Principle Investigator
Dr. Dustin Little
Dustin received his BSc in Biochemistry in 2008 from the University of Waterloo. He then worked for one year in the food science industry before completing his PhD in Biochemistry in 2015 at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Dr. Lynne Howell. From 2015 to 2019, Dustin was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University in the lab of Dr. Brian Coombes. In 2020 he joined Toronto Metropolitan University establishing his lab in the Department of Chemistry and Biology.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Graduate Students
Sarah Birstonas
Sarah is a PhD student in the Molecular Sciences program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her project focuses on the post-translational regulation of the type III secretion system and how it affects bacterial virulence and infection. Sarah's interests include reading Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels, cooking, and cycling around The 6.
Thomas Esmond
Thomas is a MSc student in the Molecular Sciences program at Toronto Metropolitan University. His project focuses on the post-translational regulation of O-antigen biosynthesis and how these modifications affect bacterial virulence and physiology. Outside the lab, Thomas is involved with Toronto Metropolitan University Tabletop Gamers in Science, enjoys video games, and plays the guitar.
Jocelyne Mendez-Guzman
Jocelyne is a MSc student in the Molecular Sciences program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her work focuses on the post-translational regulation of the type III secretion system and how it controls bacterial pathogenesis. Jocelyne's interests outside of the lab include drawing, painting, laughing, and holding the title of Tame Impala's #1 fan.
Undergraduate Students
Golsa Makvandi
Golsa is currently a fourth-year thesis student in the Biomedical Sciences program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her project is in collaboration with Dr. Joseph McPhee's lab and focuses on the regulation of PhoPQ activity. Outside the lab, Golsa enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with family and friends
Senthuran Mahendradeva
Senthuran is currently a fifth-year thesis project student in the Biology program at Toronto Metropolitan University. His work focuses on characterizing post-translational modifications that affect the Type III Secretion System.
Esther Tang
Esther is currently a fifth-year Biomedical Sciences Co-op student at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her project focuses on the post-translational regulation of bacterial virulence systems through phosphorylation.
Tesam Ahmed
Tesam is currently a fourth-year thesis project student in the Biomedical Sciences program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her project is in collaboration with Dr. Joseph McPhee's lab and focuses on the regulation of divisome assembly. Outside the lab, Tesam enjoys reading, traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with friends and family.
Steven Tran
Steven is currently a fourth-year Biomedical Sciences student at Toronto Metropolitan University. His project focuses on developing a rapid paperfluidic device for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies.
Angie Awadallah
Angie is currently a third-year student majoring in Biomedical Sciences and minoring in Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her work project focuses on the post-translational regulation of O-antigen biosynthesis, and how these modifications affect bacterial virulence and physiology. Angie is involved in numerous student groups on campus, including being the Faculty of Science Director in the TMU Students’ Union. Outside of the lab, Angie enjoys going on walks, working out, and spending time with family and friends
