The Biomedical Technology and Cell Therapy Research Laboratory members consist of professors, visiting scientists and scholars, postgraduate and undergraduate students, research technicians, research associates, postdoctoral fellows and summer students. The members come from various disciplines such as medicine, biomedical engineering, microbiology, biochemistry, material sciences, chemical engineering, experimental medicine and surgery. In addition, we have collaborative members globally. The BTCTRL always welcomes collaboration and promotes interdisciplinary and targeted research endeavors.
Current Members
Jacqueline Boyajian
PhD Student (2021-present)
Project: Targeting the microbiome with novel biotherapeutics
Email: jacqueline.boyajian [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Ahmed Abosalha
PhD Student (2021-present)
Project: Novel nanoparticulate drug delivery systems for efficient design of vaccines
Email: ahmed.abosalha [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Paromita Islam
PhD Student (2020-present)
Project: Next generation nanoparticle-mediated drug eluting stent
Email: paromita.islam [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Amal Kassab
PhD Student (2019-present)
Project: Stem cell bioengineering for kidney rejuvenation
Email: amal.kassab [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Sabrina Schaly
PhD Student (2020-present)
Project: Investigating gene delivery and gene eluting stents to combat coronary artery disease
Email: sabrina.schaly [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Cedrique Shum-Tim
PhD Student (2023-present)
Project: Bioinformatics in clinical applications
Email: cedrique.shumtim [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Karan Arora
Master's Student (2021-present)
Project: Probiotics for Alzheimer's Disease: Testing single strain dynamics on Drosophila lipid metabolism
Email: karan.arora [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Madison Santos
Master's Student (2023-present)
Project: Localized gene therapy for multimodal wound healing
Email: madison.santos [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Rahul Thareja
Master's Student (2021-present)
Project: Investigating the effects of bioactive compounds for Alzheimer's Disease
Email: rahul.thareja [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Rahul Andharia
Master's (Non-Thesis) Intern (2023-present)
Project: Nano drug delivery system for atherosclerosis
Email: rahul.andharia [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Amshaja Menon
Master's (Non-Thesis) Intern (2023-present)
Project: Gene therapy for tissue regeneration
Email: amshaja.menon [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Jasmine Chen
Undergraduate Intern (2023-present)
Project: Testing novel biotherapeutics for microbiome-associated diseases
Email: chia-yu.chen [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Alumni
Suzanne Samarani
Postdoctoral Fellow (2018-present)
Project: CD Targeted Nanoparticles and Microbiome
E-mail: suzanne.samarani [at] hotmail.com
Jianhui Su
Visiting Fellow (2020-present)
Project: Prebiotic diabetic microbiome
Nadia Naghavi
Visiting Fellow (2020-present)
Project: Implantable miniature pump sirna cancer therapy
Gerson R. Aguirre
Post Doctoral Fellow (2014-2015)
Project: Novel Microchip in in-vitro GI model
Adrian Moor
Research Associate (2011-2012)
Project: FAE active formulation: liver diseases
Erminia Di Pietro
Post Doctoral Fellow (2011-2012)
Project: FAE active probiotic formulation: metabolic syndrome
Pavan M.V. Raja
Post Doctoral Fellow (2011-2012)
Project: Carbon Nanotube bacterial interactions
Email: rajvamv [at] yahoo.com
Hani Saleh Fadhl Al-Salami
Post Doctoral Fellow (2010-2011)
Project: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies for type-2 diabetes probiotic formulations
Email: hani.al-salami [at] mcgill.ca
Alain Labbé
NSERC IRD Fellow (2009-2010)
Project: Microcapsule probiotic formulation
Christopher Danni
NSERC IRD Fellow (2011-2012)
Project: Cholesterol lowering probiotic formulation: mechanism
Christopher John Martoni
NSERC IRD Fellow (2011-2012)
Project: Microcapsule formulation for cholesterol lowering: formulation optimization
Dr. Misara Hamoudeh
Post Doctoral Fellow (2008-2009)
Project: Preparation of a new vascular stent using nanoparticles based on biocompatible polymers incorporating recombinant baculoviruses
Email: misara.hamoudeh [at] mcgill.ca
Dr. Xiaohong Zhou
Post Doctoral Fellow (2006)
