LAB MEMBERS
Madison Roblin
Honours B.Sc. student, Lakehead University
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Madison is working on a honours thesis on the impact of abscisic acid on mitochondrial biogenesis.
Robyn Schiiler
Honours B.Sc. student, Lakehead University
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Robin is working on a honours thesis on the impact of mirabegron on mitochondrial biogenesis.
Sarah Niccoli, M.Sc.
Honours B.Sc., Lakehead University
M.Sc., Lakehead University
Sarah has worked as a Research Assistant and Research Associate in Dr. Lees’ lab.
Jocelyn Bel, M.Sc., Ph.D.
MSc Biology, Master of Business Administration, HBSc Applied Bio-Molecular Science, Lakehead University
Jocelyn icompleted a PhD Candidate Medical Biotechnology in Dr. Lees lab examining the effects of stress hormones on beiging and inflammation of adipose tissue. Specifically, Jocelyn examined how the activation of the β3 Adrenergic pathway within adipose tissue depots interact with chronic stress levels and its implications in metabolism.
Shayen Sreetharan, M.Sc., Ph.D.
MSc McMaster Univeristy, HBSc McMaster University
Shayen completed a Ph.D. from McMaster University in the Radiation Sciences (Radiation Biology) program. His research in Dr. Lees' lab involved studying the effects of ionizing radiation exposure in biological systems. Specifically, Shayen studied the response of radiation exposure during late gestation in mice and characterizing cellular and physiological effects on offspring. Additionally, Shayen studied the role of antioxidant enzymes in modulating this radiation response.
Paige Perrons, B.Sc., M.Sc.
Honours B.Sc., Lakehead University
M.Sc. Student, Biology, Lakehead University
Completed M.Sc. on the implications of chronic stress hormone exposure on skeletal muscle
Jake Puskas, B.Sc., M.Sc.
B.Sc., Queen's University
M.Sc. Student, Biology, Lakehead University
Completed a M.Sc. on strategies to increase skeletal muscle mass and strength leading to improved surgical outcomes following total joint arthroplasty.
Calista Perrons, Honours in Biology
4th year Biology and Chemistry, Lakehead University
Calista completed an honors thesis project with Dr. Lees in the study of the effectiveness of a novel combination of x-ray radiation and a non-radioactive drug in a cancer cell culture model.
Riley Voth, B.Sc.
Honours B.Sc., Lakehead University
Riley worked as a Research Assistant in Dr. Lees’ lab.
Hanna Merner
4th year Biology, Lakehead University
Currently investigating the effect of a novel combination cancer therapy in a xenograft tumour model.
Ashley Nemec-Bakk, Ph.D.
M.Sc. Biology, Honours B.Sc. Applied Bio-Molecular Science Candidate, Lakehead University
Ashley is completing her Ph.D. with Dr. Lees, and is analyzing the effects of low-dose radiation and elevated glucocorticoids on the fetal programming of endogenous antioxidant capacity. Specifically, Ashley is utilizing microPET to analyze basal cardiac glucose uptake, and various techniques to measure oxidative modifications of proteins and the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes.
Caitlund Davidson, M.Sc.
Honours B.Sc. Applied Bio-Molecular Science, Lakehead University
M.Sc., Biology, Lakehead University
M. Business Administration, Lakehead University
Caitlund in completed her Master of Science with Dr. Lees analyzing the effects of low-dose radiation on the fetal programming of glucose metabolism. Specifically, Caitlund utilized microPET imaging of glucose uptake in brown adipose tissue and proteins involved in cellular signaling of glucose metabolism in the liver and brown adipose tissue.
Alexandrea Macey, B.Sc.
Honours B.Sc., Lakehead University
Completed her HBSC Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience. Alex investigated methods to enhance differentiation of mouse myoblast cells to myotubes with the use of the C2C12 cell line as a model. This work has implications in the development of potential therapeutics aimed at promoting muscle growth in age-related loss of muscle mass.
Martina Agostino
Honours B.Sc. Applied Bio-Molecular Science, Lakehead University
Martina completed her Master of Science with Dr. Lees analyzing the effects of fibromyalgia on the activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Brenda Huska, M.Sc.
M.Sc. Biology, Honours B.Sc. Physics with a major concentration in Applied Bio-Molecular Science, Lakehead University
Brenda completed her Master of Science with Dr. Lees, and is analyzing leucine mediated glucose uptake, from associated insulin increase and direct action on skeletal muscle, in mice using microPET imaging.
Paige Ferazzo, M.Sc.
M.Sc. Biology, Honours B.Sc. Applied Bio-molecular Science, Lakehead University
Paige completed her Master of Science with Dr. Lees, and is investigating the ability of ascorbic acid to prevent osteogenesis in muscle tissue (heterotopic ossification) after trauma to the area has occurred. Paige is also investigating the potential of primary skeletal stem cells to be induced into bone lineage.
Jessica Sarvas, M.Sc.
B.Sc., Queen's University
M.S., Lakehead University
Jessica completed of Master of Science in Biology with Dr. Lees, and is currently studying Pharmacy at the University of British Columbia.
Cole Anderson, M.P.H.
Honours B.Sc., Lakehead University
M.P.H., Memorial University of Newfoundland
Cole previously worked for Dr. Lees as an undergraduate summer student.
Adrian Agostino, B.Sc.
Honours B.Sc., Lakehead University
Adrian previously worked for Dr. Lees as an undergraduate summer student. He is now completing his first year of studies at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Nicole Hawdon, M.Sc.
B.Sc., Lake Superior State University
M.S., Lakehead University
Nicole previously worked for Dr. Lees as a Research Assistant.
Breanna Dumke, M.Sc.
Honours B.Sc., Colorado State University
Breanna completed her Master of Science with Dr. Lees at Colorado State University. Breanna’s research project involved studying how immune cells communicate with skeletal muscle stem cells.
Breanna is currently working towards becoming a physiotherapist.
