Current Lab
Wesley Hung, PhD
Research Associate & Lab Manager
1990, BSc, Simon Fraser University
1997, PhD, University of British Columbia
Investigating the molecular mechanisms and neuronal circuit requirements for C. elegans locomotion
Ying Wang, MD
Senior Researcher & Lab Manager
1988, BSc
2000, MD, Dalian Medical University, China
William Li
Research Assistant, Zhen Lab
2014 – 2018, BSc, University of Toronto
2019 – 2022, MSc, University of Toronto
Genetic methods to determine the functional and behavioural effects of neural connectivity
Ben Mulcahy, PhD
Post-doctoral Fellow
2009, BSc
2013, PhD, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Investigating circuit wiring, development, and neurophysiology
Mona Wang
2019- PhD Candidate
2014 – 2018, BSc, University of Toronto
Investigating the influence of environment on neural circuits
Jayant Rai
2019- PhD Candidate (Co-supervised with Dr. Kenichi Okamoto)
2014 – 2018, HBSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Biology)
Investigating the spatiotemporal roles of cAMP in learning & memory
Neeraja Ramakrishnan
2019- PhD Candidate
2013 – 2017, BSc, University of Waterloo
Mechanisms of synaptic development
Hongruo Zhang
2020- PhD Candidate
2014 – 2018, BSc, Wuhan University
Mechanisms that regulate central pattern generators and neuronal excitability
Alanna Love
2021- PhD Candidate
2017 – 2021, BSc, University of British Columbia
2021 – 2023, MSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Ze Nan (Tommy) Tang
2021- MSc Candidate
2017 – 2021, HBSc, University of Toronto
Rory Gao
4th year thesis student
Summer Course, Biophysics (Princeton University)
Data Sciences Institute Awardee
2020 – 2024, BASc Candidate, University of Toronto (Engineering Science)
Congrong (Ruby) He
2023- PhD Candidate (Co-supervised with Dr. John Calarco)
2023, Summer Research Student, Data Sciences Institute Awardee
2019 – 2023, BSc, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Toronto
Huayin Luo
Lab Assistant
2023, Summer Research Student
2021 – 2026, BSc Candidate, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Danish Islam
Lab Assistant
2023, Summer Research Student, PEY Co-op
2021 – 2026, BASc Candidate, University of Toronto (Computer Engineering)
Sruthy Ravivarma
2023- PhD Candidate
2014-2014, BSc Botany, Sree Keralavarma College
2017-2019, MSc Biotechnology, Cochin University
Tian Du
2023- PhD Candidate (Co-supervised with Dr. Lu-Yang Wang)
2018 – 2023, BSc, Physiology, University of Toronto
Xindi Tao
2023- Undergraduate ROP
2021 – 2025, BSc, Computer Science and Neuroscience, University of Toronto
Michael Cheng
2023- Undergraduate ROP
2021 – 2025, HBSc, Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Toronto
Yuna Lee
2023- Undergraduate ROP
2022 – 2026, BSc, Neuroscience and Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Toronto
Alumni
Shuyu van Kerkwijk
2023, Summer Research Student
2022 – 2026, BSc Candidate, University of British Columbia (Physics and Computer Science)
Current: BSc Candidate, University of British Columbia
Ishaan Chandok
2023, Summer Intern
2022, UROP, Work-study Student, 4th Year Thesis Student
2019 – 2023, BSc, University of Toronto (Mathematics & Physical Sciences)
Current: PhD Candidate, Physics Department, Harvard University
Mohammad Haddadnia
2023, Summer Intern
2022, NSERC Summer Fellowship
2019, UROP, Work-study Student, 4th Year Thesis Student
2019 – 2023, BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Current: MSc Candidate, Genomics, Harvard University
Jun Meng, PhD
2018-2021, PhD, University of Toronto 2021 – 2023, Post-doctoral Fellow
2009, BAgrSc DVM, China Agricultural University
2014, MSc, Hangzhou Normal University, China
Current: Post-doctoral Fellow, MRC, Cambridge
Investigating the molecular mechanisms for neuronal and circuit excitability
Yan Li, PhD
2016 – 2023, Senior Researcher
2011, PhD, University of Saskatchewan
2011 – 2014, Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Connecticut
Current: Lab Manager, Sunnybrook Research Institute
Dylan Fong, BSc
2019 – 2023, Programmer
2016, BSc, University of Toronto (Computer Science)
Current: Consultant Software Engineer, University of California San Diego
ChengYue Zhang
2022 – 2023, Work-study Student
