Home of InterVac   International Vaccine Centre

Dr. Brenda Allan

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: 109
Office Phone: 966-1522/966-7467
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Originally from Ontario, Brenda has a BSc in Biology from the U of Waterloo,a M Sc in Microbiology from the U of Guelph and PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Queen’s University.  She joined VIDO-InterVac in 1989 as a post-doctoral fellow. 

Brenda became a Professional Research Associate at VIDO in 1992 and an Adjunct Professor for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. Brenda has trained and mentored many graduate students and scientists, and has contributed to 29 research publications.  

 Ryan Arsenault

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 60
Office Phone: 966-7472
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Natasa Arsic

Admin  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A221
Office Phone: 966-1556
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Ethel Atanley

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 30
Office Phone: 966-7393/966-1583
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Sam Attah-Poku

Structural Chemistry, Genomics & GMP  Group
Position: Program Manager and Research Scientist
Office: 129
Office Phone: 966-7481/966-7469
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Sunita Awate

Immune Modulation  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: A121
Office Phone: 966-7508/966-1530
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Lisanework Ayalew

Vectored Vaccines  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 130
Office Phone: 966-7496
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Debbie Bagnall

Clinical Research Pathogenomics & Epidemiological Services  Group
Position: Animal Technician
Office: 166
Office Phone: 966-1937
Fax: 966-7475
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Tayyaba Baig

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A334
Office Phone: 966-1565/966-1579
Fax: 966-7478

Biography

 Molly Bell

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Graduate student
Office: 29
Office Phone: 966-5292
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Originally from New York City, Molly has lived in Saskatoon since 2000 and completed a Master of Public Health degree at the U of S in 2011.  Prior to this she worked as a content expert in science education and as a consultant for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

Molly's interest is in infectious disease epidemiology and disease transmission dynamics.  She is currently a PhD student in Epidemiology in the School of Public Health, studying with Jo-Anne Dillon (VIDO) and Cheryl Waldner (WCVM).  Her PhD project focuses on combining molecular and traditional epidemiological techniques to investigate the dynamics of gonorrhea transmission.

Dr. Emil Berberov

Admin  Group
Position: Project Leader
Office: A138
Office Phone: 966-8873
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Nathalie Berube

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A121
Office Phone: 966-1529
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Robert Brownlie

Pathogenomics  Group
Position: Research Associate
Office: A242
Office Phone: 966-1547/966-1553
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Rachelle Buchanan

Neonatal Immunization  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A133
Office Phone: 966-1526
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Rachelle has an Honours BSc in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Saskatchewan and worked as a summer student for a couple summers, prior to joining VIDO-InterVac as a research technician.

 Marc Buchmann

Admin  Group
Position: IT Support Specialist
Office: A338
Office Phone: 966-1569
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Barry Carroll

Clinical Research Pathogenomics & Epidemiological Services  Group
Position: Animal Technician
Office: 166
Office Phone: 966-1937
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Wayne Connor

Structural Chemistry, Genomics & GMP  Group
Position: Technician
Office: A314
Office Phone: 966-1557
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Aura Helena Corredor Quinonez

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Office: 29
Office Phone: 966-2352
Lab Phone: 966-1553
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

 Gord Crockford

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A221
Office Phone: 966-1555
Lab Phone: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Arshud Dar

Immune Modulation  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: A140
Office Phone: 966-1532/966-1529
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Arshud joined VIDO-InterVac as a Research Scientist in 2002.  Arshud completed his Doctoral degree in veterinary virology from the University of Minnesota, USA.  Prior to joining VIDO-InterVac, Arshud, has worked as research fellow in number of leading international virology laboratories: Institute of Biotechnology, George August University, Gottingen, Germany; Virology and Immunology division of German Primate Center, Gottingen, Germany; The Diagnostics Research division of Federal Research Institute  for viral diseases of animals, Tubingen, Germany. Arshud is leading a research group investigating into the molecular basis of avian viral pathogenesis, immune modulation and development of avian vaccines.  Currently, Arshud is working on development of subunit and DNA vaccines against inclusion body hepatitis virus infection in Broilers.  Arshud's research expertise includes viral pathogenesis and development of veterinary diagnostics and vaccines.

 Will Deck

Structural Chemistry, Genomics & GMP  Group
Position: Technician
Office: 150
Office Phone: 966-7509
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Will is responsible for protein purification and protein sequencing and assists the VIDO-InterVac scientists in peptide synthesis.

