Current Trainees
PhD Students
Nina Adler
Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Rayjean Hung (primary),
Esteban J. Parra
Project Title:
Developing multi-ancestry polygenic risk scores for lung cancer to improve risk stratification.
Term: Jan 2025 - Apr 2027
Rayjean Hung (primary),
Esteban J. Parra
Project Title:
Developing multi-ancestry polygenic risk scores for lung cancer to improve risk stratification.
Term: Jan 2025 - Apr 2027
Mei Dong
Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Wei Xu (primary),
Geoffrey Liu, Linbo Wang
Project Title:
Novel Mendelian Randomization Approach for Time-to-event Outcomes.
Term: May 2024 - Apr 2026
Wei Xu (primary),
Geoffrey Liu, Linbo Wang
Project Title:
Novel Mendelian Randomization Approach for Time-to-event Outcomes.
Term: May 2024 - Apr 2026
Jianhui Gao
Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Jesse Gronsbell (primary),
Lei Sun, Andrew Paterson
Project Title:
Novel statistical methods for conducting genome-wide association test between erroneous phenotype and rare variants
Term: Nov 2022 - Nov 2024
Jesse Gronsbell (primary),
Lei Sun, Andrew Paterson
Project Title:
Novel statistical methods for conducting genome-wide association test between erroneous phenotype and rare variants
Term: Nov 2022 - Nov 2024
Alicia Grima
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Jennifer Brooks (Primary), Andrew D. Paterson, Linda Hiraki
Project Title:
Genetic variants associated with incident autoimmune disease following SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults in Ontario
Term: Dec 2023 - Dec 2025
Jennifer Brooks (Primary), Andrew D. Paterson, Linda Hiraki
Project Title:
Genetic variants associated with incident autoimmune disease following SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults in Ontario
Term: Dec 2023 - Dec 2025
Gengming He
Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary), Lei Sun, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
Investigating human nasal epithelia as a respiratory model for Cystic Fibrosis using RNA-Sequencing
Term: Sep 2020 - Dec 2025
Lisa Strug (primary), Lei Sun, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
Investigating human nasal epithelia as a respiratory model for Cystic Fibrosis using RNA-Sequencing
Term: Sep 2020 - Dec 2025
Tara Henechowicz
Music and Health Science (Collaborative Program in Neuroscience)
Mentor(s):
Daniel Felsky (primary),
Jun Young Park
Project Title:
Investigating the pleiotropy of motor traits, music training, and neuroendophenotypes through modelling the musician genome and transcriptome
Term: Nov 2022 - May 2025
Daniel Felsky (primary),
Jun Young Park
Project Title:
Investigating the pleiotropy of motor traits, music training, and neuroendophenotypes through modelling the musician genome and transcriptome
Term: Nov 2022 - May 2025
Boxi Lin
Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Lei Sun (Primary),
Lisa Strug, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
Development of robust statistical methods to enhance the power of genetic association studies in the presence of heterogeneity
Term: Sep 2021 - Dec 2025
Lei Sun (Primary),
Lisa Strug, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
Development of robust statistical methods to enhance the power of genetic association studies in the presence of heterogeneity
Term: Sep 2021 - Dec 2025
Yu-Chung (Jerry) Lin
Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary),
Lei Sun, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
Incorporating Robust Statistical Procedures into Model Selection Using Genomic Features with Small Effect Sizes
Term: Sep 2020 - Dec 2025
Lisa Strug (primary),
Lei Sun, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
Incorporating Robust Statistical Procedures into Model Selection Using Genomic Features with Small Effect Sizes
Term: Sep 2020 - Dec 2025
Hua (Henry) Lu
University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary), Rae S. M. Yeung
Project Title:
Genetic overlap between multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and other immunophenotypes: a multi-trait colocalization framework
Term: May 2023 - Nov 2026
Lisa Strug (primary), Rae S. M. Yeung
Project Title:
Genetic overlap between multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and other immunophenotypes: a multi-trait colocalization framework
Term: May 2023 - Nov 2026
Xiaoyu (Betsy) Men
Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
James Kennedy (primary), Daniel Felsky, Vanessa Gonçalves
Project Title:
Predicting Venlafaxine-Induced Adverse Effects in Late-Life Depression using mPRS and Population Pharmacokinetic Modelling
Term: May 2023 - May 2025
James Kennedy (primary), Daniel Felsky, Vanessa Gonçalves
Project Title:
Predicting Venlafaxine-Induced Adverse Effects in Late-Life Depression using mPRS and Population Pharmacokinetic Modelling
Term: May 2023 - May 2025
Fesobi Oluwamuyiwa
Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary),
Esteban J. Parra, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Investigating the Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen Alleles in Cystic Fibrosis through Long-Read Sequencing.
