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| Chris
Green |
| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
B.A
Sociology--University of Winnipeg |
Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr.
Robert Hoppa
My primary PhD research is originally focusing on the modeling
of the diabetes epidemic through time and space in Manitoba.
I am currently enrolled in the interdisciplinary PhD program
at the University of Manitoba. |
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Description
of the Project: Over the ICID Training course, however, I will be undertaking a number of research projects in a variety of infectious disease areas including enteric infections (Salmonella, E-Coli 157, Campylobacter), and mosquito borne infections (West Nile Virus). These will occur through my ICID practicum at Cadham provincial laboratory as well as through my work as a part-time surveillance epidemiologist in the Public Health Branch, Manitoba Health.
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| Dave
Safronetz |
| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
BSc--University
of Saskatchewan
MSc--University of Manitoba |
Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr. Michael Drebot
Head,
Viral Zoonoses, NML
Adjunct Professor, University of Manitoba
Ecology and biology of Hantaviruses |
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Description
of the Project: Hantaviruses are an important group
of rodent-borne pathogens, which are associated with two
clinical illnesses in humans: Hemorrhagic fever with renal
syndrome (HFRS) and Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
My research is primarily focused on the characterization
of functional and antigenic domains within the glycoproteins
of disease-causing hantaviruses and evaluating factors effecting
the transmissibility of hantaviruses within a population
of naturally-infected deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)
in Manitoba, Canada. The aim of this research is to identify
how and when risk of human exposure to these viruses changes
and to provide insight into potential therapeutic strategies
and vaccines |
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| Heather Smith |
| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
BSc
Microbiology--University of Manitoba |
Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr.
D.J. Hoban
Molecular Characterization of Fluoroquinolone Resistance
in Streptococcus pneumoniae. |
Description
of the Project: My project focuses
on investigating and characterizing the mechanisms
of |
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fluoroquinolone
resistance in S.pneumoniae:
chromosomal mutations and efflux. I conduct my research on
two groups of isolates: clinical isolates our lab receives
as part of a Canada-wide antibiotic resistance in respiratory
organisms’ surveillance study and laboratory mutants that
I have generated. We are investigating how different fluoroquinolones
are affected by the various phenotypes/genotypes of S. pneumoniae
that are observed in clinical isolates. |
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| HeZhao Ji |
| Home
Country: |
China |
| Degree: |
MD--ZhangJiaKou
Medical College
MSc Immunology--HeBei Medical University |
Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr. Frank Plummer
Professor, Medical Microbiology, University of
Manitoba
Association of Interferon Regulatory factor-1 polymorphism with Resistance to HIV-1 Infection in Kenyan Female Sex Workers
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Description of the Project:Originally identified as a transcription activator of IFN-beta, Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 (IRF-1) has now been shown to be a critical factor in both innate and adaptive immunity against viral infection. It was also shown to be able to initiate and promote HIV-1 transcription by interacting with HIV-1 3' LTR directly. Here, we hypothesize that IRF-1 is a critical factor in mediating resistance to HIV-1 infection, and the IRF-1 gene variations are directly responsible. To demonstrate this, comparative genetic sequencing will be conducted for the screening of IRF-1 gene polymorphisms in the target population. The association between IRF-1 gene variation and HIV-1 resistance will be determined and the underlying biological mechanisms that may contribute to this association will be explored.
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| Jillian Waruk
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| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
MSc--University of Manitoba |
Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr. Frank Plummer
Professor, Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba
Epitope mapping and characterization of
the binding site of monoclonal antibodies on HIV-1
gp120
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Description
of the Project: To date, the majority of successful vaccines target
antibody responses in humans. A successful HIV
vaccine will likely require an antibody-generating
component. Epitope mapping of antibodies capable of
blocking HIV-1 infection will reveal specific protein
sequences involved in HIV-antibody interactions. We
hope to discover these interactions and to create a
vaccine that will elicit in humans neutralizing
antibodies as powerful as those we study in the lab.
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| Joyce
Slater |
| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
MSc--Community
Nutrition
University of Manitoba |
Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr. John O'Neil
Professor, Community Nutrition,University of Manitoba
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Description
of the Project: My research project focuses on
the Canadian food system and its impact on health and illness,
in particular childhood obesity. Substantial changes to both
the food system and food consumption patterns over the last
30 years have resulted in unanticipated outcomes such as
new pathogens in the food supply, obesity and chronic diseases.
Understanding the social and structural influences on the
food system and dietary patterns has implications for how
we understand and address both infectious and chronic illness. |
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| Julius
Otieno Oyugi |
| Home
Country: |
Kenya |
| Degree: |
Diploma,
Virology-- Kenya Medical Training College,
Kenya
MSc Virology-- Liverpool Johnmoores University, UK |
Supervisor:
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Dr.
Keith R. Fowke
Associate Professor, Medical Microbiology, University
of Manitoba |
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Project
Title: CD4 POLYMORPHISM AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH HIV INFECTION AND DISEASE. |
Description
of The Project: The risk of infection to HIV,
resistant to infection with HIV and delayed time of progression
to AIDS have been linked to different gene polymorphisms.
