DAVID LANGLAIS (PHD), Principal investigator
David Langlais is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Human Genetics and Microbiology & Immunology at McGill University, and Principal Investigator at the McGill Genome Centre. Dr Langlais completed his Ph.D. with honors in Molecular Biology in 2011 under the supervision of Dr. Jacques Drouin at the IRCM. His work revealed the complex transcriptional regulation at play in the immuno-neuroendocrine interface and in the maintenance of pituitary tissue. Dr Langlais then pursued postdoctoral research in Dr Philippe Gros’ laboratory at McGill University where he studied the role of critical innate immunity transcription factors and participated in the characterization of new proteins involved in immune function and neuroinflammatory conditions, including cerebral malaria. Dr Langlais has received multiple awards, including the Dept of Human Genetics Teaching Award, the Milstein Young Investigator Award from the International Cytokine and Interferon Society and the 2018 & 2022 Top 10 Discovery by Quebec Science.
Mathieu MANCINI (PHD), POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
Mathieu completed his Ph.D. in Human Genetics in 2020 under the supervision of Dr. Silvia Vidal at McGill University. Mathieu’s doctoral work focused on virus infections of the heart and of the brain. Specifically, he investigated how genetic variation can influence whether a protective or a lethal inflammatory response is generated against infection. In Dr. Langlais’ lab, Mathieu is currently using bulk and single-cell genomic approaches to study the development and progression of chronic autoinflammatory diseases.
Wilian Macedo, bioinformatician
Wilian is concluding a Ph.D. degree under the supervision of Dr. Erwin Schurr at department of Biochemistry. His projects are focused on bioinformatic analysis of the transcriptome responses mounted by human cells challenged with mycobacteria. In the context of tuberculosis/HIV, his work described the impact of ART regimen on alveolar macrophages challenged with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In leprosy, he characterized the whole blood transcriptome program of patients that developed T1R, a delayed hypersensitivity reaction, before its onset. Now working as a bioinformatics analyst at C3G and in support to Drs Langlais’ and Fritz labs, he is tasked with supporting the analysis of various projects in immuno-genomics
REBECCA BELLWORTHY, PHD candidate
I am an international student from the UK, where I studied medical sciences at the University of Southampton. After graduating I worked in industry for a couple of years doing research and development in the microbiology sector, but it has always been an ambition of mine to move into genetics. Outside of work, I am a very keen cyclist and mountaineer, and I’m looking forward to lots of skiing during the Quebec winter!
ATIA AMIN, PHD candidate
Atia is a PhD student co-supervised by Prof. David Langlais at the department of Human Genetics and Prof. Mathieu Blanchette at the department of Computer Science. Her research is based on bioinformatics and machine learning approaches to identify biomarkers of pathogens causing vector borne diseases. Before starting PhD, she completed her master’s in Molecular Biology at the University of South Dakota, USA, and undergraduate degree in Microbiology at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Her hobbies include playing guitar, singing songs, and listening to music.
AUDREY CORBEIL, PHD candidate
I have a bachelor's degree in microbiology that I completed at Sherbrooke University, and I also have a background in biomedical analysis in college. I am currently doing a master's degree in the laboratory of Dr. Christopher Fernandez-Prada, co-directed by Dr. David Langlais and Dr. Martin Olivier. I am interested in the characterization of extracellular vesicles released by different isolates of Leishmania, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis, in order to identify new sensitive biomarkers for rapid and non-invasive diagnosis of the disease. In my spare time, you will find me outdoors on a lake or on a climbing wall !
JACKY TUNG, PHD CANDIDATE
Co-supervised by Dr. Langlais and Dr. Ana Nijnik, Jacky is a PhD student in the department of Physiology. Currently, he studies the stress response of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the context of progenitor cell differentiation and HSC survival. Importantly, he is working towards investigating potential gene targets to enhance bone marrow stem cell fitness when exposed to DNA-damaging stress, a signature off-target side effect of cancer therapies. Outside the lab, you will often have to be given a 10-digit coordinate in order to find Jacky. Wherever his location is, he is probably searching for personal growth and challenges while giving his best. "Deeds not words", a phrase that deeply inspired him.
B.Sc., Honours in Immunology (2017), McGill University, Canada
Mauricio Ayala, PHD candidate
I am an international student from Mexico, where I studied genomic biotechnology at the University of Nuevo Leon. I have a deep interest in the areas of genetics, immunology and microbiology, all with an aim towards improving human health. Outside of the lab, I am an avid philosophy enthusiast, marathon runner and nature lover.
Julia Luo, MD/PHD CANDIDATE
Julia is an MD-PhD student supervised by Dr. Langlais. Her current project looks at the role that ThPOK plays in macrophage immunity using genomics methods. She hopes to use the tools learned in her PhD to help answer patient-driven questions from her future practice. She previously did her MSc in Microbiology and Immunology at McGill under Dr. Antel exploring factors affecting oligodendrocyte myelination potential. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing board games, and practicing martial arts.
Catherine [qianqian] Lyu, MSc CANDIDATE
I am a Human Genetics M.Sc student who took my undergraduate studies at McGill in Biology. I am interested in molecular genetics, autoimmune diseases, and possible treatments. My research is related to Hashimoto Thyroiditis, which is the most common autoimmune disease, using the EAT mouse model. Outside the lab, I enjoy camping and I am an absolute animal lover.
Simon gagnon, MSc CANDIDATE
Hello! I studied microbiology and immunology at the Université de Montréal. I developed a new interest in parasitology after a class given by Dr. Fernandez Prada, and that gave me an opportunity to do an internship in his lab. The subject of my Masters’ thesis is on the interaction between Giardia parasites and cell rendered immunodeficient upon treatment by the drug given to transplant patient. Hopefully, this study will give us more information about the risk of zoonotic disease transmission for immunodeficient patient. Outside of work, you can find me doing all kind of sports and outside activities.
Co-supervised by Drs Christopher Fernandez-Prada and Mélanie Dieudé
HUGH DENG, BSC Honours
I am a third-year undergraduate student in the Interdepartmental Honours Program in Immunology with an interest in immunology-related research and understanding the molecular mechanism of inflammation. In Dr. Langlais’ lab, I will be investigating the role of CEBPd in macrophage activation and trained immunity. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, running, skiing, and a good game of chess. I also recently discovered my interest in bouldering.
Tomas Pepe, BSc Honours
I am a third year Microbiology and Immunology student with a keen interest in the genomic and cellular pathways involved in autoinflammatory disorders and pathological inflammation. In Dr. Langlais’ lab, I am assisting in studying the role of ThPOK and Runx1 in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria through genotyping and parasitological microscopic investigation. Outside of the lab, I’m an avid nature lover, gardener, runner and reader. I believe science is the intersection between curiosity and tenacity. As Douglas Adams put it, “time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so”.
Étienne collette, BSC student
I am currently finishing the third year of my bachelor’s degree at Université de Montréal in biochemistry and molecular medicine. Having done a technical degree in biotechnology and spent a year and a half at the Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics, I have always been interested in both wet and dry lab techniques. In Dr. Langlais’ lab, I am studying the effects of glutathione and (1–3)-β-D-glucan on macrophage epigenetic memory and how these products modulate the activity of target transcription factors. If you ever find me out of the lab, I will probably be tinkering on my computer, trying out some new recipes, or hiding behind my game master screen, preparing my next game of dungeon and dragons!