 Donna Dent

Immune Modulation  Group
Position: Technician
Office: A121
Office Phone: 966-1529
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Taseen Desin

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: 133
Office Phone: 966-7677 / 966-7491
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Sidharath Dev

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 58
Office Phone: 966-2878/966-1553
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Joanne Dillon

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: A218
Office Phone: 966-1535/966-1553
Email: Contact

Biography

Jo-Anne Dillon joined the University of Saskatchewan in September of 2004 as Dean, College of Arts and Science. Since 2004, Dr. Dillon has been a professor in the Department of Biology, an adjunct professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and a member of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Saskatchewan.  Throughout her career, Dr. Dillon has balanced her professional activities with the challenges of leadership and administration.  Dr. Dillon, an Associate at the Royal Conservatory (A.R.C.T), University of Toronto, completed her undergraduate training at the University of Toronto and her M.Sc. and Ph.D. at Queen's University.  After completing postdoctoral studies in the Department of Biophysics and Microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Dillon returned to Canada to establish the Antimicrobials and Molecular Biology Division at Health Canada.  She later established and directed the National Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Diseases at Health Canada.  Dr. Dillon subsequently held several positions at the University of Ottawa including-Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Inaugural Director of the Centre for Research in Biopharmaceuticals and Biotechnology. She has led several national and international organizations, has consulted widely with national and international institutions, and is the author of numerous publications. Dr. Dillon has earned many academic awards. She has received the Roche Diagnostic/Canadian Society of Microbiologists award for 2007, as an outstanding Canadian microbiologist.

Dr. Dillon's laboratory website (Department of Biology)

 Kimberly Doig

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A221
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Tara Donovan

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: A332
Office Phone: 966-1563/966-1583
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Luana Dummer

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: PhD Student
Email: Contact

Biography

Luana was born in Pelotas, south of Brazil. She attended the Federal University of Pelotas, where she completed her Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences in 2005, her Masters degree in 2008 and is presently working on her Ph.D on a BoHV-5 vaccine development project.

At end of 2010 she was awarded within a Scholarship for Split Fellowship Program from a governmental Brazilian Institution, CNPq, which gave her the opportunity to work for one year under the supervision of Dr. Sylvia van den Hurk.

 Jan Erickson

Clinical Research Pathogenomics & Epidemiological Services  Group
Position: Animal Technician
Office: 166
Office Phone: 966-1937
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Brock Evans

Clinical Research Pathogenomics & Epidemiological Services  Group
Position: Research Technician (Research Farm Manager)
Office: 166
Office Phone: 966-1937
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Cam Ewart

Admin  Group
Position: Associate Director - Operations and Maintenance
Office: A210
Office Phone: 280-4019
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Cam will assumed his role as Associate Director in September 2010, transitioning from this previous role as the Project Manager of the InterVac construction project

Cam has been involved in the construction industry for twenty-seven years, including eleven years with the Facility Management Division of the University of Saskatchewan.  He has worked on numerous campus projects including the Spinks and Kinesiology additions as well as improvements to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and VIDO-InterVac facilities. 

 Marilee Farrow

Admin  Group
Position: Administrative Assistant
Office: 102
Office Phone: 966-7501
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Amit Gaba

Vectored Vaccines  Group
Position: Graduate student
Office: 62
Office Phone: 966-7508
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Prior to joining VIDO-InterVac, Amit also worked for 5 years in an  ISO 9001:2008 certified poultry vaccine manufacturing company, in areas of  virus isolation , propagation in specific pathogen-free embryos, tissue culture and lyophilisation.

Amit has special interest in molecular virology, protein -protein interaction, vaccine development and vectored vaccines, and is a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Suresh Tikoo.

Post-doctoral fellow Raveaendra Garg

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Office: A318
Office Phone: 966-1572
Lab Phone: 966-1583
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Dr. Volker Gerdts

Neonatal Immunization  Group
Position: Associate Director (Research), Chief Science Officer
Office: 155
Office Phone: 966-1513/966-1526
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Volker Gerdts is the Associate Director Research of the Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan.  He received a DVM in 1994 from Hanover Veterinary School and a German PhD equivalent from the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Island of Riems and Hanover Veterinary School, Germany, in 1997.  A postdoctoral fellowship, funded by the German Research Council, was spent from 1998-2000 at VIDO in the area of vaccine discovery and mucosal immunology. In 2002, he became a Research Scientist at VIDO and the Associate Director of Research in 2007. 

Dr. Gerdts is also currently the Program Manager of the Neonatal Immunization Program at VIDO. His research interests are in the area of neonatal vaccines for both humans and animals, mucosal immunology, and vaccine delivery and formulation. Current research projects are focused on the development of novel single-shot vaccines for human infants against pertussis (whooping cough), adjuvants and targeting of vaccine formulations to dendritic cells, porcine immunology and the use of pigs as model for humans, immune modulation and regulation of mucosal immune responses.

Dr. Patricia Gonzalez-Cano

Pathogenomics  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A242
Office Phone: 966-1548
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Patricia holds MSc and PhD degrees in immunology from the Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (School of Biological Sciences of the National Poly-Technical Institute) in Mexico City.

