meet

Our Lab Team

a group of amazing scientists
our team

ELIZABETH FIDALGO DA SILVA, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor/Research Associate | 2007 – Present

My research project focuses on the mechanisms of cell cycle regulation by the tumor suppressor protein Tuberin. Disturbance of the cell cycle regulation occurs in many proliferative diseases, as cancers and the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, you can check the details of this research here. My experience in enzymatic reactions and DNA replication obtained during my Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral studies has provided me with a strong background to carry on a research line in the molecular biology field at the Porter Lab.

Before joining the Porter Lab, I held an Associate Professor position at the University Federal of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for 4 years, but for personal reasons I had to come back to Canada. During this time at the University of Windsor, I have been awarded a Seeds4Hope grant from the Windsor Cancer Research Center to study the role of tuberin in the development and progression of pediatric brain tumors. I have been co-supervisor in many graduate and undergraduate theses, as well as a sessional instructor for microbiology and medical microbiology undergraduate courses at the University of Windsor. My interest in Imaging techniques, as microscopy and flow cytometry, has increased over the years and now I am the manager of the University of Windsor Imaging Facility, you can know more about this facility here. Up to now, the most awarding path of my career as a scientist has been teaching students how to do research and follow their development and accomplishments obtained during and after their time in our lab. Many of my alumni students were accepted into medical/dental/pharmacology/optometry schools or are following their careers as scientists.  My research group holds an NSERC grant and right now we have two graduate and several undergraduate students in our group.

my links

DOROTA LUBANSKA, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor/Research Associate | 2013 – Present

I graduated from the Pharmacy program at the Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poland with M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Biochemistry in 2006. I came to Canada and started my Ph.D. program in 2007 here at the University of Windsor in Dr. Porter’s lab where I took on a project studying the role of Spy1 in neurogenesis and glioma biology. I graduated in May, 2013. I published my work in Cancer Cell in January 2014. I stayed on to work as a Research Associate. My research right now focuses on Spy1, stem cell biology within the central nervous system during development, brain tumourigenesis and neurological malignancies.

BRE-ANNE FIFIELD, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor/Research Associate | 2014 – Present

I began my Ph.D. in Dr. Porter’s lab in 2009 studying the role of Spy1 in normal and abnormal development of the mammary gland. I completed my degree in December 2014, and have stayed on as a research associate in the lab. Our research in the breast program is focused on elucidating the role Spy1 plays in regulating normal development of the mammary gland as well as how aberrant expression of Spy1 can contribute to tumourigenesis. A key focus of my work is on the development and characterization of new in vivo model systems to use as tools within the lab for all of our systems of study.

MY LINKS​

JANICE TUBMAN, Ph.D.

Research Assistant | 2019 – present 

I started my journey in the Porter lab in 2009 completing an undergraduate thesis which has eventually led to the completion of my doctorate in December 2019. My research is focused on inflammatory processes associated with breast cancer treatment and metastasis. In collaboration with a local company, we have developed in house zebrafish models to test toxicity of drugs and natural health products, predict metastatic potential of cells, and determine drug efficacy all in high throughput in vivo models. Now that the models are developed, we are beginning to incorporate transgenic zebrafish models into our research and establish our aquatic facility as a multidisciplinary research core.

Chris Drouillard

Bioinformatics Research Assistant | 2022 – present 

My work consists of using expression databases and processing pipelines to understand the effects of gene expression on neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer and DNA damage.

MY LINKS​

ELIZABETH FIDALGO DA SILVA, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor/Research Associate | 2007 – Present

DOROTA LUBANSKA, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor/Research Associate | 2013 – Present

BRE-ANNE FIFIELD, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor/Research Associate | 2014 – Present

JANICE TUBMAN, Ph.D.

Research Assistant | 2019 – present

K. Frank Stringer, MD

Ph.D. Candidate | 2013 – Present

I am a Ph.D. student with interests in cancer and stem cell biology that include assessing diseased tissues and models of disease using modern microscopic techniques such as multicolour immunofluorescence and tissue microarrays.

