Our Team
Dr. Todd Hoare
Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University
Post-Doctoral Fellows
Hi, I’m Lei, and I am a postdoctoral fellow working on peptide-based biomaterials for advanced applications. I earned my B.E. and Ph.D. degrees from Nanjing Tech University, with my Ph.D. also being co-cultured at the University of Waterloo. My work outside of the lab is driven by a passion for popular science education and the world of startup enterprises.
Lei Zhang
Ph.D. Students
Milana Pikula
Hi! I’m Nate, a PhD student working on targeted drug delivery to the lungs using naturally derived polymers. I completed my undergrad at Queen’s University where I received my B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering. Outside of the lab I am a huge football fan and an avid guitarist.
Nate Dowdall
Hi, I am Survanshu, a Ph.D. student working on developing hybrid polymeric materials for improved biosensing co-supervised by Dr. Todd Hoare and Dr. Leyla Soleymani. I completed my M.Tech degree in Biomedical Engineering from IIT Bombay, India, and holds a B.Tech degree in Biotechnology Engineering. Outside of the lab, I like to watch anime and thriller/horror movies, and play chess and table tennis
Survanshu Saxena
Hey! I'm Saeid, a PhD candidate specializing in Machine Learning (ML) and data-driven modeling to optimize product formulations and design in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. I leverage ML and AI to extract insights from complex datasets and streamline processes, driving efficiency and innovation. Outside of research, I'm a big fan of nature tourism and watching series
Saeid Tayebi
My name is Cameron and I am a Master's student in the Hoare Lab working on using starch nanoparticles for drug delivery. I recently graduated from McMaster's Chemical and Biomedical Engineering program, and completed my undergraduate thesis in the Hoare lab. In my free time I love swimming, sailing and hiking!
Cameron MacDonald
Nahieli Preciado
Hey! I’m Ridhdhi, a PhD student co-supervised by Dr. Hoare and Dr. Sheardown! I am working on developing nano-sized drug carriers for efficiently delivering drugs to the front of the eye. I am a “Mac-Lifer” that also completed her undergrad in Chemical and Bioengineering at McMaster University. Outside of the lab, I love trekking up mountains or through forests, running, and hiking!
Ridhdhi Dave
My name is Evelyn and I am overjoyed to be starting my Master's in biomedical engineering in Dr. Hoare’s lab! My research focuses on anti-infective hydrogel based materials and my role in these projects is primarily in bacterial testing. Outside of the lab I love running, dancing, and hanging out with my hairless cat, Scarlet.
Evelyn Cudmore
Hi, I’m Kayla! I’m a PhD candidate working on drug delivery vehicles focusing on controlled release triggered by external stimuli. I completed my undergraduate degree here at McMaster in Materials Science and Engineering, followed by a one-year accelerated master’s on the topic of polymer coatings for orthopedic implants. In my free time I love to play and coach soccer. I also enjoy reading and going on hikes.
Kayla Baker
¡Hi! I'm Alexis a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Hoare Lab. I am currently working on tissue engineering and drug release . My background is in Dentistry, having graduated in 2013, and the completing an MSc in Biomedical Sciences in 2017. I then went on to train as a Periodontist (Gum health and Dental Implant Surgery) all in Mexican Institutions. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends, sightseeing and shopping.
Alexis Larios Cervantes
Hey! I’m Sadru, a PhD student co-supervised by Dr. Hoare! My research focuses on combining bacteriophage work from one lab with the hydrogel materials in Dr. Hoare’s lab to fight antimicrobial resistant infections. Science is my first love, but my second love is dad jokes. I also enjoy rock climbing, coffee, and deep dives into the nerdy corners of YouTube.
Sadru Walji
Hi! I’m Norma, a PhD candidate working on the development of functional bioinks for 3D bioprinting applications. I completed my undergraduate studies in Biotechnology Engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico. In my free time, I enjoy reading, discovering new coffee shops and visiting museums.
Norma Garza Flores
Hi everyone! I'm Mya, a Master's student working on creating anti-infective coatings surgical masks and synthesizing antimicrobial microgels for drug delivery applications. I recently completed my undergraduate degree in the Integrated Science program, concentrating in Chemical Biology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading and learning how to bake!
Mya Sharma
Hi everyone! My name is Gurpreet and I am a PhD student in the Hoare Lab.My research is focused on developing a polymer therapeutic ocular drug delivery to prevent vitreal degeneration in order to combat retinal diseases. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, crafts, makeup, home renovation, and travelling!
