Canada Research Chair in
Pathogen Genomics and Bioinformatics
Assistant Professor
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
University of Western Ontario
Adjunct Scientist
Public Health Ontario | Santé publique Ontario
Education
MSc: Brock University, Canada
PhD: University of British Columbia, Canada
Professional Activities
Ontario COVID-19 Genomics Network, Bioinformatics and Data Analysis Working Group, co-chair
Public Health Alliance for Genomic Epidemiology (PHA4GE),
Bioinformatics and Visualization Working Group and Data Structures Working GroupThe Union-North America Region, Annual TB Conference Planning Committee
American Society for Microbiology, ASM Microbe Planning Committee (Track Lead, Clinical and Public Health Microbiology)
American Society for Microbiology, Member
European Society for Mycobacteriology, Member
Research
Research focuses on infectious diseases of public health concern, specifically COVID-19, MRSA, and tuberculosis.
Current Lab Members
Idowu Olawoye, MSc, PhD
Postdoctoral Associate
Education:
BSc in Microbiology, Bowen University, Nigeria.
MSc in Biotechnology, University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
PhD in Molecular Biology and Genomics, Reedemer’s University, Nigeria
Scientific Interests: public and global health, bioinformatics, mycobacterial research
Personal Interests: anime, gaming, sports, the outdoors, painting
Caitlin Howard
MSc Student
Education: Honours BSc with a Double Major in Genetics and Biology, Western University
Scientific Interests: genomic epidemiology of MRSA, genomics and genetics, bioinformatics
Personal Interests: crocheting
Emily Boyko
MSc Student
Education: Honours BSc in Applied Life Sciences, Lakehead University
Scientific Interests: infectious disease transmission, antimicrobial resistance
Personal Interests: yoga
Bianca Loyuk
MSc Student
Education: Honours BMSc in Microbiology & Immunology, Western University
Scientific Interests: host-pathogen interactions, quorum sensing
Personal Interests: volleyball, making mixed-media art, online games
Evan Stewart
Undergraduate Student, 4th Year Thesis
Education: Honours BMSc in Microbiology & Immunology, Western University
Scientific Interests: MRSA, medical microbiology, infectious diseases
Personal Interests: my dog, painting
Emmanuel Ayeni
Undergraduate Student, 4th Year Thesis
Education: Honours BMSc in Microbiology & Immunology, Western University
Scientific Interests: Public Health, Mycoplasma genitalium
Personal Interests: basketball, coaching, video games
Ashlyn Kim
Laboratory Assistant
Education: Honours BMSc in Microbiology & Immunology, Western University
Scientific Interests: antimicrobial resistance and bioinformatics
Personal Interests: skiing, golfing, and travelling
Maxim Fedorov
Undergraduate Student
Education: Honours BMSc, Western University
Scientific Interests: bioinformatics, machine learning, and infectious diseases
Personal Interests: going to the gym, music, and gaming
Maegan Taylor
Undergraduate Student
Education: Honours BMSc in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity, Western University
Scientific Interests: antimicrobial resistance, infectious diseases
Personal Interests: going to the gym, reading, playing piano
Daniel Hermiz
Undergraduate Student
Education: Honours BMSc in Microbiology and Immunology, Western University
Scientific Interests: bioinformatics, antimicrobial resistance, genetics
Personal Interests: gaming, reading, NBA
Former Lab Members
Jishnu Talukdar
MSc Student
Education: Honours BMSc in Microbiology and Immunology, Western University
Scientific Interests: common communicable diseases, transmission and epidemiology of pathogens
Personal Interests: going to the gym, trying out new foods
Enyce Fairbanks
Undergraduate Student
Education: BSc in Biomedical Science, Arizona State University
Scientific Interests: Host-microbe interaction, hematology, common communicable diseases
Personal Interests: Doll making and Sims 4
Amir Afsharpour
Undergraduate Student
Education: Honors BMSc in Medical Cell Biology, Western University
Scientific Interests: genomic epidemiology of pathogens, cellular and behavioral neurology
Personal Interests: binging TV shows
Alexandra Blair
Undergraduate Student
Education: Honours BSc in Biology, Western University
Scientific Interests: global public health
Personal Interests: travelling