Queen's Canada Igem

The Queen’s IGEM team, also known as QGEM is an interdisciplinary design team that works on a different project each year pertaining to synthetic biology. With each new yearly project, a new group of three to four executive members are selected to lead the team who take on the roles of wet lab lead, dry lab lead, outreach lead, and with the exception this year, director. These four individuals are responsible for the completing the project at hand and making sure everything runs smoothly going into the annual IGEM Grand Jamboree. These four executives also work closely with a faculty advisor as well as a student advisor to consult ideas, and to seek guidance throughout the project.

Although the executives handle a good chunk of the project, our dedicated volunteers play a huge role in supporting our team. This year, 16 total volunteers worked with our executives to provide support in all aspects of the project such as research, lab work, 3D modelling, outreach, and more. Together with the help of all our volunteers, we were able to successfully develop our prototype as well as remain organized throughout the duration of the project.

Below, you’ll find all the students and staff who helped make this year’s QGEM team a success, as well as a little bit about themselves and what they accomplished this summer!

Executives

Victor Di Donato

Biochemical Engineering ^{3rd year}

Hi! My name is Victor and I am in my third year of Biochemical Engineering. After a positive experience with QGEM last season on the wetlab team, I returned to work on another impactful project. I'm extremely intrested in the field of Synthetic Biology as it bridges my two passions: Molecular Biology + Engineering. In my free time, I enjoy weightlifting, bike riding, or a good game of Uno.

Avery Mooring

BScH, Life Science Major ^{4th year}

My name is Avery and I am in my 4th year of a BScH degree with a major in Life Sciences. I joined QGEM this year to explore the applications of synthetic biology and the positive impact they can have on society. One fun fact about me is that I am also the Co-President of the Vogue Charity Fashion Show on campus!

Nicoletta de Maat

Biochemistry ^{4th year}

My name is Nicoletta and I'm a fourth year biochemistry student hoping to pursue a career in neuropharmacology. I joined this year's QGEM team because I am passionate about our topic and hope to make a positive impact on the lives of Indigenous peoples throughout Canada. I also love the challenge of applying synthetic biology to solve such in important local and global issue. Some of my favourite pastimes include painting and swimming!

James Petropoulos

Mechanical Engineering ^{3rd year}

My name is James and I am going into my 3rd year of mechanical engineering. I joined QGEM this year becuase I thought the team's goal of tackling a new local problem each year was a really cool idea, and I wanted to help give back to the Kingston community. I also wanted to expand my engineering skills into a different field of study, as well as develop my leaderhsip and communication skills.

Binadi Diddeniya

Biochemistry ^{4th year}

Hey! My name is Binadi. I will be entering my fourth year of Biochemistry in the Fall. I am volunteering with QGEM's wet lab team because I have a deep-rooted passion for scientific research and synthetic biology. QGEM is a great way to transfer the skills I have acquired over the years to a meaningful project and also to gain more skills along the way. Being a part of a student-led project is an amazing way to meet ambitious and like-minded individuals. A fun fact about me is that I have a huge sweet tooth!

Bryant Han

Biotech ^{3rd year}

I'm Bryant, a biotech student going into third year! I joined QGEM since I've never been part of a design team, and it was especially appealing since the goal is genetics oriented. The most devastating thing that happened to me this year is when I found out I'm allergic to mangoes.

Eric Wen

Health Science ^{3rd year}

My name is Eric, I am a 3rd year Health Sciences student. I joined QGEM this summer to learn more about synthetic biology and how it can be applied to solve real-world issues. A fun fact about me is that I enjoy playing the piano!

John Hargreaves

Biochemistry ^{4th year}

Hello! I'm John Hargreaves, a fourth year Biochemistry Major from Toronto, Ontario. I am a genetic engineering explorer with a fascination in proteomics and what it can do to better society. I joined QGEM to further my knowledge in genetic engineering, gain valuable lab experience and to help Queens develop a gold-standard IGEM project. Things to know about me; I play rugby yet I am a lover of all activity and sport, I think mushrooms/mycelium are the key to a sustainable future, and my favourite song is "Since I've Been Loving You" - Led Zeppelin.

Xuanqi Wang

Biochemistry ^{3rd year}

Hi! I’m Xuanqi Wang a third year biochem student. I joined Qgem because I love being part of a great project. I love animals and I have a bunch of pets.

Rachel Neita

Biochemistry ^{4th year}

Rachel is a fourth-year biochemistry student who volunteered with QGEM as a member of the wet lab team. She decided to join the team to work with peers to tackle an important problem impacting individuals within the Kingston region. She is very interested in continuing to expand her knowledge of biochemistry and hopes to work in the biomedical research field. Outside of school, Rachel likes to read, collect vinyls, and spending time with friends.

