Current Members
Current Members
Current Members


 

CRISTINA LENTO

Laboratory Manager, Research Director

Cristina obtained her BSc at York University in Specialized Honours Biochemistry. For her undergraduate research project, she worked in the Audette Laboratory on the crystallization of the TrbB protein involved in F-plasmid conjugation. She then went on to complete an NSERC USRA in the Wilson group which involved studying the oligomerization pathway of the K122-4 pilin from P. aeruginosa using ESI-IMS. This sparked her interest in mass spectrometry, and went on to complete her MSc in the Audette/Wilson lab – where she continued to study protein-protein interactions of the K122-4 pilin and between transfer proteins involved in bacterial conjugation using TRESI-HDX. Outside of the lab Cristina enjoys cooking, writing, and travelling.

 


 

ALEX LISTIGOVERS

PhD Student

Alex completed his B.Sc. (Chemistry) at Queen's University in Kingston. After graduation, Alex worked at Sanofi analyzing vaccine antigens using Q-TOF LC-MS. His work in the Wilson lab continues along this path, by using TRESI-HDX to examine the impacts of crosslinking on protein dynamics. Chemical crosslinking is commonly used to inactivate toxic proteins for use in vaccines, these modifications impact both toxicity and immunogenicity of the protein. Alex is also using TRESI-HDX to investigate the allosteric changes in Antithrombin-III by heparin, and heparin's role in stabilizing the Antithrombin-III-Thrombin complex.

 

 


 

AYESHA MAQSOOD

PhD Student

Ayesha recently joined the Wilson lab for her MSc after completing her BSc at York University in Honours Biochemistry. She is interested in studying the structures and dynamics of proteins that are high value oncology targets for pharmacologic intervention. Currently, Ayesha is using HDX-MS for structural elucidation of STAT5b protein and its oncogenic driver mutation, STAT5BN642H, in collaboration with the Rauscher and Gunning Groups at University of Toronto. Besides doing research, Ayesha loves to travel, drink iced coffees and watch The Office on repeat.

 

 

 


 

 

VENITA SITAHAL

PhD Student

Venita received her B.Sc. from York University in the Specialized Honours Biochemistry program where she fulfilled her undergraduate thesis at the Wilson Lab and also completed a co-op year at Sanofi. Subsequently, she decided to continue her studies at the Wilson lab by pursuing a Master’s degree. She is presently studying the conformational dynamics and protein-protein interactions of RGS1 using Conventional HDX-MS. As a self-proclaimed hobby goblin, Venita can be found reading, practicing her viola, dancing, baking or (most recently) crocheting in her free time.

 

 


 

ERICA IANTORNO

MSc Student

Erica completed her B.Sc at York University, earning a Specialized Honours degree in biomedical sciences. She did her undergraduate thesis in the Sheng lab, where she aimed to identify novel protein interactions with E3 Ubiquitin Ligase HUWE1 and DNA repair proteins using biochemical assays and mass spectrometry. Through this work, she developed a strong interest in protein biochemistry, particularly in characterizing protein-protein interactions and revealing molecular mechanisms that underlie disease pathways. This interest led her to pursue a master's degree in the Wilson lab, where she is presently using HDX-MS to investigate the conformational dynamics of various protein systems and their interactions with different ligands. Outside of the lab, Erica enjoys spending time with friends, trying new cafes and restaurants, and traveling.

 


 

CHRIS JAMISON

MSc Student

Chris began his post-secondary education at Seneca Polytechnic and completed the Chemical Laboratory Technician in April 2021. Upon completing his diploma program, he then transferred to York’s Biology program under the Biomedical Science stream. After graduating from his undergrad in April 2025, he joined the Wilson Lab in pursuit of a Master’s degree. His project focuses on identifying site specific interactions involving two antibodies binding to the same epitope found on a SARS-CoV-2 antigen via HDX-MS. In his free time, he enjoys playing games with friends and regularly trains in various martial arts.

 


 
 

KARL VIEBROCK

Msc Student

Karl Viebrock previously earned his HBSc in Forensic Biology from the University of Toronto, where his undergraduate thesis examined the presence of novel psychoactive substances in death investigation cases. He subsequently completed his MSc at King’s College London, specializing in analytical toxicology. During his graduate studies, his research in the Stasiuk Laboratory focused on the synthesis, preclinical stability and safety assessment, of novel chelators for radiometal isotopes. His doctoral research focus is in its initial stages and is currently being established. Outside of academic pursuits, he enjoys practicing guitar and going to the gym.

 

 

 


 

RHONA COWAN

Postdoctoral Researcher

Rhona joined the Wilson Lab in 2025 as a Postdoctoral Researcher in collaboration with Sanofi. Prior to this, she held a postdoctoral position at the University of Edinburgh with the Clarke Group, where she applied FT-ICR mass spectrometry to study the secondary metabolites of British tree species. She also worked as a technician at the University of Edinburgh’s SIRCAMS facility. Rhona spent some time in industry before completing her PhD in Biocatalysis at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on the valorisation of agricultural waste streams. She holds an MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis, which included a three-month industrial placement with Shimadzu in Milton Keynes, and a BSc in Pharmacology and Biochemistry, both from the University of Strathclyde. Outside of her research, Rhona enjoys travelling, reading, and baking.

 


JOE ANACLETO

COMING SOON


 

ALUMNI

Iqra Tahir (2025, MSc)

Vimanda Chow (2025, PhD)

Esther Wolf (2024, PhD)

Kerene Brown (2020, PhD)

Ruth Knox (2019, PhD)

Lucienne Nouchikian (2019, MSc)

Xiaojing Huang (2019, MSc)

Lisa Szymkowicz (2019, MSc)

Irina Oganesyan (2018, MSc)

Antoine Bourget (2018, MSc)

Shaolong Zhu (2017, PhD)

Peter Liuni (2015, PhD)

Cristina Lento (2015, MSc, Co-Supervised by Dr. Gerald Audette)

Preet Kamal Gill (2015, MSc, Co-Supervised by Dr. Golemi-Kotra)

Diana Resetca (2014, MSc)

Tamanna Rob (2013, PhD)

Yanfang Liang (2012, PhD)

Araby Jeganathan (2012, MSc)