Current Group Members

Jacqueline Monaghan
Assistant Professor
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I studied undergraduate biology at the University of Toronto (2001-2005), obtained a doctoral degree from the University of British Columbia (2005-2010), and conducted postdoctoral research at The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, England (2010-2015). I have been an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Queen's University since January 2016. When I am not in the lab I enjoy practicing yoga, travelling, and great coffee. 

​Melissa Bredow 
NSERC-funded Postdoctoral Fellow

I completed my undergraduate degree at Western University (2008-2012) with an HBSc in Cell and Developmental Biology and a Major in Genetics. I recently completed my PhD (2012-2017) at Queen’s University in the Biology Department with a focus on plant freezing stress. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy board game nights, trivia, kayaking and experiencing Kingston’s local cuisine. 

​Katherine Dunning 
NSERC-funded MSc Student  

Hi I'm Katy! I completed by BScH Biochemistry at Mount Allison University in 2018 where my Honours project involved cloning algal sulfur metabolism proteins and bioinformatics analysis. I am passionate about science communication and how GE technology can be used to improve global food security and agricultural sustainability and I hope to someday have a career in this field. In my spare time I like to exercise, read books, play board games, cook, and go hiking!

​Carmen Gonzalaz-Ferrer
OGS-funded MSc Student 

I am currently attending Queen's University in pursuit of a masters degree in Biology after having completed my undergraduate thesis in plant stress response at Dalhousie University. My favourite plant is the Jacaranda tree and in my spare time I enjoy hot yoga, reading and doing crosswords. 

Irina Sementchoukova
NSERC and OGS-funded MSc Student 

I received my undergraduate degree from McMaster University, studying Molecular Biology and Genetics. My previous research experiences have been in the fields of plant stress genomics, plant-microbial interactions, agriculture, and microbial natural products. My project in the Monaghan Lab combines two of my passions – plant and bacterial genetics. Aside from my scientific pursuits, I enjoy the outdoors, and I am always on the hunt for delicious coffee, craft brews, and new reading material. 

​Kristen Siegel 
NSERC and OGS-funded MSc Student 

I completed my undergraduate degree in the Biotechnology program at Queen’s University in 2017. My main research interests lie in pattern triggered immunity (PTI), elucidating MAP kinase cascades, and genetics. When I am not in the lab, I love working on projects with the Biology Graduate Student Council and playing Disney songs on the piano.

Group Alumni

Heather Hennessy, St Lawrence College Work Placement, 2019 
Andrew Ji, BIOL540 Mentorship, 2019
Ruxandra Bogdan, SWEP and BIOL540 Mentorship, 2018-2019 
Mansuba Rana, SWEP and BIOL537 Honours Thesis, 2018-2019
Anushka Nair, Volunteer, 2018-2019
Chiara Gottheil, Volunteer, 2018-2019 
Lindsay Marck, Volunteer, 2017-2019
Lauren Grubb, NSERC USRA and NSERC- and OGS-funded MSc Student, 2016-2018
Olivia Siemens, Western University Summer Student, 2018
Jennifer Wesley,  St Lawrence College Work Placement, 2018 
Alex Johnson Dingee, SWEP and BIOL537 Honours Thesis, 2016-2018
Danalyn Holmes, BIOL540 Mentorship, Summer Student, BIOL537 Honours Thesis, 2016-2018
Cailun Tanney, Volunteer, 2017-2018
Heather Galley, St Lawrence College Work Placement and Lab Technician, 2017 
Alysha Thomson, BIOL537 Honours Thesis, 2016-2017 
​Sydney Pascetta, BIOL537 Honours Thesis, 2016-2017 
Danielle Ciren, NSERC USRA and BIOL538 Research Mentorship, 2016 
Kathy Sihavong, BIOL538 Research Mentorship, 2016
Patrick VanVolkingburgh, St Lawrence College Work Placement, 2016