Graduate Students
Baasil Afzal
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Tissue Engineering for Wound Healing Applications
Biography: Had an interest in science growing up. Still have an interest in science today.
Layya Al Malouf
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, Transcriptomics, Neurological Variations
Biography: I completed my BSc. with an Honours Specialization in Neuroscience from Western University in 2023. Through the Clinical Anatomy program, I am combining my interests in anatomy, research and teaching. My project is focused on the transcriptomic changes in the mice brain that result from early, acute exposure to alcohol in utero.
Emily Barlow
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: Cell Biology, Neuroanatomy, Development & Embryology
Biography: Emily is a first year Clinical Anatomy MSc student. She graduated from Western with an Honours BSc in Biology. She is an avid rock climber and hockey player who is passionate about cell biology, neuroanatomy, women's health, and all things S.T.E.M!
Matthew Borrelli
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Ovarian cancer / Spheroids / Metastasis / Metabolism / Mitochondrial dynamics / High-volume image analysis
Biography: Matt began working towards his PhD under the supervision of Dr. Shepherd after earning his MSc at Western in 2019. His primary research goal is to develop novel approaches for studying spatial regulation of intracellular processes within three-dimensional spheroids, and to contribute the resulting insights to a more comprehensive understanding of (ovarian) cancer spheroid biology.
Julia Brott
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Neurodevelopment, Intellectual Disability, microRNAs, Cognition, ATRX Syndrome, Synaptic Plasticity
Biography: I completed my Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Toxicology at the University of Guelph in 2018. I then began studying neurodevelopmental disorders and completed my Masters of Science in the department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph in 2020.
Jeffrey Chen
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: Dissection, Human Anatomy
Biography: I graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours BSc. majoring in psychology and EEB (ecology & evolutionary biology) with a minor in immunology. I pursued further studies at U of T with a special interest in anatomy, particularly dissection work. I am now pursuing my MSc. in Clinical Anatomy, which will allow me to combine my interests in anatomy, teaching & research.
Paul Collie
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Tissue Engineering, Synovial Tissue, Osteoarthritis
Biography: I completed my undergraduate in Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa, where I found a passion for working in lab settings and contributing to research in healthcare. My work with Dr. Flynn focuses on engineering a tuneable 3D culture model to study human synovial tissue during health and disease.
Emily Danciu
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL), use of anatomical eponyms in healthcare education.
Biography: I completed my Bachelor of Science in Health Studies at the University of Waterloo in 2023. This is where I got to further study anatomy and fell in love with teaching and dissection. This led me to the Clinical Anatomy program here at Western which combines my passion for anatomy and teaching!
Jahdiel DeNobrega
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological Research
Adam Exley
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: MSK Anatomy
Biography: Born and raised in Kitchener, ON. Completed an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of Toronto
Elizabeth Fenton
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Glioma, Brain Cancer, H3 K27 mutant, Pediatric, Xenografts
Biography: I completed my Honours Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Western University in May 2023. Currently, I am completing my Master of Science in Anatomy and Cell Biology at Western University. My project involves the development/optimization of pre-clinical models of brain cancer, specifically patient-derived xenografts of glioma in immunodeficient rats, as well as complementary in vitro work.
Anayra Goncalves Santiago
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Breast cancer, spatial omics, metastasis, chemoresistance
Biography: I completed my MSc in Physiology at the University of São Paulo, Brazil in 2024. For my PhD project, under the supervision of Dr. Armen Parsyan and Dr. Alison Allan, I will be using spatial omics to identify new biomarkers associated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) metastasis to the axillary lymph nodes and its resistance to chemotherapy
Jennifer Guo
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Periodontal Regeneration, Growth Factors, Biomaterial
Biography: Jennifer received her Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree from Western University in 2021 with an Honours Specialization in Physiology. She is currently a DDS/PhD Candidate looking to engineer novel biomaterial to facilitate periodontal tissue regeneration.
