Team
Eric Arts, PhD
Executive Director
Canada Research Chair, HIV Pathogenesis and Viral Control Professor, Microbiology and Immunology, Western University
Eric Arts, PhD is the Canada Research Chair in HIV Pathogenesis and Viral Control, and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Western University. His years of research focused on HIV pathogenesis, drug and vaccine development are now greatly enhanced through the use of in vivo imaging and new animal models to cure HIV. Translation of his research discoveries has led to multiple patents, commercialization of clinical diagnostics, and licensing agreements with industry. He has won several entrepreneurial scientist awards and is a sought-after speaker at universities, institutes, and conferences around the world. Dr. Arts has served on numerous peer review committees and scientific advisory boards including the CIHR, NIH, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the American Foundation for AIDS Research. His research has been supported by grants from CIHR, NSERC, NIH (NIAID, NICHD, and NHLBI), from the State of Ohio, Merck, Gilead, and amfAR. He has served as chair and member of the NIH and CIHR grant panel, and has reviewed grants for governments around the world.
Richard Gibson
Director of Operations
Richard Gibson was responsible for managing the design, construction, and certification of Western University’s CL2+/CL3 facility, known as the ImPaKT Centre. ImPaKT is a state-of-the-art facility designed to enable multi-modality imaging of pathogen and host immune response. As Director of Operations, Richard manages both industry collaborations and academic research projects that take place within the facility and is also responsible for developing clinical and basic translation research projects from across the University, carried out in the ImPaKT Centre and ARVS facilities. Additionally, Richard provides central coordination of all COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS-related research taking place within Western University.
In recognition of the vital role that Richard has played in supporting Western University and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry over the course the pandemic, he was awarded the Western Award of Excellence. This award represents the highest level of campus-wide recognition for the exceptional performance of Western staff.
Amanda Hamilton, PhD
Preclinical Imaging Specialist
Dr. Hamilton is responsible for oversight of all imaging projects that take place within the facility. With 20 years of experience in biomedical research, her expertise includes a broad spectrum of imaging modalities investigating a wide range of infectious and non-infectious preclinical disease models. Her research endeavours have included the evaluation of cardiovascular, primary and metastatic cancer, osteoarthritis, graft-vs-host, cell tracking, and most recently SARS-CoV-2 animal models. Additionally, with her origins as a cellular and molecular biologist, Dr. Hamilton also has an active role in both industry collaborations and academic research projects conducted within ImPaKT.
Fernanda Russell
Biosafety & Operations Administrator
Dilan Joseph, BMSc
Research Technician
Dilan is a recent graduate from Western University with a degree in the medical sciences: biochemistry and cell biology. In his fourth year, Dilan endeavoured to optimize the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater under the supervision of Eric Arts. Presently, Dilan is a research technician at Western University’s ImPaKT Facility, where he monitors the levels of coronavirus in populations across Southern Ontario. Dilan’s research will soon extend to the assessment of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern within Ontario.
Jessica Pardy
Research Technician
Jessica is a Research Technician at the ImPaKT Facility, currently working on the wastewater surveillance program. She is tracking SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater across southern Ontario, which is an excellent measure of population infection rates. It is also an invaluable tool for those areas that do not have widespread testing available to them.
Jessica brings an extensive knowledge of genetics and molecular biology techniques to the ImPaKT team. She holds her Master of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, which she obtained from Western University.
Kyoungok (Janice) Kim
Animal Care Specialist
Janice is a CSMLS and OSMT certified Animal Care Specialist at the ImPaKT Facility, where she supports animal-based research for both academic and industry research projects. She is responsible for ensuring all animal care is performed in accordance with the appropriate guidelines, procedures, and policies. In providing training to all staff and students who require access to the facility, and coordinating with veterinary staff, Janice ensures that all animal care and treatments are performed compassionately, safely, and to the standards of all relevant regulatory bodies.
Janice brings to ImPaKT six years of experience as a research laboratory technician.
Mohit Solanki
Project Coordinator
Mohit Solanki is a dedicated civil engineer with over three years of experience in project coordination. With a strong focus on construction projects, Mohit ensures effective management, adhering to budgets and timelines. Equipped with advanced certifications in Construction Project Management and Building Information Modelling (BIM), Mohit brings a comprehensive understanding of industry best practices and cutting-edge technologies to the table. His commitment to professional growth and passion for excellence make him an invaluable asset to the ImPaKT team.