Project: Novel artificial cell microcapsule formulation for bacterial cell stabilization
Dominique Anehme
Post Doctoral Fellow (2004-2005)
Project: Microcapsule for targeted DNA delivery
Dr. Wei Ouyang
Post Doctoral Fellow (2002-2006)
Project: Novel artificial cell microcapsule formulation: design, preparation and characterization for kidney failure therapy
Email: wei.ouyang [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Nikita Lomis
Ph. D Student Experimental Medicine (2015-2019)
Project: A novel nanoparticle formulation for targeted drug delivery in cardiovascular disease
Email: nikita.lomis [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Susan Westfall
Ph. D Biomedical Engineering (2014-2018)
Project: Design of synbiotic to promote resilience to chronic stress-induced psychiatry disorders
Currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Email: susan.westfall [at] mail.mcgillca
Imen Kahouli
Ph. D Experimental Medicine (2009-2017)
Project: Novel microencapsulated probiotic formulation for use in colon cancer
Email: imen.kahouli [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Virtica Tomar
Ph. D Chemistry (2013-2017)
Project: Noscapine: a promising therapeutic agent for cancer
Wei Shao
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering (2010-2015)
Project: Carbon nanotube based targeted drug delivery systems for breast cancer and other drug delivery applications
Email: wei.shao2 [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Shyamali Saha
Ph.D. Dentistry (2011-2014)
Project: A new probiotic approach for the prevention and/or treatment of dental caries, oral candidiasis and periodontal diseases
Email: shyamali.saha [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Catherine Tomaro-Duchesneau
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering (2009-2014)
Project: Microencapsulated ferulic acid esterase active Lactobacillus fermentum for the reduction of inflammation and cholesterol in metabolic syndrome
Email: catherine.tomaro-duchesneau [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Laetitia Rodes
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering (2009-2014)
Project: A new approach of gut microbiota modulation by probiotic bacterial cells: formulation for use in metabolic endotoxemia
Email: laetitia.rodes [at] mail.mcgillca
Arghya Paul
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering (2008-2011)
Novel biotherapeutic devices: studies with stem cells, nanohybrid viral vectors and microcapsules for cardiovascular applications
Email: arghya.paul [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Meenakshi Malhotra
Ph.D Biomedical Engineering (2008-2014)
Project: A multifunctional nanoparticle formulation for siRNA delivery targeting neurodegenerative diseases and cancer
Arun Kulamarva
Ph.D Biomedical Engineering (2005-2009)
Project: DNA nanotube microcapsule design
Email: arun.kulamarva [at] mcgill.ca
Mitchell Laurence Jones
Ph.D Biomedical Engineering (2007-2011)
Project: DNA nanotube microcapsule design
Jasmine Bhathena
Ph.D Biomedical Engineering (2004-2009)
Project: A novel oral polymeric membrane lactobacillus formulation for amelioration of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and associated disorders
Email: jasmine.bhathena [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Christopher Martoni
Ph. D Biomedical Engineering (2004-2009)
Project: Microencapsulated bile salt hydrolyzing probiotic lactic acid bacteria for use in hypercholesteremia and associated cardiovascular diseases
Aleksandra Malgorzata Urbanska
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering (2006-2009)
Project: A novel microencapsulated probiotic yoghurt formulation for oral delivery in the suppression of intestinal tumor genesis in APC/Min mice
Email: aleksandra.urbanska [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Fatemeh Afkhamizarreh (In collaboration with BRI, Montreal)
Ph.D Biomedical Engineering (2004-2009)
Project: Delivery of IFN-7 and VEGF165b by microencapsulated cells: preparation and in vitro analysis
Email: fatemeh.afkhamizarreh [at] mcgill.ca
Maryam Mirzaei
Ph.D Biomedical Engineering(2004-2009)
Project: Production of human Interleukin-7 in insect cells and fabrication of microfluidic systems for high throughput cell screening
Email: maryam.mirzaei [at] mcgill.ca
Hongmei Chen
Ph.D. (2002-2006)
Project: A novel microencapsulation system: preparation and characterization of genipin cross linked alginate chitosan microcapsule for live cell oral delivery and other applications.
