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Dr. Juliet Daniel Lab

Molecular Biology Cancer Research

Lab Members

Lindyann Lessey, BSc

Ph.D. Candidate

Colorectal Cancer is a type of cancer that manifests itself in the lower part of the digestives system namely the colon/large intestine. Its start with abnormal growth of the cells lining the colon. In most cases the etiology is unknown but inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is said to be a leading cause. IDB is characterized by increased and uncontrolled inflammation of the gut. However, the mechanism by which IBD transitions or causes colon cancer is unknown. The goal of my research is to find a molecular pathway linking the transition of IBD to colorectal cancer. Kaiso, a transcription factor implicated in Colon Cancer and which is highly expressed in IBD will be utilized to establish this connection.

Stephanie Ali Fairbairn, BSc.

Ph.D. Student

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most challenging subtypes of breast cancer due to its highly heterogeneous and metastatic nature and lack of targeted therapies. TNBC is most prevalent in young women of African ancestry and is associated with a high mortality rate. The reason for this high TNBC incidence is currently unknown but it may be related to the increased expression of the transcription factor Kaiso. My research is focused on understanding the role of Kaiso in TNBC patients with an emphasis on women of African ancestry.

Hanad Adan, BSc., MSc.

Ph.D. Student

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive and invasive breast cancer subtype. There is a growing body of evidence linking Kaiso, a dual-specificity transcription factor, to TNBC aggressiveness and metastatic However, the mechanism underlying Kaiso’s role in TNBC aggressiveness remains to be determined. We recently identified a positive feedback loop between Kaiso and TGFβ signaling, whose effector proteins also participate in breast cancer progression. My project aims to examine this putative feedback loop between Kaiso and TGFβ signaling to ultimately elucidate Kaiso's mechanism of action in TNBC aggressiveness and metastasis.

Jacob Howran

Fifth year thesis student

Jacob is in the Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (HESE) program.

Lauren Jirik

Fifth year thesis student

Lauren is in the Biology and Pharmacology (Co-op) program.

Sanam Shokoohi

Fourth year thesis student

Sanam is in the Biology (Physiology Research Specialization) program.

Layaa Sivakumar, BSc.

Lab Manager

Alumni

Shawn Hercules (Ph.D. 2021; currently Postdoctoral Fellow at Dr. Rama Khokha’s lab at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) - Epidemiological and genetic profile of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in women of African ancestry (WAA)
Blessing Bassey (Ph.D. 2017; currently Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Sheila K. Singh's Laboratory ) - Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in women of African ancestry (WAA)
Shaiya Robinson (Ph.D. 2017; currently (i) Assistant Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Science at McMaster University, and (ii) Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Revisionary Editing) - Kaiso roles in intestinal Notch signaling
Roopali Chaudhary (Ph.D. 2015; currently (i) Senior Scientist - Cell Biology Specialist, Allarta Life Science Incorporate (ii) Research Associate - Daniel Lab (iii) CEO and Founder - Lotus STEMM (iv) Content Editor - Sci-Illustrate (v) Owner - SugarKube) - Characterization of Kaiso transgenic mice
Christina Pierre (Ph.D. 2015; currently Clinical Chemist at Lancaster General Hospital) - Characterization of Kaiso/ApcMin+ transgenic mice
Nickett S. Donaldson (Ph.D. 2011) - Kaiso interactions with the POZ-ZF protein Znf131
Kevin Kelly (Ph.D. 2007; currently Staff Field Applications Scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific) - Nuclear trafficking & functions of Kaiso & p120ctn
Luke Bayer (M.Sc. 2019) - Kaiso roles in colitis-associated colon cancer
Lyndsay Rayner (M.Sc. 2018; currently Clinical Trial Coordinator) - Kaiso and miRNA roles in breast cancer
Justin Knapp (M.Sc. 2014; currently Vice President of Research at Serenity Bioworks) - Xenopus POZ-ZF transcription factors
Patrick Doherty (M.Sc. 2012) - Kaiso expression and localization in breast tumors
Sonali Weerawardane (M.Sc. 2010) - Role of Kaiso in breast tumorigenic processes
Kyster Nanan (M.Sc. 2009; currently Program Manager at the Ontario Molecular Pathology Research Network (OMPRN), Queen's University, Kingston, ON) - Characterization of Kaiso transgenic mice
Michelle Anstey (M.Sc. 2008) - Kaiso’s regulation of the cell cycle gene CCND1
Mai Almardini (M.Sc. 2007; currently Account Manager at Pall Laboratory) - The role of Kaiso and p120ctn in EMT
Abena Otchere (M.Sc. 2006; currently Physician at Halton Healthcare Sciences - Georgetown Hospital) - CyclinD1: A putative Kaiso target gene
Curtis Nordgaard (M.Sc. 2004) - Binding partners for transcription repressor Kaiso
Christopher M. Spring (M.Sc. 2003) - p120ctn regulates Kaiso-mediated transcription
Akeel Baig (M.Sc. 2002) - Analysis of Kaiso as a transcription factor
Dr. Blessing Bassey (2017-2018) - TNBC in women of African ancestry
Dr. Snezana Milosavljevic (2015-2016) - miRNA expression in TNBC
Dr. Nickett Donaldson (2011-2012) - Characterization of Xenopus POZ-ZF proteins
Dr. Monika Ignacak (2009-2010) - Kaiso and HIF-1α gene regulation during hypoxia
Dr. Hong Wang (2004-2006) - ChIP-on-chip identification of Kaiso target genes
Dr. Ita O’Kelly (2003- 2004) - ChIP-on-chip identification of Kaiso target genes
Monica Graham (2016- 2018) - Elucidating Kaiso roles in cancer
Sonali Weerawardane (2010- 2011) - Anticancer bioactivity of synthetic plant molecules
Shari Yasin (2009- 2011) - Anticancer bioactivity of synthetic plant molecules
Laura Beatty (2009) - p120ctn function in hypoxia
Monica Graham (2002- 2007) - Kaiso phosphorylation studies
Chloe Milsom (2000- 2002) - Kaiso yeast two-hybrid screen
2021-2022
Cindy Chin (Molecular Biology and Genetics (Co-op))
Jayco Cheng (Life Sciences (Biology concentration))
Ashumi Doshi (Life Sciences (Biopsychology concentration))
Yashaswani Chauhan (Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour (PNB))
Mohamed Taleb (Molecular Biology & Genetics (Co-op))

2020-2021
Adeba Khogiani (Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour (PNB))
Luke Buckler (Integrated Sciences)
Gursukhmani Johl (Molecular Biology & Genetics)
Brittany Mascarenhas (Molecular Biology & Genetics)
Layaa Sivakumar (Molecular Biology & Genetics)

2019-2020
Stefan M. Mladjenovic (Life Sciences; currently PhD student at the University of Toronto)
Meena Alnajar (Arts and Sciences; currently JD candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School)
Chen Chen (Integrated Sciences; currently Masters student at the University of Toronto)
Megan Kay (Life Sciences)

2018-2019
Noroh Dakim (Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour (PNB); currently MD candidate at the University of Toronto)
Toyemi Opeoluwa-Calebs (Molecular Biology and Genetics; currently Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives at Empowerment Squared)
Allysia Chin (Chemical Biology; currently Research Assistant at the University of Toronto)

2017-2018
Alyssa Giannotti (Biology)
Talia Marshall (Biology)
Omotunde Babatope (Life Sciences)

2016-2017
Luke Bayer (Biology)
Yulika Yoshida-Montezuma (Biology)
Shatha Jaber (Biochemistry)

2015-2016
Sinthu Pathmanapan (Biology; currently PhD Candidate in Dr. Benjamin Alman and Dr. Jay Wunder Lab at SickKids, Toronto, ON)
Kristina Klobucar (Biology)
Lyndsay Rayner (Biology)
Branavan Siva (Biology)

2014-2015
Kirandeep Kharpal (Biology)
Catherine Crawford-Brown (Biology)

2013-2014
Joseph Longo (Biology; currently Postdoctoral Fellow at the Van Andel Institute)
Lloyd Ye (Biology)

2012-2013
Eric Neely (Biology)
Meaghan Mavor (Biology)
Daria Wojtal (Biology)

2011-2012
Jon Cogle (Integrated Sciences)
Erin Walters (Biology)

2010-2011
Julie Mersereau (Biology)
Lowell de Villena (Biology)

2009-2010
Stephanie Greer (Biology)
Carlyn Nameth (Biology)
Krisel Nagallo (Biology)