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Prof. Neil Emery
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Dr. Emery is one of the world’s leading experts in the study of plant hormones. In particular, he works on a family of hormones, the cytokinins, which are notoriously difficult to analyze and which are potent regulators of plant development even when present at extremely low concentrations. In his work with legumes he is studying how the plants biochemically pull themselves together as a means of determining how to create bigger, more stable yields. The end users of research findings would be breeders of plants who he could give direction for making better varieties of each plant.
Lab Manager
Peter Andreas
Peterborough, Ontario
Lab Manager and Researcher
Professor and Technologist at Fleming College- Biotechnology Program
B.Sc. Trent University BSc (Current)
Biotechnology Advanced Diploma Program Fleming College
Office: LHS C235
Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6328
Email: peterandreas@trentu.ca
Peterborough, Ontario
Lab Manager and Researcher
Professor and Technologist at Fleming College- Biotechnology Program
B.Sc. Trent University BSc (Current)
Biotechnology Advanced Diploma Program Fleming College
Office: LHS C235
Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6328
Email: peterandreas@trentu.ca
Currently, I work as a Lab Manager and Researcher in a Research Biology Laboratory at Trent University. Under the supervision of Dr. Neil Emery, we investigate biochemical cross species interactions between plants and insect. Independently and through collaborations, we focus molecular Biology and plant hormone chemistry.
At this laboratory we are invested in a comprehensive range of research. Specifically plant hormone physiology, but in more recent years science has come to understand that insects, bacteria, and fungus all have intricate relationships with plants who have acquired ways of communicating on a molecular level in order to facilitate their relationships. One key class of hormones that can assist in these relationships is Cytokinins.
Employing such techniques as cell culturing, gene expression, genomic sequencing, and mass spectrometry allows us to delve into these systems and relationships to better understand crop yields, draught tolerance, lipid production, exophytic and endophytic bacterial symbionts, as well as cecidogenetic parasitism and symbiosis.
Secondly, I am a Professor in the Biotechnology Advanced Diploma Program at Fleming College in Peterborough. This cross-disciplinary program combines elements from the life sciences, quality control and assurance through ISO17025 regulations, applied computing, forensic science, automation, policing, and business skills. This gives graduates the benefit of having the multiple, job-ready skills that employers are seeking. The program has been developed in response to identified industry needs and a skills shortage in this field.
At this laboratory we are invested in a comprehensive range of research. Specifically plant hormone physiology, but in more recent years science has come to understand that insects, bacteria, and fungus all have intricate relationships with plants who have acquired ways of communicating on a molecular level in order to facilitate their relationships. One key class of hormones that can assist in these relationships is Cytokinins.
Employing such techniques as cell culturing, gene expression, genomic sequencing, and mass spectrometry allows us to delve into these systems and relationships to better understand crop yields, draught tolerance, lipid production, exophytic and endophytic bacterial symbionts, as well as cecidogenetic parasitism and symbiosis.
Secondly, I am a Professor in the Biotechnology Advanced Diploma Program at Fleming College in Peterborough. This cross-disciplinary program combines elements from the life sciences, quality control and assurance through ISO17025 regulations, applied computing, forensic science, automation, policing, and business skills. This gives graduates the benefit of having the multiple, job-ready skills that employers are seeking. The program has been developed in response to identified industry needs and a skills shortage in this field.
Senior Scientist
Dr. Zhiyong Zhang
Senior Scientist in Crop Molecular Genetics and Breeding
Ph.D. (Crop Genetics and Breeding), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
Email: zhiyongzhang@trentu.ca
Senior Scientist in Crop Molecular Genetics and Breeding
Ph.D. (Crop Genetics and Breeding), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
Email: zhiyongzhang@trentu.ca
Zhiyong is an expert on plant molecular genetics, crop genomics, and soybean molecular breeding. At Trent University, Zhiyong has discovered key plant hormone genes associated with yield performance. Under a collaboration agreement between Sevita International and Trent University, Zhiyong has developed and applied numerous high efficiency molecular markers for parental lines and breeding progenies selections. Molecular markers developed and optimized by Zhiyong have been successfully applied to improve soybean yield and seed quality including various protein compositions, different fatty acid profiles, multiple resistances to pests and diseases, desired and undesired phytochemical, and plant hormone metabolism. Protocols and molecular methods developed and optimized by Zhiyong are used to develop Non-GMO food grade soybeans.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Anna Kisiala
Bydgoszcz, Poland
Ph.D. (Genetics and Plant Breeding), University of Technology and Life Sciences, Poland
M.Sc. (Agrobiology), University of Technology and Life Sciences, Poland
Office: LHS C258
Email: annakisiala@trentu.ca
Website
Bydgoszcz, Poland
Ph.D. (Genetics and Plant Breeding), University of Technology and Life Sciences, Poland
M.Sc. (Agrobiology), University of Technology and Life Sciences, Poland
Office: LHS C258
Email: annakisiala@trentu.ca
Website
Anna started working at Trent University in November, 2011. She is a Research Adjunct in the Environmental & Life Science Graduate Program and Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biology at Trent University. With the background in agrobiology, Anna’s current research in Emery Lab concentrate on the use of mass spectrometry for growth hormone profiling in plant, microbial and animal tissues. She is interested in investigating factors that affect phytohormone production in bacterial and fungal in vitro cultures and discovering regulatory functions of these signalling molecules in different aspects of plant-microbe interactions.
