSc with high distinction in Molecular Genetics and Cell & Systems Biology from the University of Toronto and is passionate about the humanization and personalization of applied genomic medicine. He has a background in applied biology and bioengineering, having held co-president and research and development positions for iGEM Toronto during his undergraduate degree, and was involved in various research projects involving microbial plastic degradation, enzyme engineering, and microbial metagenome analysis. He is currently working with the Canadian Synthetic Biology Education Research Group (CSBERG) to establish and implement an undergraduate level synthetic biology curriculum at a national level. Daniel plans to use the information and skills gained from the Medical Genomics program to further scientific communication and awareness in his communities and is passionate about the transdisciplinary integration of biological concepts into various industries. Outside of the academic world, Daniel is involved in the Toronto indie music scene, producing and performing with various musical acts, and holds volunteer positions at various youth mentorship programs.
Alex La Berge is a graduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She graduated in 2020 from the University of British Columbia, Okanagan with a Bachelor of Science with honours in Biology. For her undergraduate thesis, Alex studied the effects of the herbicide Glyphosate on mouse intestinal permeability and inflammation, and in this role developed a love for wet lab work. She is currently volunteering with ClinGen doing gene curation for gene-disease validity research. Alex knew from an early age that she was destined to be a scientist and that she wanted to make a positive change in the world. Her academic interests include cancer genetics, personalized medicine, and forensic biology. Outside of school and work, Alex enjoys being outdoors, camping, traveling, and playing piano. She is excited to see where the knowledge and skills from her graduate studies take her in the field of genetics and genomics!
Janice Li is a graduate student in the M.H.Sc. in Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate degree in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. During her undergraduate degree, she completed a research project on the anti-inflammatory effect of cranberry metabolites on human colorectal cells. As she pursued her study in both genetics and nutrition, she was introduced to the field of nutrigenomics and was attracted to the idea of personalized treatment through genomics and genetics in the clinical setting. Her academic interest lies on personalized medicine and the translation of genomic testing to clinical care. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and solving puzzles.
Elise Poole is a graduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at Brandon University, which sparked her interest in the genetic basis of disease. Elise has an eclectic research background, having previously worked on various aspects of ribosome assembly and ribosomopathies, barley genetics and integrated pest management. During her time as a research assistant, she sought to combine her ever-growing interests in genetics and molecular biology with her passion for medicine. Her primary interest now lies in the genetic basis of rare diseases, and hopes to help improve rare disease diagnostics and therapeutic options. In her spare time, Elise enjoys indoor cycling, yoga, board games and cold brew.
Vanessa Rokoszak is a graduate student currently pursuing her MHSc in Medical Genomics at UofT. She obtained her BSc in Life Sciences from Queen’s University, where she completed her undergraduate thesis work at the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute, investigating the effects of the Arpin gene in breast cancer metastasis. Vanessa is fascinated by complex genetic disorders and understanding gene-environment interactions. She is particularly interested in hereditary cancers, especially hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, and how to effectively provide genetic testing and counselling to at-risk populations. Outside of the classroom, Vanessa volunteers for Kids Help Phone as a crisis responder, and enjoys history and literature.
Harpreet Kaur is an educator and a researcher in the field of Human Genetics. She started her academics with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and delved deeper into the world of rDNA technology during her Master of Science in Microbial Gene Technology. Around the time of the human genome project, she started work on her doctoral thesis on the cytogenetic biomarkers for gamma rays for radiation dose assessment. She has spent the last decade as an educator, teaching genetics-related-courses to both medical and basic science undergraduates and graduates. Translational medicine excites her, and she has also pursued this through her research on the pharmacogenetics of pediatric leukemias. She also believes in quality patient-care delivered through diagnostics and was a team-lead for prenatal and cancer cytogenetic diagnosis. Currently she has taken a short break from the colourful world of chromosomes and is updating her knowledge in the fascinating field of Genomics through the MHSc program in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. She hopes to apply these new concepts to previously known domains that she is affiliated with and passionate about.
