The CMMT Trainee committee organizes scientific and social events to increase networking between CMMT members and represent the interests of CMMT trainees to CMMT faculty. The goal of the committee is to initiate cross talk between the various labs at CMMT, ignite friendships, and create a nurturing scientific community for both new and established members of CMMT.
Ishika Luthra – Mostafavi Lab
My name is Ishika Luthra and I am a second year Masters in Bioinformatics student supervised by Sara Mostafavi and Carl de Boer. I graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelors of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering in 2018. I am passionate about using machine learning models to further our understanding of biomedical research. My current project uses CNN models to predict cell type specific motifs in the immune system using single cell ATAC sequencing data. In my free time I enjoy hiking, baking and doing yoga 🙂
Zeinab Mohanna – Simpson Lab
I am a PhD student in Dr. Elizabeth M. Simpson’s lab. My research focuses on developing a CRISPR-based gene therapy for the congenital blindness aniridia. I was first introduced to the field of ocular research during my MSc studies at the University of Sheffield. My interest in eye research then intensified, as I investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related macular degeneration as part of my MSc thesis project. I am very fortunate to be part of the Simpson lab where I can pursue my research interests in the ocular field and lay the foundation for a career as a clinical molecular geneticist. In my free time, I like to travel, learn new languages, and try new desserts.
Hilary Brewis – Kobor Lab
I am a PhD Candidate in the Kobor lab. My current research focuses on H2A.Z, an evolutionary conserved histone variant that modifies chromatin dynamics and is required for a wide variety of cellular functions. In particular, I am using budding yeast as a model organism to inspect how H2A.Z regulation is driven by its unique amino acid sequence, histone chaperones, and the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler SWR1-C. When I’m not in the lab, you can find me playing soccer, hiking, camping, or binge-watching nerdy TV shows.
Fanny Lemarie – Hayden Lab
I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Hayden lab. I study the role of lipid modifications of the huntingtin protein, responsible for Huntington disease when mutated. My goal is to assess if we can modulate this post-translational modification to slow neurodegeneration. Before that, I completed my PhD in France, in Rennes. During my free time, I like baking and making cheese, paddleboarding, cross stitching and playing video or board games.
Rachel Spencer – Taubert Lab
I started my MSc in the Taubert lab in September 2020, after completing my undergraduate at the University of Saskatchewan. I study the role of a transcriptional coactivator in the maturation and function of pancreatic beta cells under Type 2 Diabetes stress. Outside of the lab I spend my time riding horses, shooting photography, scuba diving, and baking.
Solenne Correard – Wasserman Lab
I started a post-doc in the Wasserman lab in 2019, working on Human genome analysis. Before that, I obtained my PhD in France, studying dog genomics. I work within the Silent Genomes Project team, aiming at reducing health care disparities and improving diagnostic success for children with genetic diseases from Indigenous populations. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time outside and enjoy the beautiful British Columbia, especially on my mountain bike.