Anna coauthored few successful research projects on the application of beneficial Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria for crop quality and yield improvement that has been funded by provincial farmers organisations (GFO, SPG) and The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). She publishes in the area of plant physiology and biotechnology and has been coauthor of over 20 Peer-reviewed research publication in various international journals and conference proceedings.
Anna coauthored few successful research projects on the application of beneficial Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria for crop quality and yield improvement that has been funded by provincial farmers organisations (GFO, SPG) and The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). She publishes in the area of plant physiology and biotechnology and has been coauthor of over 20 Peer-reviewed research publication in various international journals and conference proceedings.
Dr. Erin N. Morrison
Peterborough, Ontario
Ph.D. Trent University
Hons. B.Sc. Biology and Anthropology, Trent University
Email: erinmorrison@trentu.ca
Peterborough, Ontario
Ph.D. Trent University
Hons. B.Sc. Biology and Anthropology, Trent University
Email: erinmorrison@trentu.ca
Areas of Specialization: Plant pathology, phytohormones, plant-pathogen interactions
Erin Morrison earned her Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Trent University and was so excited by a new area of collaborative research in the labs’ of Dr. Neil Emery and Dr. Barry Saville she continued at Trent to pursue her Ph.D. Her Ph.D. research examines the interaction between a fungal pathogen, Ustilago maydis, and corn. This interaction causes tumours to form on all aerial parts of the corn plant. Erin is looking at the connection between changes in plant hormone levels and the development of tumours in this system. This field of research has given her extensive experience in molecular techniques and biochemical analysis of plant hormones.
Erin Morrison earned her Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Trent University and was so excited by a new area of collaborative research in the labs’ of Dr. Neil Emery and Dr. Barry Saville she continued at Trent to pursue her Ph.D. Her Ph.D. research examines the interaction between a fungal pathogen, Ustilago maydis, and corn. This interaction causes tumours to form on all aerial parts of the corn plant. Erin is looking at the connection between changes in plant hormone levels and the development of tumours in this system. This field of research has given her extensive experience in molecular techniques and biochemical analysis of plant hormones.
Ph.D. Candidates
Laura E. Perry
Oshawa, Ontario
Ph.D. Candidate, Trent University
M.Sc. (Environmental and Life Sciences), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario
B.Sc. (Biology and Anthropology) Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario
Email: lauraperry@trentu.ca
Website
Oshawa, Ontario
Ph.D. Candidate, Trent University
M.Sc. (Environmental and Life Sciences), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario
B.Sc. (Biology and Anthropology) Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario
Email: lauraperry@trentu.ca
Website
Areas of Specialization:
Laura’s background is in evolutionary biology and she uses her knowledge of genetics to help her understand how cytokinins may impact grain size and number in Canadian spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). She was drawn to this work because of her interest in using molecular methods to improve agriculture. Wheat is an important global crop that accounts for more than 20% of the world’s food supply. With an increasing population, this means greater yields will be required to keep up with demand.
Laura’s background is in evolutionary biology and she uses her knowledge of genetics to help her understand how cytokinins may impact grain size and number in Canadian spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). She was drawn to this work because of her interest in using molecular methods to improve agriculture. Wheat is an important global crop that accounts for more than 20% of the world’s food supply. With an increasing population, this means greater yields will be required to keep up with demand.