Adam Pillon

MSc | 2017-1019

Ph.D. Candidate | 2017 – Present

My research project focuses on the protein tuberin, which is a protein in the mTOR pathway that when mutated causes tuberous sclerosis. Specifically, I am interested in the binding pattern between tuberin and the mitotic cyclin, cyclin B1, and their interaction to act as a novel cell-cycle check at the G2/M phase. In addition, I am exploring the effects of the interaction between tuberin and the ERK pathway to better understand its role in tuberous sclerosis. I currently use in vitro methods and fly models to explore both of these aspects of tuberin interactions.

Isabelle Hinch

Ph.D. Candidate | 2020 – Present

Recipient of 2020 NSERC Graduate Scholarship for Masters Program (CGS-M)

Recipient of 2023 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

Young women face more aggressive breast cancers, entailing increased metastasis, increased disease recurrence, and decreased survival; suggesting that breast cancers in young women have uncharacterized unique biology. Parity has emerged as a variable in breast cancers in young women, potentially due to involution: the biological event in which the mammary gland reverts to non-lactating tissue. I study the role of Spy1 in normal mammary development particularly during this period of involution and how it may be implicated in tumorigenesis.

Nicholas Philbin

Ph.D. Candidate | 2020 – Present

Recipient of 2020 CIHR Graduate Scholarship for Masters Program (CGS-M) 

Recipient of 2021 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) 

Recipient of 2023 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

My project focuses on Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). A rare subtype that occurs in 10-15% of diagnoses and tends to affect those of younger age or African American and Hispanic descent. Of importance, this subtype has a greater proportion of cells known as breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) compared to other subtypes. These are known to be resistant in the face of conventional therapy methods and are able to recapitulate tumours leading to secondary disease formation (relapse) down the road. . My project will focus on investigating the cell cycle dynamics of the stem cell population following treatment with various drug combinations and the indications it may have on the relapse process.

Mahsa Rahimi

Ph.D. Candidate | 2021 – Present

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of only 20%. Many factors can contribute to the development of HCC such as viral infection, alcoholism, metabolic disorders and obesity. Advanced stages of HCC have no effective treatments available. This project hinges on an unexpected discovery in our lab that elevated levels of the atypical cell cycle protein Spy1 promotes the development of non-cirrhotic HCC. My project will focus on determining how this protein changes the cell biology that leads to the formation of cancer in the liver using in vivo and in vitro methods.

Hema Priya Mahendran

Ph.D. Candidate | 2021 – Present

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an extremely lethal brain tumour in adults, associated with a dismal survival rate. GBM is practically incurable as these tumours evade all intricate attempts of therapy due to high-level intratumoural heterogeneity and the lack of effective therapeutics. Brain tumour initiating cells (BTICs) aid in the progression of heterogeneous mass and therapy resistance and are driven by an atypical cell cycle protein, SPY1. My research project focuses on how targeting SPY1 can contribute to better control over the growth and progression of GBM by eliminating BTIC populations. I will address this question using a PDX zebrafish platform. I will study Spy1 mediated expansion of BTICs in vivo, the role of microenvironment in regulation of BTIC cell cycle and growth followed by therapy response using a high throughput model approach.

Alireza Salimi Chirani

Ph.D. Candidate | 2021 – Present

Combination chemotherapy and targeting diverse regulatory mechanisms that slow down tumor cell proliferation is the current standard of care. Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitors (CKIs), as a member of protective proteins lost or blocked by aggressive cancers. Basic pharmaceutical investigations have led to synthetic CKIs, which have met with variable success in the clinic. However, the existence of Ringo A/Speedy (Spy1), as an overriding CKI activity, rendering synthetic and natural CKIs less effective. Over my PhD project, using in vitro and in vivo methods, I am looking for effective targeting Spy1 for sensitizing some of the most aggressive cancer cells to treatment with limited side-effects.

Alexandra Sorge

M.Sc Candidate | 2022 – Present

Recipient of 2023 CIHR Graduate Scholarship for Masters Program (CGS-M) 

Recipient of 2023 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

Glioblastoma (GBM), is the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor which continues to puzzle researchers as decades of efforts to find an effective therapy has proven to fail. Collaborative studies in our lab show that Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles (CPNs) can serve as a potential therapeutic approach to overcome these barriers. Our CPNs are labeled with Hyaluronic acid (HA-CPNs) which is a ligand for one of the most prominent receptors found on tumor initiating cells, CD44. Our data to date has demonstrated that HA-CPNs cause selective decrease in proliferation, migration potential and expression of markers of aggressiveness and self renewal in CD44+ glioma cells. Additionally, we will be investigating the effects when the nanoparticles are conjugated these with various well known chemotherapy agents, such as TMZ. Exploring the CPN effects within in vitro and in vivo models, this project further investigates the mechanism by which these nanoparticles exert their effects and how this therapy model can be optimized.