Email: hongmei.chen [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Merry Ghebretatios
Master's Student (2020-present)
Project: Investigating the impact of food nanoparticles on the gut microbiome and developing a probiotic formulation to treat nanoparticle-induced damage
Email: merry.ghebretatios [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Alicia Reyes
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering (2017-2019)
Project: Novel cell therapy for voval card
Ryan Bytes
M. Eng Experimental Surgery (2017-2018)
Project: Novel delivery devices
Umar Iqbal
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering (2015-2018)
Project: Role of multiple probiotics in metabolic syndrome
Email: umar.iqball [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Imran Sulemankhil
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering (2011-2013)
Project:Isolation, in vivo characterization, and safety validation of nitrate reductase active Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 702342 and its implications in addressing metabolic disease
Yaw Amoako-Tuffour
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering (2011-2013)
Project: GI sampling device development
Christopher Jackson
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering (2010-2012)
Project: Development and in-vitro evaluation of a novel sorbent material for dialysis
Raja Chemali
Masters Student (2010-2012)
Project: In vitro evaluation of single walled carbon nanotubes as targeted drug delivery systems
Email: raja.chemali [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Sapna Srivastava
M.Sc Cardiac Surgery (2009-2010)
Michael Coussa-Charley
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering (2009-2011)
Project: A novel in vitro mucosal gut bacterial adhesion model
Email: michael.coussa-charley [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Marc Fakhoury
Masters Student (2009-2011)
Project: Development of novel artificial cell microcapsule for targeted delivery of thalidomide
Email: marc.fakhoury [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Sana Abbasi
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering (2009-2011)
Project: Preparation and in vitro characterization of modified bio-degradable albumin-based nanoparticles for the efficient delivery of therapeutic drugs and genes in breast cancer applications.
Email: sana.abbasi [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Afshan Khan
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering (2010-2012)
Project: Novel method for delivery of stem cell derived growth factors for heart therapy applications: in-vitro and in-vivo analysis.
Daniel Marinescu
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering (2010-2012)
Project: Bile Salt Hydrolyzing Lactobacillus reuteri (NCIMB 30242) for the reduction of markers of metabolic disease.
Email: daniel.marinescu [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Shyamali Saha
M. Sc Dentistry, Transfer to PhD for her excellent performance (2010-2011)
Project: Probiotic formulation for use in oral health
Razek Coussa
M.Eng. Biomedical Engineering (2007-2009)
Project: Artificial cell live yeast microcapsule formulation for use in renal failure uremia
Email: razek.coussa [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Catherine Tomaro-Duchesneau
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering, Transfer to PhD for her excellent performance (2009-2010)
Project: FAE active probiotics for diabetes
Dr. Hani Sinno
M.Eng Biomedical Engineering (2007-2009)
Project: Role of collagen, complement C3/5 on cutaneous wound healing tropical formulation, preparation and in-vivo evaluation in experimental rats.
Email: hani.sinno [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Safaa Sebak
M.Eng Biomedical Engineering (2007-2009)
Project: Novel nanoparticles for breast cancer targeted delivery: preparation and in-vitro characterization.