Term: Jan 2025 - Apr 2027
Lisa Strug (primary),
Esteban J. Parra, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Investigating the Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen Alleles in Cystic Fibrosis through Long-Read Sequencing.
Term: Jan 2025 - Apr 2027
Eric Sanders
Hospital for Sick Children and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (Primary), Linbo Wang, Deb Pal
Project Title:
Statistical genetics of sex-dependent phenotypes
Term: Dec 2023 - Dec 2025
Lisa Strug (Primary), Linbo Wang, Deb Pal
Project Title:
Statistical genetics of sex-dependent phenotypes
Term: Dec 2023 - Dec 2025
Yaqi Shi
Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Jessica Gronsbell (primary),
Linbo Wang, Vanessa Goncalves
Project Title:
Robust Mendelian Randomization in the Presence of Differential Measurement Error.
Term: Jan 2025 - Apr 2027
Jessica Gronsbell (primary),
Linbo Wang, Vanessa Goncalves
Project Title:
Robust Mendelian Randomization in the Presence of Differential Measurement Error.
Term: Jan 2025 - Apr 2027
Kosar Teymouri
Institute of Medical Science, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
James Kennedy (primary),
Daniel Felsky, Vanessa Goncalves
Project Title:
Prediction of Schizophrenia Subtypes Using Omics Data.
Term: Jan 2025 - Apr 2027
James Kennedy (primary),
Daniel Felsky, Vanessa Goncalves
Project Title:
Prediction of Schizophrenia Subtypes Using Omics Data.
Term: Jan 2025 - Apr 2027
Yuan Tian
Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Jun Young Park (primary),
Daniel Felsky, Jesse Gronsbell
Project Title:
A novel mediation analysis pipeline to leverage high-dimensional and multimodal MRI as mediators in Alzheimer's disease GWAS
Term: Nov 2022 - Nov 2024
Jun Young Park (primary),
Daniel Felsky, Jesse Gronsbell
Project Title:
A novel mediation analysis pipeline to leverage high-dimensional and multimodal MRI as mediators in Alzheimer's disease GWAS
Term: Nov 2022 - Nov 2024
Beiwen Wu
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health
Mentor(s):
Rayjean Hung (primary),
Celia Greenwood, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Comprehensive investigation of lipidomics in the risk and prognosis of aerodigestive tract (ADT) cancers by evidence triangulation
Term: Nov 2022 - Nov 2025
Rayjean Hung (primary),
Celia Greenwood, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Comprehensive investigation of lipidomics in the risk and prognosis of aerodigestive tract (ADT) cancers by evidence triangulation
Term: Nov 2022 - Nov 2025
Lehang Zhong
Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (Primary), Lei Sun, Johanna Rommers
Project Title:
Methodology for differential gene expression analysis in large samples: Application to cystic fibrosis lung disease
Term: Sep 2021 - Dec 2025
Lisa Strug (Primary), Lei Sun, Johanna Rommers
Project Title:
Methodology for differential gene expression analysis in large samples: Application to cystic fibrosis lung disease
Term: Sep 2021 - Dec 2025
Postdoctoral Fellows
Alumni
Master's Students
Tabitha Kung
Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Queen's University and Clinician-scientist at KGH Research Institute (updated on 2021)
Mentor(s): France Gagnon
Project Title:
Genetic Predictors of Response to Treatment in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Term: May 2011 - Jun 2012
Project Title:
Genetic Predictors of Response to Treatment in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Term: May 2011 - Jun 2012
PhD Students
Darren Brenner
Associate Professor, University of Calgary (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Shelley B. Bull, Rayjean Hung (primary), Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
A histology-specific genome-wide investigation of lung cancer
Term: Jan 2011 - Jun 2012
Shelley B. Bull, Rayjean Hung (primary), Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
A histology-specific genome-wide investigation of lung cancer
Term: Jan 2011 - Jun 2012
Jessica Dennis
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Genetics at UBC and Investigator at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (updated on 2021)
Mentor(s):
France Gagnon (primary), Zdenka Pausova, Lisa Strug
Project Title:
Genetic and epigenetic factors in the regulation of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) plasma levels and role in venous thromboembolism
Term: Oct 2011 - Jan 2016
France Gagnon (primary), Zdenka Pausova, Lisa Strug
Project Title:
Genetic and epigenetic factors in the regulation of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) plasma levels and role in venous thromboembolism
Term: Oct 2011 - Jan 2016
Andriy Derkach
Assistant Attending Biostatistician, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (updated on 2021)
Mentor(s):
Andrew Paterson, Johanna Rommens, Lei Sun (primary), Jerry Lawless
Project Title:
Statistical methodologies for genetic association studies with rare variants
Term: Jan 2011 - Jun 2014
Andrew Paterson, Johanna Rommens, Lei Sun (primary), Jerry Lawless
Project Title:
Statistical methodologies for genetic association studies with rare variants
Term: Jan 2011 - Jun 2014
Osvaldo Espin-Garcia
Assistant Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Shellley Bull (primary), Wei Xu, Andrew Paterson, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Integrative methods for design and analysis of genetic association studies
Term: Sep 2016 - Aug 2018
Shellley Bull (primary), Wei Xu, Andrew Paterson, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Integrative methods for design and analysis of genetic association studies
Term: Sep 2016 - Aug 2018
Karl Everett
Senior Research Analyst ICES (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
France Gagnon (primary), Michael Wilson
Project Title:
Genetic and epigenetic determinants of apolipoproteins B and A1 plasma levels and their associations with hypercoagulability
Term: Sep 2016 - Aug 2017
France Gagnon (primary), Michael Wilson
Project Title:
Genetic and epigenetic determinants of apolipoproteins B and A1 plasma levels and their associations with hypercoagulability
Term: Sep 2016 - Aug 2017
Laura Faye
Manager, Surveillance Knowledge Synthesis, Public Health Agency of Canada (updated on 2025)
Mentor(s):
Shelley B. Bull (primary), Lei Sun
Project Title:
Accurate and efficient estimation of genetic effect in genome-wide association and genetic sequencing studies
Term: Jan 2011 - Jul 2013
Shelley B. Bull (primary), Lei Sun
Project Title:
Accurate and efficient estimation of genetic effect in genome-wide association and genetic sequencing studies
Term: Jan 2011 - Jul 2013
Linda Kachuri
Assistant Professor, Stanford University (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Rayjean Hung (primary), Lei Sun, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Comprehensive investigation of telomere length and its genetic determinants in cancer risk and clinical outcomes
Term: Sep 2014 - Aug 2016
Rayjean Hung (primary), Lei Sun, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Comprehensive investigation of telomere length and its genetic determinants in cancer risk and clinical outcomes
Term: Sep 2014 - Aug 2016
Sangook Kim
University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health and The Hospital for Sick Children
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary), Shelley Bull, Johanna Rommens,
Anne Stephenson
Project Title:
Development of a phenotype for Lung Disease in Cystic Fibrosis: applications to genetic association across cohorts and countries
Term: Nov 2017 - Aug 2023
Lisa Strug (primary), Shelley Bull, Johanna Rommens,
Anne Stephenson
Project Title:
Development of a phenotype for Lung Disease in Cystic Fibrosis: applications to genetic association across cohorts and countries
Term: Nov 2017 - Aug 2023
Michael Lebenbaum
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison (updated on 2023)
Mentor(s):
France Gagnon (primary) Laurent Briollais
Project Title:
Genetic endowments and social capital: An examination of the association between Polygenic scores for educational attainment and adult social capital
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
France Gagnon (primary) Laurent Briollais
Project Title:
Genetic endowments and social capital: An examination of the association between Polygenic scores for educational attainment and adult social capital
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
The late Michael Lerro
June 9, 1990 ~ Feb. 15, 2021
University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health
University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Mentor(s):
France Gagnon (primary), Michael Wilson
Project Title:
Epistatic mechanisms dictating the thrombotic risk factor endogenous thrombin potential
Term: Sep 2016 - Aug 2020
France Gagnon (primary), Michael Wilson
Project Title:
Epistatic mechanisms dictating the thrombotic risk factor endogenous thrombin potential
Term: Sep 2016 - Aug 2020
Weili Li
Manager of The Centre for Applied Genomics (TCAG) Statistical Analysis Facility (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary), Johanna Rommens, Rayjean Hung
Project Title:
Developing novel statistical methods under the evidential framework with a focus on analyzing sequence data
Term: Oct 2011 - Aug 2015
Lisa Strug (primary), Johanna Rommens, Rayjean Hung
Project Title:
Developing novel statistical methods under the evidential framework with a focus on analyzing sequence data
Term: Oct 2011 - Aug 2015
Victoria Marshe
Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Columbia University Irving Medical Center (updated on 2025)
Mentor(s):
James Kennedy (primary), Anna Goldenberg, Andrew Paterson
Project Title:
Applying machine learning to genomic data to identify diagnostic subtypes in late-life depression
Term: Sep 2016
James Kennedy (primary), Anna Goldenberg, Andrew Paterson
Project Title:
Applying machine learning to genomic data to identify diagnostic subtypes in late-life depression
Term: Sep 2016
Dave Soave
Assistant Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Lei Sun (primary), Lisa Strug, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
Predicting cystic fibrosis-related diabetes using longitudinal measures of pancreatic damage from birth for better patient management
Term: Feb 2013 - Aug 2016
Lei Sun (primary), Lisa Strug, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
Predicting cystic fibrosis-related diabetes using longitudinal measures of pancreatic damage from birth for better patient management
Term: Feb 2013 - Aug 2016
Sarah Gagliano Taliun
Principal Investigator, Montreal Heart Institute; Assistant Professor, Departments of Medicine and Neurociences, Université de Montréal (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Jo Knight (primary), Andrew Paterson, Cathy Barr
Project Title:
Identification of risk variants in genome-wide association studies using functional characteristics
Term: Sep 2015 - Nov 2016
Jo Knight (primary), Andrew Paterson, Cathy Barr
Project Title:
Identification of risk variants in genome-wide association studies using functional characteristics
Term: Sep 2015 - Nov 2016
Dingke Tang
Postdoctoral Fellow at Washington University (updated on 2024)
Mentor(s):
Linbo Wang (primary), Andrew Paterson, Celia Greenwood
Project Title:
Correcting for selection bias in Mendelian randomization studies with limited power
Term: Apr 2022 - June 2024
Linbo Wang (primary), Andrew Paterson, Celia Greenwood
Project Title:
Correcting for selection bias in Mendelian randomization studies with limited power
Term: Apr 2022 - June 2024
Fan Wang
Postdoctoral Fellow at Columbia University
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary),
Lei Sun, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
Co-localization Method with Application in Cystic Fibrosis
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
Lisa Strug (primary),
Lei Sun, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
Co-localization Method with Application in Cystic Fibrosis
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
Matthew Warkentin
Postdoctoral Fellow, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary (updated on 2025)
Mentor(s):
Rayjean Hung (primary), Geoffrey Liu, Laurent Briollais
Project Title:
Term: N/A
Rayjean Hung (primary), Geoffrey Liu, Laurent Briollais
Project Title:
Term: N/A
Changchang Xu
Senior Analyst, Cancer Screening Analytics Department, Ontario Health (updated on 2025)
Mentor(s):
Shelley Bull (primary), Irene Andrulis, Laurent Briollais
Project Title:
Improving mixture cure modelling of multiple molecular factors in cancer prognosis
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
Shelley Bull (primary), Irene Andrulis, Laurent Briollais
Project Title:
Improving mixture cure modelling of multiple molecular factors in cancer prognosis
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
Dongyang Yang
Manager in Fraud Analytics, Bank of Nova Scotia (updated on 2024)
Mentor(s):
Wei Xu (primary), Andrew Paterson, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Partition of Human Microbiome Sequencing Data and Analysis of genome-wide Genetic Association through a Distance-based Unsupervised Learning Model
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2024
Wei Xu (primary), Andrew Paterson, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Partition of Human Microbiome Sequencing Data and Analysis of genome-wide Genetic Association through a Distance-based Unsupervised Learning Model
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2024
Ziang Zhang
Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Chicago (updated on 2025)
Mentor(s):
Lei Sun (primary), Andrew Paterson, Jerry Lawless
Project Title:
Interpretation and adjustment of covariate effects in the GWAS of binary traits
Term: Apr 2022 - Oct 2024
Lei Sun (primary), Andrew Paterson, Jerry Lawless
Project Title:
Interpretation and adjustment of covariate effects in the GWAS of binary traits
Term: Apr 2022 - Oct 2024
Lin Zhang
Assistant Professor, Simon Fraser University (updated on 2024)
Mentor(s):
Lei Sun (primary),
Lisa Strug, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
A robust and unifying regression framework for allele-based association test
Term: Dec 2017 - 2021
Lei Sun (primary),
Lisa Strug, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
A robust and unifying regression framework for allele-based association test
Term: Dec 2017 - 2021
Nora Zwingerman
Mentor(s):
France Gagnon (primary), Zdenka Pausova, Matthieu Lemire
Project Title:
The association of DNA variants and DNA methylation levels with fibrinolytic protein levels