Mark Seegobin
Barrie, Ontario
Ph.D. Candidate, Trent University
Hons. B.Sc. Biology & Forensic Science, Trent University
Email: markseegobin@trentu.ca
Barrie, Ontario
Ph.D. Candidate, Trent University
Hons. B.Sc. Biology & Forensic Science, Trent University
Email: markseegobin@trentu.ca
Mark completed his undergraduate degree at Trent, where he majored in both Forensic Science and Biology. He completed a fourth year thesis characterizing effector proteins of the model corn smut Ustilago maydis. During this time, Mark also began working with Noble Inc. investigating potential uses of nanosilver particles in the treatment of cancer. Today Mark is still working with cancer, specifically investigating endogenous hormones expression and their roles in cellular development. His goal is to understand how hormones can be used to better understand and treat cancer.
M.Sc. Students
Tamzida Rahman
Dhaka, Bangladesh
M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences
Hons. B.Sc. Agriculture '15, Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University
Email: tamzidarahman@trentu.ca
I obtained my undergraduate degree in agriculture from Bangladesh. At Trent University, I am pursuing my postgraduate education in the Emery lab. My primary research focuses on hormonal influence particularly cytokinins on soybean root cyst development caused by soybean cyst nematode (SCN). At present, I am working on non-cyst forming nematode C. elegans in vitro to isolate and profile cytokinins which will be compared with SCN to understand the influence of cytokinin signalling in development of special nematode feeding site (syncytium) at soybean root. However, my future plan is to discover how SCN parasitize soybean plan without killing it and potential new SCN resistant variety of soybean.
Dhaka, Bangladesh
M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences
Hons. B.Sc. Agriculture '15, Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University
Email: tamzidarahman@trentu.ca
I obtained my undergraduate degree in agriculture from Bangladesh. At Trent University, I am pursuing my postgraduate education in the Emery lab. My primary research focuses on hormonal influence particularly cytokinins on soybean root cyst development caused by soybean cyst nematode (SCN). At present, I am working on non-cyst forming nematode C. elegans in vitro to isolate and profile cytokinins which will be compared with SCN to understand the influence of cytokinin signalling in development of special nematode feeding site (syncytium) at soybean root. However, my future plan is to discover how SCN parasitize soybean plan without killing it and potential new SCN resistant variety of soybean.
Cody Butler
Barrie, Ontario
M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences
Hons. B.Sc. Biology '14, Nipissing University
Email: codybutler@trentu.ca
Cody completed his undergraduate degree at Nipissing University in North Bay, where he majored in biology and minored in chemistry. He completed an undergraduate thesis exploring heterocyclic Diels Alder reactions of enol-ethers. Today, Cody is working with Arabidopsis thaliana, specifically investigating cis-cytokinin regulated metabolites and their roles in plant development. His goal is to understand what role cis-cytokinin plays in Arabidopsis development.
Barrie, Ontario
M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences
Hons. B.Sc. Biology '14, Nipissing University
Email: codybutler@trentu.ca
Cody completed his undergraduate degree at Nipissing University in North Bay, where he majored in biology and minored in chemistry. He completed an undergraduate thesis exploring heterocyclic Diels Alder reactions of enol-ethers. Today, Cody is working with Arabidopsis thaliana, specifically investigating cis-cytokinin regulated metabolites and their roles in plant development. His goal is to understand what role cis-cytokinin plays in Arabidopsis development.
Megan Aoki
Freedom, Wisconsin
M.Sc. Candidate - Environmental and Life Sciences
Hons. B.Sc. - Biology and Psychology with a Specialization in Health Sciences '17, Trent University
Associate's Degree - University of Wisconsin: Fox Valley
Email: meganarnoldussen@trentu.ca
Freedom, Wisconsin
M.Sc. Candidate - Environmental and Life Sciences
Hons. B.Sc. - Biology and Psychology with a Specialization in Health Sciences '17, Trent University
Associate's Degree - University of Wisconsin: Fox Valley
Email: meganarnoldussen@trentu.ca
Megan completed her associate's degree at the University of Wisconsin: Fox Valley, where she started her research career working with the evolution of the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus for agricultural applications.
Megan researched endogenous cytokinin biosynthesis in mammalian systems for her fourth year thesis. Her goal was to understand the biosynthesis pathways of recently identified signaling molecules. She is currently pursuing a post secondary Master's Degree in the Environmental & Life Sciences program at Trent University. Megan will be working with the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, looking at specific cytokinin biosynthesis genes and localization of the gene products.
