Suiyang (Frank) Li, Lab Technician
Academic Background
Ph.D. – Animal Science, McGill University
M.Sc. – Animal Science, McGill University
B.Ag. – Genetics and Plant Breeding with Minor in Tea Sciences, South China Agricultural University
Frank received his post-doctoral training in molecular oncology at the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research (LDI) of the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, and has many years of research experience in genetics and molecular biology. He joined Dr. Santosa’s lab in 2021 as a lab technician, where he provides technical guidance and assistance to students on various instruments and molecular/cell biology techniques.
Hobbies
Fishing
Claire Plissonneau, Postdoctoral Fellow
Academic Background
Claire Plissonneau earned her Ph.D. in 2021 in Nutrition and Physical activity in a context of inflammatory pathologies, such as obesity, at the University Clermont Auvergne in France. Her current research, as a Horizon Postdoctoral Fellow, is to characterize regional healthy adipose tissue recruiting individuals with diabetes and obesity, obesity and who are lean. She also works on characterizing adipose tissue in those with childhood vs. adulthood onset obesity.
Research Objective
Claire’s project is to characterize the regional adipose tissue in patients with type II diabetes and obesity in line with Kerri’s Ph.D. research.
Awards
– 2022 Horizon Postdoctoral Fellowship
– 2022 Thesis Award – Association “Nutrition Méditerranéenne et Santé”, France
– 2021 Young investigator award Oral Communication – International “Association des Chercheurs en Activités Physiques et Sportives” (ACAPS) Congress, France
Jessica Murphy, PhD Student
Academic Background
Jessica Murphy received a BSc and MSc from the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at McGill University. Her MSc thesis examined the insulin resistance of protein and glucose metabolism in elderly women with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Eager to explore obesity and aging from a new lens and shift her focus to fat, she joined MON Lab as a PhD student in Concordia’s Individualized Program.
Research Objective
Her thesis investigates whether the period of obesity development (childhood-onset versus adult-onset) influences the way adipose tissue biology responds to a lifestyle weight loss protocol.
Awards
While completing her PhD, Jessica has received several scholarships including the Ed Whitlock Award, PERFORM Doctoral Fellowship, Diabete Quebec Award, and an FRQS Doctoral Award.
Jessica has participated in the Canadian Obesity Network Boot Camp and is also the co-chair of the Canadian Obesity Network – Concordia Student Chapter.
Tiffany Moey, MSc Student
Academic Background
Tiffany graduated from Concordia University in 2003 with a BSc in Exercise Science, Athletic Therapy specialization. While working as a Certified Athletic Therapist, she also completed a BSc in Dietetics at McGill University to become a Registered Dietitian specializing in sports nutrition. For the past 10 years, she has worked closely with athletes with this unique but complementary combination of professions to strive for optimal performance. She also completed the IOC Sport Nutrition Diploma program. Tiffany works with the recreationally active community to educate and guide individuals to healthy eating for active lifestyles that can be sustained over a lifetime. Most recently, Tiffany has decided to shift focus and work with a chronically ill population to help improve health through nutrition using a culturally and socially sensitive lens.
Research Objective
After working in the field for over a decade, Tiffany hopes to contribute from a different point of view – she is pursuing the research side of nutrition and exercise. She will be studying the role of nutrition in muscle function of bariatric surgery patients.
Rachel Abramczuk, MSc Student
Academic Background
Rachel graduated with a BSc (Hons) in biological and pharmaceutical chemistry and minored in nutritional and nutraceutical sciences from the University of Guelph in Ontario. She worked as a pharmaceutical medical writer prior to deciding to go back to school and pursue her Master’s degree in Montreal.
Research Objective
Rachel’s research is focused on the effects of protein supplement source in ketogenic diets on weight loss and body composition.
Anjalee Wanasinghe, MSc Student
Academic Background
Anjalee Graduated with an MBBS ( Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. She worked as a medical officer in Sri Lanka before pursuing her Masters degree in Health and Exercise Sciences at Concordia University.
Research Objective
Anjalee’s research interest is to examine the relationship between adipose tissue lipid and immune cell profiles blood, lipid, and inflammatory marker concentrations and how they are affected by the protein source in a ketogenic diet.
Lyne Al-Nabelsi, BSc Student
Academic Background
Lyne graduated with a BSc (Specialization) in Biology from Concordia University. She is currently pursuing a secondary BSc in Exercise Science in the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology at Concordia University. With great interest in nutrition and metabolism, she completed a research project for her Independent Study in Dr. Santosa’s lab and she is currently working at the lab as a summer student.
Awards
Summer 2022 – Concordia Undergraduate Student Research Award (CUSRA)