Victoria Shelton is a M.H.Sc candidate in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto where she obtained an Honours Bachelor degree in Science with a double Major in Genome Biology and in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Victoria has worked on several projects during her undergraduate career, ranging from comparative genomics to microplastics. She has a strong interest in space genetics, cancer genomics and polygenic disorders. Victoria is also engaged as Youth Coordinator for the non-profit David Dunlap Observatory Defenders, and teaches piano and music. She loves learning new languages, astronomy, music production, piano and ice skating.
Judjina Thevarajah is a graduate student in the MHSc Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics at McMaster University. Her previous projects include characterizing age-related changes in the upper respiratory tract microbiota, where she specifically investigated microbe interactions that may contribute to susceptibility of pneumonia. Through her undergraduate placements, she was also actively involved in translating complex reproductive research and embryology-related genetic diagnostics to patients and clinicians. This led her to develop a strong passion in bridging communication gaps between genomics/genetic diagnostics and patients as well as physicians. In addition to science communication, Judjina is also interested in advancing precision medicine using the integration of molecular genetics and genomic variant analysis to improve patient outcomes. Outside of academia, Judjina loves to spend time with family and friends, travel all around the world and explore new cuisines.
Queenie Wong completed her undergraduate studies at McMaster University, where she obtained her Honours Bachelor degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics. She is currently a graduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. During her undergraduate career, she completed her thesis on the evolution of sex-biased diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis, and the paradox of bimodality in women’s health. Her main interest involves cancer genomics and how the knowledge of genetic drivers of cancer is transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment options. It is her dream to live in a future where affordable population-based genetic testing for various cancers are made available to society, thus maximizing precision prevention for this deadly disease. Aside from that, she is also interested in human genetic variant analysis, where clinically actionable variants are distinguished from non-actionable variants. For that reason, she is currently volunteering as part of ClinGen’s Dosage Sensitivity Curation team under the Hereditary Cancer subgroup. In her free time, Queenie loves volunteering at various non-profit organizations, learn new languages, travel, reading and creating art.
Zhilin Xu completed her H.B.Sc. degree at the University of Toronto, where she obtained a double Major in Immunology and Physiology with high distinction. Currently, she is pursuing her M.H.Sc. degree through the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. Her previous projects include investigation on amyloid precursor protein using the Drosophila model with respect to IP3R over- or under-expressions at different developmental stages and identifying how the endogenous expression of ATP genes may be varied in a dependent manner. She also conducted an internship in Apexigen Co., an innovative pharmaceutical company developing immuno-oncology therapeutics, as part of the translational team, which inspired her to pursue her interest in translational medicines and cancer genomics in a clinical context. Outside her academic pursuits, she is passionate about photography, extreme sports, and vocal performance.
Shi (Jim) Zhang obtained his MD degree from China and has finished a three-year residency program in surgery. His previous research was in the field of cancer therapy. Currently, Shi is a postgraduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. He believes that most diseases have a strong relation with genetics and that medical genomics is a promising area waiting to be explored. In his opinion, genetic testing will become routinized for all individuals and genetic-based personalized medicine would become available to all patients in the future. For that future to become a reality, Shi’s goal is to integrate genomic knowledge into clinical diagnosis and treatment. Outside of academia, he loves swimming, playing badminton and taking his dog for traveling.
The Class of 2021
Nina Adler is a Medical Genomics Master’s student at the University of Toronto. She is passionate about studying human genetic variation in order to capture variants from populations on a global scale, leading to better diagnostic yield and variant characterization. She is well-versed on the subjects of molecular genetics, evolutionary biology and population genetics, and has a strong desire to see diagnostic tests be tailored to today’s ever-diversifying society. Nina aims to continue developing her computational skills for genomic data analysis. In her free time, Nina loves to play the cello and learn new languages.
