Lab Members
Lab Members
Lab Members
The Team
Lori Burrows, Principal Investigator
Professor Lori Burrows is a microbiologist, Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, and international expert on the structure, function, and regulation of type IV pili (T4P). She has published over 120 peer reviewed papers, reviews, and book chapters. She is the Associate Director of McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Diseases Research and serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Bacteriology (ASM), the Journal of Biochemistry (ASBMB), and ACS Infectious Diseases. Dr. Burrows is the Canadian Research Chair in Microbe-Surface Interactions.
Hanjeong Harvey, Lab Manager
Hanjeong has been the Burrows lab manager since 2006. She holds a MSc degree in Microbiology and is responsible for daily operations of the lab, safety, and training of new lab members. She helps with most of the projects in the lab in addition to working on isolation of type IV pilus-specific bacteriophages as research tools and potential therapeutics for antibiotic resistant bacteria. In 2018 she was awarded the Michael Kamin Hart Staff Award from the Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research in recognition of her ongoing commitment to excellence in research, training, and community.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Nathan Roberge, PhD Candidate
Nathan joined the Burrows lab in 2022 after completing his MSc in Biochemistry at Queen’s University. His research is focused on characterizing the regulatory components and bacteriophage-encoded inhibitors of the type 4 pilus extension machinery. His research is currently funded by a NSERC CGS-D award. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, painting, and cooking.
Ikram Qaderi, PhD Candidate
Ikram joined the Burrows lab in 2020 as a GlycoNet summer student before beginning his senior thesis in the fall. After completing his BHSc in the BDC program, he continued his research in the lab as an MSc student and transferred to the PhD program in 2023. He previously held an NSERC CGS-M award and his current research is funded by an NSERC doctoral scholarship. Ikram’s work explores how bacteria defend themselves against bacteriophages that use pili as receptors and how these phages have evolved strategies to overcome these defence mechanisms.
Veronica Tran, PhD Candidate
Veronica completed her BSc in Biochemistry (Co-op) at McMaster University before joining the Burrows lab as a Masters student in 2021 and transferring in 2023. Her research involves analyzing genetic mutations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa that are selected upon following bacteriophage exposure. She previously held a CIHR CGS-M award and her research is funded by a NSERC PGS-D award. In her free time, Veronica enjoys practicing yoga and reading.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Tanisha Lahane
Tanisha is in her fourth year of the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization program. Her project involves investigating the role of TonB-dependent transporters in bacteriophage infection. Tanisha is currently completing her senior thesis project. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching reality TV, and cooking
Naaya Shah
Naaya is in her fourth year of the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization program. She is currently completing her senior undergraduate thesis in the lab. Her project involves characterizing the growth of phage-resistant mutant strains under clinical conditions. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and is a member of the McMaster Symphony Orchestra.