TIANA VISCONTI

M.Sc Candidate | 2022 – Present

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and my research focuses on a particularly aggressive subtype, known as Triple Negative Breast Cancer. There are currently no targeted treatments for TNBC due to its molecular characteristics, urging the discovery of new therapeutic targets. My project explores potential therapeutic avenues being the cell cycle and its mediators which play an important role in cancer formation and progression. My project explores the relationship between a cell cycle regulator, Spy1, a protein known to promote cell proliferation even in the presence of DNA damage. And the retinoblastoma tumour suppressor protein (Rb), known to regulate the DNA damage response system and is key in regulating the cell cycle. 

CLAUDIA PECORARO

M.Sc Candidate | 2022 – Present

My research focuses on Triple Negative Breast Cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer defined by the absence of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and amplification of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. My research explores the tumour microenvironment, and specifically the cell adhesion molecules that may play a role in TNBC survival and progression such as collagen type I and fibronectin. Additionally, my project investigates the relationship of spy1, a cell cycle regulator and the adhesion, migration and invasion of TNBC cells in the breast tissue and at common metastatic sites such as the bone, brain, liver and lung.

PHILIP HABASHy

M.Sc Candidate | 2022 – Present

ALI NADI

M.Sc Candidate | 2023 – Present

Recipient of 2023 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

My research focuses on dissecting the molecular biology behind intricate cellular mechanisms like growth and division through the study of the Tuberin protein (gene – TSC2) – a critical tumour suppressor that, when mutated, commonly manifests as the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) disease. TSC is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multisystem pathologies such as cancers and benign hamartomas in the brain, kidney, lungs, and skin. Besides dermatologic, renal, and pulmonary manifestations, TSC can also cause serious neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, brain cortical tubers and autism. Using a plethora of techniques like flow cytometry, CRISPR/Cas9 genomic editing, proteomics and optogenetics, I study the role of Tuberin at regulating the entry of cells into mitosis and how specific mutations disrupt this process. This project aims to elucidate critical mechanisms in cell cycle control helping us to better understand proliferative diseases like TSC and cancers.

AMY LLANCARI

M.Sc Candidate | 2023 – Present

Recipient of 2023 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

Recipient of 2023 NSERC USRA

Recipient of 2023 NSERC Graduate Scholarship for Master’s Program (CGS-M)

My project will focus on investigating these sex-specific morphological and cell expression pattern differences. This will provide insight on potential protective mechanisms found in female mice inhibiting liver injury, in addition to potential diagnostic markers and molecular treatment targets during NAFLD progression.

 

ALAN CIESLUKOWSKI

M.Sc Candidate | 2023 – Present

Recipient of 2023 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Recipient of 2023 NSERC USRA Recipient of 2023 CIHR Graduate Scholarship for Master’s Program (CGS-M) Efficient targeting of multiple components of a tumour might be a successful strategy in aggressive types of cancer such as glioblastoma (GBM), which remains the most common and malignant primary brain tumour with an extremely poor patient survival of less than 15 months. The significant therapeutic challenge posed by GBM stems from its genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity fueled by characteristics such as aggressive and treatment-resistant populations of Tumour Initiating Cells (TICs) and high levels of angiogenesis contributing to tumour evolution. TICs, which are responsible for GBM patient relapse, thrive in niches close to blood vessels where they interact with endothelial cells (ECs), exit the cell cycle, and evade therapies. Targeted antiangiogenic drugs, preventing GBM cells from recruiting new blood vessels are only temporarily effective in 50% of patients, resulting in acquired secondary resistance by the tumour. This project explores the TIC-EC interplay and its role in propagating tumour aggressiveness and therapy resistance. This project investigates the impact of ECs on the aggressive characteristics of individual, specific populations of TICs using GBM patient-derived systems, including 3D organoid models and zebrafish patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Considering that NOTCH1 signaling regulates both TIC and EC populations in GBM, this project dissects the role of NOTCH pathway in TIC-EC interaction. Elucidating the details of cell cycle signaling and specific populations of aggressive TICs with dependence on the EC component will contribute to the identification of new and better therapeutic targets and personalized approaches to treatment of patients with GBM in the future.