Education
Honours Bachelor of Science with High Distinction, University of Toronto
- Genome Biology | Molecular Genetics and Microbiology | Russian Language
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Safa Ansar holds an HBSc with high distinction in Arts and Science from the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing her MHSc through the UofT Medical Genomics Master’s program. During her undergraduate career, she contributed to several studies on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind learning and memory in the tiny roundworm C. elegans. She is currently interested in using various genetic sequencing technologies in clinically relevant settings to understand the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, such as Autism and Schizophrenia, and building a variant database to aid in their diagnoses. She is excited to pursue her interests in personalized medicine and pharmacogenetics through this program. She loves thrifting and art, and has an avid passion for paleogenomics and classical civilizations. Her dream is to one day use DNA to uncover secrets of ancient humans and bygone empires. She is currently serving as one of two program representatives on the Molecular Genetics Graduate Student Association for 2020-2021.
Pratyusha Attaluri is a medical doctor and has obtained her medicine degree from India. She has been associated with a multi-specialty healthcare provider in India, providing emergency care services. During this period she also pursued an emergency medicine diploma from the UK’s Royal College of Emergency Medicine (MRCEM). She also worked as a scientific research fellow in the department of Endovascular surgery where she played key role in planning and executing clinical and surgical audits. She was also an active team player in a research project involving oncology, gynecology and vascular surgery to develop protocols for the treatment of venous thrombosis in gynecological oncology patients. Her main research interests are common complex diseases involving endocrinology, cardiology and heme-oncology. Her curiosity and constant thirst for knowledge has moved her towards a career in Medical Genomics. As an avid reader, she is interested in scientific journalism and wants to bring science to the public in the most fun and interesting form. She is an advocate for women in science education. As a sports enthusiast, she is a member of the University of Toronto badminton club. In her spare time she enjoys choreographing dance to Indian cinema music with her husband and cooking.
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Sierra Barnes is a graduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She completed her B.H.Sc. degree in Biomedical Discovery & Commercialization at McMaster University in 2019. Her previous projects include investigating the incidence of neurological death in patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer diagnosed with brain metastases at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. She is currently working in the Division of Genome Diagnostics at the Hospital for Sick Children, developing an interpretation scheme and standards for RNAseq variants in samples from patients with rare disorders. Her academic interests include personalized medicine, scientific communication and filling the gap in the medical field between physicians and geneticists. Outside of science, she enjoys traveling to new countries and being a part of graduate student life, as she is currently one of the Medical Genomics program representatives.
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Nelson Xavier Bautista Salazar completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto where he obtained a Honours Bachelor degree in Science with a double Major in Fundamental Genetics and in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. Currently, he is a first year Master’s student in an innovative program at the University of Toronto in Medical Genomics. He is passionate about genetics and genomics and how this rapidly-changing field is revolutionizing different areas of science, from a better comprehension of evolution and fundamental biology to impacts in medical practice. For his undergraduate thesis he worked at the Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research where he studied the reactivation of quiescent retinal stem cells present in the adult human retina. This experience inspired him to be involved in projects with direct potential for clinical translation into future treatments that could benefit people. In his free time, he likes playing the guitar and piano and likes all kind of sports.
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Luisa Bonilla, MD is a Clinical Oncologist and currently a Medical Oncology Clinical Research Fellow at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center. She is currently undertaking a Master’s in Health Science (MHSc) majoring in Medical Genomics at University of Toronto. Her current clinical practice focuses on the treatment of gynecologic malignancies and melanoma. Her main interests are to develop effective cancer treatments through identification of key events in tumor genomic evolution, recognize essential tumor microenvironment interactions and ultimately advance treatment strategies through personalized medicine to improve patient outcomes. After completion of her Clinical Oncology training in Israel, she worked as a junior staff oncologist at Davidoff center in Petah Tikvah, Israel. Prior to commencing her current role, she joined Eli Lilly as a clinical research physician where she supported the introduction and satisfactory performance of clinical trials as well as implementation of novel anti-cancer medications. As an active clinician with a wide cultural perception, she believes in her responsibility to contribute to global cancer care delivery improvement. This has led her to participate in global health and global oncology leadership programs.
