Matthew Churchward

PhD Biochemistry, University of Calgary

Research Associate

Molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between inflammation in the CNS and psychiatric disorders. Current focus on lipid metabolism and signalling in microglia.

Teaching:

• PSYCO 473 (Seminars in Biological Psychiatry)
• PSYCO 478 (Behaviour and Brain Chemistry)

Christopher Tsui

BASc Materials Engineering, University of Toronto

PhD Student

I am a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering here at the University of Alberta. My research interest is in investigating the effects of Intraspinal Microstimulation (ISMS), a novel therapy designed to innervate motor neurons and restore movement following spinal cord injury, on spinal cord tissue. An in-vitro model comprising of a 3-dimensional hydrogel culture of glial cells (microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes) interacting with a microelectrode implant will be used to evaluate glial response in a high-throughput manner. Specifically, I would like to determine how electrical stimulation paradigms and electrode micromotion affect the inflammatory response initiated by glial cells, and how such results can be used to build on current ISMS designs and improve their biocompatibility.

Somnath Gupta

MSc Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

PhD Student

I did my BSc. Biotechnology and Masters in Biotechnology from India and worked for a Biopharmaceutical firm for 3 years in Research and Development Department. My role was to develop Bioassays for various biotherapeutics (Monoclonal antibodies and peptides) used to treat cancer. I also worked for a year in Department of physiology at U of A understanding basics of neurophysiology.

My area of research would revolve around understanding the novel methods to drive neuroplasticity by manipulating CSPGs and CSPG receptors in vitro and in vivo after stroke.

Patricia Kent

MSc Experimental Medicine, McGill University

Biotechnologist

After attending the University of British Columbia to obtain a B.Sc. Biochemistry in 2010, Tricia went on to complete a M.Sc. Experimental Medicine at McGill University in 2014. Her research focused on genetic regulation of hepatic iron metabolism, focusing on upstream regulation of hepcidin.

Tricia joined the Todd lab in May 2016 as the NRU - Dewhurst lab's biotechnologist and lab coordinator. Her current research interest is tacking protocol development for student projects and keeping the lab and experiments running smoothly.

Juliana Montoya Sanchez

BA Psychology, University of Alberta

MSc student

Kyle Koss

PhD Chemical Engineering, University of Alberta

Postdoctoral Fellow (emeritus)

Biomaterials design and 3D cell culture technologies, as well as development of novel ligands for surface receptors on microglia.

Sam Joshva Baskar Jesudasan

PhD Neuroscience, University of Alberta

Grad student (emeritus)

Microglia are highly dynamic central nervous system cells (CNS) that constantly survey their immediate environment. Insults or disease to the CNS, such spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis cause neuronal injury, leading to activation of microglia and release of factors, (neurotransmitters, cytokines, chemokines, and proteases ) into the extracellular milieu, that modulates the progression of injury to neurons and chemotaxis of microglia to the site of injury. I am very interested in studying the molecular mechanisms that regulate activation of microglia and their role in the outcome of the injury or disease.

Savannah Weber

Hons Neuroscience thesis student (emeritus)

Lexis Galarneau

Hons Neuroscience thesis student (emeritus)