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
Muhammad Ilyas Nadeem, PhD Candidate
Academic Background
Muhammad Ilyas is a PhD candidate and a Public Scholar (2024-2025) in Health and Exercise Science at Concordia University. He completed his MSc in Rehabilitation and Molecular Medicine at the University of Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Malaysia, where his thesis examined the molecular characterization of the VEGF promoter variant (rs833061) and its association with obesity-related traits. He also holds a BS (Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Health Sciences, Pakistan, and worked as a clinical physiotherapy lecturer in Pakistan and Malaysia.
Research Objective
His research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms linking adipose tissue dysfunction with obesity and type 2 diabetes. His work examines immune cell populations, inflammatory and gene‑expression profiles, and metabolic regulatory pathways in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) across lean, obese, and diabetic individuals, including those undergoing bariatric surgery. He also writes op‑eds for The Conversation, ScienceAlert, Healthydebate, and Le Devoir, advocating for the recognition of obesity as a chronic disease and the need to address fat‑tissue malfunction through research‑informed public health approaches.
Awards
Throughout his career, he has received the following prestigious awards: FRQS Doctoral Scholarship, Public Scholar Fellowship, Concordia Doctoral Fellowship, and SGS & FAS conference award. Ilyas has won Seed Research Grants and recognitions like the Graduate On Time Award and the Young Talent Supervisor Award in Malaysia for his scholarly achievements. At Concordia, Ilyas has served on these committees: the Academic Freedom Committee, the Graduate Curriculum Committee, and the Council of the School of Graduate Studies. He has also chaired the GSA Council and is currently serving as a Senator (Graduate), showcasing his leadership for the Graduate student community.
Anjalee Wanasinghe, PhD Student
Academic Background
Anjalee Wanasinghe earned her MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. She subsequently worked as a medical officer in Sri Lanka before pursuing graduate training in Health and Exercise Sciences at Concordia University, where she transitioned into doctoral research.
Research Objective
Anjalee’s research focuses on examining the relationships between adipose tissue lipid composition, immune cell profiles, and circulating metabolic and inflammatory markers. Her work specifically investigates how these parameters are influenced by protein source within a ketogenic dietary intervention in individuals with obesity.
Awards
During her PhD training, Anjalee has received several competitive awards, including a CMDO Travel Award for an international conference, a CMDO Poster Award, Canadian Nutrition Society Travel and Registration Award, and the Armand C. Archambault Award from the Faculty of Arts and Science, Concordia University.
Adam Elies, PhD Student
Academic Background
Adam achieved a most excellent BSc degree in Exercise Science with a minor in theology, following this was the completion of a MSc degree in Exercise Physiology in 2026. During his time pursuing his MSc, he taught a wide variety of undergraduate academic courses and helped lead his university’s employee wellness program. Moreover, he is professionally certified under the NSCA and has worked with many people to achieve their health and fitness goals. Through this, he gained a passion for helping and serving others academically or in their personal health journeys. Now he is now focusing on greatly enhancing his biological research experiences in the field of obesity, nutrition, and exercise. With this, Adam aims to become a most wonderful professor and researcher with the purpose of improving the future of health and fitness.
Research Objective
His thesis is focused on identifying differences in markers of senescence and ageing between common fat depots as well as between child- and adult-onset obesity. He also wishes to identify how these markers of damage are mitigated by exercise and diet.
Awards
-Louise Annie Gillespie Graduate Scholarship in Physical Education/Kinesiology, 2025
-Graduate Equity Fellow Scholarship, 2025
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.
Lyne Al-Nabelsi, MSc 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)
Andrea Douala Ndoumbe, MSc Student
Academic Background
Andréa graduated from the University of Ottawa with a major in biology with a minor in gerontology. Her academic path bridges biological research, human movement, and clinical health, reflecting her interest in translating research into real-world clinical and lifestyle applications.
Research Objective
Andréa’s research interest is to compare preadipocytes’ behaviour across different metabolic states in abdominal and femoral depots.
Léa Laliberté, MSc Student
Academic Background
Léa graduated from Bishop’s University with a major in applied concentration psychology and a minor in sports studies. Her academic focus shifted from psychology to health and exercise science, reflecting her desire to help people through a multifaceted approach and her eagerness to learn as much as possible.
Research Objective
Léa’s thesis compares preadipocytes in childhood-onset versus adult-onset age of obesity in abdominal and femoral depots after a weight loss protocol.