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Nour Hanafi is currently a Medical Genomics MHSc student at the University of Toronto, and completed her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and Chemistry at the University of Toronto, Mississauga. An avid learner with diverse interests, Nour completed several undergraduate research projects, ranging from fly genetics to technical art history. She has a strong interest in the use of genomics in immunology and infectious disease, as well in understanding the aging process. She is also fascinated with how genomics can be applied in non-medical contexts (such as art history!). Her deep interest in the humanities and social sciences has also instilled in her a passion for science communication, particularly for people from disadvantaged communities. In her free time, she enjoys reading about history and literature, taking long walks, and watching sports.
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Ivy Haw graduated in 2019 from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s Forensic Science program. She did her honours thesis on domestic homicide in conjunction with the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. It was around this time that she realized her passion for both medicine and genetics and enrolled in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. Ivy hopes to pursue a career as a variant analyst in a clinical setting in the future.
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Kaitlyn Lemay is a Medical Genomics Master’s student at the University of Toronto. She graduated from Ontario Tech University’s Forensic Science program and looked to take her love for DNA profiling to new heights, the human genome. Kaitlyn is interested in how variants in the genome manifest as diseases and wants to be involved in the era of personalized medicine. Along with her studies, Kaitlyn also works part time at Wyndham Forensic Group inc., a private Forensic Laboratory, where she works as a DNA technologist.
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Samantha MacPherson is a first year Master’s student in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto and completed her HBSc in Biology at Acadia University in 2019. Her previous undergraduate research was in the field of chemical ecology and medical entomology. Samantha’s academic interests include clinical epigenetics, personalized medicine and the implementation of genomic technologies into the clinical setting. Outside of academia, she enjoys drinking coffee and watching movies.
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Luis G. Peña is MHSc student in Medical Genomics at University of Toronto. Originally from Mexico, Luis obtained his BSc in Genomic Biotechnology from the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon. He developed a multiplex PCR detection test for Mycoplasma sp. in human cell culture. Luis also participated in the standardization of pharmacogenetic testing for colon cancer patients looking to use a monoclonal antibody therapy. His most recent achievement includes leading, planning, and assembling a molecular biology laboratory for a privately owned research and innovation center. Luis’s goal is to become a relevant member of an ever-evolving entrepreneurial and scientific community to share his skills and knowledge in order to improve himself, his community, and the role of genomics in our world.
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Gabrielle Persad is a graduate student in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She is currently working on identifying cryptic splice site variants in childhood heart diseases with the Mital Laboratory at the Hospital for Sick Children. She obtained her Bachelor of Science at Dalhousie University where she gained extensive knowledge in Marine Biology and Oceanography. In her honours, she explored the genetic differences between the white and common forms of the Stickleback. Nowadays, she is highly interested in developmental diseases, epigenetics, and bioinformatics.
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Sarah Russell is a M.H.Sc. Medical Genomics candidate at the University of Toronto. She is a proud Maritimer who completed her B.Sc. Honours Biology at the University of New Brunswick. During this time, she had the unique opportunity to pursue her interest in genetics through the de novo sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of Cyanophora plastid and mitochondrial genomes. While continuing research and working in donor relations at the University of New Brunswick, Sarah sought to merge her passion for genetics and healthcare through the M.H.Sc. Medical Genomics program. She is primarily interested in understanding gene-environment interactions and how we can translate this into accessible precision healthcare. She is also interested in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for multifactorial inherited conditions. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys cooking, camping, attending concerts and spending time with her nephew.
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Sierra Scodellaro is a Master’s of Health Science candidate in the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences at Ryerson University, where she began to develop a great interest in molecular genetics and epigenetics. During her undergraduate career, she had the opportunity to investigate pancreatic cancer relapse genetics, sparking a curiosity in understanding how the genome behaves and how aberrant genes can lead to disease phenotypes. Sierra hopes to be able to integrate genomic information in the context of pharmacogenomics in order to make precision medicine the future of health care. When not in school, Sierra enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and trying every taco in Toronto.