Nicholas Philbin

Ph.D. Candidate | 2020 – Present

Emily Mailloux

M.Sc Candidate | 2020 – Present

Jillian Brown

Ph.D. Candidate | 2020 – Present

Mahsa Rahimi

Ph.D. Candidate | 2021 – Present

Hema Priya Mahendran

Ph.D. Candidate | 2021 – Present

Alireza Salimi Chirani

Ph.D. Candidate | 2021 – Present

ALEXANDRA SORGE

M. Sc Candidate | 2022 – Present

TIANA VISCONTI

M. Sc Candidate | 2022 – Present

CLAUDIA PECORARO

M. Sc Candidate | 2022 – Present

Elie Mouawad

2023 – Present

BTFC Intern

BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Brain

Hasan Ghafoor

2021 – Present

Outstanding Scholar

BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Brain

Stephanie Dinescu

2020 – Present
Outstanding Scholar

2023 NSERC USRA

BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Brain

Eddie Grimmett

2023 – Present

Outstanding Scholar

BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Breast

Kole Polkinghorne

2023 – Present
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin

Jeffery Martin

2023 – Present

President’s Scholarship
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin

Maria Badalova

2022 – Present

Outstanding Scholar
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin

Ria Patel

2022 – Present

Outstanding Scholar
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin

our past members

JIAMILA MAIMAITI, M.Sc.

Lab Manager | 2007 – 2015

Currently : Lab Manager at Acenzia – Windsor, ON – Canada

ROSA MARIA FERRAIUOLO, Ph.D.

Research Associate | 2015 – 2018

Ph.D. Candidate | 2009 – 2015

Currently: Postdoctoral Research Associate – Wayne State University, USA; Editor in Chief – Journal of Life Sciences, a postdoc community initiative

Samira Bashiri, Veterinarian

Research Assistant | 2019 – 2020

I am graduated from a “Doctor of Veterinary Medicine” program at University of Tehran. I obtained my DVM degree in 2013 and I was always enthusiastic about molecular biology. I joined Porter lab in May 2019 and my work mainly focuses on using Zebrafish as an animal model for studying cancer cell metastasis and behavior in vivo using a 3D model. My research primarily focuses on how Spy1 regulations can affect TNBC drug responses to chemotherapy drugs.”

Samira was on board of the flight PS752 that was shot down on Jan 8, 2020. Her passion for science and animals has inspired all of us in the Porter Lab. She will be forever in our thoughts.

ANTONIO ROYE-AZAR

Research Assistant | 2021

Porter Lab, Biomedical Research Assistant and Lab Technician at the University of Windsor

Currently: Research Assistant – Wayne State University – USA 

Philip Habashy

Research Assistant | 2019 – 2022

Porter Lab, Biomedical Research Assistant and Lab Technician at the University of Windsor

Currently: M.Sc. – Porter Lab 

JIAMILA MAIMAITI, M.Sc.

Lab Manager | 2007 – 2015

ROSA MARIA FERRAIUOLO, Ph.D.

Research Associate | 2015 – 2018

Ph.D. Candidate | 2009 – 2015

Samira Bashiri, Veterinarian

Research Assistant | 2019 – 2020

Samira was on board of the flight PS752 that was shot down on Jan 8, 2020. Her passion for science and animals has inspired all of us in the Porter Lab. She will be forever in our thoughts.

ANTONIO ROYE-AZAR

Research Assistant | 2021

PHILIP HABASHY

Research Assistant | 2019 – 2022

EMILY MAILLOUX (M.Sc.)

M.Sc Candidate
2020 – 2023

Currently – 

JILLIAN BROWN (Ph.D.)

Ph.D. Candidate
2020 – 2023

Currently – 

Samaneh Mehri

M.Sc Candidate
2019 – 2021

Currently – Ph.D. Student in Biochemistry and Structural Biology Theme – University of Alabama at Birmingham – USA

Jackie Fong (M.Sc.)