2019 – 2023, BSc, University of Toronto (Bioinformatics Specialist Program)
Mohamed Ebsim
2022 – 2023, Work-study Student
2019 – 2023, BSc, University of Toronto (Biological Physics – Biochemistry Stream)
Tosif Ahamed, PhD
2019 – 2022, Post-doctoral Fellow
2019, PhD, Biological Physics Theory Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan
Current: Theory Fellow at HHMI, Janelia
Endri Mjeku
2022 FUSRP Summer Research Student
2019 – 2023, BSc, University of Toronto (Mathematics and Physics)
Comparative Connectomics Using Random Graph Theory
Current: PhD candidate, Mathematics, University of Oxford
Maximilian Hofmann
2022 FUSRP Summer Research Student
2019 – 2023, BSc Candidate, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
Comparative Connectomics Using Random Graph Theory
Szymon Sobczak
2022 FUSRP Summer Research Student
2019 – 2023, BSc Candidate, University of Oxford
Comparative Connectomics Using Random Graph Theory
Oliver Tang
2022, Lab volunteer
2021 – 2025, BSc Candidate, University of Waterloo (Honors Health Sciences)
Yi Li
2021, Visiting PhD Candidate
2022. PhD, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Current: Post-doctoral Fellow, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Shifei (Samuel) Wu
2019 – 2022, NSERC Summer Research Student, Work-study Student, 4th Year Thesis Student, LTRI ROP
2018 – 2022, BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Identifying Insulin-Signalling Targets That Regulate Synapse Development
Current: PhD Candidate, Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
Julian Moran
2019 – 2022, MSc Graduate, University of Toronto
2013 – 2017, BSc, University of Toronto
Imaging analysis pipeline design, mechanisms that regulate central pattern generators
Current: Bioinformatician at TCAG, SickKids
Yi (Jason) Yang
2021, Lab volunteer
2017 – 2021, BSc, University of Toronto
Current: MSc Candidate, University of Toronto
Linyan (Alice) Xu
2022, UROP, Work-study Student, 4th Year Thesis Student
2018 – 2022, BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Current: MSc Candidate, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
Leila Lesanpezeshki, PhD
2021 – 2022, Post-doctoral Fellow
2015, BSc, Chemical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Iran
2020, PhD, Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University
Current: Medical Writer / Data Scientist, Red Nucleus
Randa Higazy
2020 – 2021, 4th Year Thesis Student
2017 – 2021, BSc, University of Toronto (Cell and Systems Biology)
Current: MSc Candidate, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
Mengyao Lui
2020, Visiting PhD Candidate
Current: PhD Candidate, University of Southern China, Chinese Ministry of Education
Christine Rehaluk, MSc
2018 – 2021, MSc Student
2014-2018 BSc, University of British Columbia
Electron Microscopy Analysis of the Gap Junctions of the Adult Caenorhabditis elegans
Christina Wong
2018 – 2020, Undergraduate ROP, Work-study Student
2018 – 2022, BSc, University of Toronto (Pathobiology and Global Health)
Current: MHSc Candidate, Translational Research Program, University of Toronto
Maggie Chang, BSc
2016 – 2020, Post-graduate Research Assistant, Undergraduate ROP, 4th-year Thesis
2016- 2020, BSc, University of Toronto (Physiology)
Current: PhD Candidate, Department of Biology, McGill University
Daniel Witvliet, PhD
2011-2015, BSc, University of Copenhagen/ University of Toronto
2015 – 2020, PhD Student
2020, PhD, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Current: Senior Data Scientist, Coursera
Yangning Lu, PhD
2014 – 2020, Graduate Student
2020, PhD, University of Toronto (Physiology)
Current: Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Boyden Lab)
Yufang (Flora) Liu, BSc
2018 – 2020, Undergraduate Work-study Student
2020, BSc, University of Toronto (Computer Science)
Current: Software Engineer, Google
Raymond Zhang, BSc
2019, Undergraduate ROP, Summer Student
Rebecca Scheiwe, MSc
2019, Summer Research Student
Current: Medical Science Liaison, Fresenius Medical Care Germany GmbH
Mindy Kim, BSc
2019, Summer Research Student
2016-2019, BSc, Cornell University (Human Biology)
2020-2022, Research Assistant, Harvard Medical School (Lee Lab)
Current: PhD candidate, Harvard University (Cellular and Molecular Biology)
Lili Chen