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Rulan Shaath is a master’s student in the Medical Genomics program in the Molecular Genetics department at the University of Toronto. She earned her H.BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Guelph. She is interested in identifying diseases at the genetic level and improving health care using precision medicine. Apart from academia, Rulan remains in touch with her community by working as a Medical lab technician at a multidisciplinary heath care clinic. Through her interactions with many patients, Rulan sees the need in communicating essential genetic information to effectively help in the prognosis and diagnosis of rare genetic disorders. In the near future with the skills and knowledge she has developed in genomics, she hopes to fill the knowledge gap in underdeveloped countries where genetic diseases are predominant in the population.
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Angela Shaw is a Medical Genomics master’s student in the Molecular Genetics department at the University of Toronto. Her academic interests lie in using high throughput genomic sequencing technologies, and genomic data science in translational research, specifically in cancer and neurodegenerative disease. She aims to bridge the gap between proteomics and genomics with the goal of improving precision medicine and patient care.
Academic interests:
- Clinical research
- Precision medicine
- Proteomics
- Patient Care
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Mfon Udoh-Orok is bringing his love for computers and programming into the field of genetics. As a M.HSc candidate in Medical Genomics, he wants to push the computational side of genetics to its limits. Each day the volume and complexity of genomic information being generated increases exponentially and parsing the laboratory and clinical relevance from this data is a challenge that Mfon wishes to conquer. Mfon currently works at the Siminovitch Lab doing Bioinformatics on Next Generation Sequencing data. Outside of genetics and programming, Mfon enjoys a good match of soccer, keeping up with new innovations in tech, and seeing the more than occasional musical.
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Poornima Vijayan is a medical doctor, specialized in clinical pathology, from India. She has over 5 years of experience across all domains of diagnostic pathology service including histopathology, cytopathology, hematopathology and molecular pathology. Poornima is currently pursuing the Medical Genomics program (clinical stream) at University of Toronto, because she strongly believes laboratory medicine is definitely tending towards the integration of genetic/genomic testing into clinical diagnostic services. She feels that in the near future, it will be important for laboratory medicine specialists to be well equipped with the necessary skills to handle large volumes of complex genetic/genomic information that will soon be available due to this integration of genomic testing in mainstream medicine. She aims to bridge the communication gap between the genetic/genomic diagnostic service and the referring physician /patient. Prior to her starting this program, Poornima was a faculty member at a teaching hospital where she was involved in teaching pathology to medical students and residents while also being actively involved in the diagnostic pathology service there. She is very excited to be part of this program and is looking forward to effectively integrating the skills acquired from this program in her pathology practice after its completion. Outside of school, Poornima is a proud mom to a very active kindergartener who is thoroughly enjoying her stay in Toronto. She loves travelling and has travelled to ten different countries till date.
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Patrycja Wojcik is a graduate student at the University of Toronto currently pursuing a Master of Health Science degree in Medical Genomics. She was previously affiliated with McMaster University where she completed her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2019. Patrycja has an interest in the process of genetic disease diagnosis and the use of cutting-edge bioinformatic techniques and computational methods to unravel complex genetic disorders. She loves connecting with new people and discussing technological advancements in the realm of medical science and precision medicine. Outside of school you can find her enjoying a good musical or hiking with her dog Ela.
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Xiaoqiao (Pamela) Xu is a master student in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. She completed her Bachelor degree in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Toronto in 2019. She was actively involved in different research areas spanning mouse genetics, cancer genetics and epigenetics during her undergraduate study, through which she recognized the need of integrating computational methods in translational and clinical research. In the near future, she is hoping to integrate molecular genetics and genomic variant analysis in precision medicine and healthcare. Outside academics, she loves animals, likes to play ukulele, and has been dancing recreationally for 10 years.
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The Class of 2020
Daniel Abd Assamad is a Medical Genomics master’s student in the Molecular Genetics department at the University of Toronto. He is interested in utilizing genetics to better understand reproductive health disorders and dementia among others. As an international student he enjoys working with his peers from a diverse background here in Toronto. While in graduate school he has continued working in student life and is currently serving as the medical genomics program representative.
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Interests
- Neurological Disorders & Reproductive Health
- Drug Development
- Student Life & Experience
Education
- MHSc. in Medical Genomics, University of Toronto – 2020.