Term: Jul 2013 - Aug 2015
France Gagnon (primary), Zdenka Pausova, Matthieu Lemire
Project Title:
The association of DNA variants and DNA methylation levels with fibrinolytic protein levels
Term: Jul 2013 - Aug 2015
Postdoctoral Fellows
Myriam Brossard
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute
Mentor(s):
Shelley Bull (primary), Radu Craiu, Rayjean Hung
Project Title:
Development of novel statistical methods for genetic analysis of complex traits
Term: Dec 2017 - Nov 2019
Shelley Bull (primary), Radu Craiu, Rayjean Hung
Project Title:
Development of novel statistical methods for genetic analysis of complex traits
Term: Dec 2017 - Nov 2019
Christie Burton
Senior Research Associate, The Hospital for Sick Children (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary), Paul Arnold, Andrew Paterson,
Project title:
Examining the possible role of dopamine and glutamate gene networks in response to inhibition to understand the genetics of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Term: Feb 2013 - Jan 2015
Lisa Strug (primary), Paul Arnold, Andrew Paterson,
Project title:
Examining the possible role of dopamine and glutamate gene networks in response to inhibition to understand the genetics of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Term: Feb 2013 - Jan 2015
Zhijian (Charlie) Chen
Manager, Model Validation & Approval, Scotiabank (updated in 2025)
Mentor(s):
Shelley B. Bull (primary), Radu Craiu, Andrew Paterson
Project title:
Design and analysis of genome-wide studies of complex diseases and traits
Term: Jan 2011 - Aug 2013
Shelley B. Bull (primary), Radu Craiu, Andrew Paterson
Project title:
Design and analysis of genome-wide studies of complex diseases and traits
Term: Jan 2011 - Aug 2013
Elizabeth Corfield
Researcher, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (2022)
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary), Andrew Paterson, Anne Bassett
Project title:
Characterizing the genetics of ADHD traits with cognitive deficits in a pediatric community-based sample
Term: Dec 2017 - Nov 2018
Lisa Strug (primary), Andrew Paterson, Anne Bassett
Project title:
Characterizing the genetics of ADHD traits with cognitive deficits in a pediatric community-based sample
Term: Dec 2017 - Nov 2018
Eileen Crowley
Scientist, Lawson Health Research Institute (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Andrew Paterson (primary), Lisa Strug
Project title:
Whole exome sequencing of veo-IBD patients from the NEOPICS International Cohort Study
Term: Jul 2018 - Jun 2019
Andrew Paterson (primary), Lisa Strug
Project title:
Whole exome sequencing of veo-IBD patients from the NEOPICS International Cohort Study
Term: Jul 2018 - Jun 2019
Robbie (Robert) Davies
Associate Professor of Statistical and Population Genomics, University of Oxford (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Stephen Scherer (primary), Andrew Paterson, Lisa Strug
Project title:
Using genetic variants across the allele frequency spectrum to study autism spectrum disorder
Term: Jun 2018 - Jul 2019
Stephen Scherer (primary), Andrew Paterson, Lisa Strug
Project title:
Using genetic variants across the allele frequency spectrum to study autism spectrum disorder
Term: Jun 2018 - Jul 2019
Samar Salah Mohamed ahmed Elsheikh
Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Pharmacogenetics Research Clinic
Mentor(s):
Daniel Felsky (Primary), Guillaume Paré, James Kennedy
Project Title:
Integrative and Multifactorial Prediction of Antidepressant Remission in Late-Life Depression Using Structural Equation Modelling
Term: Apr 2022 - Apr 2024
Daniel Felsky (Primary), Guillaume Paré, James Kennedy
Project Title:
Integrative and Multifactorial Prediction of Antidepressant Remission in Late-Life Depression Using Structural Equation Modelling
Term: Apr 2022 - Apr 2024
Gord Fehringer
Linkage Analyst, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Rayjean Hung (primary), Laurent Briollais, Geoffrey Liu
Project title:
Genome-wide and post genome-wide studies of lung cancer and head and neck cancer
Term: Jan 2011 - Jan 2012
Rayjean Hung (primary), Laurent Briollais, Geoffrey Liu
Project title:
Genome-wide and post genome-wide studies of lung cancer and head and neck cancer
Term: Jan 2011 - Jan 2012
Vanessa Gonçalves
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and Independent Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
James L. Kennedy (primary), Andrew Paterson, Lei Sun
Project title:
Variability of the DRD4 gene in behavioural phenotypes
Term: Sep 2011 - Aug 2013
James L. Kennedy (primary), Andrew Paterson, Lei Sun
Project title:
Variability of the DRD4 gene in behavioural phenotypes
Term: Sep 2011 - Aug 2013
Linda Hiraki
