Current Members

Affiliate Scientists

Paul Waterhouse, he/him (paul.waterhouse@uhn.ca)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research Associates

Virginie Defamie, she/her (virginie.defamie@uhn.ca)

I have obtained my Ph.D in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis in France. My PhD work has focused on Orthotopic Liver Transplantation, the primary therapy for end-stage liver disease and acute liver failure. I have characterized the early response of Human grafts following transplantation and, using a rat model, I have demonstrated that the use of a MMP inhibitor significantly improved liver function and decreased hepatocellular damages. I am currently investigating the role of MMPs/TIMPs in Hepatic Progenitor Cell expansion and their differentiation into mature hepatic cells.

 

 

 

Sanjay Saw, he/him (sanjay.saw@uhn.ca)

I received my Ph.D in Biotechnology in India, where I specialized in Lab Allergy and Immunology. My current work in the Khokha Lab explores the role of TIMPs in hematopoiesis.

 

 

 

 

 

Postdoctoral Fellows

Curtis McCloskey, he/him (curtis.mccloskey@uhn.ca)

I received my Ph.D from the University of Ottawa in 2018 where I worked on ovarian cancer prevention and treatment. I joined the Khokha lab in January 2019 largely due to Dr. Khokha's interest in breast cancer prevention and rich-training environment. My work involves functional profiling of high-risk human breast tissue with a goal of improving patient risk assessment and prevention.  I throw rocks and sweep ice in my spare time a.k.a curling.

 

 

 

 

Matthew Waas, he/him (matt.waas@uhn.ca)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ronak Shetty, he/him (ronak.shetty@uhn.ca)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graduate Students

Olivia Drummond Guy, she/her (olivia.drummondguy@uhn.ca)

Ph.D Candidate

I received my B.Sc. at Concordia university in 2022 and my M.Sc. at the University of British Columbia in 2024. I joined the Medical Biophysics program at the University of Toronto in 2024. Currently, I am investigating the effect of PARP inhibitors on the mammary gland and will be evaluating its use for primary breast cancer prevention. Outside the lab, I love spending time outdoors and exploring the city.

 

 

 

Dapo Onabote, he/him (oladapo.onabote@uhn.ca)

Ph.D Candidate

I received my M.Sc (2021) in Biochemistry at Western University, where I used high-throughput sequencing techniques (e.g., RNA-seq and ATAC-seq) to characterize transgenic mouse models. My current Ph.D project (co-supervised by Dr Federico Gaiti) involves using single-cell multiomics to uncover novel molecular targets for prevention of breast cancer. Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching soccer and playing the piano.

 

 

 

Foram Vyas, she/her (foram.vyas@uhn.ca)

Ph.D Candidate

I completed my undergrad at the University of Toronto (B.Sc., 2020). As a MSc. candidate, my work investigates proteolytic networks in pancreatic cancer subtypes. I am also learning to broaden my bioinformatics skills. Outside of the lab, I like to make music.   

 

 

 

Bowen Zhang, he/him (bowen.zhang@uhn.ca)

Ph.D Candidate

I received my B.Sc (2020) at Western University where I developed a passion for both cancer and stem cell research. I joined the Khokha Lab to learn about how stem cell biology can be used to improve cancer prevention and therapy. Currently, I'm investigating the heterogeneity within human mammary stem cell/progenitor populations. Hobby-wise, I enjoy fencing and chess!

 

 

 

Soumili Sarkar, she/her (soumili.sarkar@uhn.ca)

Ph.D Candidate

I received my Master's in Biotechnology from IIT Bombay, India. My major goal is to identify the extrinsic factors that regulate the expansion of Liver progenitor cells as well as their cell fate, using hepatic organoids. Other than research, I enjoy playing keyboard and covering songs with my Ukulele during my spare time.

 

 

 

 

Research Technicians

Iris Fang, she/her (hui.fang@uhn.ca)

I received my MD from Tianjin Medical University in China. In 2003, I joined Dr. Khokha’s lab. Working as a technician, my major job is to maintain animal models and keep lab routine. I like to spend my spare time with my family.

 

 

 

 

Project Managers

Pirashaanthy Tharmapalan Ph.D, she/her (pirashaanthy.tharmapalan@uhn.ca)