- HBSc. in Genetics & Physiology with a minor in Psychology, University of Toronto – 2018
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Navneet Aujla
I am a master’s student in medical genomics at the University of Toronto. I received an Hon B.Sc with a specialization in forensic science from the University of Toronto Mississauga in 2018. I am interested in understanding rare diseases through the lens of genomics, and how genomics can be incorporated into all areas of medicine. I also have an interest in forensic science, specifically forensic pathology and how genomics could influence forensic science.
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Michael Braga
Currently a MHSc student in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto, I’m interested in using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for the establishment of pharmaceutical targets in molecular oncology. While I complete my masters at UofT, I am concurrently working at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) as a Genetic Technologist. Genome Diagnostics at SickKids has provided me the opportunity to advance my molecular skills and knowledge while performing and developing various NGS testing. Continuing my education in genetics far exceeds my career ambitions; understanding how subtle changes in our genomes have such a profound effect is a passion.
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Clarissa Chan
I am a Medical Genomics Masters student who first became interested in eye diseases such as Glaucoma during my work as an Ophthalmic Technician for Dr. David Yan. In addition to being a former research volunteer at SickKids, I have dedicated my time towards Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Surgical Admission and Discharge Unit. I have also been the recipient of the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Undergraduate Student Research Award and conducted research at The Cutter Lab at the University of Toronto. Other than studying genetics, I enjoy playing video games, eating tacos, nature and watching the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Education
- University of Toronto – Life Sciences Program
- Honours Bachelor of Science with High Distinction
- University of Toronto – School of Continuing Studies
- Biochemistry with a Medical Perspective
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Meagan Gloven-Brown is a genetics technologist in the genome diagnostics department at The Hospital for Sick Children. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Guelph in 2009, followed by an Advanced Graduate Diploma in genetics technology at The Michener Institute in 2014. She received certification as a dually trained genetic technologist in both the cytogenetic and molecular genetics fields. She is currently working towards completing her Master of Health Science degree in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto where she plans to develop her skills as a genome analyst to help bridge the gap in the clinical field between testing and interpretation. After a long day in the lab helping children and their families, she enjoys making and listening to music, a glass of wine with her husband and playing fetch with her puppy.
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Marketa Hlavon
I am a master’s student in medical genomics at the University of Toronto. I am developing my computational biology and scientific communication skills on top of my knowledge in molecular biology, genetic techniques and computer science. I am passionate about leading a healthy life style, personalized medicine and high standards of patient care. I believe that work-life balance and giving back to your community is important.
Interests • Personalized Medicine • Computational Biology • Community Involvement • Hiking • Knitting
Education • B.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Victoria
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Esha Joshi
Esha is a first year Master’s student in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto and completed her B.Sc in Genetics and Cells & Systems Biology at the University of Toronto in 2018. Her academic interests lie in using high-throughput genomic sequencing technology, genomic data science, bioinformatics/computational biology in translational research. She has contributed to several studies focusing on the implementation of whole genome sequencing in clinical practice and is currently conducting research in analytical proteomics to find biomarkers as therapeutic targets for cardiac disease. Esha aims to bridge the fields of genomics and proteomics in her career to contribute to improving clinical diagnostics and individualized medicine. She is also a strong supporter of #WomeninSTEM and #STEAMlearning in education.
Interests
Genomics • proteomics • individualized medicine • data science • computational biology • WomeninSTEM
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April Kennedy
I’m a St. John’s native currently in the process of obtaining my M.H.Sc. in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. I’ve always had an interest in the genetic mechanisms underlying disease and a passion for helping people. I hope that the career path I follow upon graduation is an intersection of these interests. I am particularly interested in how the non-coding elements of the genome are implicated in disease. I enjoy learning about potential biomarkers for disease risk, presence, and prognosis. I acquired research experience in the field of molecular biology as part of my undergraduate thesis. I am expanding my clinical research experience by assisting with a project at SickKids in the department of Urology. My overarching passion is definitely healthcare with the goal of improving precision medicine.
