Meet the Team
Current Juvet Lab Members
Betty Joe
Research Technician
I have had the pleasure of working here for the past nine years and have helped in starting up the lab, characterizing the mouse models of chronic lung allograft dysfunction and have worked on the human, rat, and mouse regulatory T cell immune tolerance projects. When I’m not doing Treg experiments, I’m helping others with their experiments and helping to manage the lab. In my spare time, I enjoy documentaries, movies, music, walks, tennis, cooking and trying new restaurants.
Contact: Betty.Joe@uhn.ca
Sajad Moshkelogosha, PhD.
Scientific Associate
I've been part of the CLAD team since its early days, joining after completing my PhD. in Immunology and Medical Genetics from King's College London in 2015 and a brief postdoctoral fellowship in Germany. My research encompasses diverse areas, including the characterization and measurement of alloreactive T cells, the study of alveolar macrophages, and the mechanisms underlying CLAD development. In addition to advancing my own research projects, I take great pride in mentoring junior team members.
Contact: Sajad.Moshkelogosha@uhn.ca
Yamato Suzuki, MD. PhD.
Post Doctoral Fellow
I am a thoracic surgeon specializing in lung transplantation and immunology, with a focus on immune regulation and Tregs’ role in transplant tolerance.
Contact: Yamato.Suzuki@uhn.ca
Julie Semenchuck, MD. FRCPC
PhD. Student
I’m a respirologist pursing further research and clinical training in the Lung Transplantation! Originally from Winnipeg, I completed Internal Medicine and Respirology at the University of Toronto and am pursing a PhD. at the Institute of Medical Science. I am working on characterizing the role of alveolar macrophages in acute and lung allograft dysfunction following transplantation. When I am not looking through a microscope, I’m probably looking for my ball on the golf course!
Contact: Julie.Semenchuck@uhn.ca
Christina Lam
PhD. Candidate
I completed my Bachelor in Medical Sciences at the University of Western. I am currently a PhD. candidate with the Institute of Medical Science at U of T (I did not plan the names of my degrees). I am working to understand how an immunoregulatory molecule and its origin can have opposing influences on our immune response. In my free time, if I am not petting a cat, I’m most likely looking at a photo of one. I also think napping is a highly underrated recreational activity.
Contact: Christina.Lam@uhn.ca
Ke Fan Bei
PhD. Candidate
I am looking to understand the T cell landscape of chronically rejected transplanted lungs through single cell transcriptomics, with the goal of gaining a better understanding of the immune involvement in rejection for future therapeutic applications. As a homebody, I completed my bachelors at the University of Toronto in Immunology and am now pursuing a PhD. Outside of the lab I have many hobbies and side quests including keeping and raising tarantulas and a tri-colour hognose snake.
Contact: KeFan.Bei@uhn.ca
Sumi Karunagaran
PhD. Candidate
I am a senior PhD. candidate investigating the formation of local B cell-dependent immune aggregates during chronic pulmonary inflammation, utilizing mouse models and human lung specimens. My current research interests span many disciplines from host-pathogen interactions to neuro-immune crosstalk in the lung. Beyond my scientific pursuits, I have a passion for coffee, painting, and exploring nature.
x: @karunasumi
Contact: Sumiha.Karunagaran@uhn.ca
Daniel Vosoughi
PhD. Candidate
I am a PhD. Candidate with the Institute of Medical Science, with a primary focus on humoral autoimmunity following lung transplantation. We have identified novel lung-directed autoantibodies that form a minimally invasive combinatorial serum biomarker strongly associated with patients at risk of developing future CLAD. To explore its clinical potential, we are validating the prognostic value of this biomarker.
Contact: Daniel.Vosoughi@uhn.ca
Mira Ishak
PhD. Student
I'm a PhD. student in the department of Immunology at the University of Toronto. Before joining the Juvet lab, I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at McMaster University. My project focuses on engineering regulatory T cells to promote lung transplant tolerance. When I’m not in the lab, I love to read, try new restaurants, and enjoy live music.
Contact: Mira.Ishak@uhn.ca
Nicole Chrysler
MSc. Candidate
I'm a first-year MSc. candidate in the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto, where I also completed my undergraduate degree in Immunology. My current project focuses on investigating the cellular characteristics and spatial distribution of effector T cells in the peripheral blood and lung tissue of lung transplant patients. Originally from Minnesota, I enjoy spending time on the lake either on a boat or playing pond hockey.
Contact: Nicole.Chrysler@uhn.ca
Current Martinu Lab Members
Rachel Stoneham
Research Technician
I studied psychology and toxicology at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon before moving to Toronto to take a job at a pre-clinical testing lab. I'm excited to continue my professional development as part of the CLAD team! My main research focus is examining epithelial cell damage in CLAD, but as a Research Technician, I support other lab members with their projects and collaborate with different labs at TGHRI. In my free time, I enjoy embroidery and watching musicals.
Contact: Rachel.Stoneham@uhn.ca
Ankita Burman, PhD.