2019, Visiting PhD Candidate
2022, PhD, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China (Gao Lab)
Neuromodulation of the C. elegans motor circuit
Current: Post-doctoral Fellow, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Anson Sathaseevan, MSc
2017 – 2019, Undergraduate ROP, 4th-year Thesis
2019, BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
2021, MSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Current: MD Candidate, Medical School, Queen’s University
Claudia Arndt, BSc
2016 – 2019, Undergraduate ROP, 4th-year Thesis (co-supervised with the Park lab); Research Technician
2019, BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Establishing the C. elegans and Drosophila models for ALS-causative mutations
Current: MD Candidate, Western University
Shangbang Gao, PhD
2016 – 2019, Visiting Professor
2008 – 2015, Post-doctoral Fellow
2006 – 2008, PhD, Chinese Academy of Science (Institute of Biophysics)
Neuronal excitability in C. elegans
Current: Professor, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Gao Lab)
Danqian Cao, BSc
2018, Visiting Summer Intern, Department of Physics, Chinese University of Science and Technology, (Wen Lab)
Motif analyses for C. elegans connectomes
Current: PhD Candidate, King’s College London
Andreas Cuentas Condori, PhD
2018, Visiting PhD Candidate (Vanderbilt University, Miller Lab)
2014 – 2021, PhD, Vanderbilt University (Cell and Development Biology)
2008 – 2012, BSc, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Biology)
EM reconstruction of the GABAergic motor neurons
Current: Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University (Colón-Ramos Lab)
Tianqi Xu, PhD
2018, Visiting PhD Candidate
2014, BSc, Lanzhou University
Current: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Physics, Chinese University of Science and Technology (Wen Lab)
Katarina Pankova, PhD
2017 – 2018, Post-doctoral Fellow
PhD, Ludwig Maximilian University
Investigating neuronal circuits underlying locomotion in C. elegans
Current: Senior Product Manager, Singleron Biotechnologies
Quan Wen, PhD
2017 – 2018, Visiting Professor
Current: Professor, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China (Wen Lab)
Soomin Maeng, BSc
2016 – 2018, Undergraduate ROP
2014 – 2019, BSc, University of Toronto (Physiology; Immunology; Computer Science)
Min Wu, MSc
2016 – 2018, Graduate Student
2016 – 2019, MSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
C. elegans model for Johanson-Blizzard Syndrome
Current: Bioinformatician, Geneseeq Technology Inc.
Jerry (Zhitong) Wang, BSc
2015 – 2017, Summer student, 4th-year Thesis
BSc, McMaster University
Current: PhD Candidate, California Institute of Technology (Thomson Lab)
Wan Xian (Kate) Koh, BSc
2014 – 2017, Undergraduate ROP, 4th-year Thesis
2014 – 2018, BSc, University of Toronto (Physiology)
Current: MD Candidate, University of British Columbia
Kevin Chan, BSc
2014 – 2017, Undergraduate Summer Student
BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Current: MD Candidate, University of Toronto
Vivek Venkatachalam, PhD
2017, Visiting Professor
Current: Assistant Professor, Physics, Northeastern University (Venkatachalam Lab)
Frederick Heim, BSc
2017 Visiting Intern, University of Wurzburg, Germany
Current: Facility Manager
Albert Lin, PhD
2017, Visiting PhD Candidate
2016-2021, PhD, Harvard University
Establishing a calcium imaging line for olfaction neurons
Current: Fellow, Center for the Physics of Biological Function, Princeton University
Charline Roy
2017, Visiting PhD Candidate
2016 – 2022, PhD student, NeuroMyoGene Institute (Bessereau Lab), Lyon, France
Cell-sorting of dissociated C. elegans neurons and muscles
Maria (Ria) Lim, PhD
2012 – 2016, Post-doctoral Fellow
2006 – 2012, PhD, University of Pennsylvania (Neuroscience)
Current: Senior Medical Writer, OPEN Health Communications
Sebastian Britz, PhD
2016-2022, PhD Candidate, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Julius-Maximilians University, Germany
C. elegans connectome and correlative microscopy
Asuka Guan, MSc
2012 – 2015, Graduate Student
MSc, University of Toronto (Physiology)
The Anatomic Connectome and Functional Dissection of the Caenorhabditis elegans First-stage Larvae (L1) Motor Circuit
Current: Research Scientist, Overland Pharmaceuticals, Shanghai, China