M.Sc Candidate
2018 – 2021

Currently – Research Study Manager for the COVID Screening Platform – University of Windsor – Ontario – Canada

Janice Tubman (Ph.D.)

Ph.D. Candidate
2008 – 2019

Currently – Research Associate – Porter Lab – University of Windsor – Ontario – Canada

Martin Khosravi Bakht (Ph.D.)

Ph.D. Candidate
2016 – 2019

Currently – Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Harvard University – USA

Mathew Stover (M.Sc.)

M.Sc Candidate
2016 – 2019

Currently –

Carleigh Ross

M.Sc Candidate
2018 – 2019

Currently – Registered Nurse – Erie Shores HealthCare – Leamington – Ontario – Canada

Ingrid Qemo (Ph.D.)

Ph.D. Candidate
2012 – 2018

Currently – Health Research Coordinator at the Office of Research & Innovation Services – University of Windsor – Ontario – Canada

Iulian Derecichei (M.Sc.)

M.Sc Candidate
2016 – 2018

Currently – Ph.D. Student at Western University – London – Ontario – Canada

Ellen Laurie (M.Sc.)

M.Sc Candidate
2015 – 2018

Currently – Clinical Research Assistant at Biospective (CRO for analysis of CNS diseases) – Montreal – Canada

Jessica Dare-Shih (M.Sc.)

M.Sc Candidate
2013 – 2016

Currently – Doctor of Pharmacy Student – Wayne State University –  Detroit – USA

And also our
dearest friends below

Agnes Malaysia (M.Sc.)
Azadeh Golipour (M.Sc.)
Bashaer Abu Khatir (M.Sc.)
Dorothy Myers (M.Sc.)

Evangelia Kirou (M.Sc.)
Gordon Omar Davis (M.Sc.)
Hao Zhang (M.Sc.)
Jenna Richie (M.Sc.)

Kaitlyn Matthews (M.Sc.)
Nicole LeAnne Lyons (M.Sc.)
BreAnne Fifield (Ph.D.)
Dorota Lubanska (Ph.D.)

Espanta Jalili (Ph.D.)
Martin Crozier (Ph.D.)
Mohammad Al Sorkhy (Ph.D.)
Rosa-Maria Ferraiuolo (Ph.D.)

Amy Llancari

2019 – 2023


Outstanding Scholar

2023  NSERC USRA Award
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Liver

Currently  – M.Sc – Porter Lab at University of Windsor

Alan Cieslukowski

2019 – 2023


Outstanding Scholar
2021 / 2023 NSERC USRA Award
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Brain

Currently – M.Sc – Porter Lab at University of Windsor

Emmanuel Boujeke

2020 – 2023


Outstanding Scholar

2023 NSERC USRA

Group – Brain

Currently – Medical Student

Lia Oschanney

2020 – 2023


BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Breast

Marissa Ho

2020 – 2023


Outstanding Scholar
Group – Tuberin

DEPEN SHARMA

2021 – 2023

BIOL 4904 Thesis Student

Group – Tuberin

Currently- 

vanessa vuong

2020 – 2023
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin

Currently – M.Sc Student – University of Toronto

ali nadi

2019 – 2022

Outstanding Scholar
2021 – 2022 NSERC USRA Award
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin

Currently – M.Sc Student – Porter Lab at University of Windsor

MILICA PAUNIC

2021 – 2022

Outstanding Scholar
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student

Group – Breast

Currently- 

Almas Khan

2021 – 2022
Group – Breast

Currently – 

tiana visconti

2021 – 2022
Group – Breast

Currently – M.Sc Student – Porter Lab at University of Windsor

Allison Baker

2020 – 2022
Outstanding Scholar
Group – Breast

Currently- Medical School at the University of Ottawa

Sahar Mouawad

2019 – 2022
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Brain

Currently – 

Aiden Mitrevski

2019 – 2022
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin

Currently – Medical School at the University of British Columbia

Adam Renaud

2019 – 2022
Outstanding Scholar
2020 NSERC USRA Award
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Brain

Currently- Medical School at the University of Ottawa

Maliha Baseet

2019 – 2022
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Liver

Currently –

Alexandra Sorge

2019 – 2022
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Brain

Currently – M.Sc Student – Porter Lab at the University of Windsor

Kadila Adili

2019 – 2022
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin

Currently- Indiana School of Optometry – USA

Sami Alrashed

2018 – 2022
Outstanding Scholar
2020 NSERC USRA Award
2021 NSERC USRA Award
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Brain