Email: safaa.sebak [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Liang (Caroline) Chun Ying Fustier
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering, Transfer to another supervisor (2005-2006)
Project: Yeast cell microcapsules
Madhan Selvaraj
M.Sc Applied Biotechnology (2005-2006)
Project: High titer recombinant baculovirus for enhanced expression of SEAP in CHO/ HEK cell lines
Arghya Paul
M.Sc Applied Biotechnology (2005-2006)
Project: Expression of angiogenic growth factors using baculovirus expression system
Trisnawati Halim Lim
M.Eng. (2004-2006)
Project: Development of microcapsules for adjunct therapy in kidney failure
Email: trisnawati.halim [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Alexandra Malgorzata Urbanska
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering (2004-2006)
Project: A novel microencapsulated probiotic yoghurt formulation for oral delivery in the suppression of intestinal tumor genesis in APC/Min mice.
Bisi Lawuyi
M.Eng Biomedical Engineering (2004-2006)
Project: Development of a microcapsule system for the sustained delivery of therapeutic proteins to the gastrointestinal tract using live cells.
Email: bisi.lawuyi [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Tasima Haque
M.Eng Biomedical Engineering (2003-2005)
Project: Microcapsules combining alginate, chitosan, Poly-l-lysine and polyethylene glycol for liver cell transplant and cell therapy applications
Email: tasima.haque [at] mcgill.ca
Tong Tin Nguyen
M.Eng Mechanical Engineering (2003-2005)
Project:Micro particles blood substitute characterizations
Terrence Metz
M. Eng Biomedical Enginering (2002-2004)
Project: Polymer microcapsules for targeted thalidomide drug delivery in Crohn's Disease
Email: terrence.metz [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Christopher Martoni
M. Eng Biomedical Engineering, transfer to Ph.D (2003-2005)
Project: Cholesterol lowering mechanism of microencapsulated bile salt hydrolytic lactic acid bacteria
Mitchell Jones
M.Eng Biomedical Engineering (2001-2003)
Project: Microencapsulated genetically engineered Lactobacillus Plantarum 80(pCBH1) for bile acid deconjugation and its implication in lowering cholesterol
Email: mitchell.jones [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Nadia Naghavi
Sabbatical research Associate Professor, Ferdowsi University (2019-2020)
Project: Novel implantable miniature pump cancer drug delivery device
Ana Luisa Martínez-López
PhD. Becas de inversión en el conocimiento, Mexico (2014-2015)
Project:Inoculation and stabilization period to allow the microbial community to differentiate in each reactor compartment In vitro fermentation of AX microspheres in SHIME
Ranna Imani
PhD. (Pharmacy) Amirkabir University of Technology, Irana (2014)
Project: Novel drug delivery formulation graphene
Julien Ber
M.Sc. (Biochemistry) University Henri Poincare, Nancy, France (2009)
Project: Microcapsule design: kidney
Sylvain Charpenier
M.Sc. (Biochemistry) University Henri Poincare, Nancy, France (2009)
Project: Probiotic FA production: in-vitro studies
Waqar Ahmad
Visiting Fellow (2020-present)
Project: Probiotic polysaccharide and the gut microbiome
Email: waqar.ahmad2 [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Dr. Xin Li
Visiting Fellow, Associate Professor (2007-2008)
Project: Microcapsule for targeted drug delivery using image analysis
Sarita Singh
PhD Medicinal Chemistry, Banaras Hindu University, India (2008)
Project: Targeted capsule design for barbarine delivery
Pavan M.V. Raja
PhD Chemical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2004)
Project: Carbon nanotube microcapsule design
Visiting Fellow, Union Hospital Tongi Medical University (2003-2004)
Project: Microcapsule for targeted drug delivery
Dr. Lu Yao
Visiting Fellow, Univeersity of Tokyo (2003)
Project: Microcapsule for targeted drug delivery
Mohoma Rababani