Megan researched endogenous cytokinin biosynthesis in mammalian systems for her fourth year thesis. Her goal was to understand the biosynthesis pathways of recently identified signaling molecules. She is currently pursuing a post secondary Master's Degree in the Environmental & Life Sciences program at Trent University. Megan will be working with the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, looking at specific cytokinin biosynthesis genes and localization of the gene products.
Alexandra Kuhne
Peterborough, Ontario
M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences
Hons. B.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology '16, Trent University
Email: alexandrakuhne@trentu.ca
Peterborough, Ontario
M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences
Hons. B.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology '16, Trent University
Email: alexandrakuhne@trentu.ca
Alex completed her undergrad at Trent with a joint honours major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with an Emphasis in Health Sciences. She completed an undergraduate thesis project with focus on histology and immunohistochemistry in a wild type mouse P. leucopus. She is currently pursuing a post secondary Master's Degree with the Emery lab. Her new focus is in the environmental sciences specifically working on the growth optimization of a microalgae species for industrial use with collaboration from an industry partner.
Ibraheem O. Alimi
Peterborough, Ontario
M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences, Cell Biology and Genetics
Hons. B.Sc. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Toronto
Email: ibraheemalimi@trentu.ca
Peterborough, Ontario
M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences, Cell Biology and Genetics
Hons. B.Sc. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Toronto
Email: ibraheemalimi@trentu.ca
Before coming to Trent, Ibraheem received his H.BSc degree from the University of Toronto with a specialization in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology. During his undergrad, he completed his honours thesis on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the toxicity of protein aggregates in several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Prion diseases. Afterwards, Ibraheem also worked on a separate project with involved understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the use of single domain antibodies (nanobodies) as antimicrobials. Currently, Ibraheem is working as a member of both the Saville and Emery Laboratory and his research is focused on investigating the molecular mechanisms behind the formation of tumors in the corn smut disease.
Nourhene Grich
Matmata, Gabes, Tunisia
M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences
B.Eng. Horticulture and Plant Protection, Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, Tunisia
Email: nogrich@trentu.ca
Matmata, Gabes, Tunisia
M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences
B.Eng. Horticulture and Plant Protection, Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, Tunisia
Email: nogrich@trentu.ca
Nourhene completed her undergraduate engineering degree at the Higher Institute of Agronomic Sciences of Chott-Mariem in Tunisia. She started her research career as a Mitacs Globalink intern in the Emery Laboratory investigating the roles of plant hormones in insect-plant interactions.
Nourhene completed a one year master program at the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia where her research was about the microscopic and molecular identification of the causal agents of chickpea wilt disease and its geographic distribution in Tunisia.
Nourhene received a Mitacs graduate fellowship to peruse her master degree in the Environmental & Life Sciences Program at Trent University and her new focus is Pleurotus ostreatus, a medicinal mushroom, which she studies to discover the effects of cytokinins in fungi physiology.
Nourhene completed a one year master program at the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia where her research was about the microscopic and molecular identification of the causal agents of chickpea wilt disease and its geographic distribution in Tunisia.
Nourhene received a Mitacs graduate fellowship to peruse her master degree in the Environmental & Life Sciences Program at Trent University and her new focus is Pleurotus ostreatus, a medicinal mushroom, which she studies to discover the effects of cytokinins in fungi physiology.
Alumni
Dr. Thien Nguyen
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ph.D. Trent University
M.Sc. (Horticulture), Kyushu University, Fukuoka City, Japan
B.Sc. (Agricultural Biotechnology), University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Email: thiennguyenquoc@trentu.ca
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ph.D. Trent University
M.Sc. (Horticulture), Kyushu University, Fukuoka City, Japan
B.Sc. (Agricultural Biotechnology), University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Email: thiennguyenquoc@trentu.ca
Areas of Specialization:
Thien started his graduate studies in Vietnam and Japan working on different kinds of flowers and ornamental plants. At Trent University, Thien is pursuing his passion of plant research, studying specifically soybeans. Thien's area of research is unique and involves Biomaterials and Plant Physiology research. He is specifically looking for correlations between the regulation of endogenous hormones and the fatty acid synthesis in soybean seeds. His goal is to understand how plant hormones work in order to develop sustainable industrial crops for novel and functional biomaterials.
Currently, Thien continues his research at Trent working as a Post Doctoral Fellow in Prof. Céline Guéguen's Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences and Biogeochemistry.
