Alumni

Summer Student: 05/2025-08/2025  

Lufei is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto (Class of 2027) pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Life Science. As a 2025 summer researcher in the Michael Lab, she studies the role of CARTPT in GEP-NET metastases, employing techniques such as lentiviral shRNA-mediated gene knockdown, intrasplenic injections in mice to establish liver metastases, and bioluminescent imaging to monitor tumour progression. Beyond research, she enjoys playing the piano and longboarding.

Research Technician: 11/2024-07/2025  

Manjusha joined the Michael and Dinakaran Labs as a Research Technician in November 2024. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in engineering from SRM University (Deemed), Chennai, India. Previously, she worked at the W.I.A. Adyar Cancer Institute, where she contributed to developing therapeutic strategies for oral cancer and oral submucous fibrosis. Her research focuses on glioblastoma and nanotechnology. Beyond the lab, Manjusha draws inspiration from the world of art, channeling her creativity into painting vibrant canvases that reflect her deep connection to colors and imagination.

Visiting Scholar: 01/2025-03/2025

Jing obtained her Master’s and Ph.D. in Oncology from the West China Clinical Medical School at Sichuan University in China. Since 2017, she has served as a physician in the Chest Oncology Department at Sichuan Cancer Hospital. Additionally, she is a postdoctoral fellow at the Medical School of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. Her research focuses on the relationship between diabetes and cancer, including colorectal and lung cancer, as well as biomarkers for cancer therapy, particularly in small-cell lung cancer. Jing joined the Michael lab as a visiting scholar in 2025. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, travelling, practicing yoga, and playing tennis.

Visiting PhD student: 03/24-08/24

Alberto obtained his BSc in Biochemistry at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain. Then, he completed his Master’s in Translational Biomedical Research at Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain. In 2019, he began his PhD in the Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Research Group, under the supervision of Professor García Carbonero, where he obtained the PFIS grant from the Spanish government. Alberto joined Michael lab in February 2024 on a 6-month international visit in which he will develop pre-clinical models for neuroendocrine cancer. Outside the lab, Alberto enjoys playing padel and painting miniatures.

Summer Student: 06/24-08/24

Current Position: Undergraduate Student McGill University

Paul is a third-year student at McGill University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry. He is a summer student in the Michael lab for 2024, where he will be investigating the innervation of PanNETs by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system while learning new imaging and sectioning techniques. Outside of the lab, Paul is an avid hockey fan and enjoys playing tennis, soccer and trivia.