Haissi Cui
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor starting July 2022
Department of Chemistry
Contact: haissi.cuiATutoronto.ca
I’m a biochemist by training, but my research has taken me into different areas of chemistry and biology. Curiosity fuels much of what I do and I enjoy learning new methods. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases make me happy.
I was born in Asia, grew up in Europe, and am now working in North America – I strongly believe in the importance of diversity and in supporting accessibility to scientific research through outreach.
Link to Haissi’s bio
Jamie Yong Jia Bu
Postdoctoral fellow
Start date: November 2024
Department of Chemistry
Jamie grew up in Vancouver, BC. After completing her B.Sc. in Biochemistry & Chemistry at the University of British Columbia, she joined the Nitz Lab in the Department of Chemistry at UofT and completed her doctoral research on the use of tellurophenes as bio-isosteres and reactive handles for bioorthogonal protein labeling.
Jamie is excited to join the Cui Lab as a postdoctoral fellow, where she will apply the chemical tools developed during her Ph.D. to the study of aminoacylation and protein synthesis in the brain.
Jamie loves to cook (and to eat, as Munchlax does). She also enjoys crocheting, nature walks, playing the flute, and consuming all forms of Sherlock Holmes content.
Noha Soliman Abdelfatah Elsakrmy
PhD student
Start date: Sep 2022
Department of Chemistry
Noha is an international student from Egypt. She did a B.Sc. in Pharmacy and a M.Sc. in genomics and precision medicine prior to joining U of Toronto.
During her M.Sc., Noha researched DNA damage and repair and is particularly interested in further understanding the molecular consequences upon the disruption of nuclear structures and RNA processing.
Outside of the lab, Noha enjoys spending time with her family, and taking a stroll in the nice weather.
Santiago Tijaro Bulla
PhD student
Start date: Sep 2022
Department of Chemistry
Native to Colombia, Santiago got two bachelor’s degrees from the Universidad de los Andes, one in microbiology and one in chemistry, and he developed a great interest for interdisciplinary research, especially in the areas of organic chemistry and synthetic biology.
Then in 2019, Santiago moved to Canada to start his MSc. in Chemistry under the supervision of Professors Julianne Gibbs and Matthew Macauley at the University of Alberta. Santi worked at the interface between chemistry and biology using solid phase synthesis to make sgRNAs with chemical modifications for new applications using CRISPR-Cas9.
Now as a part of the Cui Lab, Santiago will be working with non-canonical amino acids and expanded genetic code techniques to improve our understanding of where translation takes place inside of cells. He is very excited to use small molecules to expand our understanding of life. He loves cats, Star Wars and video games.
Samuel Nyandwi
PhD student
Start date: Sep 2022
Department of Chemistry
Born and raised in Quebec city, Samuel completed a Bachelors in Bio-organic Chemistry at McGill university. During his undergraduate studies, he had the opportunity to carry out research on an RNA-binding protein and on a CYP enzyme.
For his PhD, Samuel is investigating aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations that are linked to white matter brain disorders.
Aside from his studies, Samuel enjoys playing the piano, community work and having fun outdoors.
Qingyu Shi
PhD student
Start date: Sep 2023
Department of Chemistry
Originated from China. Qingyu completed her undergraduate degree in biological chemistry at the University of Toronto.
She is currently working on nuclear speckle proteins and understanding RNA processing.
Outside of the lab, Chelsea enjoys trying various delicious food, travelling with friends and family, and badminton.
Colette Macarios
PhD student
Start date: Sep 2023
Department of Chemistry
Colette was born in Toronto, raised in the United States and completed her high school studies in Japan.
She returned home for her post-secondary education at the University of Toronto where she earned her B.S.c in Pharmacology and Physiology.
For her PhD, Colette visualizing tRNA in vivo through RNA engineering.
In her free time, she enjoys promoting Japan-Canada cross-cultural awareness, making new friends, and cooking.
Rasangi Tennakoon
PhD student
Start date: Sep 2024
Department of Chemistry
Rasangi was born in Sri Lanka and raised in Burlington, Ontario. She completed her undergraduate and MSc degrees in Biochemistry at Western University. Her Master’s research focused on investigating the effect of human tRNA missense suppressors in nature and neurodegenerative disease.
She is excited to continue working in the tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase field for her PhD. She will focus on the role of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations in white matter brain disorders. Outside of the lab, Rasangi enjoys reading, arts and crafts, and being active!
Breanna Seto
MSc student
Start date: June 2024
Department of Chemistry
Born and raised in Toronto, Breanna completed an undergraduate degree at Toronto Metropolitan University in Biomedical Sciences.
In the lab she works on delivering RNAs through lipid nanoparticles together with Bowen Li’s group.
Outside of the lab she enjoys spending time with friends, biking, travelling and visiting local coffee shops.
Sascha Woolcott
MSc student
Start date: Sep 2024
Department of Chemistry
Originally from Guelph, Sascha completed her B.Sc. in Bio-organic Chemistry at McGill University in Montreal. During her undergraduate studies, she had the opportunity to work on one project involving the evaluation of quatsomes as a tool for biofilm eradication and a second project aiming to monitor atmospheric corrosion rates.
Now, she is excited to be working on her M.Sc. at the intersection of RNA chemistry and glycobiology in collaboration with Landon Edgar’s group.