Jordan Jones
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: Clinical Anatomy
Biography: I graduated from the Biomedical Science Program at Guelph in 2015 and the Ultrasound program at Michener in 2019. I have been working as a Sonographer for a few years and am pursuing the Clinical Anatomy Program to explore teaching opportunities and expand my career in health care.
Rehanna Kanji
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Pannexins, Brain cancer: Glioblastoma multiforme, Cancer cell biology
Biography: I completed a BMSc with an Honours Specialization in Medical Cell Biology in 2023. During that time I studied the role of Pannexin 3 in age and forced exercise-induced osteoarthritis. My interest in cancer biology has led me to pursue an MSc with a research project focused on targeting Pannexin 1 in glioblastoma multiforme.
Atefeh Kazemighods
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Neural disorders therapeutics
Biography: B.Sc. graduated in Animal Biology at the University of Tehran, M.Sc. Student in Anatomy and Cell Biology at Western University
Young Joon Kim
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Chaperones, ALS, In-vitro, Neuronal, J proteins
Biography: I am excited to learn more about the cochaperone DNAJC7 and its interactions with other proteins! Thank you to my professors, Martin and James, for your supervision and guidance.
Megan Lave
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Placenta; Preeclampsia; Osteopontin; Inflammation; Rodent Models
Biography: I received a Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree from Western University with an Honours Specialization in Medical Cell Biology. My research focuses on investigating the role of osteopontin at the maternal-fetal interface and during inflammation.
Stephanie Leighton
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Connexins, Pannexins, Skin, Melanoma
Biography: Stephanie completed her Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto in 2021. She is currently exploring the role of connexins and pannexins as potential suppressors of melanoma growth and metastasis.
Stephen Magliocchetti
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Abdominopelvic plexuses, endopelvic fascia, nerve-sparring surgical techniques.
Biography: I completed my MSc. in Anatomical Sciences at Queen's University, where I collaboratively investigated vulvar innervation. My research at Western is focused on defining endopelvic fascial anatomy of the female pelvis in relation to terminal branches of the abdominopelvic (inferior hypogastric) plexuses.
Kasha Mansour
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: ATRX, astrocytoma, mouse models, chromatin remodelling
Biography: My research project focuses on creating a genetic mouse model of astrocytoma, which is a form of brain cancer that originates from glial cells. I aim to characterize the tumours formed in these mice and to identify early driving events that lead to tumourigenesis, with the goal of eventually identifying potential therapeutic targets.
Hannah Martin
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Stroke, Alzheimer's disease
Biography: I am a first year PhD student in the Whitehead lab. I completed my undergraduate degree at Western in the Medical Sciences and Biology double major program. My current research focuses on determining if extracellular vesicles released from microglia can discriminate post-stroke cognitive impairment.
Alyssa Moore
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Craniofacial development, tissue interactions, medical imaging
Biography: I earned my B.Sc. in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the University of Saskatchewan, where I was introduced to anatomy and medical imaging. I've since completed an M.Sc. in Clinical Anatomy and refined my research focus to the developmental biology of the skull and tissues that interact with the skull throughout development.
Aisha Mughal
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyBiography: I completed my BSc in Kinesiology, with a minor in Medical Physiology, at the University of Waterloo in 2024. I am now pursuing my MSc in Clinical Anatomy where I will further explore my interests in anatomy, teaching and research.
Sarah Myers
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Microglia activation, cognitive impairment, stroke, Alzheimer's disease
Biography: Sarah received a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Neuroscience from Indiana University in 2018. She is currently a PhD candidate investigating microglia activation and cognitive impairment in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
Lina Nasirkadir
MSc Anatomy and Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) and Spatial Abilities (SA)
Biography: I completed my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Guelph in 2022, where I was introduced to the study of anatomy. I was able to further my knowledge in this field of study while also being introduced to teaching as a passion. Currently, I am completing my Master's at Western University under the Clinical Anatomy Program, which has furthered my passions for anatomy, teaching, and research. My research investigates the impacts of different depths of drawing on spatial abilities and whether it could be used as a tool in anatomy classrooms to increase students' spatial abilities as a skill set.