Staff Physician, Division of Rheumatology; Scientist, Genetics & Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children; Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics & Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Andrew Paterson (primary), Shelley Bull, Zdenka Pausova
Project title:
Identification of genetic variants associated with renal function in type 1 diabetes
Term: Jul 2013 - June 2015
Andrew Paterson (primary), Shelley Bull, Zdenka Pausova
Project title:
Identification of genetic variants associated with renal function in type 1 diabetes
Term: Jul 2013 - June 2015
Yue (Cindy) Jiang
The Hospital for Sick Children (updated on 2015)
Mentor(s):
Jayne Danska (primary), Andrew Paterson, Lisa Strug
Project title:
A systems based analytical framework for metatranscriptomic studies of type 1 diabetes
Term: Sep 2012 - Aug 2015
Jayne Danska (primary), Andrew Paterson, Lisa Strug
Project title:
A systems based analytical framework for metatranscriptomic studies of type 1 diabetes
Term: Sep 2012 - Aug 2015
Sareh Keshavarzi
Assistant Professor, Biostatistics Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Senior Biostatistician, Biostatistics Department, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Andrew Paterson (primary), France Gagnon, Angelo Canty
Project title:
Multivariate meta genome-wide association of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Type 1 diabetes
Term: Sep 2016 - Aug 2018
Andrew Paterson (primary), France Gagnon, Angelo Canty
Project title:
Multivariate meta genome-wide association of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Type 1 diabetes
Term: Sep 2016 - Aug 2018
Agnieszka Krol
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, AstraZeneca (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Laurent Briollais (primary)
Project title:
Development of multistate models for rare variant analysis in familial cancer studies
Term: Jul 2017 - Nov 2017
Laurent Briollais (primary)
Project title:
Development of multistate models for rare variant analysis in familial cancer studies
Term: Jul 2017 - Nov 2017
Martin Ladouceur
Alimentiv Inc. (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
France Gagnon (primary), Mathieu Lemire, Arturas Petronis
Project title:
Statistical models to characterize genome-wide DNA methylation from multigenerational families
Term: Nov 2012 - Dec 2013
France Gagnon (primary), Mathieu Lemire, Arturas Petronis
Project title:
Statistical models to characterize genome-wide DNA methylation from multigenerational families
Term: Nov 2012 - Dec 2013
Kexin Luo
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute
Mentor(s):
Shelley Bull (primary), Andrew Paterson, Irene Andrulis
Project Title:
Statistical methods for region-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis of common and rare variants
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
Shelley Bull (primary), Andrew Paterson, Irene Andrulis
Project Title:
Statistical methods for region-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis of common and rare variants
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
Melissa Miller
Director of Human Genetics, Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary), France Gagnon, Johanna Rommens
Project title:
Identifying Genetic Modifiers of Immunoreactive Trypsinogen Levels in a NBS Population in Cystic Fibrosis
Term: Mar 2011 - Feb 2014
Lisa Strug (primary), France Gagnon, Johanna Rommens
Project title:
Identifying Genetic Modifiers of Immunoreactive Trypsinogen Levels in a NBS Population in Cystic Fibrosis
Term: Mar 2011 - Feb 2014
Saira Mirza
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Mentor(s):
Joanne Knight (primary)
Project title:
The association between genetic and imaging markers of neurodegeneration across dementias-A data-driven approach
Term: Sep 2016 - Aug 2018
Joanne Knight (primary)
Project title:
The association between genetic and imaging markers of neurodegeneration across dementias-A data-driven approach
Term: Sep 2016 - Aug 2018
Elham Khodayari Moez
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute
Mentor(s):
Rayjean Hung (primary),
Stephen Lye, Lisa Strug
Project Title:
Investigating host genomics and epigenomics for early childhood cytomegalovirus sequelae based on birth cohort
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
Rayjean Hung (primary),
Stephen Lye, Lisa Strug
Project Title:
Investigating host genomics and epigenomics for early childhood cytomegalovirus sequelae based on birth cohort
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
Marie Pigeyre
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology Division, McMaster University (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s): Guillaume Paré (primary)
Project title:
Identification of novel biomarkers to predict vascular complications of Type 2 diabetes: A Mendelian Randomization approach
Term: Dec 2017 - Jun 2019
Project title:
Identification of novel biomarkers to predict vascular complications of Type 2 diabetes: A Mendelian Randomization approach
Term: Dec 2017 - Jun 2019
Alejandra E. Medina Rivera
Junior Faculty, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Campus Juriquilla; Research Associate, International Laboratory for Human Genome Research (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Michael Wilson (primary), France Gagnon, Jo Knight
Project title:
Leveraging functional genomics data to enhance GWAS analyses and causal variant identification
Term: Sep 2014 - Mar 2015
Michael Wilson (primary), France Gagnon, Jo Knight
Project title:
Leveraging functional genomics data to enhance GWAS analyses and causal variant identification
Term: Sep 2014 - Mar 2015
Razvan Romanescu
Assistant Professor, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Shelley Bull (primary), Irene Andrulis, Julia Knight
Project title:
Pathway-based detection of rare mutations in affected relatives
Term: Dec 2017 - Jan 2020
Shelley Bull (primary), Irene Andrulis, Julia Knight
Project title:
Pathway-based detection of rare mutations in affected relatives
Term: Dec 2017 - Jan 2020
Delnaz Roshandel
Senior Bioinformatician, The Hospital for Sick Children (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Shelley Bull (primary), Irene Andrulis, Julia Knight
Project title:
Pathway-based detection of rare mutations in affected relatives
Term: Dec 2017 - Jan 2020
Shelley Bull (primary), Irene Andrulis, Julia Knight
Project title:
Pathway-based detection of rare mutations in affected relatives
Term: Dec 2017 - Jan 2020
Divya Sharma
Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Wei Xu (primary), Andrew Paterson, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Application of machine learning in longitudinal microbiome data analysis for disease prediction
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
Wei Xu (primary), Andrew Paterson, Geoffrey Liu
Project Title:
Application of machine learning in longitudinal microbiome data analysis for disease prediction
Term: Sep 2020 - Aug 2022
Mohammad Shoaib
The Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Mentor(s):
Jennifer Crosbie (primary), Daniel Felsky, Frank Wendt
Project Title:
Evaluation of polygenic risk-environment (GxE) interaction models for ADHD traits
Term: May 2023 - Nov 2023
Talisa Silzer
Medical Communications Writer at Sixsense Strategy Group (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Lisa Strug (primary), Dehan Kong
Project title:
Genetic and environmental influences on pediatric neuropsychiatric traits
Term: Sep 2021 - Oct 2021
Lisa Strug (primary), Dehan Kong
Project title:
Genetic and environmental influences on pediatric neuropsychiatric traits
Term: Sep 2021 - Oct 2021
Fodé Tounkara
Assistant Professor, Ohio State University, College of Medicine, Division of Biostatistics and Population Health (updated on 2024)
Mentor(s):
Laurent Briollais (primary), Julia Knight
Project title:
Extending risk prediction models for hereditary breast ovarian cancer (HBOC) families
Term: Jul 2018 - Dec 2018
Laurent Briollais (primary), Julia Knight
Project title:
Extending risk prediction models for hereditary breast ovarian cancer (HBOC) families
Term: Jul 2018 - Dec 2018
Yan Yan Wu
Associate Professor, Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawai'i at Manoa (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Laurent Briollais (primary), Julia Knight, Stephen J. Lye
Project title:
Development of statistical methods for BMI growth curves estimation and analysis on longitudinal GWAS data in relation to metabolic traits in children
Term: Aug 2012 - Aug 2014
Laurent Briollais (primary), Julia Knight, Stephen J. Lye
Project title:
Development of statistical methods for BMI growth curves estimation and analysis on longitudinal GWAS data in relation to metabolic traits in children
Term: Aug 2012 - Aug 2014
Jingxiong (Amelia) Xu
Scientific Associate, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (updated on 2024)
Mentor(s):
Laurent Briollais (primary),
Wei Xu, Stephen Lye,
Rayjean Hung
Project Title:
Analysis of genome-wide G by E interaction studies through Bayesian graphical modeling
Term: Sep 2021 - Aug 2023
Laurent Briollais (primary),
Wei Xu, Stephen Lye,
Rayjean Hung
Project Title:
Analysis of genome-wide G by E interaction studies through Bayesian graphical modeling
Term: Sep 2021 - Aug 2023
Lizhen Xu
Senior Principal Biostatistician, PHRI Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Wei Xu (primary) Andrew Paterson
Project title:
Development of statistical methods for BMI growth curves estimation and analysis on longitudinal GWAS data in relation to metabolic traits in children
Term: Jul 2013 - Oct 2014
Wei Xu (primary) Andrew Paterson
Project title:
Development of statistical methods for BMI growth curves estimation and analysis on longitudinal GWAS data in relation to metabolic traits in children
