PEOPLE
LAURENT POTVIN-TROTTIER
Principal investigator
Postdoc (Caltech), PhD Biophysics (Harvard University), MSc Physics (McGill University), B. Eng Physics (École Polytechnique Montréal)
I was trained as a physicist before becoming fascinated by biology, and have been using a physics approach to understanding biological systems since then. During my Masters in the lab of Paul Wiseman at McGill, I developed image analysis techniques to quantify the biophysical properties of proteins inside cells. I then joined Johan Paulsson’s lab at Harvard, where I used microfluidics and principles from stochastic chemistry to re-engineer the synthetic oscillator that helped kick-start synthetic biology, the repressilator. During my post-doc at the California Institute of Technology in the lab of Michael Elowitz, I used synthetic approaches to study how cell-cell signaling can be encoded through dynamical signals.
LAURENT POTVIN-TROTTIER
Principal investigator
Postdoc (Caltech), PhD Biophysics (Harvard University), MSc Physics (McGill University), B. Eng Physics (École Polytechnique Montréal)
I was trained as a physicist before becoming fascinated by biology, and have been using a physics approach to understanding biological systems since then. During my Masters in the lab of Paul Wiseman at McGill, I developed image analysis techniques to quantify the biophysical properties of proteins inside cells. I then joined Johan Paulsson’s lab at Harvard, where I used microfluidics and principles from stochastic chemistry to re-engineer the synthetic oscillator that helped kick-start synthetic biology, the repressilator. During my post-doc at the California Institute of Technology in the lab of Michael Elowitz, I used synthetic approaches to study how cell-cell signaling can be encoded through dynamical signals.
Current Students
GISELLE MCCALLUM
PhD student
Masters in Systems and Synthetic Bio (Centre de Recherches Interdisciplinaires, France), B.A.&Sc (Quest University Canada)
I completed my undergrad in the small town of Squamish BC, at Quest University Canada. At Quest, I focused my studies of molecular biology and neurobiology, specifically looking at the molecular processes involved in learning and memory. For my masters, I moved out of small-town Canada to Paris, France, where I learned about more quantitative approaches to biology in my interdisciplinary Systems and Synthetic Biology program. Through courses and internships, I became interested in modelling and dynamics in biological systems. Outside of research, I enjoy climbing and biking in the mountains, as well as cooking and sewing at home!
TINA PAPAZOTOS
MSc student
BSc (University of Waterloo)
I graduated from the University of Waterloo with a BSc in biology, focusing on molecular genetics and biotechnology. As a co-op student, I had the opportunity to work in glycobiology and proteomics labs at Ryerson University and Mount Sinai Hospital. Through my research, I am interested in studying methods of engineering dynamic biological systems. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking and staying active through yoga and hiking.
PAIGE ALLARD
MSc Student
B.A & Sc (Quest University Canada)
I completed my bachelor degree at Quest University Canada with a focus in molecular biology and biochemistry. I am interested in enzyme engineering and its application in the field of environmental remediation. Outside of academics, I love hiking and playing recreational volleyball.
SABA MESGARI
MSc Student
BSc (University of Kharazmi)
I completed my bachelor’s degree with a focus in Cell & Molecular biology at Kharazmi University in Iran. During my undergrad and internships, I became interested in synthetic biology and engineering biological systems. Outside the lab, I enjoy reading, cooking and of course having tea with friends.
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FELIPE PEREZ
MASc Student
B.Eng (Concordia University)
I graduated from Concordia University in Mechanical Engineering. Following this, I worked in the aerospace industry as a Mechanical Designer until I stumbled upon Synthetic Biology. I liked the idea of engineering microorganisms for therapeutics and environmental solutions so I decided to pursue this as a Master to learn more about the subject. Outside the Lab, I like to work on hands-on projects and practice sports like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Alumni
MARIA OROZCO HIDALGO
MSc Student
BSc ( Pontificia Universidad Javeriana)
I graduated from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Microbiology. I became interested in synthetic biology while working in engineering bacteria to form living materials in the Ajo-Franklin lab at the Berkeley Lab and Rice University. I am interested in developing novel tools and systems to understand and control biological processes. Outside of the lab, I enjoy staying active through hiking, backpacking, and bouldering.
KRISTA JAGER
MSc student
BSc (Dalhousie University)
I graduated with a BSc in biology and an undergraduate certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS) from Dalhousie University. I completed projects in both macro and microbiology laboratories throughout my degree. I continued to explore different fields of biology working as a GIS specialist for the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and post-graduation as a lab technician at the Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics at Dalhousie. I am excited to now focus my studies using a bottom-up approach to synthetic biology. When I am not in the lab I can be found adventuring in the outdoors by foot, bike or canoe!
EUAN JOLY-SMITH
PhD Candidate (University of Toronto)
MSc in Physics (University of Toronto), Bsc in Physics and Mathematics (McGill University)
I'm a PhD Candidate in the department of Physics at the University of Toronto, under the supervision of Andreas Hilfinger. In Toronto, I've developed mathematical theories that promise to exploit non-genetic variability in cells as a means to infer intracellular dynamics. Synthetic biology provides an exciting opportunity to test these theories with well characterized engineered systems. Through my time visiting the Potvin Lab, I hope to put our theories to the test.
LAVISH SINGHAL
Integrated M. Tech. (Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur)
I am an undergraduate student completing my dual degree in biotechnology and biochemical engineering from IIT Kharagpur, India. I am interested in systems and synthetic biology and am fascinated by its practical applications. I joined the lab as a part of the MITACS Globalink internship program and am working on stochastic modeling of oscillatory gene networks, mainly the dual feedback oscillator.
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VIVIENNE CROWE
Undergraduate student Mathematics & Statistics (Concordia University)
Originally from Sydney, Australia, I came to Montreal to do my undergraduate studies in Mathematics, and to learn French. Academically, I am interested in understanding how rules and patterns combine to create complexity, and nothing does this better than biology. At home, I enjoy growing, cooking and sharing food, as well as music, and the outdoors.
ANTOINE DUBOIS
Undergraduate student in engineering physics (Polytechnique
Montréal)
I was really excited when I joined Laurent and his team, because it was my first experience in a research lab, and I wanted to apply what I have learned during my studies. Even if I am in not in a life science related program, I still consider doing my graduate studies in that field, especially in an interdisciplinary environment. Outside the lab, I really like doing outdoor activities such as biking, hiking and camping.
RYDBERG SUPO ESCALANTE
BSc (Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos)
I am a biologist with strong interest in systems biology and bioinformatics. I obtained my bachelor degree in Genetics and Biotechnology from UNMSM at Lima-Peru, my home country. During my undergrad I participated in projects related to enzyme function prediction, gene expression during serum response and transcriptional regulatory networks during development. I have always wanted to do research in biology using a quantitative approach and that motivated me to complement my background in biology developing skills in statistics, maths and computational science. In the Potvin Lab I am working in the analysis and design of gene circuits that show oscillatory behavior using approaches from stochastic modeling and control theory.