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 Ryerson University establishing his lab in the Department of Chemistry and Biology.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Liangcheng Henry Xu
Henry completed his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto and joined the Little Lab in October of 2020 as a postdoctoral fellow. His project focuses on developing a functional immunoassay for measuring SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and integration into a microfluidic device. Outside the lab Henry enjoys hiking, playing video games, and catching up on Friends episodes on Netflix.
Graduate Students
Sarah Birstonas
Sarah joined the Little Lab in the fall of 2020 as a PhD student in the Molecular Sciences program at Ryerson. 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 joined the Little Lab in the summer of 2020 and then started his MSc in the Molecular Sciences program at Ryerson in the fall of 2020. 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 Ryerson Tabletop Gamers in Science, enjoys video games, and plays the guitar.
Michelle Chevtchouk
Michelle joined the Little Lab in the fall of 2020 as an MSc in the Molecular Sciences program at Ryerson. Her project focuses on bacterial tyrosine phosphorylation systems and how it affects bacterial physiology.
Undergraduate Students
Sindi Mukaj
Sindi joined the Little Lab in the summer of 2020 as an NSERC undergraduate student research assistant (USRA) and is currently a fourth-year thesis project student in the Biomedical Sciences program at Ryerson. Her work focuses on molecular mechanisms of bacterial tyrosine phosphorylation. Sindi's interests outside of the lab include indoor cycling and watching Grey's Anatomy.
Maciej Politynski
Maciej joined the Little Lab in the summer of 2020 as a Career Boost summer student and is currently a fourth-year thesis project student in the Biomedical Sciences program at Ryerson. His project focuses on characterizing post-translational modifications that affect the Type III Secretion System. Outside the lab, Maciej's interests include aviation, playing soccer, and road cycling.
Anat Usatinsky
Anat joined the Little Lab in the Fall of 2020 as an undergraduate thesis student. She is currently a 4th year Biomedical Sciences student at Ryerson. Her project focuses on developing a functional immunoassay for measuring SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. Outside the lab she is involved on campus with the course union, STEM Fellowship, ArtSci, and enjoys a good volleyball game.
Anna Katsev
Anna joined the Little Lab in the Fall of 2020 as an undergraduate thesis student. She is currently a 4th year Biomedical Sciences student at Ryerson. Her work focuses on the post-translational regulation of type III secretion systems.
Rabia Raees
Rabia joined the Little Lab in the Fall of 2020 as an undergraduate thesis student. She is currently in 4th year Biology student at Ryerson. She has one year of experience in the molecular diagnostics industry, and is passionate about understanding the microbial world around us. Her project focuses on the post-translational regulation of O-antigen biosynthesis and how these modifications affect bacterial virulence and physiology.