Dr. Alex Quinn - PrincipAL Investigator
Alex is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics and the School of Biomedical Engineering at Dalhousie University. He received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University and did his postdoctoral training at the University of Oxford and Imperial College London. His research program builds on experience in basic, translational, and clinical research, with a focus on the intrinsic regulation of cardiac function and the effects of mechano-electric interactions on heart rhythm, to better understand and treat cardiovascular disease. When not considering matters of the heart, he enjoys time with his family, or staring off into space considering nothing at all.
Dr. matthew stoyek - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Matt received his PhD in Medical Neuroscience from Dalhousie University. His research uses a multi-modal approach (immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, fluorescence functional imaging, and pharmacology) integrating structure and function to define autonomic nervous system control of the heart in physiology and pathophysiology. As a Postdoc he has vague memories of times when he was not considering matters of the heart at all hours, and fondly recalls hobbies.
Jessi Bak - PHD student
Jessi received her BSc in Biochemistry & Biology from Dalhousie University. During this time, she participated in the co-operative education program where she completed three different research-related work terms. Jessi then moved to the University of Alberta where she completed a MSc in Biochemistry, studying the functional effects of small peptides on intracellular calcium regulation. As a PhD student in the Quinn lab, she is currently working to identify the expression of TRPA1 and microtubules in human and rabbit cardiomyocytes and investigating their effect on cardiac electrophysiology in rabbit isolated hearts and cells to understand their role in mechanically-induced arrhythmias.
Ahmed Ramadan - PhD student
Ahmed received his BENG in Electrical Engineering from Dalhousie University with a Certificate in Biomedical Engineering. Ahmed enjoys implementing engineering principles in the field of medicine and biology; recently working at the QEII – Centre for Clinical Research, designing and building a new prosthesis solution. His current projects involve investigating the potential of optogenetics as an anti-arrhythmic therapy through a combined experimental-computational approach using zebrafish.
ZACHARY LONG - PhD student
Zachary received his BSc Honours in Medical Science with a Minor in Computer Science from Dalhousie University. During that time he was investigating how acute thermal changes affect basal autonomic tone of the intracardiac nervous system in the isolated zebrafish heart. His current project involves investigating mechanisms of intrinsic cardiac control, using the zebrafish as an experimental model. In his free time, Zachary enjoys hiking, watching motorsport and sailing.
BRIANNA LATREMOUILLE - PhD student
Brianna received her BSc in Physiology from McGill University, followed by summer of a Neuroscience research investigating the effects of early-life stress on development in neonatal rats. She is currently the exploring the effects of an acute increase in mechanical afterload on mechano-electrical coupling in rabbit isolated ventricular myocytes using a cell-in-gel system. Apart from research, she enjoys reading, painting, hiking, and rock-climbing.
EMMA SAVOIE - MSC student
Emma received her BSc in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph. In the Quinn lab she is utilising optogenetics, involving the use of light-sensitive proteins, to create a model of heart failure in zebrafish. In her spare time, Emma enjoys running, playing hockey, and soaking in all that Halifax has to offer!
Claerwen Sladen-dew - MSC student
Claerwen received her BHSc from Queen’s University. As an MSc student in the Quinn lab she is using isolated rabbit atria to explore stretch mechanisms important in arrhythmogenesis. In her free time, Claerwen enjoys hiking, cooking, and exploring the Maritimes with her dog, Layla.
radka sevcik - msc student
Radka received her BSc Honours in Biology with a Minor in Biochemistry from Mount Allison University, during which time she was investigating the effects of taurine and hypoxia on the cardiovascular systems of saltwater fish. She is currently using isolated zebrafish hearts to investigate early after depolarizations (EADs) and using optogenetics as a potential preventative treatment. Apart from the world of science she enjoys playing hockey, reading, baking, and hanging out with her dog Ace.
omar quraishi - BSC student
Omar is a 3rd year BSc Microbiology & Immunology student at Dalhousie University who is investigating the effects of increased hemodynamic load on heart rate in adult zebrafish. In his free time, Omar enjoys playing badminton, travelling, and going to the gym.
SAM CASE - BSC student
Sam is a 3rd year BSc Medical Sciences student at Dalhousie University who is using optogenetics to study function of the intracardiac nervous system in zebrafish. In his personal time, Sam enjoys volunteering as a medical responder, spending time with his dog, Gus, and strumming the guitar.
samantha gupta - BSC student
Samantha is a 2nd year BSc Neuroscience student at Dalhousie who is investigating the structure of intracardiac nervous system in zebrafish.
LAB ALUMNI
Postdoctoral Fellows
- Hirad Feridooni
- Enaam Chleilat
Graduate Students
- Jonathan Baillie (PhD)
- Katherine Purvis (MSc)
- Michael Connolly (MSc)
- Breanne Cameron (PhD)
- Eilidh MacDonald (PhD)
- Behzad Taeb (MSc)
- Peter Baumeister (MSc)
- Tarek Lawen (MSc)
Technical Staff
- Sara Rafferty
- Rick Livingston
Medical Students
- Donovan Cassidy-Nolan
Undergraduate Students
- Shannon Dallaire
- Amelia Reiner
- Ryan Topple
- Katharine Yeo
- Bryn Alexander
- Emma DeLong
- Annie Kakamousias
- Christian Gamblin
- Jessica Ramia
- Angela Tsai
- Kelly Sit
- Sierra Sparks
- Bailey Selig
- Melissa Mantifel
- Sawini Fernando
- Spencer MacDonald