meet
Our Past Members
we were lucky to have you!
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
Chris Drouillard
Bioinformatics Research Assistant | 2022 – 2024
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.
PHILIP HABASHY (M.SC.)
M.Sc Candidate 2022 – 2024
Currently – Research Assistant at the Animal Facility – University of Windsor
adam pillon (PH.D.)
MSc | 2017-1019
Ph.D. Candidate | 2017 – 2024
Currently – Postdoctoral fellow in Chemistry & Biochemistry – University of Windsor – CA
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
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
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.
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.)
Maria Badalova
2022 – 2024
Outstanding Scholar
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin
Currently – M.Sc at University of Windsor
Ria Patel
2021 – 2024
Outstanding Scholar
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin
Currently –
Eddie Grimmett
2023 – 2024
Outstanding Scholar
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Liver
Currently – Medical School
Jeffery Martin
2023 – 2024
President’s Scholarship
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin
Currently – M.Sc – Porter Lab at University of Windsor
Kole Polkinghorne
2023 – 2024
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Tuberin
Currently –
Elie Mouawad
2023 – 2024
BTFC Intern
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Brain
Currently –
Hasan Ghafoor
2021 – 2024
Outstanding Scholar
BIOL 4904 Thesis Student
Group – Brain
Currently –
Stephanie Dinescu
2020 – 2024
Outstanding Scholar
2023 NSERC USRA
BIO 4909 Thesis Student
Group – Brain
Currently – M.Sc – Porter Lab at University of Windsor
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
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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