Rastegar Lab Personnel
Ashraf Kadar Shahib
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Graduate Student (Since 2023)
Ashraf Kadar Shahib is a dedicated graduate student pursuing his PhD in the Biochemistry and Medical Genetics Department at the University of Manitoba, supervised by Dr. Mojgan Rastegar, and co-supervised by Dr. Jim Davie. As a member of our research group, Ashraf's work focuses on "Investigating the impact of MeCP2 mutation on the epigenetic landscape of brain cells". Ashraf earned his Bachelor's degree in Industrial Biotechnology from Anna University in 2023, where he developed a passion for genetics and treatment-related studies. Ashraf is a recipient of UMGF, RFHS, and Research Manitoba scholarship awards, and has presented his work at different conferences such as CSMB, MSHRF, CEEHRC, Manitoba Centre for Proteomics & Systems Biology, among others. Beyond research, Ashraf is an active member of student organizations serving as the President of HSGSA, and Co-Chair of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC). |
Dr. Jessica Jarmasz
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Research Associate (Since 2024) Jessica obtained a PhD degree from the University of Manitoba in 2018, with postdoctoral studies from 2019-2022. Jessica is currently a Research Associate in our lab. Her specialty is on the role of epigenetics in the human brain and mammalian brain development. Jessica contributes to the ongoing research studies in our lab on the role of epigenetics in brain development, in parallel with pre-clinical studies in transgenic mouse models of Rett Syndrome. In this regard, she studies the molecular, cellular, and behavioral effects of specific drugs in mouse models of Rett Syndrome. |
Kazem Nejati Koshki
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Graduate Student (Since 2024)
Kazem Nejati-Koshki completed previous education in Medical Biotechnology at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. He is currently pursuing his Master's degree in Biochemistry and Medical Genetics at the University of Manitoba. Kazem has been recognized with several academic awards, including the prestigious UMGF fellowship. His research focuses on genome-wide transcriptomic and proteomic studies of post-mortem Rett Syndrome brain tissues. Before starting his Master's studies at U of M, Kazem conducted research projects in the field of stem cell therapy and was the recipient of the NIMAD Research Award in 2018. |
Marton Rohaly Medved
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Graduate Student (Since 2025) Marton obtained his MSc. in Quantitative Genetics and Genome Analysis from the University of Edinburgh in 2024. For his thesis he characterized the molecular mechanisms by which regions of DNA and RNA interaction regulate gene expression. As a bioinformatician in our lab, Marton’s work focuses on multi-omic analyses of Rett Syndrome human and mouse brain tissues with the aim of advancing our understanding of the effects of MECP2/MeCP2 mutations across the transcriptome and proteome. Marton has quickly become involved in student organizations at the University of Manitoba and has been elected the Director of the MHRE program under the HSGSA as well as the Vice-President UMGSA Representative for the BMG-GSA Council. Outside of work Marton enjoys spending time outdoors camping, fishing, and playing sports. |
Paula Pineda Sánchez
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Graduate Student (Since 2025) Paula Pineda Sánchez is a Master’s student in the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics at the University of Manitoba. She completed her Honours degree in Genetics from the University of Manitoba in 2025, completing her thesis in Dr. Rastegar’s lab on a “Pre-clinical Study on the Effects of a specific drug in a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome.” With prior research experience in molecular biology, particularly in environmental DNA, and a strong passion for genetics, Paula is now focusing on studying the molecular mechanisms by which a specific drug may serve as a potential treatment for Rett Syndrome. |
Amir Ziaee
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Lab Research Technician (Since 2025) Amir completed his medical degree at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and earned an MSc in Physiology and Pathophysiology from the University of Manitoba in 2025. Amir joined our lab as a Research Technician shortly thereafter and has been involved in multiple projects, primarily focusing on therapeutic and molecular studies using mouse models of Rett Syndrome. Amir has been actively collaborating with our graduate students in their projects, providing support and contributing to the advancement of their research. |
Carl Olson
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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. |
Rastegar Lab Alumni
Khatereh Saei Arezoumand: Graduate Student (2020-2023) and Lab research Technician (2023-2024)
Ghanan Bin Akhtar: Graduate Student (2022 - 2025)
Brian Toor: Summer Student (2022-2023) and Honour Project Student (2023-2024)
Brian received his B.Sc. with a major in Genetics and a minor in Chemistry from the University of Manitoba in May of 2024. He joined our lab as an NSERC summer student in 2022 and 2023, where he performed data analysis on a project studying the role of Metformin in MeCP2 isoforms. Brian continued his time in the lab where he completed his Honour’s thesis, studying a pre-clinical therapy of Rett Syndrome using Simvastatin. Brian presented his findings at the 67th Annual Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSMB) conference and was one of two undergraduates to receive a poster award.