MD (2010-2016)
Project: Reinfusion of polymerized human placenta hemoglobin SOD, Catalase carbonic anhydrase creates a cardiac protective effect during ischemia
Jonathan Kanesvsky
MD (2010-2011)
Project: Novel scar healing device
Justyn Lutfy-Lapierre
MD (2008)
Project: Novel polymeric wound healing formulation
Mitchell Laurence Jones
MD (2004-2006)
Project: Microencapsulation of engineered Lactobacillus Plantarum-80
Philippe Magown
MD (2002-2003)
Project: IgG microcapsule preparation
Mirenda Green
Neuroscience Undergraduate Student (2019-present)
Project: Microbiome and Alzheimer's Disease
Romina Filippelli
Honors Physiology Undergraduate (2019-present)
Project: Bacterial versus commercial ferulic acid as a potential therapeutic for the metabolic disorders
Sarah Ford
Undergraduate Project Student (2020)
Email: sarah.ford [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Francis Grafton
Project Student (2016)
Email: francis.grafton [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Andrea Mendoza
Research Intern (2016)
Email: andrea.grafton [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Leila Farahdel
Chemical Engineering B. Eng (2015)
Project: Graphene delivery methods targeting antibiotic resistant bacteria
Sara Sorrini
Summer CEGEP student (2015)
Project: Targeted probiotic delivery
Mariam Syssoeva
Summer CEGEP student (2015)
Project: Cloning of a GFP insertion element into Lactobacillus plantarum
Cedrique Shum-Tim
Summer Undergraduate (2015)
Project: Targeted probiotic delivery
Umar Iqbal
Chemical Engineering B. Eng (2015)
Project: Cloning of a GFP insertion element into Lactobacillus plantarum transfer
Mariam Syssoeva
Undergraduate (2015)
Project: Cloning of a GFP insertion element into Lactobacillus plantarum
Mohamad Majdoub
Physiology B. Sc (2013)
Project: Targeted probiotic delivery
Arielle Cantor
Physiology B. Sc (2009-2010)
Project: Microcapsule stem cell delivery
Tahilia Rebello
Physiology B. Sc (2004-2006)
Project: Oral microcapsule bacteria kidney substitute
Divya Shah
High School Summer Student (2013)
Project: Lipid probiotic delivery
Rahul Nalamasu
High School Summer Student (2012)
Project: CMC bacterial film characterization
Divya Shah
High School Summer Student (2012)
Project: CMC bacterial film characterization
Ciaran Lane
Biology B. Sc (2009)
Project: Targeted delivery of novel chemotherapeutic drugs via carbon nanotubes transporter
Email: ciaran.lane [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Ranvir Chaudhuri
Biology B. Sc (2009)
Project: Conjugation of anticancer drugs to carbon nano tubes
Email: ranvir.chaudhri [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Sapna Sah
High School Student (2008-2009)
Project: Yeast cell kidney microcapsule
Catherine Tomaro-Duchesneau
Microbiology B. Sc (2008)
Project: Bacterial cell lyophilization
Danhee Kim
Undergraduate (2005)
Project: Ginipin artificial cell preparation
Maria Hanna
Undergraduate (2005)
Project: Artificial cell yoghurt characterization
Email: maria_hanna [at] hotmail.com
Mehrnoush Shafiei
Bachelors Student (2005-2006)
Project: APA microcapsule preparation and characterization
Email: mshafiei84 [at] hotmail.com
Hahn Soe-Lin
Physiology B. Sc (2003)
Project: Microcapsule for kidney failure
Rebeca Cohen
Physiology B. Sc (2003)
Project: Oral microcapsule bacteria kidney substitute
Leonard Bienenstock
Physiology B.Sc (2002-2004)
Project: Carbon nanotube microcapsule characterizations
Email: leonard.bienenstock [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Nidhi Kantawala
Physiology B. Sc (2004)
Project: Kidney substitute microcapsule characterizations
Maliha Kazmi
Bachelors Student, McGill University
Email: maliha.kazmi [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Yin Ge
Pre-Med Student, McGill University
Email: yin_ge [at] hotmail.com
Justin Philip
Bachelors Student, McGill University
Email: jphilip3 [at] gmail.com
