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
Luke Yaeger, PhD Candidate
Luke joined the lab in 2017 for an undergraduate thesis and continued onto grad school where he is now studying antibiotic stress and biofilms, peptidoglycan metabolism, and how P. aeruginosa gets around. He competed for McMaster's varsity Track and Field team and continues to run. In 2020, Luke became a Wilson Leader and he used to the program to develop a model for a publicly owned pharmaceutical company in Canada. His research is funded by an NSERC PGS-D award. Luke's interests include anthropology, horticulture, political economy, volleyball, cooking, and brewing.
Victoria Coles, PhD Candidate
Victoria completed her BSc at McMaster University in the Integrated Science (Biochemistry concentration) program before joining the Burrows Lab as a Master's student in 2019 and transferring to the PhD program in 2020. Victoria previously held CIHR CGS-M and her current research is funded by OGS. Her research involves using the biofilm stimulation phenotype to identify novel antibiotics and anti-biofilm agents to treat multi-drug resistant infections. In her free time, Victoria enjoys baking.
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 Student
Ikram joined the Burrows lab in 2020 as a GlycoNet summer student before starting his senior thesis in the fall. After completing his BHSc in the BDC program, Ikram continued his research in the Burrows lab as a MSc candidate before transferring into the PhD program in 2023. He previously held OGS and NSERC CGS-M awards. His research focuses on characterizing type 4 major pilin accessory genes using various molecular biology techniques and pilus-specific bacteriophages.
Veronica Tran, PhD Student
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 an OGS award. In her free time, Veronica enjoys practicing yoga and reading.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Yaser Almoayad
Yaser is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Biomedical Discovery & Commercialization Program. His project investigates the patterns of pilus mutations that confer phage resistance resistance. He is currently holds a DBCAD summer student fellowship. In his free time, Yaser enjoys playing basketball, soccer, and working out.
Isabelle Chan
Isabelle is in her fourth-year of the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization program. Her project involves screening and characterizing broad-host range pilus-specific phages. She currently holds a DBCAD summer student fellowship. In her free time, Isabelle enjoys dancing, playing music, and baking.
Nathan Yuen
Nathan is a fourth year Biochemistry student who joined the Burrows Lab as a summer student in 2023. His thesis project focuses on characterizing various mutations found in the Pil-Chp system. Nathan currently holds an NSERC USRA award. In his free time, Nathan enjoys taking walks and watching movies.