BLAIR Hardman

PhD Candidate (01/2017 - )

The intestinal epithelium is the site of truly staggering amounts of interspecies interactions. Using fluorescent microscopy in tandem with other techniques Blair’s project is attempting to characterize the underlying cellular conversations among different immune cells and the epithelial cells that make up the bulk of the intestinal tissue involved in preventing infection while also maintaining intestinal homeostasis.

When not in the lab Blair plays hockey, gardens, and spends as much time as possible wandering the coast and coastal rivers fly-fishing.

ANDREW Sharon

PhD Candidate (09/2017 - )

Our guts are inhabited by countless viruses, but little is known about how our immune system controls these infections, or how they influence our immunity to unrelated pathogens. Andrew is studying how the immune signaling molecule STAT1 coordinates our immune response to these viruses by exploring the consequences of STAT1-deficiency. In tandem, Andrew is investigating how common pharmaceuticals can shape our immune responses to intestinal viruses

Outside of the lab, Andrew leads science outreach programs for children and adults, and skis as much as possible.

NAOMI FETTIG

PhD Candidate (09/2018 - )

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating chronic neurodegenerative disease that affects nearly 100 000 Canadians. The exact cause of MS remains unknown, although there is mounting evidence to suggest that environmental factors, including infection with Epstein-Barr virus and dysregulation of the gut microbiome, play important roles in disease progression. Naomi’s project explores the intersecting roles of these environmental factors and how they may interact with the host and each other to influence initiation and progression of MS.

SARAH POPPLE

PhD Candidate (09/2020 - )

Susceptibility to chronic inflammatory diseases is strongly influenced by environmental factors, including commensal bacteria that colonize the gastrointestinal tract. Notably, certain commensal microbes residing in the small intestine induce peripheral inflammation by selectively promoting TH17 cell differentiation. Sarah's project will investigate the functional consequences of helminth-induced restructuring of the microbiota, with the objective of understanding immunomodulatory mechanisms contributing to systemic inflammation relief in various models. 

Nicola Pett

MSc Student (10/2021 - )

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria with a strain-level specificity. They are key members of our gut microbiomes, where they are involved in regulating bacteria population dynamics. Phages present an attractive alternative for antibiotics in the fight against multi-drug resistant pathogens. However, there is still a lot to learn about phage-bacteria-host interactions in the gut mucosa before phage therapy can be used to treat bacterial infections. Nicola is studying how phages interact with their target bacteria within the gut mucosa, and characterizing the immune response evoked against intestinal phage.

When not at the bench, Nicola can be found exploring hiking trails, or tumbling down ski hills.

Natalia Carranza

Gnotobiotic Animal Care Tech (05/2022 - )

As an Animal Care Tech in our gnotobiotic facility, Natalia’s primary responsibility is to maintain animal welfare and sterility. Gnotobiotic mice are born and raised in the complete absence of live microbes (axenic or germ-free), or with a known community of microorganisms. Natalia’s expertise with the closely regulated systems necessary to maintain these lines provides a unique resource for researchers in our lab and collaborators to investigate host-microbiome interactions in the context of infection and autoimmunity. Natalia is passionate about continuing education to guarantee the proper care and monitoring of these animals.