Lesley MacNeil

Lesley MacNeil is an Associate Professor at McMaster University in the Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences, with significant contributions to microbiome research and drug discovery using Caenorhabditis elegans models. Her work bridges molecular genetics with biomedical applications through diverse projects across infectious diseases, neurodegeneration, and metabolic interactions.

• Research Areas
  • Microbiome-gut-brain axis
  • Computational drug discovery methods
  • Gene regulatory network dynamics
  • Host-pathogen interactions
• Notable Collaborators
  • Lori Burrows (Microbiology)
  • Michael Surette (Microbiome)
  • Gerard Wright (Antimicrobials)

Her 2024-2025 publications demonstrate cutting-edge applications of machine learning to nematode image analysis for antiparasitic screening, while 2023 works explore next-generation probiotics and Alzheimer's disease mechanisms. Current projects include SHC-3 signaling in insulin pathways and Hyperpiliation effects on bacterial virulence.