Patricia joined VIDO-InterVac as a post-doctoral fellow in October 2009 and is working with Dr. Philip Griebel on research pertaining to the bovine herpes viru

 Sasha Gracia

Neonatal Immunization  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: A132
Office Phone: 966-1507/966-1526
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Philip Griebel

Pathogenomics  Group
Position: Program Manager and Research Scientist
Office: A238
Office Phone: 966-1542/966-1556
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Satynder Hansra

Immune Modulation  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: 130
Office Phone: 966-7496
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Shirley Hauta

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A321
Office Phone: 966-1582
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Paul Hodgson

Admin  Group
Position: Associate Director -Business Development
Office: 151
Office Phone: 966-1523
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Paul Hodgson joined the Senior Management Team as Associate Director (Business Development) in January 2006. Prior to joining VIDO, Dr. Hodgson was Project Manager for a $27 million Genome Prairie project aimed at discovering novel ways to protect mammals against infectious disease. He also spent several years working with Newfound Genomics Inc., a clinical genomics company based in Newfoundland, as a business development analyst. Dr. Hodgson received an M.Sc. in Pharmacology from Dalhousie University, a PhD in Immunology from the Memorial University of Newfoundland and an MBA specializing in Technology Commercialization from the University of Alberta

 Brett Hoffman

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 62
Office Phone: 966-7508/966-1579
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Donna Holmlund

Admin  Group
Position: Front Desk Receptionist
Office: Epicenter
Office Phone: 966-7465
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

N/A

 Sherri Hueser

Admin  Group
Position: Technical Group Coordinator
Office: A210
Office Phone: 966-7474
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Sherri joined VIDO in 1997. She is presently a member of the Communications Group. Sherri is also the Coordinator of the VIDO Beef and Swine Technical Groups who develop resources addressing timely issues of importance and concern to today's producers. She also provides administrative support to the Board of Directors. Sherri also liaisons with the Facilities Management Division of the University of Saskatchewan to insure proper functioning of the VIDO facility.

 Jana Hundt

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A334
Office Phone: 966-1564
Lab Phone: 966-1579
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

 Adam Huys

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 60
Office Phone: 966-7472
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Azharul Islam

Vectored Vaccines  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: 133
Office Phone: (306) 966-7494
Lab Phone: (306) 966-7486
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

 Steve Jimbo

Immune Modulation  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: A132
Office Phone: 966-1507
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Dee Kirchmeier

Admin  Group
Position: Accounting Clerk
Office: 104
Office Phone: 966-7505
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Wolfgang Koester

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: 3
Office Phone: 966-7479/966-9871
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Wolfgang Köster is a Research Scientist at the Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. 

Wolfgang completed his PhD in Biology and Microbiology at University of Tübingen, Germany. He then worked in many organizations including University of Virginia, Institut Pasteur, and Swiss Federal Institute for Envrionmental Science and Technology. From 1999-2003 he served as Swiss Delegate and “Invited Expert” at various events related to safe drinking water of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr. Köster has supervised 3 Post Doctoral Fellows, 10 PhD students, 6 Masters/Diploma students, a number of technicians and numerous undergraduate students. He is experienced in teaching lectures, seminars and practical courses at all University levels in the areas of microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology and environmental sciences.

Dr. Pankaj Kumar

Vectored Vaccines  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Email: Contact

Biography

He is currently working as Senior Post-Doctoral fellow in Vectored Vaccines Group with Dr Suresh Tikoo, developing and evaluating genetically engineered viruses as vaccines and vaccine delivery vehicles. 

 Karen Labach

Admin  Group
Position: Acquistions Clerk
Office: 104
Office Phone: 966-7503
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Ken Lai

Immune Modulation  Group
Position: Technician
Office: A133
Office Phone: 966-1530
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Shirley Lam

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: 16
Office Phone: 966-8871
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Laura Latimer

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A321
Office Phone: 966-1582
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Benoit Levast

Neonatal Immunization  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A134
Office Phone: (306) 966-1510
Lab Phone: (306) 966-1526
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Originally from Grenoble France, Benoit completed his PhD in Immunology at the  University of François Rabelais in Tours, France where he studied the influence of weaning date on piglet intestinal immune response ontogeny.  Prior to joining VIDO-InterVac in January 2011, Benoit also worked at the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA).

Benoit’s interests include immunology and vaccinology as well as work in pig molecular and cell biology.  Working under the supervision of Dr. Volker Gerdts, Benoit’s post-doctoral work is focused on neonate immune response and vaccination, with the aim of developing a vaccine against the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

Dr. Mingmin Liao

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: A234
Office Phone: 966-1539/966-1553
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Li Lin

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A234
Office Phone: (306) 966-1508
Lab Phone: (306) 966-1529
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Li Lin has a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Culture from the Ocean University of China, a Masters degree in Biology from the South China Normal University, and a PhD in Biology/Virology from Sun Yatsen University in China and Hamburg University in Germany.  He has also been a post-doctoral fellow at Rice University in Houston TX and Pennsylvania State University in Hershey PA where he completed work on Influenza A and Hepatitis B viruses.

Li has expertise in molecular virology and immunology, and is interested in developing anti-virus strategies  against  important human viruses, such as  hepatitis B virus and influenza A virus. 

Presently Li is a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Yan Zhou’s lab and is working on influenza A virus infection and vaccine development.