Term: Jul 2013 - Oct 2014
Yildiz Yilmaz
Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Statistics, Memorial University (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Irene L. Andrulis, Shelley B. Bull (primary), Julia Knight
Project title:
Statistical methods for molecular genetic analysis of breast cancer
Term: Jan 2011 - May 2013
Irene L. Andrulis, Shelley B. Bull (primary), Julia Knight
Project title:
Statistical methods for molecular genetic analysis of breast cancer
Term: Jan 2011 - May 2013
Yanyan Zhao
Assistant Professor, Shandong University (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Lei Sun (primary), Lisa Strug, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
A unified regression framework for polygenic risk score, PrediXcan, and TWAS tests
Term: Dec 2017 - 2021
Lei Sun (primary), Lisa Strug, Johanna Rommens
Project Title:
A unified regression framework for polygenic risk score, PrediXcan, and TWAS tests
Term: Dec 2017 - 2021
CANSSI Ontario STAGE HostSeq Trainees
Ohanna Bezerra
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Mentor(s): France Gagnon, Celia Greenwood
Project Title:
In silico evaluation of the impact of pandemic-inherited study design biases with application to a thromboembolism-informed HD-GWAS of COVID-19 severe outcomes
Term: Sep 2021 - Aug 2022
Project Title:
In silico evaluation of the impact of pandemic-inherited study design biases with application to a thromboembolism-informed HD-GWAS of COVID-19 severe outcomes
Term: Sep 2021 - Aug 2022
Qian Liu
Departments of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Computer Science and Statistics, University of Manitoba
Mentor(s): Pingzhao Hu
Project Title:
DeepHostSeverity: Deep learning and genomic-driven COVID-19 severity assessment tool
Term: Sep 2021 - Aug 2022
Project Title:
DeepHostSeverity: Deep learning and genomic-driven COVID-19 severity assessment tool
Term: Sep 2021 - Aug 2022
Tianyuan Lu
Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University
Mentor(s): Celia Greenwood
Project Title:
Dissecting the genetic architecture of COVID-19 comorbidities and identifying biomarkers for high-risk individuals
Term: Apr 2022 - Apr 2023
Project Title:
Dissecting the genetic architecture of COVID-19 comorbidities and identifying biomarkers for high-risk individuals
Term: Apr 2022 - Apr 2023
Diogo Pellegrina
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Computational Biology Program
Mentor(s): Jüri Reimand
Project Title:
Integrative analysis of population polymorphism interference in host phospho-signaling response networks to SARS-CoV-2 infection
Term: Sep 2022 - Sep 2023
Project Title:
Integrative analysis of population polymorphism interference in host phospho-signaling response networks to SARS-CoV-2 infection
Term: Sep 2022 - Sep 2023
Xiaoke Qin
School of Mathematics and Statistics, Carleton University
Mentor(s): Sanjeena Dang
Project Title:
Cluster analysis of patients infected by COVID-19 and a risk forecast model based on clustering
Term: Apr 2022 - Apr 2023
Project Title:
Cluster analysis of patients infected by COVID-19 and a risk forecast model based on clustering
Term: Apr 2022 - Apr 2023
Visiting Faculty
Hance Clarke
Director of Pain Services, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and University Health Network (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Jo Knight (primary), Andrew Paterson, Michael Wilson
Project title:
Chronic post surgical pain - A pilot genome-wide association study
Term: Jul 2013 - July 2014
Jo Knight (primary), Andrew Paterson, Michael Wilson
Project title:
Chronic post surgical pain - A pilot genome-wide association study
Term: Jul 2013 - July 2014
Sara Good
Professor, Biology Department, University of Winnipeg (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Jo Knight (primary), Andrew Paterson, Michael Wilson
Project title:
Using imputed gene expression values to look for genetic risk factors associated with complications of Type 1 diabetes
Term: Jan 2017 - Dec 2017
Jo Knight (primary), Andrew Paterson, Michael Wilson
Project title:
Using imputed gene expression values to look for genetic risk factors associated with complications of Type 1 diabetes
Term: Jan 2017 - Dec 2017
![MWS_photo[1]](https://stage.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MWS_photo1-e1653065121644.jpg "MWS_photo[1]")
Marc Woodbury-Smith
Clinical Senior Lecturer/Hon Consultant, Newcastle University (updated on 2022)
Mentor(s):
Andrew Paterson (primary), Stephen Scherer, Lei Sun
Project title:
Identifying functional rare variants in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) families
Term: Jan 2012 - Dec 2013
Andrew Paterson (primary), Stephen Scherer, Lei Sun
Project title:
Identifying functional rare variants in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) families
Term: Jan 2012 - Dec 2013