People

Jean-Paul Desaulniers, Principal Investigator

Jean-Paul Desaulniers was born and raised in London Ontario. He studied Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Western Ontario and received his Honors B.Sc. in 2000. He entered graduate school at Wayne State University, under the guidance of Prof. Chow, and he received his Ph.D. from Wayne State University in 2005. His thesis work focused on synthesizing and studying naturally occurring modified RNAs found within the ribosome. After his Ph.D., he went to the University of Michigan, where he worked under the guidance of Prof. Mapp. During his time, he was awarded an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship and focused his work in Chemical Biology on studying small organic molecule transcription factor mimics. Since the fall of 2008, Jean-Paul started as an assistant professor in chemistry. His work at UOIT focuses on developing unnatural scaffolds that are capable of controlling gene expression. Outside the lab, Jean-Paul enjoys the outdoors, playing music, and spending time with his family.

E-mail: Jean-Paul.Desaulniers@uoit.ca

Tim Efthymiou, Ph.D. Candidate

Tim was born and raised in Toronto from parents of Greek decent. He is currently working on an interdisciplinary research project that involves the synthesis of new modified RNAs for its potential use within siRNAs. Tim's favorite hobbies include running columns (especially after a DCC/HOBt coupling reaction), spending late nights with Edna, watching movies (sometimes as he drives), driving without a muffler, drinking beer, and admiring skylights at dawn. Tim is expected to graduate in the spring of 2013.

Wei Gong, M.Sc. Candidate

Wei was born in China and received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from UOIT in June of 2010. She is working on a project aimed at synthesizing chimeric PNA-RNA scaffolds. When she is not in lab, she enjoys eating fried chicken, petting little dogs, and roaming the streets in new cities. Wei is expected to graduate in the fall of 2012.

E-mail: Tim.Efthymiou@uoit.ca

E-mail: Wei.Gong@uoit.ca

 

Brandon Peel, M.Sc. Candidate

Jaymie Oentoro was born in Toronto and raised in Ajax, Ontario. He is currently working on his undergrad in Life Science with a minor in Organic Chemistry and is working on his thesis for 2012-2013. He thoroughly enjoys the fields of both biology and chemistry and has a strong interest in research at its interface. Aside from biological chemistry, Jaymie's interests include leading the UOIT Science Council, graphic design, consuming large amounts of sushi, and socializing with friends. He is expected to graduate in the spring of 2013.

E-mail: Brandon.Peel@uoit.ca

You?

Please contact Professor Desaulniers if you are interested in pursuing graduate studies at UOIT. Undergraduate students interested in thesis under my supervision are advised to contact me as soon as possible to inquire about potential future projects and availability.

Alumni

Andrew Peterson (2009)

Jesse Allan (summer NSERC USRA 2009)

Patrick Edge (2010)

Wei Gong (2010)

Christopher Koehler (TIF 2009 and 2010)

Jaymie Oentoro (NSERC USRA 2011)

Jillian Fisher (2011)

Vanthi Huynh (2011)

Stuart McNelles (2012)

Brandon Peel (2012)

 

 

Jaymie Oentoro, B.Sc. Candidate

Brandon Peel was born and raised in Oshawa Ontario. He did his undergrad work on a project focused on evaluating potent RNAi-mediated gene silencing using chemically modified siRNAs. His MSc work will focus on a combination of developing new organic scaffolds that can perturb gene expression. He has a passion for learning all branches of biology and has a special interest in organic chemistry. Outside of school he runs on a daily basis, peels oranges and bananas, plays floor hockey on a weekly basis and tries to go to the gym whenever time is available. Other than that he lives a normal life: hangs out with friends, watches T.V., searches for new emo bands to add to his iPod and watches funny YouTube videos. Brandon is expected to graduate in the spring of 2014

E-mail: jaymie.oentoro@gmail.com