Current Lab
Wesley Hung, PhD
Research Associate & Lab Manager
BSc, Simon Fraser University
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
Yan Li, PhD
Senior Researcher
2011, PhD, University of Saskatchewan
2011-2014 Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Connecticut
Dylan Fong, BSc
Programmer
2016, BSc, University of Toronto (Computer Science)
Ben Mulcahy, PhD
Post-doctoral Fellow
2009, BSc
2013, PhD, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Investigating circuit wiring, development, and neurophysiology
Jun Meng, PhD
Post-doctoral Fellow
2009, BAgrSc DVM, China Agricultural University
2014, MSc, Hangzhou Normal University, China
2021, PhD, Dept. of Physiology, University of Toronto
Investigating the molecular mechanisms for neuronal and circuit excitability
Hongruo Zhang
PhD Candidate
2018, BSc, Wuhan University
Mechanisms that regulate central pattern generators and neuronal excitability
Mona Wang
PhD Candidate
2018, BSc, University of Toronto
Investigating the influence of environment on neural circuits
Jayant Rai
PhD Candidate (Co-supervised with Dr. Kenichi Okamoto)
2018, HBSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Biology)
Investigating the spatiotemporal roles of cAMP in learning & memory
Neeraja Ramakrishnan
PhD Candidate
2017, BSc, University of Waterloo
Mechanisms of synaptic development
Ze Nan (Tommy) Tang
MSc Candidate
2021, HBSc, University of Toronto
Alanna Love
MSc Candidate
2021, BSc, University of British Columbia
Mohammad Haddadnia
NSERC Summer Fellowship
UROP, Work-study Student, 4th Year
BSc Candidate, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Rory Gao
Work-study Student, Fall/Winter 2022 & 2023
Summer Course, Biophysics (Princeton University)
Work-study Student, Scholar (Data Sciences Institute)
BASc Candidate, University of Toronto (Engineering Science)
Ishaan Chandok
Work-study Student, Fall/Winter 2022 & 2023
UROP student, 4th Year Thesis Student
BSc Candidate, University of Toronto (Mathematics & Physical Sciences)
ChengYue Zhang
Work-study Student, Fall/Winter 2022 & 2023
BSc Candidate, University of Toronto (Bioinformatics Specialist Program)
Mohamed Ebsim
Work-study Student, Fall/Winter 2022 & 2023
BSc Candidate, University of Toronto (Biological Physics – Biochemistry Stream)
Alumni
William Li
MSc Candidate
2018, BSc, University of Toronto
Current: Research Assistant, Zhen Lab
Genetic methods to determine the functional and behavioural effects of neural connectivity
Tosif Ahamed, PhD
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
Comparative Connectomics Using Random Graph Theory
BSc Candidate, University of Toronto (Mathematics and Physics)
Maximilian Hofmann
2022 FUSRP Summer Research Student
Comparative Connectomics Using Random Graph Theory
BSc Candidate, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
Szymon Sobczak
2022 FUSRP Summer Research Student
Comparative Connectomics Using Random Graph Theory
BSc Candidate, University of Oxford
Oliver Tang
Lab volunteer
BSc Candidate, University of Waterloo (Honors Health Sciences)
Yi Li
2021, Visiting PhD Candidate
PhD Candidate, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Shifei (Samuel) Wu
NSERC Summer Research Student, Work-study Student, 4th Year Thesis Student, LTRI ROP
2022, BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Current: PhD Candidate, Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
Identifying Insulin-Signalling Targets That Regulate Synapse Development
Julian Moran
2022, MSc Graduate, University of Toronto
2017, BSc, University of Toronto
Current: Freelance writer
Imaging analysis pipeline design, mechanisms that regulate central pattern generators
Yi (Jason) Yang
Lab volunteer / MSc Candidate
2021, BSc, University of Toronto
Linyan (Alice) Xu
UROP, Work-study Student, 4th Year Thesis Student
2022, BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Current: MSc Candidate, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
Jiacheng (Jackie) Chen
PhD Candidate
2020, BSc, Wuhan University
Investigating the mechanism of CLIFAHDD, a neurodevelopmental disorder, in mice model
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
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
PhD Candidate, Chinese Ministry of Education
Christine Rehaluk, MSc
2018-2021, Grad Student
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
Current: Undergraduate Student, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto
Maggie Chang, BSc
2016-2020, Post-graduate Research Assistant, Undergraduate ROP, 4th-year Thesis
BSc, University of Toronto (Physiology)
