Susanne Bechstedt

Associate Professor | email

Sanni grew up in Berlin, Germany. After research excursions into ion channels and sensory neurons, her passion got captured by the cytoskeleton. She now vouches to make microtubules great again.
Sanni’s short career in ultimate frisbee did not quite pay the bills. Though, she still enjoys chasing plastic as well as riding her bike and torturing students. 

Senior science writer and lab cheerleader

PhD: Max Planck Institute

Tatiana Lyalina

Research Assistant | email

Tatiana graduated from Saint Petersburg Chemical Pharmaceutical Institute (Bsc in Biotechnology). After that, her passion for science resulted in obtaining a Master's degree in Chemistry. Tatiana likes working with proteins and wants to contribute to the evolution of science. In her spare time, she is interested in art, photography, tennis, and figure skating.

MSc: Université de Montréal

Thomas Kucharski

Research Associate | email

PhD: McGill University

Nicholas Price

Ms student | email

Nicholas is from Edmonton, Alberta where he completed his undergraduate degree in biochemistry at the University of Alberta. His passion lies in unraveling the intricacies of protein aggregation and its implications for neurodegenerative disorders. Specifically, his research focuses on the aggregation of microtubule associated proteins in diseases such in MSA. Beyond the lab, he finds joy in climbing, playing guitar, and cycling.

Bsc: University of Alberta

Kalouna Kra

Post-Doctoral researcher | email

Kalouna obtained her PhD in structural biology in France. She enjoys studying proteins using structural biology or biophysical techniques such as electron microscopy or SAXS. As a postdoc, she will use cryo-electron microscopy to study the structure of assemblies formed between MAPs and microtubules or free tubulin. Outside the lab, Kalouna enjoys reading, dancing, and traveling.

PhD: Université Paris-Saclay

Luiz Eduardo da Silva

Post-Doctoral researcher | email

Luiz was born and raised in Brazil. He completed his PhD in Cell Biology at the University of São Paulo, focusing his research on the tumour suppressor protein Maspin and its interaction with the cytoskeleton. As a Postdoc, he uses CRISPR/Cas9-genome editing and live-cell microscopy to investigate the role of microtubule-associated proteins in primary cilia assembly and maintenance. In his spare time, Luiz enjoys reading, exploring coffee shops and walking through the city.

PhD: University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Jenine Afani

MSc student|

Jenine studied in Doha, Qatar where she completed her high school studies before coming to Montreal to complete an undergraduate degree in Honours Anatomy and Cell Biology.  Her focus is on the primary cilia and proteins associated with its formation. Outside the lab, she enjoys powerlifting, playing basketball and watching football.

Bsc: McGill Unviversity, Canada

Randy Allen

MSc student | email

Randy is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, where he completed a BSc in Neuroscience from the University of Alberta. Randy loves learning about cells, and aims to harness this interest to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying neurological disorders. Beyond his research, Randy enjoys watching football, playing cornhole, and going for long walks with his dog.

BSc: University of Alberta, Canada

Alessa Strock

Graduate Research Trainee

Alessa is from Bielefeld, Germany where she completed her undergraduate degree in molecular biology at the University of Bielefeld. Outside of the lab she enjoys hiking and cycling.

Bsc: University of Bielefeld, Germany