 Don Litz

Admin  Group
Position: Emergency response
Office: 106
Office Phone: (306) 966-6929

 Guanqun Liu

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Graduate student
Office: 30
Office Phone: 966-7359
Email: Contact

Biography

Guanqun completed his B.Sc. degree at the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) in China.  GuanQun has worked as a research assistant in the Applied Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Laboratory in School of Life Science at BIT, where he focused on the mechanisms underlying the triplet nucleotide repeats expansion and on the gene therapy approach to Friedreich ataxia.

In 2010, he joined VIDO-InterVac as a graduate student and is studying the pathways of infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae under Dr. Joanne Dillon.

Dr. Qiang Liu

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: A336
Office Phone: 966-1567/966-1579
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Qiang Liu's research is on elucidating molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. Special research areas are human hepatitis viruses including hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus.  He received his BSc and MSc degrees at Nankai University in China and PhD at Justus Liebig University in Germany.  Dr. Liu is an adjunct professor at the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. He is an associate member of the Biomedical Engineering Division, College of Engineering.  In addition, Dr. Liu is a mentor of the National CIHR Research Training Program in Hepatitis C (NCRTP-HepC).

 Xiaojing Lu

Vectored Vaccines  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 30
Office Phone: (306) 966-7393
Lab Phone: (306) 966-7496
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Dr. Pekka Maattanen

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A140
Office Phone: (306) 966-1555
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Pekka grew up near Port Hope, Ontario.  He completed an Honors B.Sc. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Toronto in 2004 and Ph.D at McGill University in 2010 where he studied protein folding quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Pekka joined VIDO-InterVac in the fall of 2010, and is currently a postdoctoral fellow studying Johne's disease under the supervision of Drs. Scott Napper and Philip Griebel.

 Keith MacKenzie

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 62
Office Phone: (306) 966-7508
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Keith has expertise in the fields of molecular genetics and bioinformatics, specifically with molecular cloning, next-generation sequencing, RNA-seq, and chromatin immunoprecipitation.  He also has a special interest in understanding complex microbial communities and their effects on microbial pathogenesis and survival.

Presently Keith is working on his M.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology under the supervision of Dr. Aaron White, and is investigating genetic regulation and community dynamics of biofilm-producing Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.

 Sarah Mackenzie-Dyck

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: A332
Office Phone: 966-1563/966-1582
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Claudia Madampage

Other  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A140
Office Phone: (306) 966-1516

 Niraj Makadiya

Pathogenomics  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 60
Office Phone: 966-7472/966-7499
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Kristen Marciniuk

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 62
Office Phone: (306) 966-7508
Lab Phone: (306) 966-1555
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

 Travis Marfleet

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Fax: 966-7478

Biography

Dr. Sonja Mertins

Pathogenomics  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A142
Office Phone: 966-1576
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Sonja obtained her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Wuerzburg (Germany), and joined VIDO in January 2008 as a post-doctoral fellow under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Potter and Dr. Brenda Allan. 

In 2010 Sonja has been awarded a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship Award by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation to develop a vaccine against Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chickens.

Sonja's research interests include infectious diseases, bacterial pathogenesis and vaccine development.

 Lisa Mess

Admin  Group
Position: Asst to Associate Director-Research
Office: 102
Office Phone: (306) 966-7500

 Kane Mezaros

Clinical Research Pathogenomics & Epidemiological Services  Group
Position: Animal Technician
Office: 166
Office Phone: 966-1937
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Musa Mulongo

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: 27
Office Phone: (306) 966-1515
Lab Phone: (306) 966-7512
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Muso has also been a graduate research fellow at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi during PhD and MSc, where he studied Theilera parva, the causative agent of East Coast fever in cattle.  He also studied the virulence of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides Small Colony (that causes contagious bovine pleuropneumonia) as well vaccine trials involving this bacterium.   He has also been a visiting student at the Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland

Muso joined VIDO-InterVac in May 2011 as a post-doctoral fellow and his current research interests include pathogenesis of Mycoplasma infections and development of vaccines against bacterial diseases.

Dr. George Mutwiri

Immune Modulation  Group
Position: Program Manager and Senior Scientist
Office: A136
Office Phone: 966-1511/966-1529
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Mutwiri earned his DVM from the University of Nairobi, Kenya in 1985 and his PhD from the University of Guelph, Ontarion Canada in 1994. He did postdoctoral training at the University of California before joining VIDO.  Currently, he is a Senior Scientist and Manager for Immune Modulation Program.  Dr. Mutwiri is also a Professor at School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan.   His research interests are immunology, infectious diseases, vaccinology and immunotherapeutics.  

