Research Team

Anna Bonvissuto-Pin

Lab Manager

Biography: Anna received her MSc from Anatomy and Cell Biology at Western. She has worked in research at McGill University, Purdue University and at Victoria Research Labs. She keeps the lab running smoothly, the trainees happy and Dr. Parsyan on track.

Vasudeva Bhat

Adjunct Research Professor

Research Interests / Specializations: Breast cancer, cancer stem cells, metastasis, lung microenvironment, tumor-immune microenvironment, liquid biopsy, organoid models, spatial omics
Biography: Dr. Vasudeva (Vasu) Bhat obtained his PhD from University of Manitoba. He recently completed postdoctoral training at Western, funded by postdoctoral fellowships from Breast Cancer Canada and Western University. He is currently working as a Research Associate for Dr. Parsyan and Dr. Alison Allan. Outside of the lab, Vasu is an amateur photographer and Marvel and Star Wars enthusiast.

Anayra Goncalves

Graduate Student (PhD)

Research Interests / Specializations: Breast cancer, spatial omics, metastasis, chemoresistance
Biography: Anayra Goncalves is a PhD student from Brazil. She is using spatial omics to identify new biomarkers linked to metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to the axillary lymph nodes and its resistance to chemotherapy. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, watching TV shows, singing, and playing the ukulele.

Arpitha Kochiyanil

Honours Undergraduate Student

Biography: Arpitha is an honours undergraduate student in the Medical Sciences and Scholar's Electives program, exploring Artemis expression and its implications in breast cancer.

Isabel Kannampuzha

Honours undergraduate student

Research Interests / Specializations: Combination therapy, metastasis, chemoresistance, organoid models, gene expression
Biography: Isabel is currently completing a Bachelor of Medical Sciences with an Honours Specialization in Biochemistry. She is working to further investigate differential gene expression under PLK4 inhibition and radiotherapy conditions

Harjot Kaur Athwal

Former graduate student (MSc)

Biography: Harjot Athwal completed her MSc. in Anatomy and Cell Biology, supervised by Dr. Parsyan, investigating the combination treatment of PLK4 inhibitor, CFI-400945, with radiotherapy in triple negative breast cancer. She now works as an Associate Scientist with the biotech company, ProteinQure, located in Toronto, ON, Canada

Sierra Pellizzari

Former graduate student (MSc)

Biography: Sierra Pellizzari completed her MSc. in Anatomy and Cell Biology, supervised by Dr. Parsyan and Dr. Allan, investigating the anticancer effects of a combination of novel drug CFI-400945 and radiation in triple negative breast cancer. She is currently in medical school at Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.