Page 9 - Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre Annual Report 2023 to 2024

STIGATORS
Dr. Jane McGlade
Senior Scientist, Principal Investigator
Dr. Vijay Ramaswamy
Scientist, Principal Investigator
LABORATORY PERSONNEL
Hira Fatima, Graduate Student
Elissa Goodbrand, Graduate Student
Bryn Livingston, Graduate Student
Andrea Tench, Graduate Student
Lauren Viola, Graduate Student
Kamal Othman, Postdoctoral Fellow
Jessica Lapierre, Research Technologist
Dr. McGlade’s research focuses on the
specificity and dynamics of protein-protein
interactions in cell signalling pathways
that drive cancer. Her lab investigates the
molecular structure, functions, and interaction
networks of modular adaptor proteins that
regulate oncogenic signals. Ongoing work
explores how cell type-specific expression
of adaptor proteins and isoforms activates
distinct signalling pathways, generating unique
molecular signatures in cancer subtypes. The
lab also studies developmental and oncogenic
pathways that control alternative splicing and
protein isoform expression in tumour cells.
With support from the Canadian Foundation
for Innovation, Dr. McGlade’s team helped
establish what is now the SPARC BioCentre,
a systems biology facility supporting drug
discovery at SickKids. In collaboration with
clinical and industry partners, her team aims
to translate discoveries in molecular signalling
into therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, her
research seeks to deepen our understanding
of signal transduction and uncover novel
targets for cancer treatment.
Dr. Ramaswamy is currently a staff Neuro-
Oncologist in the Paediatric Brain Tumour
Program at SickKids and a Scientist-Track
investigator within the Developmental &
Stem Cell Biology Program at SickKids
Research Institute. Dr. Ramaswamy’s overall
research focus is the translational genomics
of medulloblastoma and ependymoma,
focusing on recurrent disease. His previous
and ongoing work has been to apply clinical
correlates to recent genomic findings, with an
overarching goal of identifying new and more
robust risk stratification for both entities.
In addition to investigating the clinical
correlations of genomics, he is interested in
leveraging genomics to identify new and novel
therapies for children with recurrent brain
tumours through an integrated functional
genomic approach. This is a logical extension
of his doctoral work following my Paediatric
Neuro-Oncology training. His current position
as a Staff Neuro-Oncologist at SickKids,
one of the world’s largest paediatric brain
tumour programs, allows him to take the lead
in translating the findings into early-phase
clinical trials.
Research Support: b.r.a.i.nchild, Cancer Research Society, Canadian
Cancer Society, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Meagan’s HUG
(Meagan Bebenek Foundation), Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council of Canada
Research Support: b.r.a.i.n.child, Canadian Institutes of Health
Research, Meagan’s HUG (Meagan Bebenek Foundation), Nelina’s Hope,
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, SickKids Garron Family Cancer
Centre
LABORATORY PERSONNEL
Alexandria DeCarlo, Graduate Student
Artem Kushnirenko, Graduate Student
Julija Povilaikaite, Graduate Student
Alexandra Riemenschneider, Graduate Student
Qiyun Shao, Graduate Student
Hallie Coltin, Postdoctoral Fellow
Lakshmikirupa Sundaresan, Postdoctoral Fellow
Carolina Fernandes da Silva,
Research Technologist
Li Qing Shen, Research Technologist
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