Dr. Scott Napper

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Program Manager and Research Scientist
Office: A236
Office Phone: 966-1546/966-1555
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Scott Napper holds a joint position at the University of Saskatchewan as an Associate Professor of Biochemistry as well as Senior Scientist and Program Manager of Emerging Diseases at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO). A protein biochemist by training, his research interests are based in the application of structure activity investigations within the context of infection and immunity. Specifically, his currently active research programs include structural modifications of host defense peptides for immunotherapeutic applications (vaccine adjuvants and antimicrobials), vaccine development for Johne's Disease and development of a PrP^Sc specific vaccine for prion diseases. Dr. Napper's work in development of a prion vaccine is centralized in the optimization of epitopes to maximize immunogenicity, while maintaining PrP^Sc specificity, as well as the application and optimization of various parameters of vaccine formulation and delivery. Outside of the lab Scott has a strong interest in Science Education and works actively with the Secondary Education System to help translate higher level science and mentorship to undergraduate and high school students. In the past five years, Scott has twice been awarded the University of Saskatchewan Teaching Excellence Award.

Responsibilities
♦ Program Manager:  Emerging Diseases and Microbial Virulence
♦ Project Leader:   Prion Vaccine Development;  Johne's Disease;  Kinome analysis
♦ Associate Professor:    Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan
♦ Associate Member:  School of Public Health

Education:
♦ University of Saskatchewan, Department of Biochemistry, Ph.D. 1999

Major Accomplishments:
♦ Establishment of a novel system to screen interactions of Toll-like Receptor 9 with nucleic acids
♦ Establishment of a system for optimization of host-defense peptides to minimize activation of bacterial defensive responses

Current Research Interests:
1) Prion diseases in a variety of mammalian species are characterized by the conversion of the normal host protein (PrPC) to an abnormal infectious form (PrPSc). A research team led by Dr. Neil Cashman has identified and characterized a surface-exposed antibody-binding site which is present on PrPSc but not PrPC. This site is conserved among PrPSc of a wide variety of mammalian species, thus making it an excellent universal vaccine target for prevention and therapy of diseases such as BSE and CWD. The primary objective of this proposal is to develop vaccine formulations and vaccination protocols f which generate sustained levels of antibodies that react specifically with PrPSc but not PrPC.

2) Johne's Disease: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of Johne's disease, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants . Johne's disease is of considerable economic importance in dairy cattle as it is responsible for the highest average production losses among five production-limiting diseases. There is additional growing concern that MAP may be a causative, or contributing, factor to Crohn's Disease in humans. The potential zoonotic threat, and realized economic impact, of Johne's Disease has energized efforts for development of an effective disease management strategies. However, the limited success of traditional approaches to vaccine design for Johne's disease indicates that greater understanding of the biology and virulence mechanisms of MAP is required to adopt a more strategic approach to vaccine design. Specifically, an understanding of the mechanisms by which MAP subverts host immune responses could form the basis for development of vaccine formulations and strategies.VIDO recently instigated a Johne's Disease Program focused on development of an effective vaccine and/or therapeutic. Since its inception our group has developed three key platforms to be applied to the current proposal: 1) Development of a novel technology for characterization of global kinase activity (the kinome) in bovine cells, 2) Identification of immunotherapy treatments that clear MAP from infected monocytes and 3) Creation of a stable bovine gut loops for characterization of acute and chronic host responses to MAP infection. These tools will collectively enable us to achieve a greater understanding of the virulence mechanisms of MAP. We believe that understanding the mechanisms by which the bacterium subverts host immune responses will form the basis for development of an effective vaccine and/or therapeutic.

3) Kinome Analysis Phosphorylation represents the pivotal mechanism for regulation of cellular processes, and kinases are one of the most biologically important classes of enzymes . The regulatory roles of kinases in cellular pathways and disease, as well as their conserved catalytic cleft, make them attractive targets for drug therapy. The therapeutic and biological importance of kinases has prompted the development of novel strategies for quantification of their activity. Sites of protein phosphorylation and their subsequent biological consequences are often conserved; therefore, it should be possible to predict the sequence contexts of phosphorylation events in proteins of other species on the basis of genomic information. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, we selected a set of phosphorylation events that represent the major signal transduction pathways, with an emphasis on pathways and processes relating to innate immunity. We then created a bovine peptide array for kinome analysis and have successfully applied this technology to several diseases. Species-specific arrays for other non-traditional laboratory species are being pursued.

 Rahwa Osman

Pathogenomics  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: A233
Office Phone: 966-1552
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Rajinder Parti

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A340
Office Phone: (306) 966-1575
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

A Research Associate working on pathogenesis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Rajinder's educational specialization is in molecular microbiology and biochemistry.   Prior to joining VIDO-InterVac, Rajinder had postdoctoral training at National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado USA where he studied inflammatory lipid mediators in refence to fungal lung infections.  In his PhD work at Central Drug Research Institute in Indica, he identified novel virulence factors of Mycobacterium sp. using murine infection models.

Rajinder's research interests include inflammation and host-bacteria interactions.

