Team:TorontoMaRSDiscovery/Team

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Who we are

Masterminds:

  • Graham Cromar: The Wizard of Id
  • Stacy Hung: Mini Wheats
  • Daniel Wong: The Architect
  • Conrad Lochovsky: The Invisible Man
  • Natalie Yeung: The Strategist
  • Farhan Raja: Dr. Zoidberg


Lowly Minions:

  • Kenny Zhan: Mad Scientist
  • Yen Leung: Elastigirl
  • Meah Gao: The Bionic Woman
  • James Juras: The Sporatic Action Man

Where we're from

Dr. John Parkinson: a.k.a. The Dragon in the Dragon's Den

Graduated from the University of Bath with a bachelor of science in Applied Biology in 1990. After receiving a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester in 1995, I completed a NATO fellowship at the University of Manitoba. From 1997 to 2000, I was awarded a fellowship at the Edinburgh Centre for Protein Technology, University of Edinburgh and from 2000 to 2003 completed another fellowship at the University of Edinburgh on Nematode genomics. I am currently a scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute. The research in our laboratory is aimed at understanding how molecular information can give rise to complex biological behaviour. Using computational methods, we study the organization and dynamics of cellular components within the context of integrated biological systems. Comparative genomics methods are also being applied to provide insights into how these systems may have evolved from the remote origins of life.


Graham Cromar: a.k.a. The Wizard of Id

I am a 4th year Ph.D. student in the Department of Molecular Structure and Function at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. At various times in the past I have studied cell and molecular biology (B.Sc. Toronto), molecular biology and genetics (M.Sc. Guelph), computer programming and systems analysis (dip. Inst. Computer Studies, Toronto), bioinformatics (cert. Canadian Genetic Disease Network) and, systems and matrix biology (present). I have worked as a lab technician, teaching assistant, computer programmer/systems analyst and IS manager. But, what I would most like to do is what I wrote in my high school yearbook about 20 years ago... Design organisms for export to far away galaxies. Thanks to iGEM I'm 1/4 of the way there...


Stacy Hung: a.k.a. Mini Wheats

Originally from Sarnia, I did my undergrad in Bioinformatics at the University of Waterloo. During this time, I had the chance to do bioinformatics research at Michigan State Univesity and Sanofi Aventis, among other employers. I am currently a 3rd year Ph.D. student in the Department of Molecular Genetics at U of T. My research is within the lab of Dr. Parkinson, where my main focus is to identify novel enzyme drug targets against malaria using a metabolic network-based approach. I am inspired by anything that is new, exicting, and can have a long-term impact for making the world a better place -- aside from my research, iGEM is one of these things. Go iGEM Toronto!


Daniel Wong: a.k.a. The Architect

Daniel Wong received his BASc in Engineering Science biomedical option at the University of Toronto. He is currently with the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, working toward his PhD. He works in the Cochlear Implant Laboratory at the Hospital for Sick Children, developing neuroimaging algorithms for the analysis of multichannel EEG data. As design team lead for this year's iGEM team, he guided the design team in developing the protocols for creating the team's biobrick parts. His academic interests include neuroimaging and systems modelling. To relax, he enjoys a good round of golf or social salsa dancing.


Conrad Lochovsky: a.k.a. The Invisible Man

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Natalie Yeung: a.k.a. The Strategist

I'm a graduate student at the University of Toronto's iSchool (sometimes known as the Faculty of Information). Having been involved in iGEM previously, it's been my privilege to see other people catch the synthetic biology bug each year. This team is a great example of the creativity of multidisciplinary groups, as well as iGEM's potential to be a catalyst for innovation (and some great stories!).


Farhan Raja: a.k.a. Dr. Zoidberg

I did my undergrad in Chemical Engineering, and now I'm doing a Masters in Biochemistry. My grad work has to do with applying computational techniques (eg. FBA) towards the reconstruction and analysis of pathogenic metabolism. I am considering of a few different options for the future, but I would like to somehow involve synthetic biology because I find it very exciting.


Kenny Zhan: a.k.a. The Mad Scientist

Hi everyone my name is Kenny Zhan and I am a third year undergraduate student. I am currently pursuing a specialization in biochemistry at the University of Toronto. This year I have been part of the iGEM design team at UofT and during the summer I have been fortunate enough to be part of the roster team that works in the lab to bring the design into reality. I find synthetic biology fascinating as I have an interest in developing new techniques and procedures to support the rapidly expanding field of biological sciences. In my free time I enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, ultimate and geocaching. Also you will see me from time to time updating our lab wiki. Hope to see you all down at the jamboree in Boston come October.


Yen Leung: a.k.a ElastiGirl

Yen Leung has been an invaluable member of the iGem Wet lab team. She has always been around the lab helping out, doing experiments and keeping my (Kenny) craziness (when I come up with crazy ideas) and messiness in check. Currently Yen is pursuing a specialist degree in Nutrition and Neuroscience at the University of Toronto and in September '09 she will be entering her third year.


Meah Gao: a.k.a. The Bionic Woman

Hi everyone! I am currently a 3rd-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto specializing in Pathobiology and majoring in Cell and Systems biology. This year as part of the Toronto Mars Discovery iGEM team, my job is to apply bioinformatics methods to identify potential protein candidates for enzymatic channeling and explore alternative microcompartment platforms. Previously, I have also been involved in projects in Neurophysiology and Cellular & Molecular Biology. My current research interest lies in genomics studies using bioinformatics tools.


James Juras: a.k.a. The Sporadic Action Man

Hey there, I'm a virgo and enjoy long snowboarding adventures in the mountains. Also in my spare time I'm a 4th year undergraduate specializing in Neuroscience at the University of Toronto. This summer I've been doing lots of work all over the place, but mainly my job has been to design the wiki you're presently navigating.