Current: PhD Candidate, Biology, McGill University
Daniel Witvliet, PhD
2015-2020, Graduate Student
PhD, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Current: Senior Data Scientist, Coursera
Yangning Lu, PhD
2014-2020, Graduate Student
PhD, University of Toronto (Physiology)
Current: Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Yufang (Flora) Liu, BSc
2019, Undergraduate Work-study Student
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
2022, PhD Candidate, Harvard University
2019, Summer Research Student
Current: PhD Candidate, Harvard University
Lili Chen
2022, PhD Graduate, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China (Gao Lab)
2019, Visiting PhD Candidate
Neuromodulation of the C. elegans motor circuit
Anson Sathaseevan, MSc
2017-2019, Undergraduate ROP, 4th-year Thesis
BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
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
BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Establishing the C. elegans and Drosophila models for ALS-causative mutations
Current: MD program, Western University
Shangbang Gao, PhD
2016-2019, Visiting Professor
2008-2015, Post-doctoral Fellow
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)
EM reconstruction of the GABAergic motor neurons
Current: Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University
Tianqi Xu, PhD
2018, Visiting PhD Candidate
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
Professor, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China (Wen Lab)
Soomin Maeng, BSc
2016-2018, Undergraduate ROP
BSc, University of Toronto (Physiology; Immunology; Computer Science)
Min Wu, MSc
2016-2018, Graduate Student
MSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Current: Bioinformatician, Geneseeq Technology Inc.
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
Yan Li, PhD
2015-2017, Post-doctoral Fellow
PhD, University of Saskatchewan
The role of K2P channels in C. elegans
Current: Senior Researcher, Zhen lab
Wan Xian (Kate) Koh, BSc
2014-2017, Undergraduate ROP, 4th-year Thesis
BSc, University of Toronto (Physiology)
Current: MD program, University of British Columbia
Kevin Chan, BSc
2014-2017, Undergraduate Summer Student
BSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Current: MD program, University of Toronto
Vivek Venkatachalam, PhD
2017 Visiting Professor
Assistant Professor, Physics, Northeastern University (Venkatachalam Lab)
Frederick Heim, BSc
2017 Visiting Intern, University of Wurzburg, Germany
Albert Lin, PhD
2017, Visiting PhD Candidate
2021, PhD, Harvard
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
PhD Candidate, NeuroMyoGene Institute (Bessereau Lab), Lyon, France
Cell-sorting of dissociated C. elegans neurons and muscles
Maria (Ria) Lim, PhD
2012-2016, Post-doctoral Fellow
PhD, University of Pennsylvania (Neuroscience)
Current: Scientist and Medical Writer
Sebastian Britz, PhD
2016, PhD Candidate
Imaging Core Facility, 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
PhD, University of Toronto (Institute of Medical Science)
How do ubiquitin ligases regulate synapse formation
Current: Postdoctoral Researcher, Rutgers New Jersey Medial School
Tetyana Pekar, MSc
2011-2013, Graduate Student
MSc, University of Toronto (Physiology)
The role of GABAergic synapses in the adult Motor Circuit
Current: Tutor and Academic Editor
Valeriya Laskova, MSc
2010-2013, Graduate Student
MSc, University of Toronto (Physiology)
Regulation of neuromuscular junction formation by guidepost neurons
Current: Interior Design Intern, 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, Graduate Student
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: Registered 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: Bioinformatician and Educator, University of Toronto
Nicholas Watkins, MSc
2008-2011, Graduate Student
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: Assistant Professor, Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto
Michelle Po, PhD
2005-2011, Graduate Student
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
2006-2008, Graduate Student
MSc, University of Toronto (Molecular Genetics)
Activity and pathways of SAD-1 kinase in neuronal cell polarity and synaptogenesis in C.elegans
Current: Senior Consultant, Ontario Ministry of Health
Kyota Aoyagi, PhD
2005-2007, Post-doctoral Fellow
PhD, Tokyo University (Neuroscience)
Role of SAD-1 kinase during synapse development
Current: Senior Associate 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: Associate 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