Lab Members

Phillip Karpowicz

I com­pleted my PhD at the University of Toronto, in the lab­o­ra­tory of Derek van der Kooy (2003 – 2008), and my Post-Doc at Harvard Medical School, in the lab­o­ra­tory of Norbert Perrimon (2008 – 2014).

I am inter­ested in regen­er­a­tion broadly, not only as a process relevant to human health, but as a topic relevant to ecology and evolution.

I enjoy working, and my hobbies include worrying and sleeping.

Full CV here.

Maram Albakri

I joined the Karpowicz Lab in 2021. I grad­u­ated from Western University with an MSc in Anatomy and Cell Biology in 2020. During my master’s, I studied OVOL1 and its role in reg­u­lat­ing cell pro­lif­er­a­tion and dif­fer­en­ti­a­tion using Saccharomyces cere­visiae and human BeWo tro­phoblast cells. Other than research, I spent my days taking care of my plant col­lec­tion (con­sist­ing mostly of orchids), playing Mario cart, and catching up on reading. 

Zainab Taleb

I com­pleted my BSc in Health and Biomedical Sciences with Honours in 2018. Currently, I am inves­ti­gat­ing the effects of cir­ca­dian rhythm on inflam­ma­tory bowel disease. In my free time I enjoy reading, trying new restau­rants and singing in the car.

Kathyani Parasram

I received my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 2014, and my Master’s of Medical Biotechnology in 2016 at the University of Windsor. I am cur­rently studying sig­nalling in the Drosophila intes­tine. I enjoy reading and watching television.

Kristina Skurvidayte

I obtained my BSc in Biology and Biochemistry (Health and Biomedical) with a minor in Psychology at the University of Windsor. I am cur­rently studying the cir­ca­dian clock in intesti­nal stem cell organoids. In my free time I can be found fussing over my plants, vol­un­teer­ing, and re-watching the Harry Potter series.

Shahd Haddad

I com­pleted my BSc in Biomedical Science with Honours in 2021, at the University of Ottawa. My project involves creating a damage model to test time-dependent stress responses in the drosophila’s intes­tine. I enjoy watching tele­vi­sion, singing, and dancing.

Paige Brown

I am a 4th year under­grad­u­ate Biological Sciences student studying the cir­ca­dian clock and sig­nalling in the Drosophila intes­tine. In my free time I love cooking, visiting local parks & wineries, and reading.

Sevda Saadat Dehghan

I am an under­grad­u­ate student working towards an Honours BSc in Behaviour, Cognition & Neuroscience. In the lab, I am studying the effects of cir­ca­dian rhythm and dif­fer­ent feeding sched­ules on inflam­ma­tory bowel disease. In my free time, I enjoy reading, eating at restau­rants with my friends and working out!

Deepashika Senaratne

I’m an under­grad­u­ate student in Honours Chemistry and Biochemistry. I am studying the cir­ca­dian clock in mice as part of Vania’s project. In my spare time I enjoy playing piano and reading any book I can get my hands on!

Timothy Igbokwe

I am an under­grad­u­ate student studying Biomedical Sciences. Currently, I am research­ing IBD within mice. In my free time, I enjoy watching TV and playing sports.