Outside of the lab, Sascha enjoys reading, baking, playing many sports, and spending time outside!
Han Gao
Research Assistant
Han is originally from China and is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree as a Pharmaceutical Chemistry specialist at the University of Toronto.
Han is investigating the multisynthetase complex. Outside of the lab, he enjoys trying various types of food and making new friends.
Chloe Lauder
Thesis student
Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, Chloe is working towards obtaining her Masters degree in medicinal and biological chemistry from the University of Edinburgh.
She is carrying out her fifth year research project with the Cui group.
Outside her studies, Chloe loves to go travelling, try new foods and read books.
Danny Lock
Thesis student
Born in Stockholm, raised in Leeds, England, Danny is working towards his masters degree in Medicinal and Biological Chemistry from the University of Edinburgh. He is carrying out a fifth year research project on a student exchange with the Cui group.
Outside his studies, Danny enjoys hiking, watching films and is a member of the Men’s Rugby Team at UofT
Sofija Volkanoska
LMP 305 student
Sofija is an undergraduate student pursuing a Pathobiology specialist with a major in Chemistry at the University of Toronto.
As part of her CHM299 course at the Cui Lab, she is excited to be working on tRNAs. Outside of her studies, Sofija enjoys listening to podcasts and teaching swimming classes to kids.
Eaarad Aftab
CHM395 student
Eaarad is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Pharmaceutical Chemistry specialist. He is excited to work with Samuel on investigating mutations in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.
Outside of the lab, Eaarad enjoys reading, gymnastics and fencing.
Sophia Marquis
Work-Study student
Sophia is a 3rd year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Biological Chemistry at the University of Toronto. Born in Brazil, she later moved to 3 different countries before coming home to Canada for her studies.
Sophia is particularly excited to learn about the world of research while working in the Cui lab with Breanna. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and watching basketball.
Previous lab members
We miss you – thank you for joining us!
Adrian Li-How-Cheong
Research Assistant
Adrian is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto majoring in Chemistry and Physiology. He was born in the GTA to Mauritian parents.
This year, Adrian is synthesizing fluorescent non-canonical amino acids to study tRNA aminoacylation.
Outside the lab, Adrian enjoys practicing and teaching Wushu (Chinese Martial arts), as well as growing succulents. He is an avid Maple Leafs fan.
Josh Lee
NSERC USRA Student
Josh Lee is a third-year student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Pharmacology and Toxicology. As an NSERC URSA student, he is excited to work with Colette and delve into the realm of scientific research. His long-term career goal is to innovate and develop therapeutics.
Josh is also a passionate audiophile, dedicating his free time to studying headphone and in-ear monitor measurements.
Sushrut Lamsal
Visions of Science high school student
Sushrut is a high school student heading into grade 12
with a keen interest in biology and chemistry. He is
thrilled to be working with Colette on research focused
on RNA fluorescence in living organisms and is
excited to gain valuable research experience.
Outside of the lab, Sushrut enjoys playing volleyball,
mentoring younger students, and hanging out with
friends and family.
Chloe Taylor
NSERC USRA Student
– now a 4th-year thesis student in the Wheeler lab
Chloe is a 3rd year student in the Biological Chemistry program at The University of Toronto. They previously worked in the Wheeler Microfluidics lab where they assisted in developing a noninvasive prenatal genetic test.
This year they will be working with Samuel to investigate the relationship between aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations and a white matter brain disorder.
Outside of the lab they enjoy thrifting, exploring the outdoors and spending time with their cats!
Annie Li
CHM499 Student – joining the University of Waterloo in Fall
Annie is currently in her last year pursuing a degree at the University of Toronto specializing in Biological Chemistry.
As a CHM499 student, she is very excited to start working with a team of wonderful people!
Out of school, Annie enjoys spending time with her friends.
River Zhang
Lab helper
River was born and raised in Vancouver. He is currently a 3rd year undergraduate student in the Pathobiology and Biochemistry program at the University of Toronto.
As a member of the Cui Lab, he is extremely excited to work with Noha and learn many new things. River enjoys thrifting, playing basketball and watching anime in his free time.
Abhinav Sahal
Lab helper
Abhinav is a second year student pursuing a Chemistry Specialist. Born in India and having been all around the world, he most recently finished his high school studies in Zambia before moving to Toronto.
Abhinav is most excited to learn and witness various protein synthesis and purification techniques and maybe even fluorescence tagging! In his free time, he loves mountain biking and following cricket.
Felicia Pais Araujo
Mitacs undergraduate student
Originating from a Portuguese family, Felicia was born and raised in Germany where she is completing her undergraduate degree in Molecular Medicine at the University of Göttingen.
As a Mitacs GRI intern she is doing her internship at the Cui lab for the duration of summer. Her project revolves around the deletion of enzyme subunits in mammalian cells.
Outside of the lab, Felicia loves to meet with friends, travel to new places or enjoys reading a book.
Juan Pablo Padilla Martínez
Mitacs undergraduate student
Juan Pablo is an international student from Mexico. He is completing his undergraduate degree in Chemical Pharmaceutical Biology at the University of Guanajuato.
Juan Pablo is a MITACS GRI 23’ intern at the Cui Lab, where he is working in a project regarding gene editing to manipulate cell signaling.
Outside of the lab, Juan Pablo likes playing volleyball, traveling and spending time with his friends.