Meet our team

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thakshila dharmasena

PHD STUDENT

I completed my BSc degree at University of Peradeniya in 2017 with Plant Pathology as my major research interest.  I’m currently working on a project related to plant genetics. In my free time, I like to grow cactus, watch movies, observe wild animals and walk. 

Ruoqi Dou

PHD STUDENT

My research interest is in molecular biology particularly focusing on the resistance mechanism of plants. Nature and science drive me crazy, which deserve my lifelong hard work. I am also a fan of hiking, photography, and cooking, and I enjoy reading novels.

Faranak SolEimani

PHD STUDENT

My research interests are rooted in understanding signaling pathways that control plant immune responses and the control of central plant metabolism. Outside of science, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family & traveling as much as I can!

​KAMÉLIA MAGUEMOUN

PHD STUDENT

I completed my MSc degree at Université de Montréal in biochemistry specialized in genetics and genomics. I have an interest in plant genetics since I was introduced to that topic in an evolutionary biology class. In my free time I like cooking/baking, travelling and romance movies/anime. ​

FAIQA AMIN

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

When I completed my BSc in Botany in 2020, it sparked my interest in plant metabolism and stress responses at the molecular level. My focus is on understanding metabolic adaptations and underlying signaling mechanisms to develop efficient crops for sustainable agriculture. Other than that, I love being in nature, the colour green, and I enjoy watching dance.​

THARIKA MAHATHANTHRIGE

PHD STUDENT

I am strongly interested in studying how plants defend against pathogens using incredibly sophisticated and effective mechanisms at the molecular level. I completed my BSc at the University of Peradeniya, specializing in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology with first-class honors. My hobbies are reading novels, listening to music, and watching movies. 

VIRGINIA MIGUEL

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

I got my Ph.D. in Biology from the Universidad Nacional del Litoral in Argentina. I love cellular and molecular plant biology. My research interests are focused on understanding how plants respond to life-threatening signals. In that way, I would like to implement genetic engineering techniques in crop improvement. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, especially visiting places where I can do scuba diving. I also like hiking and going to the gym.

Márcia Gonçalves Dias

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

I completed by PhD at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, where I studied structural changes in raspberry plants infected by pathogens. Now, it is time to better understand these plant responses at the molecular level. I love cats, books, coffee, wine, and nature treks.

sarah Ruiz

USSRF STUDENT

I am an undergraduate student going into my 3rd year at Queen’s specializing in biotechnology. I am very interested in molecular biology and biotechnology and am enjoying expanding my hands on experiences in this field. Outside of the lab I enjoy travelling, reading and hiking.

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Jacqueline Monaghan

Canada Research Chair in plant immunology​

I am an Associate Professor of Biology at Queen’s University and a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Plant Immunology. I studied undergraduate biology at the University of Toronto and was an NSERC graduate scholar at the University of British Columbia. I continued as an EMBO Long-term Fellow and BBSRC Future Leader Fellow at the Sainsbury Laboratory Norwich. My research group focuses on immune signal transduction and fine-tuning mechanisms with a particular interest in protein kinases.

It is my privilege to train the next generation of plant scientists. I focus on first principles, rigour, and integrity, and encourage collegial team-work and a collaborative approach to experimental biology. With a strong sense of community, I proudly hold positions at academic journals and learned societies that align with my core values. 

Google Scholar

Teaching

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alumni  

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Katherine Dunning, NSERC/OGS MSc,  2018-2020
Carmen Gonzalez-Ferrer, OGS MSc, 2018-2020
Irina Sementchoukova, NSERC/OGS MSc, 2017-2019
Kristen Siegel, NSERC/OGS MSc, 2016-2019
Lauren Grubb, NSERC /OGS MSc, 2016-2018

postdoctoral scholars

Anamika Rawat, Postdoctoral Scholar, 2022
Melissa Bredow, NSERC Postdoctoral Scholar, 2017-2021

Visiting scholars

Marina Silvestre Vano, Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher (Laval University, Canada), 2023
Natasha Kelkar, Visiting MSc Student (University of Pune, India), 2020 ​

Undergraduate STUDENTS

​Abi Krishnakumar, NSERC USRA + Work-Study, 2024-2025
Bassem Doss, SWEP, BIOL537 Hons thesis, ASURF, 2022-2023
Emily DeSousa, BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2022-2023
Madison Giroux, BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2021-2022
Claire Wright, BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2021-2022
Mackenzie Loranger, BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2020-2021
Brandon Saltzman, BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2020-2021
Nick Smith, NSERC USRA + BIOL539, 2020
Cailun Tanney, BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2019-2020 
Emma Cameron, BIOL540, 2019-2020
Andrew Ji, BIOL540, 2019 
Ruxandra Bogdan, SWEP + BIOL540, 2018-2019  
Mansuba Rana, SWEP + BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2018-2019 
Olivia Siemens, Summer Student, 2018
Alex Johnson Dingee, SWEP + BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2016-2018 
Danalyn Holmes, BIOL540 + BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2016-2018 
Alysha Thomson, BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2016-2017 
​Sydney Pascetta, BIOL537 Hons thesis, 2016-2017 
Danielle Ciren, NSERC USRA + BIOL538, 2016  
Kathy Sihavong, BIOL538, 2016

placement STUDENTS

Katelyn Butts, SLC Placement, 2021
Heather Hennessy, SLC Placement, 2019 
Jennifer Wesley, SLC Placement, 2018 
Heather Galley, SLC Placement + Lab Technician, 2017 
Patrick VanVolkingburgh, SLC Placement, 2016 

WORK-STUDY STUDENTS

Celestina Onabajo, Work-Study Student, 2022-2025
Sanchia Samaraweera, Work-Study Student, 2023-2024
Foroozan Torki, Work-Study Student, 2022-2024
Luning Wang, Work-Study Student, 2022-2023
James Liu, Work-Study Student, 2021-2022
Rachel Shin, Work-Study Student, 2020-2021
Annelise Perron, Work-Study Student, 2020-2021