Carson Norkum
MSc Anatomy and Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: Orthopedic Surgery: Surgical Education
Biography: I graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2023 with an Honours BSc in Biomedical Science and a minor in Psychology. I'm now in the Clinical Anatomy MSc program, where I will be focusing on making a Surgical Objective Structured Clinical Examination (S-OSCE) for orthopedic surgery residents.
Nikita Ollen-Bittle
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Characterizing lipidomic changes and mechanisms of microglial dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.
Biography: Nikita is an MD/PhD student co-supervised by Dr. Whitehead and Dr. Finger. Prior to starting in the MD/PhD program Nikita completed both an MSc in Neuroscience and a BSc (Hon.) in Life Sciences at Queen's University.
Urvi Patel
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Breast cancer, lung metastasis, extracellular vesicles, pre-metastatic niche
Biography: I completed a BMSc with an Honours Specialization in Biochemistry & Cancer Biology at Western. I started doing cancer research with the Allan lab during my fourth year. This led me to pursue my masters and continue my research exploring the underlying mechanisms behind why breast cancer metastasizes to the lung.
Violet Patterson
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Elucidating the regulatory processes of trophoblast differentiation and placental development using animal and cell models.
Biography: Violet is a PhD student studying the role of the transcription factor, ovo-like zinc finger 2 (OVOL2) on placental vascular function and development. She completed her BSc & MSc in Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University, where she studied the impacts of paternal obesity on placental endoplasmic reticulum stress and vascular development in mice. She sought to continue her research into placental development to further elucidate the signaling pathways within this unique organ.
Milica Pavlovic
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Molecular Biology, Autism, Microglia, Chromatin Remodeling
Biography: I graduated from Western University in 2023 with an Honours Specialization in One Health in Medical Sciences. I am currently starting my MSc in Anatomy and Cell Biology in the Bérubé lab where I focus on studying neurodevelopmental disorders.
Duncan Petrik
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: First year clinical anatomy student
Biography: My name is Duncan Petrik, I graduated in 2024 from the University of Guelph with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. Throughout this degree I gained a passion for anatomy, research and teaching which I am exited to pursue in my masters of clinical anatomy at Western.
Amy Pietrantonio
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Prenatal alcohol exposure, developmental biology
Biography: I completed both my BMSc and MSc at Western University. Currently, I am completing my PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology at Western University with a research focus on prenatal alcohol exposure.
Nevaeh Piroski
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyBiography: I graduated from Western in 2024 with my Bachelor of Medical Sciences with an Honours Specialization in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences. During my studies, I fell in love with anatomy and never looked back. Being a part of the clinical anatomy program I can combine this passion with my interests in teaching and research.
Anahid Pourtousi
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Critical Periods in Neurodevelopment
Biography: During much of my bachelor's degree in the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences at Western, I worked as a research assistant studying sensory difficulties in neurodevelopmental disorders. I carried my work with developmental disorders down to its molecular basis in my Master's degree under the supervision of Dr. Nathalie Bérubé.
Katherine Quesnel
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Autism, neurodevelopment, chromatin remodeling, molecular biology
Biography: I graduated from Fanshawe college with a diploma in Science Laboratory Technology in 2012, and had the opportunity to start working as a Research Technician at Western University as a co-op student during my time at Fanshawe. After graduating, I continued working as a research technician and furthered my education, graduating with a bachelors of science with a specialization in Biology from Western. Now, I am continuing my passion in the laboratory but now as a graduate student in Anatomy and cell biology, in hopes to pursue a career in academia. www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-quesnel-a4920913a
Jeri Spilberg
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Breast Cancer Research
Biography: Master's Candidate in Dr. Alison Allan's research Lab, focusing on breast cancer metastasis.
Samuel Stack-Couture
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Unfolded protein response in Candida albicans.