Ms. Pat Patterson

Admin  Group
Position: Operations Officer
Office: A142
Office Phone: (306) 966-1560
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Dr. Jose Perez-Casal

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: 11
Office Phone: 966-8870/966-7512
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Jose joined VIDO-InterVac as a Research Scentist in 1999. Jose completed his Doctoral degree in Biochemistry in Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Jose is now the research manager for both Bovine mastitis and the Mycoplmasma bovis research projects. He is also the Chair of the VIDO-InterVac internal safety committee. His research expertise includes bacterial pathogenesis, vaccine development, and animal trials.

 Yurij Popowych

Pathogenomics  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A221
Office Phone: 966-1556
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Jean Potter

Pathogenomics  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 30
Office Phone: 966-7393/966-1555
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Jean was born in Ontario, lived in the Philippines for a brief period and is fluent in both Frenchand Visayan.  She completed her BSc in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Saskatchewan before completing her M.Sc. in Biochemistry under the supervision of Dr. Scott Napper.  Jean is currently pursuing her PhD in Veterinary Microbiology under the supervision of Dr. Philip Griebel.  

Dr. Andrew Potter

Admin  Group
Position: CEO & Director
Office: 152
Office Phone: 966-7484
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact
Page:Director & CEO

Biography

Dr. Potter is internationally recognized for his visionary research into how bacteria cause disease and his work at the interface of human and animal health bolstered VIDO-InterVac's international reputation in this critical area of research.  His groundbreaking projects have contributed to several "world firsts", including the world's first genetically engineered animal vaccine.  

Dr. Potter completed his undergraduate studies at Carleton University and received his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Otago (New Zealand) in 1981.   Recruited from Health Canada in Ottawa, Dr. Potter joined VIDO in 1985 as a research scientist.  He was subsequently appointed as VIDO's Associate Director (Research) in 1994 and then became the new CEO and Director in 2007.  In 2011, Dr. Potter was elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Science (CAHS), joining a distinguished group of health and biomedical science leaders. The CAHS works in partnership with the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Canada to form the Council of Canadian Academies. Comprised of Canada's leading minds in health research and practice, it provides assessments and advice on key issues relevant to the health of Canadians 

He currently runs a successful research program well-funded by competitive grants at the national level. Recently, he has been working on the application of genomics to the animal health field and is forging links between the animal and human infectious disease research communities to ensure that technologies common to both fields can be leveraged to their greatest benefit.

He has mentored more than 30 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who currently hold positions in industry, academia and government worldwide, and he has contributed to more than 50 patents for human and animal vaccines and therapeutics. 

Dr. Potter has served on a number of public and private sector committees, and has been instrumental in transferring technology from the VIDO laboratories to the private sector. He interacts frequently with major animal health companies and serves as a consultant to numerous smaller ones.

 Rey Predicala

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 30
Office Phone: 966-7393/966-1529
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Tracy Prysliak

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: 8
Office Phone: 966-7512
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Hyan-Mi Pyo

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: 137
Office Phone: 966-7497
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Originally from Korea, Hyun Mi is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Yan Zhou's lab.  Hyun Mi  holds MSc and PhD degrees in preventive veterinary medicine and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Chungnam National University in Daejon, Korea.   

Prior to joining VIDO-InterVac in Oct, 2009, Hyun Mi worked as a research assistant in the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology and as a junior research scientist in the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service in the Republic of Korea. 

Hyun Mi's research is focused on the influenza virus.

 Neil Rawlyk

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: 112
Office Phone: 966-7491
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Joyce Sander

Admin  Group
Position: Associate Director - Human Resources
Office: 149
Office Phone: 966-7477
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Joyce Sander joined VIDO in 1990 and became a member of the Senior Management Team in 1994.

As the Human Resources Officer within the Senior Management Team, Joyce's interpersonal skills and knowledge of university human resources and graduate studies programs are invaluable. Joyce also brings expertise in the area of intellectual property management to the Team.

Joyce holds the Professional Manager designation with the Canadian Institute of Management.

 Judy Schmidt

Admin  Group
Position: Budget Officer
Office: 145
Office Phone: 966-7504
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Sandra Schulz

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A318
Office Phone: (306) 966-1571
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

 Erin Scruten

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A221
Office Phone: 966-1555
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Ms. Amie Sewell

Clinical Research Pathogenomics & Epidemiological Services  Group
Position: Animal technician
Office: 166
Office Phone: (306) 966-1937
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Dr. Pratima Shrivastava

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Email: Contact

Biography

She is currently a Post-Doctoral fellow in Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development Group with Dr Sylvia van den Hurk, and is currently working on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine development.