Sandhini Lockman: Graduate Student (2017-2023 )
Sandhini obtained her BSc with a major in Microbiology and minor in Chemistry from the University of Manitoba in May of 2017. She completed a medical degree along with her MSc degree simultaneously. Sanhini contributed in research articles in 2019 and 2024. Sandhini was one of 3M thesis finalist in 2018 at the University of Manitoba. Sandhini was also the recipient of NSERC summer studentship in 2017.
Nada El Tobgy: Summer Student (2018), BSc Med Student (2019-2020)
Nada was a BSc Med student in our lab, and a medical student at the Max Rady College of Medicine in University of Manitoba. Nada completed a three-year General Science degree prior to entry into medical school. In the summer of 2018, Nada received an NSERC award for her research studies in our lab and continued her research on the pathobiology of Rett Syndrome.
Meysam Ganjibakhshghoucha: Visiting International PhD Student (2018-2019)
Meysam was an international visiting PhD student in our lab. Meysam is now a PhD graduate in reproductive biology and a Faculty member in his home country. Meysam has an MSc in Histology and embryology with a multidisciplinary research interest in the fields of assisted reproductive technology (ART), cancer stem cells, and application of stem cells in Regenerative Medicine.
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Angella Dia: Mitacs Intern (2025)
Chris-Tiann Roberts: Graduate Student (2022 - 2025)
Marjorie Buist: Graduate Student (2018 - 2022)
Marjorie completed a BSc in Biotechnology at U. Manitoba, and completed her MSc in our lab. Marjorie received many awards including a CIHR graduate scholarship. Marjorie studied the therapeutic role of Metformin for Rett Syndrome. Prior to starting her MSc studies in our lab, Marjorie completed an honour's project thesis (2017-2018) in our lab and was a recipient of CHRIM scholarship awards in 2016 and 2017.
Sari Glow: Summer Student (Summer 2018 and 2019)
Sari completed a BSc degree with a major in Microbiology and minors in Chemistry, Biology and Psychology at U. Manitoba. Sari was a recipient of 2019 NSERC undergraduate scholarship award and also received the University of Manitoba Undergraduate Research Award for the summer of 2018. Sari studied the effect of MeCP2 isoforms on cell signalling pathways in the human brain cell lines. Sari was then accepted into Medical School at U. Manitoba. Allison Banks: Honour Project Student (2018-2019)
Allisdon completed a BSc degree with a major in Genetics at the University of Manitoba. Allison performed her Honours Thesis project in our lab (2018-2019), through studying the MeCP2 regulatory network and downstream pathways in the human brain cells. Allsion’s research was directly related to Rett Syndrome.
Annan Ali Sher: Lab Research Technician (2017-2019)
Annan joined our lab as a summer student in 2017, continuing his Honour's thesis in the lab to graduate with BSc honours in Genetics at the University of Manitoba. Annan worked in the lab as a technician level II from the summer f 2018 till December 2019. |
Shayan Amiri: MSc Graduate (2016-2019)
Shayan joined our lab in 2016 and successfully defended his thesis in November 2018. Shayan was a recipient of Research MB scholarship. His research was focused on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of brain development, and studied the role of prenatal alcohol exposure in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), using differentiating neural stem cells. |
Shervin Pejhan, MD: MSc Graduate (2016-2019)
Shervin joined our lab in 2016 and recently completed her MSc studies. Shervin has an MD from Iran and her project was focused on studying MECP2 isoform-specific homeostasis regulation in human Rett Syndrome brain. Shervin is starting a residency in Pathology at Western University, Ontario in July 2020. |
Daniel Kroft: BSc Med (2017-2018)
Daniel obtained his BSc Honours degree in Biopsychology from the University of Winnipeg, and completed his Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, University of Manitoba. Daniel started his residency in Paediatrics at the University of Manitoba in July 2020.
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Kimia Sheikholeslami: Student Research Assistant (2011, 2017)
Kimia obtained BSc Honours in Genetics from U.Manitoba. She was a recipient of Schulich Leader Scholarship, Leader of Tomorrow, and NSERC Scholarships, among others. She completed Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Toronto (UofT), Faculty of Medicine, residency in Internal Medicine at UofT, was CMR of TGH in 2023-2024 and is currently a Fellow at UofT.
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Pedro Penzuti Pacheco: Honour Project Student (2017-2018)
Pedro completed his honours project on the identification of alternatively spliced genes during neural stem cell differentiation. His project helped to further understand the epigenetic basis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in brain-derived neural stem cells. |
Vichithra Rasangi Liyanage: PhD Graduate (2011-2018)
Vichithra joined our lab in January 2011 with BSc in Molecular Biology-Biotechnology (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka). Vichithra successfully defended her PhD thesis on December 2017 on regulatory role of DNA methylation on Mecp2 isoforms during neural stem cell differentiation.
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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. David is recently accepted into a MD program at the University of Manitoba.
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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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