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Brian FristenskyView profile

Associate Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Plant Biotechnology
• Plant Genomics
• +7 more

Brian Fristensky is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. His research and teaching focus on plant biotechnology, bioinformatics, and plant genomics, particularly in the context of plant-microbe interactions and defense mechanisms. Institution: University of Manitoba School: Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Department: Department of Plant Science Position: Associate Professor Office: 330 Agriculture Building, Fort Garry Campus Contact: 204-474-6852 / 204-474-6085; brian.fristensky@umanitoba.ca; frist@cc.umanitoba.ca Education A.B., Cornell University, 1980 Ph.D., Washington State University, 1987 Research Interests Dr. Fristensky's research centers on bioinformatics and plant biotechnology, with a strong emphasis on molecular biology of plant defense mechanisms. His work spans computational biology, genomics, and genetic engineering, particularly in developing tools for bioinformatics analysis and understanding plant responses to pathogens. He leads the Fristensky Lab, which develops the BIRCH bioinformatics system and BioLegato interface. Recent Research Trends His recent publications (2021–2023) show continued innovation in bioinformatics software development, including the BioLegato interface and educational tools for data science. Earlier work (1999–2006) focused on transgenic approaches to enhance disease resistance in canola using pea defense genes, and the functional analysis of PR10 proteins in stress tolerance. His research integrates computational and experimental biology, with applications in crop improvement and sustainable agriculture. Scientific Awards No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. Advising and Grants Dr. Fristensky advises undergraduate and graduate students, offering opportunities for thesis work and summer research in his lab. He supports students in the Plant Biotechnology Program and teaches core courses in biotechnology, cytogenetics, and bioinformatics. He assists researchers in writing the bioinformatics components of grant proposals, indicating active grant-related mentoring and collaboration. Labs and Teams He leads the Fristensky Lab (Bio Information Technologies Laboratory), which develops the BIRCH (Biological Research Computer Hierarchy) system—a comprehensive desktop bioinformatics platform. The lab focuses on software tools for genome assembly, transcriptomics, systems biology, database management, and data pipelines. The BioLegato interface serves as a programmable GUI for launching and chaining bioinformatics programs. The lab also engages in training and collaborative research, particularly in biofuels and data science education.

Sureesh TikooView profile

Professor

• Molecular virology
• Viral pathogenesis
• Virus-host interactions
• +4 more

Dr. Sureesh Tikoo is a Professor at the University of Saskatchewan and Director of the Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics Program. His research focuses on molecular virology, viral pathogenesis, and vaccine development using adenovirus vectors. Institution: University of Saskatchewan Role: Professor and Program Director Research Focus Molecular characterization of non-human adenoviruses Vaccine delivery vector development Viral DNA packaging mechanisms Protein-protein interactions in viral replication Scientific Awards NSERC Discovery Grant (2019-2024) Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada grant (2014-2019) Saskatchewan Agriculture Development fund grant (2013-2016) Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (Co-I, 2015-2017) Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency grant (Co-I, 2014-2016) Publications Trend Recent works emphasize adenovirus structural proteins, host-virus interactions, and innovative vaccine strategies for both animal and human health. Collaborative studies highlight applications in poultry and swine diseases.

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Programmed Cell Death
• +6 more

John Thompson is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Waterloo . He holds a PhD from the University of Alberta and a BSA from the University of Toronto . His research focuses on biochemistry and molecular biology of programmed cell death , including the molecular basis of membrane deterioration in senescing and aging tissues , comparative aspects of senescence and stress , and the functional genomics of senescence and apoptosis . Education: PhD, University of Alberta BSA, University of Toronto His recent publications highlight work in plant stress response , translational medicine , and cancer biology involving the eIF5A family of proteins . These studies span Arabidopsis thaliana , pancreatic islets , and mammalian tumor models , reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC)

• Genetics
• Pediatric Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Daniel Sinnett is a Full Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, and an Accredited Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. He serves as Head of the "Viral, Immune and Cancer" Research Axis and Co-Head of the "Cancers and Viral Diseases" Center of Excellence at CHU Sainte-Justine. His research focuses on the transcription factor ETV6 in childhood leukemogenesis, genetic determinants of pediatric leukemia, and long-term treatment effects in leukemia survivors. Accreditations: University of Montreal Research Axes: Immune diseases and cancers, Cancers: mechanisms, new therapies, and prognostic determinants His research integrates Genomics , Epigenetics , and Bioinformatics to understand pediatric cancer mechanisms. Recent work includes lncRNA and circRNA biomarker discovery epigenetic profiling for risk stratification immune landscape characterization in solid tumors Scientific Awards include: Member, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2022) FRSQ National Researcher (2006-2011) André Dupont Young Researcher Award (2004) Quebec Cancer Council Merit Award (2003) As a mentor, he has supervised over 30 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, including 8 PhD candidates. His grant portfolio includes 24 awards (2010-2015) from organizations like CIHR, Terry Fox Research Institute, and Canadian Foundation for Innovation. He directs the François-Karl Viau Research Chair in Pediatric Oncogenomics and leads the Applied Genetic Medicine Network (RMGA) in Quebec.