Academic Interests
- Precision medicine
- Non-coding genetic elements
- Clinical research
Non-academic Interests
- Cooking
- Binging Netflix documentaries
- Attending concerts
Education
- B.Sc.F.S., 2018, Trent University
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YiJing (Lauren) Liang
I am a master’s student in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. I am interested in using bioinformatic techniques and computational methods to analyze genomics data with the aim of assisting disease diagnostics. I was an undergraduate researcher at University of Toronto, experienced in different fields, including computational biology, microbiology, molecular genetics, and biochemistry. I’m an avid gamer and love spending my leisure time on playing different types of games.
Interests
- Computational Biology
- Data Science
Education
- B.Sc. in Biochemistry, 2018 University of Toronto
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Stephanie Ngo
Originally from Ottawa, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology from McGill University. Now I am pursuing a master’s degree in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. My areas of interest are clinical genomic testing and bioinformatics. Outside of school, I also enjoy writing and illustration.
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Zoya Retiwalla is a Medical Genomics Master’s student at the University of Toronto. Her interest in genetics is voracious. She is passionate about communicating the intricacies of genetics and aspires to set up a non-profit that helps affected individuals comprehend and manage various genetic disorders. Prior to joining this course, she established a landscaping firm with the view of creating sustainable green alternatives in the realm of horticulture. She loves learning and has earned a Master’s degree in biotechnology and a diploma is forensic sciences. Her tryst with research has been limited to developing a serological diagnostic kit against a resilient fungus. Zoya loves reading, exploring new countries, photography and enjoys being a closet writer.
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Jordan Sam is a forward thinker, philanthropist, and visionary. As a M.HSc candidate in Medical Genomics, he has plans to utilize cutting-edge genomic technology to revolutionize the healthcare industry and strive towards personalized medicine. He is interested in using DNA sequencing platforms to provide accurate diagnoses and guide innovations in gene therapeutics to cure diseases, rather than treat symptoms. His journey began at the University of Toronto, where he became fascinated with molecular and genetic interactions within and between organisms. Upon graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree with high distinction, he continued this journey at UofT in a field that will positively impact millions of people. When he is not in school, he operates a multidisciplinary specialist medical centre, compounds medications, teaches undergraduate students, and works with international non-profits to resolve global health and economic disparities.
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Clare Sheen
I am a Master’s Student in the Medical Genomics Program at the University of Toronto. I’m very excited about the advancements in the field of genetics & genomics, which has implications intreating the cause of diseases and targeting them at the core, as opposed to just treating the symptoms. Before starting this program, I was a research student in multiple labs, dabbling in data science, biochemistry, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, genetics, and rheumatology. My research experiences inspire me to leverage different scientific disciplines to advance healthcare and therapeutics.
Interests
- Genetics & Microbiology
- Bioinformatics
- Science Policy
- Ice skating, long walks on the beach, & meming
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Talia Silver is a Master’s student in the new Medical Genomics program at U of T. She earned her B.Sc. in biology from York University, where she focused on molecular genetics. Her interests within the field include fertility and reproduction, genetic screens, and plain old DNA. With experience teaching high school science and tutoring undergraduates, she is passionate about scientific communications, introducing the concept of genomics to the public and encouraging students to pursue emerging careers in STEM. Outside of school, Talia is a proud mom and certified makeup artist. Talia is excited to be a part of medical genomics and can’t wait to see how the field develops in the coming years.
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Cherith Somerville
I am a master’s candidate in the Medical Genomics Professional Graduate Program at the University of Toronto. I’m interested in the interpretation of genetic and genomic data and its application for improvements in patient care. Prior to entering my graduate program, I did my B.Sc. at the University of Guelph where I had the opportunity to explore the use of genomic information across evolutionary, ecological, and clinical disciplines. This helped to cultivate my appreciation for the utility of genetic and genomic testing. I am passionate about the healthcare movement towards precision medicine, through the integration of relevant genetic data.
Interests • Medical Genomics • Data Interpretation • Science Communication • For Fun • Marathon Running and Crime Podcasts • Education • B.Sc. in Biological Sciences, 2018 University of Guelph
The MedGen Project 