Currently – University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine class of 2025

Antonio Roye-Azar

Project: Evaluation of Cell Cycle Regulation in Tuberin and Hamartin Knockout Cell Lines

2019 – 2021
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin

Currently – Research assistant at Wayne University – USA

Kim Nguyen

Project:

2019 – 2021
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin

Currently – Schulich Medicine

Jared Miller

Project:

2019 – 2021 
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Breast

Currently-

 

Christopher Drouillard

2018 – Present 
2019 NSERC-USRA Award
Group – Tuberin

 

Currently –

Katie Zuccato

Project:

2019 – 2021
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Breast

Currently – University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science class of 2025

 

Elise Bull

2019 – 2020
Outstanding Scholar
2020 NSERC USRA Award
Group – Tuberin

Currently –

Jacob Frank

2017 – 2020
Outstanding Scholar
2020 NSERC USRA Award

Currently –

Justin Senecal

2019 – 2020
2019 SWORP Award

Currently – Medical School at Western University

Emily Mailloux

2018 – 2020

Project: Treatment Timing of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Group: Breast
Outstanding Scholar
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student

Currently – Master’s student – Porter Lab – University of Windsor

 

Benita Rangira

Benita Rangira

2018 – 2020

Project: Identifying Molecular Markers of Progression to Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
Group: Bladder
BIOL 4904 Thesis Studen

Currently – Master of Public Health student – Wayne State University

 

Maheen Arshad

2017 – 2020

Project: Exploring the Characteristics of Spy1 Overexpression in Glioblastoma Multiforme
Group: Brain
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student

Currently – Genetic Counselling Graduate Program at Wayne State University School of Medicine

Fatima Nadeem

2017 – 2020

Project: The role of the microenvironmental landscape in GBM progression and therapy resistance (2018 – 2019)

Project: Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles: A Novel Strategy to Combat Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) (2019 – 2020)
Group: Brain
BIOL 4904 Thesis Studen

Currently – Medical school candidate

 

Isabelle Hinch

2017 – 2020

Project: The Role of Spy1 During Mammary Gland Involution
Group: Breast
Outstanding Scholar
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student

Currently – Ph.D. student – Porter Lab – University of Windsor

Nicholas Philbin

2017 – 2020

Project: Spy1: A Potential Driving Force of the Breast Cancer Stem Cell Population in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Group: Liver
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student

Currently – Master’s student – Porter Lab – University of Windsor

Alex Rodzinka

2016 – 2019

Project: Novel Approach in Resolving the Mechanism Behind Brain Tumour Progression and Therapy Testing
Group: Brain
Brain Tumour Foundation Scholarship
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student

Currently –  Faculty of Medicine class of 2025, at the University of Toronto. 

Anne Semaan

2016 – 2019

Project: Validating Drosophila melanogaster as a tool to study tuberin cell cycle regulation
Group: Tuberin
Outstanding Scholar
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student

Currently – Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine in the class of 2023

 

Catalin Gramisteanu

2016 – 2019

Project: Determining the essentiality of Spy1 as a novel regulator of mammary cell development using CRISPR/Cas9
Group: Breast
Outstanding Scholar
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student

Currently – Western University’s Schulich School of Dentistry in the class of 2023

 

Madison Curtis

2016 – 2019

Project: The role of Spy1 in the cell cycle and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma
Group: Liver
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student

Currently – Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine in the class of 2025

Jackie Fong

2015 – 2018
Canadian Summer Jobs Program Scholarship – 2016
420 Thesis Student

Currently – Research Study Manager for the COVID Screening Platform – University of Windsor – Ontario – Canada

Gillian Denomme

2015 – 2018
420 Thesis Student

Currently – University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry in the class of 2023

 

John Talia

2015 – 2018
420 Thesis Student

Currently – Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine in the class of 2022

Amy Basilious

2015 – 2018
420 Thesis Student

Currently – Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine in the class of 2022

 

Philip Habashy

2017 – 2018
420 Thesis student in collaboration with Dr. Huiming Zhang

Currently – Research assistant at Porter Lab – University of Windsor

Jonathan O’Beid

2015 – 2018
420 Thesis Student
Graduation – Master’s of Science in Business Analytics at Western’s Ivey business school

Currently – Decision Support Analyst with Windsor Regional Hospital.

