DR. MARK BELMONTE
Dr. Mark Belmonte
Mark started his academic career at the University of Calgary where he received a BSc and MSc in Plant Biology with Dr. Ed Yeung in the Department of Biological Sciences. He then received his PhD in Plant Science with Dr. Claudio Stasolla and was an NSERC PDF Scholar with Dr. John Harada at the University of California Davis. Dr. Belmonte is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
Dr. Belmonte has been recognized for his innovative research contributions by the University of Manitoba, the CBC, and the Rh Institute Foundation.
Check out Mark's Google Scholar, LinkedIn, and Research Gate profiles.
Mark started his academic career at the University of Calgary where he received a BSc and MSc in Plant Biology with Dr. Ed Yeung in the Department of Biological Sciences. He then received his PhD in Plant Science with Dr. Claudio Stasolla and was an NSERC PDF Scholar with Dr. John Harada at the University of California Davis. Dr. Belmonte is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
Dr. Belmonte has been recognized for his innovative research contributions by the University of Manitoba, the CBC, and the Rh Institute Foundation.
Check out Mark's Google Scholar, LinkedIn, and Research Gate profiles.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Mr. Michael Becker
Mike is a PhD student and NSERC Vanier Scholar interested in developing new tools to protect canola against Leptosphaeria maculans, the fungus that causes blackleg. Mike uses laser microdissection to understand plant pathogen interactions directly at the site of the infection coupled with whole transcriptome sequencing and computational biology.
Check out Mike's Google Scholar, LinkedIn, and ResearchGate profiles.
Mike is a PhD student and NSERC Vanier Scholar interested in developing new tools to protect canola against Leptosphaeria maculans, the fungus that causes blackleg. Mike uses laser microdissection to understand plant pathogen interactions directly at the site of the infection coupled with whole transcriptome sequencing and computational biology.
Check out Mike's Google Scholar, LinkedIn, and ResearchGate profiles.
Ms. Deirdre Khan
Deirdre is a PhD student and NSERC Vanier Scholar interested in identifying genes essential for seed development in oilseeds like Arabidopsis and canola. Deirdre uses laser microdissection, RNA sequencing and computational tools to identify the genes responsible for cell and tissue specific development.
Check out Deirdre's LinkedIn, and ResearchGate profiles.
Deirdre is a PhD student and NSERC Vanier Scholar interested in identifying genes essential for seed development in oilseeds like Arabidopsis and canola. Deirdre uses laser microdissection, RNA sequencing and computational tools to identify the genes responsible for cell and tissue specific development.
Check out Deirdre's LinkedIn, and ResearchGate profiles.
Mr. Austein Mcloughlin
Austein is an NSERC MSc student who graduated from the UofM with a BSc (Hons) in Genetics. Austein is interested in protecting some of Canada's most important crops using cutting edge genomics and RNA interference technologies. Austein uses RNA sequencing and bioinformatics to identify genes essential for plant pathogenesis.
Austein is an NSERC MSc student who graduated from the UofM with a BSc (Hons) in Genetics. Austein is interested in protecting some of Canada's most important crops using cutting edge genomics and RNA interference technologies. Austein uses RNA sequencing and bioinformatics to identify genes essential for plant pathogenesis.
Mr. Nick Wytinck
Nick is a MSc student and recipient of an NSERC PGS-M award working on the functional characterization of RNAi technology to protect canola against devastating fungal pathogens.
Nick is a MSc student and recipient of an NSERC PGS-M award working on the functional characterization of RNAi technology to protect canola against devastating fungal pathogens.
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
Mr. Ian Girard (MSc)
Ian is interested in understanding all of the genes responsible for the plant defense response against fungal pathogens like Sclerotinia. Ian uses next generation RNA sequencing and computational tools to probe plant pathogen interactions. Ian recently defended is MSc thesis in Biological Sciences.
Check out Ian's LinkedIn and ResearchGate profiles.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Mr. Philip Walker
Phil is an undergraduate co-op student in the Department of Biological Sciences majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology. Phil is understanding how canola responds to devastating fungal pathogens at the cellular level using laser microdissection, RNA sequencing and bioinformatics approaches. This project is part of a collaboration with the Fernando and deKievit labs at the UofM. More info about the Co-op program at the UofM here.
Phil is an undergraduate co-op student in the Department of Biological Sciences majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology. Phil is understanding how canola responds to devastating fungal pathogens at the cellular level using laser microdissection, RNA sequencing and bioinformatics approaches. This project is part of a collaboration with the Fernando and deKievit labs at the UofM. More info about the Co-op program at the UofM here.
Ms. Vanessa Hoi
Vanessa is an NSERC Undergraduate Summer Student and current lab assistant interested in studying genes essential for plant development. Vanessa is currently working on transformation strategies for canola and Arabidopsis with Deirdre and Mike.
Vanessa is an NSERC Undergraduate Summer Student and current lab assistant interested in studying genes essential for plant development. Vanessa is currently working on transformation strategies for canola and Arabidopsis with Deirdre and Mike.
Mr. Joey Wan
Joey is an undergraduate honours student in the Department of Biological Sciences interested in protecting crops using bacterial biocontrol systems. Joey is studying how plant growth promoting bacteria benefit the plant using high throughput RNA sequencing and bioinformatics approaches.
