Lab members

Júlia studied Biotechnology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Brazil. She holds a Master’s degree in Biosciences and Biotechnology, her thesis was developed in the laboratory of molecular virology at Carlos Chagas Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil. The main focus of her research was to evaluate the role of osteopontin during dengue virus infection in human cell lines. She also investigated the immune response of the Brazilian population with different immunizations against SARS-CoV-2. 

In her free time, she likes listening to music, watching TV series, reading books and finding amazing places to eat.

Júlia is a PhD student in the lab, studying the antiviral and lung protective mechanisms of an FDA-approved drug against RSV infection.

Runqi graduated from McMaster University (Ontario) in the program of Biochemistry. He has always been interested in the field of Immunology, and was especially fascinated by and eager to learn about all types of viruses and how they interact with our bodies. 

Outside of science, Runqi really enjoys playing with animals, trying out new recipes and riding bicycles.  

Runqi is a MSc student studying lytic cell death induced by RSV infection.

Gitau attended Kenya Methodist University, Kenya, to pursue a BSc in MLS. He graduated with a MSc. in Medical Microbiology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. His thesis was based on evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial, antiviral and in vivo antimalarial activities of Avicennia marina. His areas of interest in research are understanding the molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and development of alternative medicines (such as nanobodies, phages and herbs).

In his free time he likes to visit zoos, plant trees and listen to country music.

Gitau is a PhD student studying sex-associated mechanisms of virus-induced asthma.

Fatemeh is a medical doctor from Iran. She holds a master's degree in Immunology from the University of Manitoba. Her MSc thesis focused on the role of a protein called Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E) in germinal center formation and IgE regulation in allergic asthma.

In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading books, watching movies, and cooking.

Fatemeh is a research technician in the lab and brings experience with mouse models of lung disease and assists with our models of RSV infection.

Paula studied Pharmacy at the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Brazil. She holds a MSc degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis on Cellular and Molecular Biology. The main focus of her research was the assessment of microbial translocation markers in COVID-19 and their impact on the inflammatory response. She is currently investigating the role of the purinergic system in the immunopathogenesis of viral and bacterial diseases.

In her free time, she likes playing tennis and paddle with her friends, going for walks, having fun with her dogs, and going out to enjoy herself.

Paula is a PhD student at the Cellular and Molecular Immunology Lab at UFCSPA, Brazil, and an international researcher in academic mobility in our lab. She will study the modulation of the CD39/CD73 axis in monocytes and neutrophils infected with RSV and their impact on disease disease pathogenesis.