Youshaa El-Abed

2015 – 2018
420 Thesis Student

Currently – Starting up his company called the Clinical Trial Network. It uses a patient-focused clinical trial referral software to match

Dalton Liwanpo

2015 – 2018
420 Thesis Student

Currently – 

And also our
dearest friends below

Ahmed Guhad (VIP Project Student)
Alexandria Haslehurst (420′)
Amil Issa (420′)
Andreea Fratiloiu (420′)
Ara Cho (420′)
Bashaer Abu Khatir (420′)
Bashar Jameel (420′)
Bre-Anne Fifield (420′)
Brenna Market (420′ – Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Britney Hewitt (420′)
Carlee Stoyanavich (420′)
Carly Hunt (Outstanding Scholars)
Cassandra Humphreys (420′)
Catherine Cheng (Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Danjel Popaj (Volunteer)
David Shih (420′ – NSERC – Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Dina Maskoni (Outstanding Scholars)
Don Roberto (420′)
Ellen Laurie (420′)
Emilia Kolanska (Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Emmaly McCorkell (420′)
Eni Nano (420′)
Esther Okurapa (420′)
Evangelia Kirou (420′)
Farah Mohtadi (420′)
Hanna Vasilevski (VIP Project Student)
Heather Macdonald (420′)
Hugh Quinn (420′)
Hussein Hammoud (NSERC)
Ian Ho Yin Wang (Volunteer)
Jake Pfaff (420′)
Janice Tubman (420′ – Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Jasmyne Carnevale (420′- Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Jason Simmons (420′)
Jessica Dare-Shih (420′)
Jessica Vaisica (420′)

 

John Kelly (420′ – NSERC)
Juliana Tavera (Work Study)
Julie Caron (420′ – NSERC)
Kaitlin Martinello (420′)
Kaitlyn Mathews (420′ – Outstanding Scholars)
Karlaina Osmon (420′)
Maria Peraino (420′)
Mariam Safya Sameem (420′)
Marisa Horniacheck (Outstanding Scholars)
Marisa Horniachek (420′)
Marisa Market (420′ – NSERC.USRA )
Megan Bryne (420′ – NSERC))
Melanie Grondin (420′ – NSERC.USRA – Outstanding Scholars)
Michelle Nguyen (Volunteer)
Miranda Hanna (420′ – NSERC – Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Mitchell Elliott (NSERC.USRA)
Natasha Burzynski (Volunteer)
Neja Stare (420′)
Nicholas Paquette (420′ – NSERC)
Philip Habashy (420′ – Work Study)
Raghd Alolabi (Volunteer)
Roman Shapiro (Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Rutu Patel (420′)
Ryan Ard (420′ – Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Ryan Craig (420′ – Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Sabrina Botsford (420′ – NSERC)
Sakshi Jasra (Summer Undergrad Research Assistant)
Samantha Richardson (420′)
Samer Jassar (420′ – Brain Tumour Foundation scholarship)
Santo Spencer Briguglio (Brain Tumour Foundation scholarship)
Saski Jasra (420′)
Seemab Aslam (420′)
Sylvie Tremblay (420′)
Tony DiCarlo (420′)
Trinh Nguyen (420′)
Urvashi Katiyar (Outstanding Scholars)

Mohammad Al Sorkhy

Associate professor at Al Ain University in the UAE (Dubai), completed his Ph.D. Thesis in 2010 in the Porter Lab.

Jessica Sullivan (Vaisica)

is a Manager of Research Operations at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) where she manages the external funding portfolio of the MaRS-based researchers at the OICR (~$80M in active projects from the Tri-Council, Genome Canada, NIH, and others). Jessica also oversees the Institute’s Research Ethics & Responsible Conduct of Research activities. Jessica completed her undergraduate thesis in Porter Lab from September 2005 to April 2006 and later was awarded her PhD from the University of Toronto in 2012 for her dissertation Mms1 & Mms22 Mediate Genome Stability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, under the supervision of Dr. Grant Brown.

