Meet Our Team
Dr. Melanie Wills (phd), Lab Director
Melanie completed her Doctoral degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph as a Brock Scholar and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Vanier Fellow, after which she pursued postdoctoral studies in Lyme Borreliosis at Mount Allison University. In 2014, Melanie co-founded the Canadian Lyme Science Alliance as a platform through which academics and clinicians promote rigorous scientific study, thoughtful dialogue, and ethical stewardship of tick-borne illness. Her leadership and scholarly achievements have been recognized with several awards, including the Governor General’s Academic Medal.
Dr. Iain mainprize (Phd), Research associate
Iain has been with the G. Magnotta Lab since its inception in 2017. He holds a doctorate in microbial biochemistry, and applies his considerable expertise in a variety of molecular techniques and imaging platforms to study the Lyme pathogens. He is the chief microbiologist in the GML, where he currently leads proteomic investigations into the cellular signatures and environmental responses of Borrelia.
Justin Wood (MSc) Research Scientist
Justin joined the lab part time in 2021 to work on blood-based detection methods for Borrelia. As founder of Geneticks Canada, he brings a knowledge and understanding of Lyme Disease and the complexities surrounding it, a molecular science skill set, and solid LD community connections. Justin has also been integral in developing the tick-based pathogen research prong in the G. Magnotta Lab.
Dr. Vladimir bamm (phd), Research associate
Vladimir officially joined the lab in 2018. He brings a wealth of experience from his Ph.D. and post-doctoral appointments, during which he studied oxidative mechanisms in vasculature. He is applying this biochemical and biophysical background to evaluate human determinants of Lyme disease pathology, and is involved in diagnostic platform development
Victoria Sanderson (Bsc), MSC Gradaute, Consulting Scientist
Victoria was the first M.Sc. candidate to join the lab, after graduating from UBC Okanagan with a degree in Biological Sciences. Victoria is passionate about healthcare-oriented research, and studies host-pathogen interactions and blood processing techniques of diagnostic significance. She was co-supervised in Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology by Dr. Cezar Khursigara, and obtained her Master’s in the summer of 2020. Since then, Victoria has been a consulting scientist with the GML as she pursues medical studies.
Jordan Ko (Bsc), PhD Candidate
Jordan was a junior technician in the GML before pursuing his Master’s in Molecular and Cellular Biology. As a graduate of the University of Guelph’s Biomedical Science program, he now investigates Borrelia pleomorphy - or the ability of some microorganisms to alter shape or size in response to environmental conditions - and its relevance to disease. Jordan is co-supervised by Dr. Cezar Khursigara.
G. Magnotta Lab Alumni
Kristopher Matches (B.Sc.) CWM.Sc. Candidate
Kris is a course-based M.Sc. candidate in the Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, where he is supervised by Dr. Cathy Bauman. He is evaluating the symptoms, experiences, and healthcare trajectories of Canadian patients with Lyme disease.
Rebecca Walchyshyn (B.Sc. candidate), volunteer
Rebecca is an undergraduate student in the Molecular Biology and Genetics program at the University of Guelph. She is assisting in optimizing molecular techniques for fundamental and clinical applications in the lab.
Academic Collaborators
Khursigara Lab
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph
Geddes-McAlister Lab
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph
Bauman Group
Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph
Lloyd Tick Lab
Department of Biology, Mount Allison University
Levesque Lab
IBIS / Universite Laval
Lovell Lab
SUNY Buffalo
The University of Guelph
Summerlee Science Complex, University of Guelph
With its roots in agriculture and veterinary medicine, the University of Guelph has evolved into a diverse and internationally recognized institution that retains its position of leadership and excellence in all facets of life science. Guelph draws the most research funding of any comprehensive university in Canada, and has gained a reputation for socially conscious, community engaged scholarship. The University benefits from its strategic location in the heartland of southern Ontario, where it is close to major clinical centers and medical research networks of Toronto and the surrounding communities.
The College of Biological Sciences, home of the G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab, employs over 100 faculty members whose work spans many orders of biological magnitude, from molecules to ecosystems. Cutting edge facilities that support these initiatives include centres for genome analysis, molecular modeling, and advanced light, super-resolution, and electron microscopy. The G. Magnotta Lab benefits from the wide array of existing expertise and research capacity.
Visit from the G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases. From left: Lisette Verzijlenberg, Victoria Sanderson, Rossana Magnotta, Iain Mainprize, Melanie Wills, Vladimir Bamm, Jordan Ko. May, 2018.