TEAM MEMBERS

IOANNIS "JIANNIS" RAGOUSSIS, PHD

Head of Genomic Sciences
Principal Investigator
ioannis.ragoussis@mcgill.ca

Head of Genome Sciences at the McGill University Genome Center and Professor in Human Genetics at the Department of Human Genetics. Also affiliated with the Department of Bioengineering and Visiting Professor at the University of Thessaly, Greece.

SETOR AMUZU, PHD

Research Associate

PhD in Human Genetics from McGill University, identified novel candidate markers of response for the anti-cancer drug Olaparib from bioinformatics analysis of genomic data from cancer cell line models. Experience in bioinformatics for cancer genomics includes sequence variant, copy number variation, and gene expression analyses. Currently working on the DOvEE project. Loves spending time with family, and watching soccer and anime.

DUNAREL BADESCU, PHD

Research Associate

ANTHONY BAYEGA, PHD

Research Associate

Our lab's most recent PhD in using long-read DNA/RNA sequencing technologies to characterize organisms at a genome and transcriptome level. Currently working on COVID19 sequencing primer optimization and our lab's newest father.

KARINA GASBARRINO, PHD

Postdoctoral Fellow

PhD in cardiovascular biology and pathology from McGill University. Currently working on single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics techniques with application to atherosclerotic disease. Travel enthusiast and lover of all things food.

ASHOT HARUTYUNYAN, PHD

Academic Associate

PhD in cancer genetics from Medical University of Vienna, Austria, postdoc in cancer epigenomics at McGill University. Working on single cell genomics platform in the lab, managing incoming samples and involved in techdev projects. Likes playing various sports and is a competitive bridge player.

RUI LI, PHD

Research Associate

Holds a PhD from Fudan University. Currently working with single cell sequencing; currently developing research program to decipher the role of copy number variants in cell lineage and tumor evolution.

JU-LING "LINDA" LIU, PHD

CoVaRR-Net Project Manager

PhD in Biology from McGill University, focusing on aging-associated diseases by using different molecular biology and genomic techniques. Previous working experience in NGS lab and providing technical support for IVD products to detect SARS-CoV-2. Currently working on coordinating the CoVaRR-Net project in SARS-CoV-2 genome analysis. Enjoys reading, cooking and biking.

SPYRIDON OIKONOMOPOULOS, PHD

Research Associate

SARAH REILING, PHD

Academic Associate

PhD in Parasitology. Multidisciplinary background in genetics, immunology, virology, molecular biology, medical microbiology, and animal models. Focuses on nanopore sequencing technologies, as well as the development and integration of novel genomics technologies and microfluidics systems. Loves animals and fosters loveable dogs in need that are looking for their furever home.

TIMOTHÉE REVIL, PHD

Research Associate

PhD in alternative splicing (AS) from Université de Sherbrooke, Canada. Postdocs on the study of AS during embryonic development (bioinformatics at McGill University, and molecular biology at RI-MUHC). Currently working on developing an assay for early detection of ovarian and endometrial cancer (DOvEEgene). Likes too many activities to list, but only for a couple of weeks at a time. Except for ultimate frisbee and jogging.

FADI ALKAYAL

Research Assistant

MSc in biochemistry and molecular biology from Oklahoma State University, U.S.A. Previous experience in Diabetes and genetic inherited diseases. Currently, a member of DOvEEgene team to develop a new genomic uterine pap test screens for ovarian and endometrial cancers.

MARLON AMERSI

Research Technician

Previously worked at CellCarta assisting with multiplex assays for monitoring of immune responses to support clinical trials. Currently does NGS Library Quality Control and assists the CovSeq team with sample extraction and library preparation. Avid traveller and enjoys a good board game with friends during down time.

NIMARA ASBAH

Research Assistant

MSc in Experimental medicine from McGill University. Previously worked in a molecular genetic clinical lab carrying out different genetic tests including sanger sequencing, whole genome sequencing, and preimplantation genetic screening/diagnostic (PGS and PGD) to identify or rule out specific genetic or chromosomal conditions. Currently working on the DOvEE Project (Diagnosing Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers Early).

PIERRE BERUBE

Sequencing Library Manager

ARIANE BOISCLAIR

Research Technician

Graduate Technician in Biotechnologies. Currently in charge of the genotyping platforms. Enjoys hiking, climbing, and paddle-boarding.

BRENT BROOKES

Research Assistant

MSc in the evolutionary history of invasive brook trout from Concordia University in Montreal, QC. Currently working on the CanPREVENT and CoVSeQ projects and building/maintaining the website. Enjoys long trail runs and eating without moderation.

