Lab Members
Brittany Carrol
Postdoctoral Fellow
Lindsay Matthews
Research Associate
I am interested in studying base excision repair (BER) through structural biology approaches. During my PhD training in Sylvie Doublié’s lab at the University of Vermont, I solved the crystal structure of the DNA glycosylase, NTHL1. Now, I am studying CUX1, a protein that is recruited to sites of DNA damage, where it is believed to work as a scaffold stimulating BER. CUX1 is non-essential in healthy cells, but many cancer types demonstrate elevated levels of CUX1 correlating with shorter patient survival. Therefore, CUX1 is ideal therapeutic target for precision oncology.
Outside of lab I enjoy baking with my daughter, Alice and hiking with my partner, daughter, and dog.
Yao Shen
PhD Student
Javier Rodriguez Gonzalez
PhD Student
I am a PhD student and working on investigating the molecular mechanisms of Tn7 transposition using X-ray crystallography, small-angle X-ray scattering, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and other complementary biophysical techniques. I obtained my Master’s degree from the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where I studied the structure and function of an aldolase.
In my free time, I like skiing, biking, and exploring the beautiful city of Montreal.
Born and raised in Mexico City, I completed my BSc in Biotechnology Engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey. In my molecular biology classes in undergrad, I was fascinated by the activity of the cellular machines that make life possible. This brought me to the lab of Dr. Guarné at McGill, where I am pursuing a PhD degree. My research in the lab focuses on the structural study of DNA repair proteins.
Outside the lab, I like exploring the museums, festivals, and restaurants of Montreal.
Shreya Krishnan
PhD Student
Lauralicia Sacre
PhD Student
I am from Chennai, India and I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia. I became fascinated by structural biology during my undergraduate studies. Currently, I am studying how bacterial transposon Tn7 is mobilized into replicating conjugal plasmids. I am particularly interested in visualizing protein-DNA interactions at a molecular level to decipher cellular function.
I love travelling, hiking and observing wildlife (even the most common chipmunks). I also love spending my time reading, particularly about the origins of life and evolution of societies.
I was born and raised in Cordoba, Mexico, surrounded by my lovely family and friends. Even though the weather and food are phenomenal in my hometown, I decided to come to Montreal to do my undergraduate. I got my BSc. in Biochemistry and my MSc. in Chemistry from Concordia University. During my MSc., I got passionate about DNA repair, so I decided to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry in the Guarné lab at McGill University.
I love to play soccer, go to the gym, and sing occasionally. I also enjoy watching movies and eating popcorn.
Peter Yang
PhD Student
Treasa O'Hagan
Master's Student
I was born in Beijing, China but moved to Montreal when I was 3. Since then, I have lived in many parts of the United States, mainly in Bellevue, Washington. I obtained my B.S. in biochemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles. There, I was introduced to the wonderful, challenging but rewarding world of structural biology. Currently, I am optimizing the design of functional DNA nanostructure through a wide variety of biophysical approaches.
In my free time, I climb boulders, draw and paint, and hang out with friends and family, among other random things.
I study a mobile genetic element named Tn7 that is found in bacteria. The Tn7 element is really cool because its able to jump between genomic and plasmid DNA and spread genes related to antibiotic resistance. More specifically in this project, I work on uncovering how the element mediates its insertion into conjugal plasmids and, therein, permits it to move between different bacterial species.
I love to spend my time in the sun running, biking and bouldering and (if I have to stay inside) I like to pass my time painting.
Lauren Sproule
Undergraduate Student
Singaporean-Canadian but raised in Dubai, I am an undergraduate studying biochemistry and computer science at McGill. My current work focuses on characterizing the complexes formed by E. coli lesion bypass polymerases with the processivity clamp.
Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing tennis and volleyball, learning Arabic, and cross-stitching.