 Brittnie Smuk

Admin  Group
Position: Receptionist
Office Phone: (306) 966-7465

 Marlene Snider

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A321
Office Phone: 966-1582
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Stefania Starnino

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Post Doctoral Fellow
Office: A142
Office Phone: 1520

 Pat Strohan

Structural Chemistry, Genomics & GMP  Group
Position: Technician
Office: 160
Office Phone: 966-7510
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Stacy Strom

Neonatal Immunization  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A133
Office Phone: 966-1526
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Kate Szombathy

Admin  Group
Office: A133
Office Phone: (306) 966-1526
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

 Ryan Taschuk

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: A232
Office Phone: 966-1536/966-1556
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Sherry Tetland

Clinical Research Pathogenomics & Epidemiological Services  Group
Position: Animal Technician
Office: 166
Office Phone: 966-1937
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Patricia Thibault (McGee)

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 30
Office Phone: 966-7395/966-1580
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Tracey Thue

Admin  Group
Position: Biosafety Officer
Office: A146
Office Phone: 966-8874
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Tracey came to VIDO from the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, where she supervised a large CL2 lab.  Prior to that, Tracey was at the Department of Animal and Poultry Science where she earned an MSc in Animal Genetics, and worked for 8 years as research technician in beef genetics.

As Biosafety Officer, Tracey is currently writing standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will make up the InterVac Biosafety Manual.  She will also be involved with testing and commissioning of the building as it takes place over the next year, and once certified, she will help ensure that it continues to meet federal containment standards and passes annual re-certification.  Tracey will be providing safety training and orientation to personnel who are joining InterVac.

 Sathya Thulasi Raman

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: A133
Office Phone: (306) 966-2878
Lab Phone: (306) 966-1529
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Dr. Suresh Tikoo

Vectored Vaccines  Group
Position: Program Manager and Research Scientist
Office: 127
Office Phone: 966-7482
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Suresh Tikoo is the Program Manager for Vectored Vaccine research team at VIDO-InterVac.  He received his DVM and MVSc in India and completed his PhD in Veterinary Microbiology at the University of Saskatchewan in 1992. 

Dr. Tikoo and his team have been carrying out the molecular characterization of non-human adenoviruses (bovine adenovirus-3 and porcine adenovirus-3), with the aim of developing them as live vaccine vectors for animals (cattle and swine) and humans. He also has published more than 86 peer-reviewed manuscripts and review articles, 25 issued patents and 7 pending patents. and has mentored 25 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. 

At the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Tikoo is a tenured Professor at the School of Public Health, and. an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western college of Veterinary Medicine.

Responsibilities:
♦ Program Manager, Vectored Vaccines
♦ Professor, School of Public Health
♦ Member, Science management team
♦ Member, Faculty of College of Graduate studies
♦ Adjunct Professor, Veterinary Microbiology

Education:
♦ College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, GBPUAT Pantnagar Nanital, Uttaranchal, India; BVSc&AH (DVM) 1977; MVSc (Vet. Microbiology) 1980
♦ Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine , Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada, PhD 1992

Current Research Interests:
♦ Molecular characterization of non-human adenoviruses
♦ Non-human adenovirus as a vaccine delivery vector
♦ Targeted animal adenovirus
♦ Adenovirus DNA packaging
♦ Protein-protein interactions in non-human adenovirus
♦ Role of structural\non-structural proteins in viral replication

 Shirley Toms

Admin  Group
Position: Corporate Communications Manager
Office: A342
Office Phone: 966-7483
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Shirley joined VIDO in November 2008 as VIDO's Corporate Communications Manager, with over 25 years of laboratory management and regulatory experience working within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). She also gained quality management experience working the Standards Council of Canada as a lead assessor within their Program for the Accredition of Laboratories in Canada (PALCAN). 

Shirley's skills in communication and coordination of multidisciplinary teams have been recognized with several awards including the CFIA President's National Award for Recognition of Outstanding Service and the Government of Canada's Head of Public Service Award for Excellence in Service Delivery.

Dr. Hugh Townsend

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Program Manager and Research Scientist
Office: A144
Office Phone: 966-1415
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Hugh Townsend is a member of the Science Management Committee at VIDO and Program Manager for Bacterial Vaccine Development. He has been a professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine since 1980, a senior research scientist at VIDO since 2001 and a member of the Faculty of the School of Public Health at the University of Saskatchewan since 2008.

Hugh's clinical specialty is large animal internal medicine with a focus on the horse and infectious disease epidemiology. His research interests include clinical medicine, epidemiology, vaccine efficacy and development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

♦ Program Manager, Bacterial Vaccine Development

♦ Member, Science Management Team

♦ Member, Neonatal Immunization

♦ Member, VIDO Beef Tech Group

♦ Member, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

♦ Member, Faculty, School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan

♦ Program Chair, PhD-Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan♦ Member, Executive Committee Master of Public Health Program, School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan

Dr. Jan van den Hurk

Immune Modulation  Group
Position: Research Associate
Office: A242
Office Phone: 966-1549/966-8872
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Sylvia van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Program Manager and Research Scientist
Office: A310
Office Phone: 966-1559/966-1582
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Sylvia van den Hurk is the Program Manager of Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development program at VIDO-InterVac. She received her MSc at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands and PhD at University of Saskatchewan.  Her research interests include molecular pathogenesis of bovine herpes virus-1 (BHV-1), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the development of novel DNA, protein and dendritic cell vaccine formulations, in particular for RSV and HCV.  Dr. van den Hurk has published more than 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts, reviews and book chapters, and 8 patents with 1 pending. She has mentored more than 30 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.  At the university she is Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the College of Medicine.