Biography: I completed my B.M.Sc with an Honors Specialization in Medical Cell Biology at Western in 2021. I started working in the Lajoie lab in my fourth year of undergrad and stayed for a Ph.D. to study the role of the unfolded protein response in Candida albicans and how it relates to antifungal resistance and pathogenicity.
Dan Stefan
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Pannexin isoforms, post-translational modifications and cancer
Biography: I graduated with a Bachelor's of medical science here at Western with an Honours Specialization in Biochemistry and Cell biology. I really enjoyed my 4th year thesis work studying Pannexin isoforms in cancer in Dr Penuela's lab and decided to continue the work as a graduate student.
Justin Tang
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Osteoarthritis, Cell Systems, Electrophysiology, iPSCs, Proteomics
Biography: Justin received a Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree from Western in 2022 with an Honours Specialization in Medical Cell Biology. He is currently a PhD student researching the effect of mutant Pannexins on physiological systems.
Dylan Tinney-Dickinson
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological Research
Emily Tomas
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Epithelium ovarian cancer; Patient-derived organoids; Spheroids; Tumour dormancy
Biography: My project investigates epithelial ovarian cancer using 3D culture model systems (ex. spheroids and organoids) to understand the biological changes that occur during disease progression. This will provide new targeted treatment options for patients with disease recurrence and with tumours/metastatic lesions that have become resistant to standard chemotherapy.
Hannah Traynor
MSc Anatomy and Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyBiography: I completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph in 2023 where I had incredible opportunities in human anatomy. The Clinical Anatomy program at Western allows me to combine my passions for anatomy, research, teaching, education, and humanity in general.
Marie Tsai
MSc Anatomy and Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: Neuroanatomy, MRI, Histology, Dissection
Biography: My passions include education, anatomy, and human and planetary health. My current research focuses on characterization and mapping of the human subthalamus through magnetic resonance imaging, dissection, and histology. When I'm not daydreaming in the Fields of Forel, I enjoy swimming, cycling, gardening, and eating worrisomely large quantities of cheese.
Kayla Vieno-Corbett
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Anatomical variation in gross anatomy education
Biography: I completed my BSc in Biomedical Science at the University of Guelph in 2020 and my MSc in Clinical Anatomy at Western in 2022. I am continuing to follow my interests in teaching and anatomy as a PhD candidate exploring the inclusion of anatomical variation in gross anatomy education.
Jack Webb
PhD Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Autophagy, ovarian cancer, metastasis, CRISPR/Cas9, spheroids, xenografts
Biography: I graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Medical Sciences, completing a double major in both Pathology and Pharmacology, from Western University in 2021. After completing my undergraduate studies, I initially enrolled in ACB's Master of Science program, but soon transitioned into their PhD program. In my doctoral work, I am investigating the multifaceted role of ULK1 and autophagy in epithelial ovarian cancer progression and treatment resistance.
Sidney Wright
MSc Anatomy and Cell Biology, Clinical AnatomyResearch Interests / Specializations: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
Biography: I completed my Bachelor of Medical Science in Interdisciplinary Medical Science at Western University in 2023 before entering the Clinical Anatomy program. Through this program I am able to combine my interests in anatomy, teaching, education and SoTL research.
David Wu
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Neuroinflammation, biomarkers, imaging, cognitive impairment
Biography: David Wu is a first-year Masters student in Anatomy & Cell Biology. His current project investigates if white matter hyperintensities, perivascular spaces, and blood-based biomarkers could be used together for the diagnosis and prognosis of mild cognitive impairment. David is passionate about scientific advocacy and promoting research opportunities, and enjoys reading and playing piano in his spare time.
Xindi Zhao
MSc Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biological ResearchResearch Interests / Specializations: Tissue engineering, Wound healing
Biography: I completed my Honours Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree in Physiology and Pathology at Western University. My current project in Dr. Flynn's Lab focuses on tissue engineering and cell therapies to promote wound healing.