Jyothsna Devi Chitturi, PhD
2009 – 2015, Graduate Student
2008 – 2015, PhD, University of Toronto (Institute of Medical Science)
How do ubiquitin ligases regulate synapse formation
Current: Team Lead, Genesis Biotechnology Group
Tetyana Pekar, MSc
2011 – 2013, Graduate Student
MSc, University of Toronto (Physiology)
The role of GABAergic synapses in the adult Motor Circuit
Current: Tutor
Valeriya Laskova, MSc
2010 – 2013, Graduate Student
2010 – 2013, MSc, University of Toronto (Physiology)
Regulation of neuromuscular junction formation by guidepost neurons
Current: Interior Designer, IBI Group
Salvadore Alcaire, MSc, DMD
2010 – 2013, Graduate Student
MSc, University of Toronto (Institute of Medical Science)
Identification of signaling transducers and regulators of the NCA sodium leak channels
Current: Dentist, Dr. Kevin Russelo & Associates
Lin Xie, PhD
2007 – 2013, PhD, University of Toronto (Institute of Medical Science)
Identification of signaling transducers and regulators of NCA-1 channels
Current: Managing Partner, HEDA Ventures
Louis Wei-Chun Barbier, MSc
2009 – 2012, Graduate Student
MSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Regulation of the C. elegans motor circuits
Current: Psychotherapist, Toronto
Hang Li, MD
2008 – 2012, Technician
Current: Okamoto lab, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute
Calvin Mok, PhD
2006 – 2012, Graduate Student
PhD, University of Toronto (Institute of Medical Science)
C. elegans as a model for Bardet-Biedl Syndrome
Current: Lecturer, University of Toronto
Nicholas Watkins, MSc
2012 – 2014, MSc, University of Toronto (Genetic Counseling)
2008 – 2012, MSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
The role of insulin-signaling in the nervous system development
Current: Genetic Diagnostic Data Specialist, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
John Calarco, PhD
2006 – 2011, Graduate Student
PhD, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Understanding the role of alternative splicing in C.elegans nervous system development and function
Current: Associate Professor, Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto
Michelle Po, PhD
2004 – 2011, PhD, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Gap Junctions and Stomatins Dictate Directional Movement
Current: Senior Medical Writer, Highland Therapeutics
Taizo Kawano, PhD
2003 – 2011, Post-doctoral Fellow and Research Associate
PhD, Kobe University (Genetics)
Motor circuit dynamics in C. elegans
Current: Associate Professor, International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba
Magali Bouhours, PhD
2005-2010, Post-doctoral Fellow
PhD, University Paris VII (Neuroscience)
Electrophysiology analysis of C. elegans
Current: Bilingual Information Specialist, Health Nexus Santé
Sharon Ng, MSc
2006 – 2008, Graduate Student
MSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
A putative nematode calcium channel, NCA-1, and its accessory component UNC-80 regulates synapse formation
Current: Research Scientist, GSK
Joanne Kim, MSc
2009 – 2015, PhD, University of Toronto (Health Policy)
2005 – 2007, MSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Activity and pathways of SAD-1 kinase in neuronal cell polarity and synaptogenesis in C.elegans
Current: Manager, Clinical Research, CADTH
Kyota Aoyagi, PhD
2005 – 2007, Post-doctoral Fellow
PhD, Tokyo University (Neuroscience)
Role of SAD-1 kinase during synapse development
Current: Professor, Kyorin University School of Medicine (Japan)
Edward Liao, PhD
2001 – 2007, Graduate Student
PhD, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
The role of a SCF-like ubiquitin ligase complex in synapse formation
Current: Director, Kite Pharma
Yu Lui, MSc
2004 – 2006, Graduate Student
MSc, University of Toronto (Physiology)
Identifying genes regulating SAD-1 localization
Current: Programmer, Toronto
Roman Chlupaty, PhD
2004 – 2006, Technician
Current: Author, The Evolution of Money, Columbia University Press
Edward Yeh, PhD
1995 – 2001, Post-doctoral Fellow
PhD, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
A genetic screen to identify molecular determinants for active zones
Current: Lab Technologist, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario