Rastegar Lab Personnel
Carl Olson
Lab Research Technician (Since 2009)
Carl obtained his BSc in Applied Biology from the University of Winnipeg and his MSc in Neurophysiology from the University of Manitoba. He joined the lab in 2009 soon after the lab started up and was instrumental in establishing the lab and training of lab trainees. Carl greatly enjoys helping students with their projects and participating in ongoing research in the lab. Besides his interest in research and continued learning, Carl enjoys participating in many outdoor activities and competing in marathons.
Vichithra Rasangi Liyanage
Graduate Student (Since 2011, transition to PhD in 2012)
Vichithra joined us in January 2011 with BSc in Molecular Biology-Biotechnology (U. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka). Vichithra studies epigenetic control of Mecp2 isoforms in neurons and astrocytes. Vichithra has studied how global DNA demethylation alters Mecp2 isoform-specfic expression in differentiating neural stem cells. Currently, she studies DNA methylation at the Mecp2 regulatory elements and the role of selected chromatin remodelling factors that control Mecp2 expression at the transcriptional levels.
Vichithra joined us in January 2011 with BSc in Molecular Biology-Biotechnology (U. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka). Vichithra studies epigenetic control of Mecp2 isoforms in neurons and astrocytes. Vichithra has studied how global DNA demethylation alters Mecp2 isoform-specfic expression in differentiating neural stem cells. Currently, she studies DNA methylation at the Mecp2 regulatory elements and the role of selected chromatin remodelling factors that control Mecp2 expression at the transcriptional levels.
Shervin Pejhan, MD
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Graduate Student (Since 2016) Shervin has recently joined our lab and she is a Medical Doctor, who has received her MD from the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. This was then followed by a board certificate in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. She has 5 five years of experience as pathologist, founder, and director of pathobiology labs in Iran. Shervin has recently started a graduate research program in our lab, and she is studying MECP2 isoform-specific homeostasis in the murine and human brain, and the impact of MECP2 mutation in the human Rett Syndrome brain. |
Shayan Amiri
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Graduate Student (Since 2016) Shayan Amiri has obtained his BSc in medical laboratory technology from Iran University of Medical Sciences and MSc in Toxicology and Pharmacology from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Shayan is a recipient of Research Manitoba (2016-2018). His research is focused on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of brain development. Shayan studies the role of environmental factors and epigenetic mechanisms that cause impaired brain function and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this regard, he studies the role of prenatal alcohol exposure in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), using stem cell biology techniques and cellular-molecular approaches to uncover the epigenetic basis of FASD, aiming to identify and validate specific FASD biomarkers. |
Marjorie Buist
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Undergraduate Summer Student (2016, 2017) Student Research Assistant (2017) Marjorie is currently pursuing a B.Sc. Honours degree in Biotechnology at the University of Manitoba. She received a Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba (CHRIM) Undergraduate Summer Studentship Scholarship for the summers of 2016-2017. Marjorie studies specific drugs that can induce MeCP2 isoforms and BDNF in the brain cells, for therapeutic strategies of Rett Syndrome. |
Pedro Penzuti Pacheco
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Pedro is currently pursuing a B.Sc Honours degree in Genetics at the University of Manitoba. He's especially interested in bioinformatics, statistics and machine learning. Pedro will start his honours project on the identification of novel bioinformatical methodologies to further understand the epigenetic basis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in brain-derived neural stem cells. |
Sandhini Lockman
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Sandhini obtained her BSc with a major in Microbiology and minor in Chemistry from the University of Manitoba in May of 2017. Her work in the Regenerative Medicine Laboratory began shortly after receiving a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Studentship. Through the NSERC scholarship, she is studying the role of MeCP2-BDNF signalling and DNA methylation in brain-derived neural stem cells. Additionally, she is involved with research into potential therapies for Rest Syndrome and will be continuing her research in our laboratory through the Master's of Science Program in Fall of 2017.
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Kimia Sheikholeslami
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Annan Ali Sher
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Daniel Kroft
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Daniel Kroft obtained his BSc Honours degree in Biopsychology from the University of Winnipeg, and is currently entering his second year of the Doctor of Medicine program at the Max Rady College of Medicine. Daniel has a particular interest in neurology and paediatrics, and is studying methylation patterns in the brains of patients with Rett Syndrome. Daniel and is also involved in our studies for potential FDA-approved drugs for MeCP2-associated brain disorders.
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Rastegar Lab Alumni
Robby Mathew Zachariah: PhD Graduate 2009-2017
Robby completed his research studies on MeCP2 isoform-specific expression and function in murine brain cells. He successfully defended his PhD thesis on December 2016, and graduated on February 2017. Robby was the first PhD graduate from our lab.
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David Fuss: Undergraduate NSERC Student (2016),
Part-time Technician 2016-2017 
David completed his BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Winnipeg in 2016. He received an NSERC for his research studies in the lab and continued his research as a Part-time technician in the Rastegar lab.
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Kyle Curtis: BSc-Med Graduate 2014-2015
Kyle completed his BSc Med in 2015. Kyle's project received the "ADE and Co. Award for Excellence in Biochemistry & Molecular Biochemistry with Potential for Commercial Application BSc Med award". Romina Levy: Honour Project 2015, Summer Student 2014
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Dr. Wenjun Zhu: Postdoctoral Fellow 2014-2015
During his training in our lab, Wenjun's research studies was focused on characterizing the effects of environmental factors and alcohol exposure in the brain cells on DNA methylation and altered gene expression program of neural stem cells.
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Kelly Duke: Co-op student 2013
Kelly was an undergraduate student in BSc Honours program in Genetics who completed her Co-Op training in the lab. Kelly ireceived Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship (NSERC) for 2013-2014.
Yohannes was the recipient of MICH summer studentship and Dept. of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics summer studentship awards. Yohannes is currently a medical student at the U. Manitoba.
Melissa completed a BSc Honours in Genetics. In 2011 she received MICH summer studentship and a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship Award. She currently is a PhD student in Oxford, UK. |
Benjamin Arthur Barber: MSc Graduate 2009-2012
With a BSc Honour in Biochemistry from McMaster, Ben completed his MSc degree in my lab in 2012. Ben studied the gene expression program of neural stem cells with a focus on homeobox genes.
Skye was an invited speaker for the "Annual Joe Doupe Memorial Lecture Ceremony" 2010. His project was selected as the "Best Basis Science Project" among the BSc-Med graduates of 2010 at U. Manitoba.
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