Gurpreet Kaur Randhawa
M.A.Sc Students
Hi! I’m Parizad, currently a Master’s student in the Hoare lab working on fabricating plant-based polymer hydrogel films to use as wound dressings for individuals with fragile skin conditions. I recently completed my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering with a minor in biology from McMaster. In my free time outside of the lab I enjoy hiking, cooking and playing Mario Kart!
Parizad Katila
Hi, I’m Hugo and I am currently a Master’s student in the Hoare Lab. I am working on extracting and integrating natural plant antimicrobial compounds into natural-based hydrogel structures for use as wound dressings. I previously completed my undergraduate degree at McMaster University in Chemistry where I was also in the co-op program. Outside the lab, I love to travel, go to wine tastings and to go cycling.
Hugo Lopes
Hello! I'm Meghan, a Biomedical Engineering Master's student in the Hoare Lab. I am working on developing nanoassemblies based on chelator-functionalized starch nanoparticles for delivery of actinium-225 to tumor cells. I completed my undergraduate degree at McMaster University where I received my B.H.Sc. in Biochemistry with a specialization in Biomedical Research. In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar, hiking, and weightlifting.
Meghan Kostashuk
Undergraduates
Hi everyone! I’m Chelsey Ellis, a third year student in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster. My projects are focused on 3D bioprinting of composite bioinks based on in-situ gelling nanofibers and fabrication of magnetic electrospun fibers for aligned tissue fabrication! In my free time I enjoy reading and being with my dog.
Chelsey Ellis
Reina Mazloum
Hey I’m Amish! I am a 5th year BioPharm Co-op student completing my senior thesis in the Hoare Lab under the supervision of Dr. Lei Zhang and Dr. Hoare. My project focuses on the formulation of sodium alginate-protein hydrogels for the encapsulation and delivery of plant growth-promoting bacteria. Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching anime and horror films, as well as spending time with my friends. A fun fact about me is that I am from a tiny island near East Africa!
Amish Gungah
Hi everyone, I’m Manar! I’m a thesis student in the Hoare lab working on the formulation and characterization of skin adhesive hydrogels for the dermal delivery of drugs. I’m going into my fourth year of the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization program. In my free time, I enjoy baking and spending time outdoors.
Manar Ali
Hi! I’m Tracy Nguyen. I’m a third year co-op student in Chemical Biology. I'm working on synthesizing and characterizing POEGMA- and DMAPS- based polymers for various applications. Outside of school, I enjoy travelling, baking and spending time with my cat, Cheedo!
Tracy Nguyen
My name is Emily Gaylard. I am a fifth year chemical biology student. My project for uses on alkylated EDTA loaded gels for wound dressing applications. A fun fact about me is that I can read braille!
Emily Gaylard
Hey there – I’m Asha! I am in my third year of the Molecular Biology and Genetics Co-op program at Mac, and am excited to be completing my first co-op term with the Hoare Lab. I am helping to develop an anti-bacterial nanoparticle emulsion for plant leaves. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing volleyball, working out, and cozying up with a good book!
Asha Bouwmeester
Summer Students
Alumni
Andrew Lofts
Ph.D (2019 - 2025)
Doren Singh
Ph.D (2018 - 2024)
Sofia Bordignon
Undergraduate (2023)
Julia Pona
Summer Student (2023)
Youssef Emam
Undergraduate (2022 - 2023)
Colin Stark
Undergraduate (2022 - 2023)
Chloe Dawson (she/her)
M.A.Sc. Student (2019 - 2022)
Lauren Choi
Summer Student (2022)
Rosalie Wang (she/her)
Summer Student (2022)
Amber Monteiro (she/her)
Undergraduate (2021 - 2022)
Kevin Gulo
Undergraduate (2019 - 2022)
Dr. Madeline Simpson (she/her)
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2014 - 2021)
Diane Kim (she/her)
Undergraduate (2021)
Jonathan Que
Undergraduate (2019 - 2021)
Zheng Fu Zhou
Undergraduate (2020 - 2021)