Joey is an undergraduate honours student in the Department of Biological Sciences interested in protecting crops using bacterial biocontrol systems. Joey is studying how plant growth promoting bacteria benefit the plant using high throughput RNA sequencing and bioinformatics approaches.
Ms. Rachel Robinson
Rachel is an undergraduate summer student and the recipient of the 2017 Jack Prior Award. Rachel is interested in developing novel molecular tools to protect some of Canada's most important crops!
Rachel is an undergraduate summer student and the recipient of the 2017 Jack Prior Award. Rachel is interested in developing novel molecular tools to protect some of Canada's most important crops!
Ms. Kirsten Biggar
Kirsten is an undergraduate summer student and the recipient of a UofM Undergraduate Research Award. Kirsten is working with Nick developing novel RNAi tools to enhance Canada's agroecological system.
Kirsten is an undergraduate summer student and the recipient of a UofM Undergraduate Research Award. Kirsten is working with Nick developing novel RNAi tools to enhance Canada's agroecological system.
Mr. Daniel Sullivan
Daniel is an undergraduate summer research student majoring in the genetics program. Daniel is interested in protecting Canada's crops using next generation molecular fungicides.
Daniel is an undergraduate summer research student majoring in the genetics program. Daniel is interested in protecting Canada's crops using next generation molecular fungicides.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Ms. Chantal Dupas
Artist Statement
My work is rooted in a reflective interest in the cyclical and fragile nature of life. Through my studio practice and research, I have gravitated towards themes such as consumption, death and transformation in various capacities. Often, inspiration for bodies of work begins with analyses of certain experiences within natural environments, whether intentional or coincidental. I am motivated by the discovery of natural occurrences new to me and bring this sense of wonder and awe into the studio, where I inevitably begin to question my affinities with and aversions to the world around us.
My work has responded to phenomena in places ranging from the Arctic Ocean, the foothills of Connecticut and to my own back yard. My most recent ventures have been delving into the world of botany, which stemmed from a residency at Riding Mountain National Park. In recognition of the important role research plays within my practice, I have began my own version of “field research”, enrolled in botany and microscopy courses, began volunteering at the University of Manitoba’s Herbarium and am currently Artist-In-Residence at the Belmonte Laboratory.
Embracing my compulsion towards fact-based research and organization/categorization, my work enables me to question whether these systems confront fears of mortality and perhaps are ways we deal with and control time. At the core of my practice, I am searching for experiences that remind me that I am within the natural systems I seek to gather information from.
http://www.chantaldupas.com/
Artist Statement
My work is rooted in a reflective interest in the cyclical and fragile nature of life. Through my studio practice and research, I have gravitated towards themes such as consumption, death and transformation in various capacities. Often, inspiration for bodies of work begins with analyses of certain experiences within natural environments, whether intentional or coincidental. I am motivated by the discovery of natural occurrences new to me and bring this sense of wonder and awe into the studio, where I inevitably begin to question my affinities with and aversions to the world around us.
My work has responded to phenomena in places ranging from the Arctic Ocean, the foothills of Connecticut and to my own back yard. My most recent ventures have been delving into the world of botany, which stemmed from a residency at Riding Mountain National Park. In recognition of the important role research plays within my practice, I have began my own version of “field research”, enrolled in botany and microscopy courses, began volunteering at the University of Manitoba’s Herbarium and am currently Artist-In-Residence at the Belmonte Laboratory.
Embracing my compulsion towards fact-based research and organization/categorization, my work enables me to question whether these systems confront fears of mortality and perhaps are ways we deal with and control time. At the core of my practice, I am searching for experiences that remind me that I am within the natural systems I seek to gather information from.
http://www.chantaldupas.com/
PAST STUDENTS
Mr. Ian Girard (MSc)
Ms. Jenna Millar (MSc)
Ms. Ainsley Chan (MSc)
Ms. Sherry Mao (MSc)
Ms. Nadege Pulgar-Vidal
Ms. Nina Huynh
Mr. Dennis Drewnik
Mr. Matt Granger
Mr. Parker Lachance
Ms. Hailey Spence
Ms. Kat Kratzer
Mr. Jake Cavers
Ms. Sara Kost
Mr. Oiza Atta
Ms. Samantha Lee
Mr. David Sytnik
Mr. David Liu
Mr. Shaun MacLean
PAST RESEARCH ASSOCIATES AND TECHNICIANS
Dr. Abolfazl Hajihasani
Dr. Sanjay Saikia
Ms. Nina Huynh
Ms. Valentyna Li
Mr. Ian Girard (MSc)
Ms. Jenna Millar (MSc)
Ms. Ainsley Chan (MSc)
Ms. Sherry Mao (MSc)
Ms. Nadege Pulgar-Vidal
Ms. Nina Huynh
Mr. Dennis Drewnik
Mr. Matt Granger
Mr. Parker Lachance
Ms. Hailey Spence
Ms. Kat Kratzer
Mr. Jake Cavers
Ms. Sara Kost
Mr. Oiza Atta
Ms. Samantha Lee
Mr. David Sytnik
Mr. David Liu
Mr. Shaun MacLean
PAST RESEARCH ASSOCIATES AND TECHNICIANS
Dr. Abolfazl Hajihasani
Dr. Sanjay Saikia
Ms. Nina Huynh
Ms. Valentyna Li