 Lorne Vanin

Admin  Group
Position: Associate Director - Finance
Office: 147
Office Phone: 966-7476
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Lorne received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the U of S in 1992 and has a CMA designation as well.   Lorne is currently a member of the CMA Society of Saskatchewan's accreditation committee.

 Jill Van Kessell

Neonatal Immunization  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: A133
Office Phone: 966-1526
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Elaine van Moorlehem

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Technician
Office: 29
Office Phone: 966-7509
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Sinisa Vidovic

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Post-doctoral fellow
Office: A234
Office Phone: 966-1538/966-1553
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Landon Waldner

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 60
Office Phone: (306) 966-7508
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

 Stewart Walker

Clinical Research Pathogenomics & Epidemiological Services  Group
Position: Scientist
Office: 123
Office Phone: 966-6289
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Ellen Watkiss

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 30
Office Phone: 966-7394/966-1583
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Corinne Welder

Structural Chemistry, Genomics & GMP  Group
Position: Technician
Office: 160
Office Phone: 966-7510
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Aaron White

Bacterial Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: 123
Office Phone: 966-7485
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Aaron White joined VIDO as a research scientist in June 2009 working on Salmonella pathogenesis. Aaron obtained his BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Alberta in 1993 then completed his PhD at University of Victoria in 2000. Prior to joining VIDO, Aaron was involved in several research projects at the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary. Aaron is involved in Salmonella pathogensis research at VIDO-InterVac.

Dr. Joyce Wilson

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: A340
Office Phone: 966-1544/966-1580
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Heather Wilson

Neonatal Immunization  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: A138
Office Phone: 966-1537/966-1526
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Responsibilities:

♦ Project Leader:   Milk-Derived Vaccination of Neonates

♦ Associate Member:    Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan

Education:
♦ University of Saskatchewan, Department of Biochemistry, Ph.D. 2002

Relevant Work Exprerience:

2006-Present. VIDO Research Scientist II

2002-2006. VIDO Research Scientist I

Expertise:

Neonatal Vaccinology, High-throughput genomic analysis, Elucidating mechanism of adjuvant signaling.

Major Accomplishments:
♦ Elucidating co-signals required for T cell and antigen-independent B lymphocyte activation

♦ Introduce system to tract host defense peptide (and other adjuvant) retention at sites of injection and/or systemic migration.

♦ Establish that host defence peptides suppress transcriptional responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide and promote T cell anergy

Current Research Areas:

♦Design of novel neonatal vaccines,

♦Prophylactic treatment of host defense peptides to combat cellulitis in birds and Neonatal Diarrheal Disease in ruminants.

Dr. Don Wilson

Clinical Research Pathogenomics & Epidemiological Services  Group
Position: Program Manager and Research Scientist
Office: 111
Office Phone: 966-7488
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Tekla Woldemariam

Admin  Group
Position: Graduate student
Office: 30
Office Phone: (306) 966-7394

 George Wong

Structural Chemistry, Genomics & GMP  Group
Position: Technician
Office: 160
Office Phone: 966-7510
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

 Qi Wu

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office Phone: 966-1580

Biography

Qi was awarded his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the Department of Biology , School of Medical Science at Qingdao University, Shandong, China in June 2008.  Now a Masters student in Department of Veterinary Microbiology under Dr. Qiang Liu, he is studying host and viral factors modulating HCV protein translation.

Qi has expertise in cell culture work and basic techniques of making beer, grape wine and yoghurt.  His special interests include writing detective fiction.

 Mehran Yarahmadi

Pathogenomics  Group
Position: Graduate Student
Office: 58
Office Phone: 966-2878/966-1556
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Dr. Sasha Zakhartchouk

Viral Pathogenesis & Vaccine Development  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: A338
Office Phone: 966-1570/966-1579
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Sasha has a M.Sc. in Biochemistry and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Moscow Veterinary Academy.  Following this, he completed his  PhD at the Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology in Moscow in 1995.  Since joining VIDO, Sasha has been working on molecular characterization of non-human adenoviruses to develop them as live vaccine vectors for animals and humans. In addition, Sasha was involved in developing a vaccine against SARS. He holds two patents and has published 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 1 book chapter.

Dr. Xin Zhao

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Scientist
Office: 131
Office Phone: (306) 966-7494
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: Contact

Dr. Yan Zhou

Emerging Diseases & Microbial Virulence  Group
Position: Research Scientist
Office: 131
Office Phone: 966-7716/966-1529
Fax: 966-7478
Email: Contact

Biography

Yan joined VIDO-InterVac as a Research Scientist in 2003. Yan completed her Doctoral degree in molecular biology of Influenza virus in Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. Yan is now leading Influenza research project at VIDO. She received a national prestigious salary award- Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator award (2007-2012). Her research expertise includes molecular biology of influenza virus, virus induced signal transduction, viral pathogenesis and vaccine development.