Jenna Ritchie Spasojevic

a professor at Humber College, completed her Masters after her work in Porter Lab from September 2006 to December 2008. Today, Jenna teaches Math, Chemistry, Biology and Research Methods in the General Arts and Sciences program to nursing students

Sylvie Tremblay

is a Freelance Copywriter and Journalist who writes health, medical and lifestyle content for businesses and publications. Sylvie completed her undergraduate research project after her time in Porter Lab from September 2006 to May 2007, an experience she credits her ability to communicate and convey health research to her audience at www.sylvietremblay.com.

Farah Izbeki (Mohtadi)

is a Senior Clinical Research Associate at QuintilesIMS whose role is to monitor clinical studies ensuring they are being conducted in compliance with ICH GCP guidelines. Farah works closely with the pharmaceutical company and the clinical site. After graduating from the University of Windsor with a B.Sc. in Biology and Biotechnology, Farah completed a graduate certificate program in Clinical Research at Humber College. She later worked at Sanofi Pasteur as a Clinical Trial Manager in Vaccine Research. Currenly at QuintlesIMS, she has been involved in oncology research on assignment at Roche

Martin Crozier

 a full-time lecturer at Wayne State University, completed his PhD in Porter Lab from September 2009 to June 2014. Martina now teaches full time for the Biological Sciences Department at Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. His position is focused on teaching undergraduate Molecular Cell Biology, Anatomy and Physiology in addition to other graduate courses. Martin also teaches part-time for the Biology department at the University of Windsor.

Brenna Ann Market Velker

completed her undergraduate thesis in Porter Lab in June 2007 after working in the lab since September 2004. Currently, she is a Family Physician with the Kaizen Family Health Group and an Adjunct Professor for the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry where she performs clinical research and teaches. In addition to primary care, Brenna has special interests in dermatology, HIV, postpartum and infant care.

Ryan Craig

finished his undergraduate thesis in Porter Lab in January 2012 after starting as a volunteer in January 2010 and becoming an NSERC recipient. Now a Family Physician and Adjunct Professor for The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (Windsor Campus), Ryan practises in Essex with his colleagues where he is the lead physician of their recently opened Essex Family Health Organization.

Jason Simmons

volunteered as an undergraduate in Porter Lab from September 2006 to May 2007. Now currently enrolled as a Steamfitter and Instrumentation Technician Apprentice with the United Association Local 663, Jason’s work involves upgrading and maintaining the shops and refineries in the Chemical Valley region of the Sarnia area as he works to complete these 5 year apprenticeships of the Red Seal trades.

Kaitlin Martinello

worked as an undergraduate in Porter Lab from September 2009 to May 2011. Currently, Kaitlin is a Naturopathic Doctor who graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Kaitlin has been working with patients to achieve their health goals since 2015.

Mariam Sameem

Is currently a First Year Doctor of Pharmacy Student in the PharmD program at the University of British Columbia who aspires to enter the Clinical/Hospital Pharmacy Sector upon completion of here studies. Mariam started as an undergraduate research assistant in Porter Lab in February 2014 where completed her undergraduate thesis in August 2016

Marisa Market

Is an MD/PhD Student in her second year of study at the University of Ottawa. Marisa started as an undergraduate in Porter Lab in June 2012 where she completed her undergraduate thesis in July 2015.

Urvashi Katiyar

is was an undergraduate volunteer in porterlab from August 2014 to October 2016 and is now a Medical Student at Wayne State School of Medicine

Kaitlyn Matthews

Is a third year Medical Student at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. Kaitlyn began as an undergraduate in Porter Lab in September 2007 where she was an outstanding scholar and completed both her undergraduate thesis in 2010 and was awarded her M.Sc. in 2012 following her work as a Research Assistant and Technician. Currently, in addition to her studies, Kaitlyn works as a Clinical Clerk at the London Health Sciences Centre.

Mitchell Elliot

worked in Porter Lab as an undergraduate from August 2013 to August 2015 and is currently a Medical Student at the University of Toronto and a Research Associate under Dr. Tak Mak at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Carlee Stoyanovich

is a MD Candidate currently in her first year of studies at the University of Toronto after working in Porter Lab as an undergraduate from May 2015 to May 2016.

Are you a Porter Lab Alumni? Want your story heard? Send an email to porterlab@uwindsor.ca – Subject: Testimonial.

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