My main interest in this project is to investigate how
the polymorphic CD4 cells alter the function of CD4 molecule
in relationship to HIV infection and disease. To do this
I will conduct in vitro studies to look at binding affinities
of the polymorphic and the wild type CD4 cells to the gp120
of HIV virus. Currently I am at the initial stages of my
project and I am involved in preparing cell lines for affinity
binding assays. Apart from the affinity assays, I am also
interested in looking at how the polymorphic CD4 cells
alter signal transduction pathway and other functions of
CD4 molecule in relationship to HIV infection and disease.. |
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| Lisa
Marie Baspaly |
| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
BSc
Biology--University of Winnipeg
MSc Entomology -- University of Manitoba
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Supervisor:
Project Title: |
Dr. L. Robbin Lindsay
Research Scientist,Canadian Science Centre for Human
and Animal Health.
Vector competence of mosquitoes in Canada for West
Nile virus. |
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Description
of the Project: The vector competence of ten mosquito species that have tested positive for West Nile virus in Canada will be assessed.
Vertical transmission and aspects of the effect of temperature on the extrinsic incubation period will also be examined for each species.
In the case of low or non-transmission, an attempt to identify the physiological transmission barrier will be made, via salivary gland and midgut dissection.
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| Lyle McKinnon |
| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
BSc--University of Winnipeg |
Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr.
Frank Plummer
Professor, Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba
HIV Env-specific CD8 T cell responses in Kenyan sex worke |
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Description
of the Project: Although HIV-specific CD8 T cells are capable of containing HIV and are the basis of several candidate HIV vaccines, it remains to be clear why they often fail as HIV-infected individuals progress to AIDS. A large, prospective sex worker cohort in Nairobi, Kenya contains several women who remain uninfected despite intense exposure and others who are HIV-positive but do not progress to AIDS. By comparing the HIV-specific CD8 T cell specificity and phenotypes between these examples of immunological success and AIDS-progressing individuals, protective responses may be identified. Knowledge of what makes an HIV-specific CD8 T cell response effective would aid evaluation of current vaccines and design of later generation vaccines.
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| Paul McLaren
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| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
BSc--University
of Manitoba |
Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr. Keith R. Fowke
Associate
Professor, Medical Microbiology, University
of
Manitoba
Resistance to HIV-1; The Role of Immune Gene Expression
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Description
of the Project: Heterogeneity exists in the population with respect to susceptibility to infection by HIV. Evidence exists that genetic and immune factors contribute to the development of HIV resistance in the Nairobi commercial sex-workers cohort. Using microarray technology my project involves genomic analysis of immune function of CD4+ T cells of HIV resistant women and how this differs from susceptible individuals both at baseline and when stimulated with HIV and non-HIV antigens. Determining if patterns of gene expression exist that characterize HIV resistant individuals as well as discovering factors that may mediate this resistance is the principle goal of this project and may lead to the discovery of an HIV vaccine. |
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| Sandra Koesters
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| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
BSc--University
of Manitoba |
Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr. Keith R. Fowke
Associate
Professor, Medical Microbiology, University
of
Manitoba
The role of immune activation in HIV disease progression
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Description
of the Project: My project focuses on the mechanisms of rapid disease progression in HIV. I am primarily interested in immune activation and the impact it has on apoptosis (activation induced cell death), T-cell memory homeostasis, and HIV specific T-cell memory responses. I examine these areas at the population level using two cohort with varying rates of HIV disease progression. |
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| Shehzad
Iqbal |
| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
BSc
--University of Calgary
MSc--University of Calgary |
Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr.
Frank Plummer
Professor, Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba
Mucosal immunity in HIV Resistant sex workers |
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Description
of the Project: In sub-Saharan Africa, the major route of transmission of HIV occurs
through heterosexual contact. Understanding the immune system of the
female genital tract where the initial site of infection occurs is
essential for the development of successful therapeutic interventions.
The goal of my project is to identify and characterize potential
mechanisms of immunity to HIV found at the mucosal level in HIV
resistant sex workers from the Pumwani cohort. In doing so, we hope to
artificailly induce these same responses as a potential vaccine design.
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| Tammy
Stuart |
| Home
Country: |
Canada |
| Degree: |
BSc
--University of Manitoba
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Supervisor:
Project Title:
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Dr.
Frank Plummer/Dr.Kevin Koombs
Professor, Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba
HIV-1 superinfection and HLA driven Evolution |
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Description
of the Project: Superinfection can be defined
as the HIV infection (with the same or different subtype)
of an individual who already has an established HIV infection.
The question is raised as to whether infection with HIV
has a protective effect against a subsequent infection
with another HIV-1 virus. The ML cohort is an ideal one
to study this question because of the high HIV incidence
and prevalence, the number of unprotected exposures and
the diversity of circulating viral subtypes. My project
also involves studying the effects of HLA class I on
viral evolution over time within the protease gene. |
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