ELIZABETH CARON

Research Technician

Graduate lab technician in Biotechnologies, BSc in Biochemistry at UQAM. Currently working on a variety of projects in the production team. Is slowly working her way through a leaning tower of unread books.

SHU-HUANG "SHERRY" CHEN

Research Assistant

MSc in Pharmacology from Université de Montréal. Currently working on high molecular weight DNA extraction, Nanopore sequencing, wastewater and COVID-19 related projects. Loves travelling, hiking, swimming and baking.

CORINNE DARMOND

Research Assistant

MSc from Concordia University in Montreal, QC in the development of fungal host organism Myceliophthora heterothallica for heterologous protein expression. Currently working on DOvEE and EPOCRATES projects. Loves home renovations, family gatherings, and playing with her spoiled rotten puppy.

HAIG HUGO VREJ DJAMBAZIAN

Academic Associate

LENA LI CHUN FONG

Research Technician

BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Waterloo. Previously worked in the fields of Ecotoxicology and Petrochemistry. Currently works on Covid-19 related projects. A crazy plant lady by day and an avid fan of horror movies by night.

ALEJANDRO MEJIA GARCIA

MITACS Globalink Research Intern

BSc in microbiology from the University of Antioquia, Colombia. Background in genetics, bioinformatics, hereditary breast cancer and analysis of rare monogenic diseases.
Currently working on finding new SARS-CoV-2 mutations in Colombia and estimating genetic ancestry for population genetics. Loves volleyball, rap and animals.

SALLY LEE

Research Assistant

MSc in Pharmacology and Therapeutics from McGill University, on corrective effects of folic acid supplementation on DNA methylation alterations associated with Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Currently works on Covid-19 sequencing. Resident anime specialist.

MINA LOTFI

Research Assistant

MSc in cell biology by offering a noble 3D cell culture microfluidic device to test cancer drugs at McGill University. Currently working on hands-off device for SARS_COV2 genome sequencing. Enjoys travelling to different countries and reading brilliant literary pieces.

KAYLEIGH LORANGER

Research Intern

BSc in Biology from Trent University and currently completing a diploma in Advanced Biotechnology at Fleming College. Presently working on SARS-CoV-2 sequencing and related projects. Is a plant enthusiast and loves to read.

ANNE-MARIE ROY

Research Assistant

Has a MSc in human genomics from the Université de Montréal and a DESS in Bioinformatics from UQAM. Currently working on COVID19 sequencing and Nanopore technical development related projects. Anne-Marie is crucial to everything in our lab.

JANICK ST-CYR

Sequencing Lab Manager

MSc in Molecular Biology from Université de Montréal and currently enrolled in a microprogram in Management at HEC Montreal. Currently working on all projects in the production sequencing pipelines including RNAseq, Exome-seq, WGS, WGBS. Enjoys travelling and playing Ultimate around the world.

TONY TIR

Research Technician

Experienced in NGS library preparation and sequencing along with LIMS software development.
Currently support laboratory operations through automation development.
Dreams of NGS (Next Great Snacks).

JULIO SERNA VÁZQUEZ

MSc Student

BSc in Biotechnology Engineering with experience in genetics and bioprocess engineering. Currently, an MSc student in Human Genetics working on the development of novel hands-off library preparation platforms. Enjoys playing soccer, volleyball, and is always keen on trying a new sport.

DAVID WANG

Lab Manager

David Wang received his MSc in Biochemistry from McMaster University (Canada) focused on the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis. Currently involved in single cell genomics and in developing novel NGS methodologies. Likes to play badminton and doing home improvement projects.

YEN-YEN WANG

PhD Candidate

A doctoral student in Kyoto-McGill joint Ph.D. program. Previous experience in improving the accuracy of the HLA calling tool, HLA-VBSeq. Currently working on using short-read and long-read sequencing to detect structural variants.

PATRICK WILLET

Research Technician

JULIAN WILLETT MD

PhD Candidate

Julian Willett is a doctoral student in McGill's Quantitative Life Sciences Ph.D. program. He earned an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a medical degree from Tufts University. His thesis is oriented on HLA and copy number variants with respect to COVID-19. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, and DIY projects.

MELISSA ZWAIG

PhD Candidate

PhD candidate in the Human Genetics Department at McGill. Current research focuses on using linked-read and long-read sequencing to detect large-scale structural variants in pediatric brain tumors. Is happy to always discuss her dog Ozzy.

Team: Our Team

PREVIOUS STUDENTS

ANTHONY BAYEGA

PhD, Currently a Research Associate at McGill

Long-read DNA/RNA sequencing technologies to characterize organisms at a genome and transcriptome level

MARIA SOTIROPOULOU

MSc

SETOR AMUZU

PhD, Currently a Research Associate at McGill

Team: List

Team: Image