Yates Mates

Current

Dr. Neil McKenna, PhD. Senior Research Associate

Jenny Nguyen, BSc. PhD Candidate

Jenny completed her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary with a background in microbiology. She joined the Yates Lab in July 2018 to pursue a PhD in Medical Sciences. Her research interests include membrane fusion/fission machinery and phagosome biochemistry. During her free time, Jenny likes to keep updated with all the latest TV shows, hit the gym and sip tequilas, not necessarily in that order.

Melanie Moore, BSc. MSc Student w/ Dr. Jonathan Canton

Melanie joined the Yates Lab in January 2021 and is pursuing a MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Her research interests include molecular biology and genetics where she is proving to be a whiz at molecular cloning techniques. In her free time, Mel can be found at the rink playing ice hockey, hitting up the Calgary food scene, or most importantly, immersing herself in the sweet bliss that is sleep.

Gerone Gonzales. BSc. MSc Student w/ Dr. Johnathan Canton

After acquiring a BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Calgary, Gerone joined the Yates Lab in September 2021 and is pursuing a MSc degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology under the direct supervision of Dr. Johnathan Canton. Currently, Gerone is investigating endosomal pore formation in the context of antigen presentation in dendritic cells. During times when science is not her artistic medium, Gerone enjoys painting, as well as travelling the world and being amongst friends and family.

Eymi Cedeno. BSc. MSc Student w/ Dr. Johnathan Canton

Eymi, our token international student hails from Universidad Latina of Panama with a BSc in Biotechnology. She joined us in May 2022 and is pursuing a MSc in Immunology under the direct supervision of Dr. Johnathan Canton. Currently, Eymi is investigating the inflammasome in dendritic cells. In her downtime, Eymi chooses to stay up until the wee hours of the night to binge-watch movies, TV shows and read.

Liam Wilkinson. BSc. MSc Student w/ Dr. Johnathan Canton

Liam completed his undergraduate degree in Microbiology at the University of Victoria. Once a summer student, now joined as a grad in September 2022, pursuing a MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology under the direct supervision of Dr. Johnathan Canton. In his free time, Liam is a monkey climbing walls, mountains, you name it. He is also an avid runner and stretches far too much. But hey, you go dude.

Ben Ewanchuk, BSc (Co-op). MD/PhD Candidate

Ben completed his undergraduate degree in biochemistry at the University of Victoria and joined the Yates Lab in 2014 to pursue a joint PhD/MD. He has since wrapped up his PhD with several publications and has moved on to the MD portion of his program.

Hank the Hunk, Cowboy. Contortionist, Lab Mascot

From a toy store, Hank was brought to the Yates Lab in 2019 where he has grown to be an integral member of the lab. He is currently on hiatus from his duties as a cowboy to become an object of the lab’s numerous shenanigans. View his gallery of varying proportions below.