Thien started his graduate studies in Vietnam and Japan working on different kinds of flowers and ornamental plants. At Trent University, Thien is pursuing his passion of plant research, studying specifically soybeans. Thien's area of research is unique and involves Biomaterials and Plant Physiology research. He is specifically looking for correlations between the regulation of endogenous hormones and the fatty acid synthesis in soybean seeds. His goal is to understand how plant hormones work in order to develop sustainable industrial crops for novel and functional biomaterials.
Currently, Thien continues his research at Trent working as a Post Doctoral Fellow in Prof. Céline Guéguen's Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences and Biogeochemistry.
Natasha Trzaskalski
Peterborough, Ontario
M.Sc. Environmental and Life Sciences
Hons. B.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology '14, Trent University
Email: ntrzaskalski@trentu.ca
Peterborough, Ontario
M.Sc. Environmental and Life Sciences
Hons. B.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology '14, Trent University
Email: ntrzaskalski@trentu.ca
Natasha started out as an undergraduate Honours Thesis student in the Emery lab in 2014. Her research focused on investigating the relationship between cytokinin and brassinosteroids in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants. Natasha was continuing her research efforts, this time as a graduate student, where her enthusiasm for plant research has translated to algae. She was working alongside an industry partner to expose the secret language of algae. Natasha's project aimed to identify what is happening within the cells of a culture, how they are communicating with one another, and how both factors influence algal density and composition. Currently, Natasha is a PhD student at the Heart Institute of University of Ottawa.
Kira Ramphal
Toronto, Ontario
M.Sc. Environmental and Life Sciences '15, Trent University
B.Sc. Biology, Trent University
Email: kiraramphal@trentu.ca
Toronto, Ontario
M.Sc. Environmental and Life Sciences '15, Trent University
B.Sc. Biology, Trent University
Email: kiraramphal@trentu.ca
Kira Ramphal was born in Toronto, Ontario and attended secondary school in Barbados, a small island in the Caribbean. She returned to Canada to complete her Bachelor's degree majoring in Biology with a minor in Biological Anthropology, at Trent University, then continued on to complete her Master's degree, as a member of both the Plant Physiology Lab and the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research. Her project was co-supervised by the VP of Research and International Dr. Neil Emery and Dr. Suresh Narine, Director of the TCBR. Kira's research focused primarily on the discovery of new and innovative ways to alter fatty acid profiles in microalgae using the addition of phytohormones. This research yielded significant results which could lead to the development of more sustainable sources of both pharmaceutically important and industrially important fatty acids. These methods could also potentially be used to limit the use of genetic modification in the production of useful products from organisms such as microalgae.
Taylor Levert
Cambridge, Ontario
B.Sc. Biology, Trent University (Current)
Email: taylorlevert@trentu.ca
Cambridge, Ontario
B.Sc. Biology, Trent University (Current)
Email: taylorlevert@trentu.ca
Taylor research focused on two plant pathogens, Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines) and Ergot (Claviceps purpurea). In her research, she was studying the interactions between both pathogens and the role that cytokinin may play in their pathogenicity of the plant. Taylor also spent some of her time in the lab researching CK presence in decomposing mammalian tissue and the insects that occupy the flesh. Currently, Taylor continues her career as an officer candidate in Canadian Army Forces.
Taylor Gibson
Orilla, Ontario
B.Sc. Biology '17, Trent University
Email: taylorgibson@trentu.ca
Taylor finished her Bachelor's degree in Biology at Trent University. For her undergraduate thesis Taylor was researching very unusual plant - insect interaction system. Taylor evaluated the role cytokinin play in the formation and morphology of two types of galls induced by two different insect species that are found on the arroyo willow, small multi-trunk tree commonly found in wetlands.
She is currently pursuing a post secondary Master's Degree in the Molecular and Cell Biology Department at the University of Guelph.
Orilla, Ontario
B.Sc. Biology '17, Trent University
Email: taylorgibson@trentu.ca
Taylor finished her Bachelor's degree in Biology at Trent University. For her undergraduate thesis Taylor was researching very unusual plant - insect interaction system. Taylor evaluated the role cytokinin play in the formation and morphology of two types of galls induced by two different insect species that are found on the arroyo willow, small multi-trunk tree commonly found in wetlands.
She is currently pursuing a post secondary Master's Degree in the Molecular and Cell Biology Department at the University of Guelph.