James Liu

Biotech ^{3rd year}

James, Third Year, Biotechnology. I joined QGEM this summer because it's a great way of applying science to benefit society.

Yamin Ben Letaifa

Life Science ^{4th year}

I am Yamin Ben Letaifa and I am going into my fourth year of Life Science Specialization. I joined QGEM because I was really intrigued by the fact that it was a student led research project. I thought it would nice to be apart of that community and would give an opportunity to interact and learn with other students in my field. A fun fact about myself is that I speak 3 languages.

Caroline Pundsack

Chemical Engineering ^{3rd year}

My name is Caroline and I am going into my third year of Chemical Engineering. I grew interested in water treatment through several projects I was involved with in first and second year, and joined QGEM this summer to continue learning about filtration devices.

Ryan Wei

Life Science ^{4th year}

My name is Ryan Wei. I’m currently going into my fourth year of Life Sciences. I decided to join QGEM to get the chance apply my previous experiences and learn new ones. Also, I really enjoy working as a team towards a long term project too. Something cool is I can wiggle my ears on command!

Hannah Schwartz

Life Science ^{3rd year}

My name is Hannah Schwartz, and I am a third year Life Sciences student. As someone who is passionate about molecular biology, I was drawn to QGEM for the opportunity to apply my interests outside of the classroom and to learn more about genetic engineering in general. The water pathogen detector has the potential to bring about meaningful change in terms of the health and safety of our community, and I am excited to help turn this goal into a reality. A fun fact about me is that I love all animals—especially my sweet dog—and in my spare time I enjoy painting, soccer, hockey, and traveling.

Jiaxin Jiang

Life Science ^{4th Year}

My name is Jiaxin (Gloria) Jiang. I'm a senior student majoring in Life-science. I joined to QGEM because it is a united, motivated and dedicated student group. I hope to help vulnerable groups in the society solve the problem of drinking water with the knowledge I have learned in university, and I also hope to raise the public's attention to drinking water resources through my efforts in the outreach department. One of my hidden talents is that when I pass a restaurant or any neighbour's house, I can smell roughly what they're cooking. And it's pretty much accurate, isn't it amazing talent? Haha...

Caitlin Hemsley

Biochemical Engineering ^{4th year}

Hi my name is Caitlin and I am going into my fourth year of biochemical engineering. I joined QGEM this summer as I was interested in being a part of such a meaningful and innovative project. QGEM has also allowed me to meet many new people and explore my interests in synthetic biology. A fun fact about me is that I love to hike!

Janushan Hariharan

Health Sciences ^{4th year}

Hey! My name is Janushan and I am going into my fourth year of the health sciences program. I got interested in QGEM because it allowed me to combine my passion for physics that I missed from high school with my ambitions in health care and improving the lives of members in my community. Fun fact: I love watching thrillers and horror movies so let me know if you have any recs!

Kristen Di Stefano

Health Sciences ^{4th year}

My name is Kristen, and I am in my fourth year of the Health Sciences program. I joined QGEM because I am passionate about research and I appreciate the use of bioengineering for environmental and healthcare-related applications. In particular, I hope to raise awareness about global and local issues, such as the water crisis in Indigenous communities. A little bit about me is that I love art, traveling, and baking!

Dr. John Allingham

Faculty Advisor

I am a Professor and Associate Head (Research) of the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at Queen's University. Research in my laboratory currently focuses on force-generating motor proteins, called kinesins and myosins, that elicit shape changes, movement, and division of healthy cells, cancerous cells, and fungal pathogens. When not doing lab research, teaching molecular biology, biochemistry, and synthetic biology to undergraduate students, I am the principal faculty advisor for Queen's iGEM team.

Dr. Stephen Brown

Faculty Consultant

R. Stephen Brown has been a professor at Queen's University since 1996, jointly appointed in the Department of Chemistry and the School of Environmental Studies. His research interests are related to water quality, ranging from chemical and microbiological contaminants to water policy, governance and sustainability. His group invented new technology for monitoring E. coli and other bacteria in water, and he co-founded the Kingston, Ontario-based company TECTA-PDS (now a division of IDEXX Inc.) to commercialize the technology. He holds a number of patents for water monitoring and treatment technologies.

Kody Klupt

Graduate Advisor

My name is Kody and I am the graduate advisor for the QGEM this year. I am currently a graduate student in Biochemistry at Queen's University and completed my BScH in Biochemistry in 2021. This years project is really exciting for me to work on in my free time. Having been the QGEM wet-lab lead for the 2020 team I am really excited to be back in a different leadership role. The team requested I write a fun fact: I like to bike and eat bbq.

Victor Di Donato