• Tuberculosis
• Leprosy
• Genetics
• +7 more

Erwin Schurr is a Professor at the Department of Medicine , Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , McGill University , and a Senior Scientist at the IR-MUHC (Glen site) within the Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health . He leads research at the Center for Translational Biology , focusing on host genetic factors in tuberculosis and leprosy. Positions: Senior Scientist, Professor Institutions: McGill University, IR-MUHC Departments: Department of Medicine His research integrates genetics , genomics , and systems biology to analyze host-pathogen interactions in tuberculosis and leprosy , particularly in endemic regions. Collaborations span Brazil, Vietnam, and Morocco. Recent publications focus on: Genetic pleiotropy in leprosy and neurodegenerative diseases (LRRK2, PARK2) HIV's impact on tuberculosis immunity Transcriptomic and microbiome analyses in inflammatory diseases HLA allele associations with leprosy subtypes Email : erwin.schurr@mcgill.ca

• molecular basis of infectious diseases
• disease tracking within communities
• biomarker identification for adverse health events
• +7 more

Dr. Nicole Hansmeier is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Luther College, University of Regina. Her academic career spans multiple institutions and research areas with a consistent focus on understanding infectious disease mechanisms at the molecular level. Dr. Hansmeier's research interests center on the molecular basis of infectious diseases, with particular emphasis on host-pathogen interactions. She applies systems biological multi-Omics approaches and high-end imaging techniques to identify disease pathways and bacterial invasion mechanisms. A significant component of her work involves wastewater-based surveillance to detect and monitor infectious diseases within communities, providing crucial data for public health responses. Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent focus on Salmonella pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and proteomic methodologies. Her research spans fundamental bacterial physiology, molecular infection mechanisms, and applied public health surveillance techniques, demonstrating both depth in specialized areas and breadth across the infectious disease research spectrum. Dr. Hansmeier's research program is supported by multiple funding agencies including the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Innovation Saskatchewan, Health Canada, SHRF, NSERC, and Mitacs, reflecting the significance and interdisciplinary nature of her work. She teaches a range of courses from introductory biology to specialized medical microbiology and provides research opportunities through independent study courses. Her laboratory employs advanced proteomic techniques to study pathogen-modified membranes, bacterial metabolism during infection, and host responses to pathogens. This work has important implications for understanding infectious disease mechanisms and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

• Bioinformatics
• Genomics
• Non-coding RNA Research
• +4 more

Michelle Scott is a Full Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics at the University of Sherbrooke's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, with a concurrent appointment in the Computer Science Department. Her academic trajectory shows progressive advancement from Assistant Professor (2011) to Associate Professor (2016), culminating in her current Professorship (2021). She directs an active research program focused on non-coding RNA biology, particularly small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), with emphasis on their roles in ovarian cancer and transcriptomic regulation. Her research interests center on bioinformatic characterization of RNA networks , development of computational tools for RNA-seq analysis (including CoCo and snoDB), and molecular mechanisms of snoRNAs in cancer . Recent work employs low-structure-bias sequencing (TGIRT-seq) to overcome technical limitations in transcriptome analysis, revealing previously undetected non-coding RNAs and non-canonical snoRNA functions. Her group investigates snoRNA roles in alternative splicing regulation, cancer progression (particularly high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma), and nucleolar biology. The 15 most recent publications demonstrate strong focus on methodological innovation in transcriptomics (6 articles), snoRNA functional characterization (5 articles), and cancer genomics applications (4 articles). Key trends include addressing RNA-seq reproducibility issues, developing computational frameworks for multi-mapped read resolution, and expanding the functional landscape of snoRNAs beyond canonical roles. FRQS Senior Researcher Fellowship (2025) RECMUS Award for Supervision Excellence (2021) Tremplin Award for Early-Career Research (2021) Multiple FRQS Junior Fellowships (2017, 2021) Dean's List for Exceptional Performance (2015-2021) Scott has successfully mentored numerous graduate students (including 15 first-author publications by trainees) and secured substantial competitive funding, including a $$1\text{,}525\text{,}000$$ CIHR Project Grant (2021-2026) on proteogenomics approaches to define the human proteome. Her laboratory maintains strong affiliations with the CHUS Research Center and actively participates in the RiboClub network, which she has organized since 2014. Current work focuses on characterizing nucleolar snoRNAs in ovarian cancer and improving transcriptomic annotation frameworks.

• Metabolism
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• +5 more

Dawei Zhang is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. His laboratory focuses on metabolic pathways linked to human diseases, with particular emphasis on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and inflammatory arthritis. Current research centers on three primary areas: PCSK9-promoted LDLR degradation, membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in metabolism, and Surf4 protein functions in lipid metabolism. Dr. Zhang's research spans molecular mechanisms of lipid homeostasis and protein degradation pathways. His lab investigates how Surf4 regulates lipoprotein secretion and intestinal lipid absorption, how MT1-MMP influences extracellular matrix remodeling in arthritis, and how novel hormones like Cholesin bridge intestinal and hepatic cholesterol metabolism. Recent work demonstrates Surf4's critical role in VLDL secretion, LDLR degradation, and liver fibrosis pathways. As an educator, Dr. Zhang teaches Physiology 455/555 (Physiology of Lipids and Lipoproteins) and leads PAED 600 - Critical Discussions of Biomedical and Clinical Research. This graduate course employs discovery learning to critically evaluate literature in maternal and child health research, restricted to Pediatrics graduate students. Dr. Zhang maintains an active research program through the Zhang Lab (https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/zhang-lab/), with recent publications spanning molecular cardiology, hepatology, and matrix biology. His work demonstrates translational potential for novel therapeutics targeting metabolic disorders, with consistent high-impact publications in journals including Nature Communications, Journal of Lipid Research, and Matrix Biology.