Scientific Associate
As a scientist, I'm driven to uncover complex disease mechanisms and improve treatment options for patients. With a PhD. from Vanderbilt University and postdoctoral training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, I'm now investigating the roles of B cells and epithelial cells in chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), using cutting-edge multi-omics approaches. Beyond science, I enjoy reading, listening to, and writing poetry.
Contact: Ankita.Burman@uhn.ca
Rayoun Ramendra, MD.
Internal Medicine Resident
I am an Internal Medicine resident at the University of Toronto Department of Medicine. I began my training at McGill University where I completed my BSc in Microbiology and Immunology before attending medical school at UofT. I am currently working on translating biomarkers of the lung microbiome and allograft injury for clinical use to predict acute and chronic rejection in lung transplant recipients.
x: @RamendraRayoun
Contact: Rayoun.Ramendra2@uhn.ca
Allen Duong
PhD. Candidate
Born and raised in Toronto, I did my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto with a double major in Immunology and Human Biology. Currently I am still at UofT, pursuing a PhD. at the Institute of Medical Sciences. I have been primarily working on characterizing the role of pulmonary macrophages in the early post-transplant stage, as well as end-stage chronic lung allograft dysfunction.
Contact: Allen.Duong@uhn.ca
Zoeen Carter
PhD. Student
I’m a PhD. student in the department of Immunology at the University of Toronto where I also completed my undergraduate degree in Immunology. My project focuses on investigating club cell secretory protein and its effects on epithelial cells and macrophages in response to injury. Outside the lab, I enjoy listening to music, painting, and volunteering at a retirement home.
Contact: Zoeen.Carter@uhn.ca
David Sebben
MSc. Candidate
I am a second year MSc. candidate in the Institute of Medical Science at UofT and previously completed my Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering. I am actively investigating a mechanism of club cell loss in CLAD. I enjoy staying active in my free time and can usually be found in the gym!
Contact: David.Sebben@uhn.ca
Melina Kaltagian
MSc. Candidate
I am currently a Master's student in the Department of Immunology at the University of Toronto, where I am studying the role of macrophage-derived angiotensin II related proteins in chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). I completed my HBSc at the University of Toronto. My research investigates the role of macrophages in chronic rejection in lung transplant recipients. Outside of research, you could find me meal prepping and trying new recipes!
Contact: Melina.Kaltagian@uhn.ca
Nele-Marie Hagen
Research Volunteer
I am excited to further understand underlying immune mechanisms after Lung Transplantation leading to acute and chronic rejection. I am working on characterizing B cells in the lung and analyzing their potential role in the development of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction. After I finish my medical studies in Germany, I aim for a career in respirology and to continue my research. Apart from lab work, I enjoy exploring nature, hiking and art museums.
Contact: Nele-Marie.Hagen@uhn.ca
Animal Technicians
Amit Patel
Research Microsurgeon
I graduated from University of Toronto with a double major in biology and physics and jumped straight into animal care. I was previously a zookeeper and a veterinary technician and settled into research. I have a background in doing microsurgery on mice. I am currently helping the many researchers in our lab with their experiments and running our breeding colonies.
Contact: Amit.Patel@uhn.ca
Nadia Sachewsky, PhD.
Research Microsurgeon
Originally from Montreal, I did my HBSc and PhD. at UofT in Biology/Zoology and the Institute of Medical Sciences, respectively. I've applied my microsurgery skills to various models, including heart transplant, kidney injury, islet transplantation, and human-mouse skin xenografts. When not in the lab, I am probably trying to find a new hobby to add to my list of taking my therapy dog on visits, yarn crafts, and now art.
Contact: Nadia.Sachewsky@uhn.ca
2015
Zhiqi Chen
2016
Alex Tigert
Hisashi Oishi
David Putman
Karthik Potluri
Takashi Hirama
2017
Julieta Lazarte
Jacob Pelling
Kevin Sun
Ning Huang
Larissa Sodeo-Bouko
Madalina Maxim
Melissa Brijbassi
2018
Matthew White
Musawir Ahmed
Ingrid Hon
Kristen Boonstra
Juan Mauricio Umana
Lab Alumni
2019
Ei Miyamoto
Liran Levy
Sarah Hunter
David Darley
Nam Topp-Nguyen
Chihiro Konoeda
Philip Ly
Hifza Buhari
2020
Tatsuaki Watanabe
Goodness Madu
Tina Daigneault
Grace Teskey
Akihiro Takahagi
Rida Shaikh
2021
Alex Xiang
Jenna Fortunato
Zonelle Wijesinha
Chen Yang Kevin Zhang
Gregory Berra
2022
Vanessa Man
Alefiyah Bahrainwala
Sam Beber
Yuwei (Sabrina) Tang
Pavani Besetty
Jamal Al-Refaee
Hawwa Chakera
Benjamin Renaud-Picard
Jan Havlin
2023
Daniel Yu
Fiona Cui
Jillian Oliver
Wenshan Zhong
Olivia Mekhael
2024
Felix Liu
Abbie Lo
Reese Whittaker
Peter Lombardi
Tsukasa Ishiwata
Milagros Dianti