Isabelle Poulin (she/her)
Undergraduate (2021)
Mina Yeganeh
Undergraduate (2020 - 2021)
Yang Lu
M.A.Sc. Student (2018 - 2020)
Dabeer Abdul-Azeez
Undergraduate (2020)
Riyadh Baksh
Undergraduate (2020)
Nicholas Carbonara
Undergraduate (2020)
Pamela Schimmer
Undergraduate (2019 - 2020)
Parmida Amid
Undergraduate (2019 - 2020)
Olivia Waite
Undergraduate (2019 - 2020)
Yasamin Allahverdi
Undergraduate (2019 - 2020)
Ali Affar
M.A.Sc. Student (2017 - 2019)
Shalimar Ramos
Undergraduate (2019)
Mosana Abraha
Undergraduate (2019)
Dr. Somiraa Said
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2017 - 2019)
Alan Mo
Undergraduate (2018 - 2019)
Nicola Muzzin
M.A.Sc. Student (2016 - 2018)
Ana Arezina
Undergraduate (2016 - 2018)
Lauren Weir
Summer Student (2018)
Rabia Mateen
Ph.D (2011 - 2018)
Gero Padberg
Summer Student (2018)
Karishni Ramamoorthi
Undergraduate (2017 - 2018)
Nazrin Azeez
Undergraduate (2017 - 2018)
Jacob Saunders
Undergraduate (2018)
Ashlyn Leung
Undergraduate (2017)
Michel Syriani
Undergraduate (2017)
Seamus Ingram
Undergraduate (2017)
Dr. Brandon Corbett
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2016 - 2017)
Meghan Rothenbroker
Undergraduate (2016 - 2017)
Sydney Bell
Undergraduate (2016 - 2017)
Francis Yavitt
Undergraduate (2013 - 2017)
Caleb Seo
Undergraduate (2016 - 2017)
Dr. Trevor Gilbert
Ph.D (2010 - 2017)
Helen Dorrington
M.A.Sc. Student (2015 - 2016)
Dr. Jianfeng Zhang
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2015 - 2016)
Haiming Luo
Undergraduate (2015 - 2016)
Dr. Xudong Deng
Ph.D (2012 - 2016)
Dr. Varvara Pokrovskaya
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2015)
Spencer Imbrogno
Undergraduate (2015)
Samuel Suntharalingham
Undergraduate (2014 - 2015)
Katya D’Costa
Undergraduate (2014 - 2015)
Sara Amjad
Undergraduate (2014)
Jacqueline Chau
Undergraduate (2014)
Mathew Patenaude
Ph.D (2009 - 2014)
Danielle Maitland
M.A.Sc. Student (2012 - 2014)
Dr. Hongxia Guo
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2011 - 2013)
Tyler Homer
Undergraduate (2012 - 2013)
Ahmed Eltom
Undergraduate (2012)
Danielle Maitland
Undergraduate (2009 - 2012)
Miles Montgomery
Undergraduate (2011 - 2012)
Genevieve Conant
Undergraduate (2011)
Robert Fuller
Undergraduate (2011)
Sabika Raza
Undergraduate (2010 - 2011)
Mandana Tavakolian
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2023 - 2024)
Matt Campea (he/him)
Ph.D (2018 - 2023)
Charlotte Fleet
Summer Student (2023)
Dr. Afshin Abrishamkar (he/him)
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2020 - 2023)
Trent Ignaczewski
Undergraduate (2022 - 2023)
Cam Macdonald (He/Him)
Undergraduate (2022 - 2023)
Eva Mueller
Ph.D (2017 - 2022)
Thomas Kalab
Undergraduate (2022)
Vivek Kannan
Summer Student (2022)
Chloe Wu (she/her)
Undergraduate (2021 - 2022)
Simranjeet Singh (he/him)
Undergraduate (2021 - 2022)
Dr. Ali Akbari
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2014 - 2021)
Dr. James Bodnaryk
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2020 - 2021)
Blake Patterson
M.A.Sc. Student (2018 - 2021)
Makenzie Lamb
Undergraduate (2020 - 2021)
Michael Majcher
Ph.D (2014 - 2021)
Michael Kiriakou
M.A.Sc. Student (2018 - 2020)
Elizabeth Keane
Undergraduate (2020)
Elizabeth Keane
Undergraduate (2020)
Alexandra Colville-Reeves
Undergraduate (2020)
Dr. Zhicheng Pan
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2018 - 2020)
Lucas Jarrett
Undergraduate (2019 - 2020)
Cecilia Tran
Undergraduate (2019 - 2020)
Coulter Montague Szakaly
Undergraduate (2018 - 2020)
Shilpa Bhardwaj
Undergraduate (2019 - 2020)
Sophia Emerson
M.A.Sc. Student (2018 - 2019)
Terrel Marshall
Undergraduate (2019)
Kathryn Whitesell-O’Melia
Undergraduate (2019)
Kevin De France
Ph.D (2014 - 2019)
Vishrut Panchal
Undergraduate (2018 - 2019)
Kelli Johnson
M.A.Sc. Student (2016 - 2018)
Amy Ling
Summer Student (2018)
Juliana Onesi
Summer Student (2018)
Dr. Wenwen Xu
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2017 - 2018)
Dr. Lukas Sadowski
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2015 - 2018)
Haniah Shaikh
Undergraduate (2017 - 2018)
Ahmed Koasmh
Undergraduate (2018)
Dr. Rabia Mateen
Ph.D (2011 - 2018)
John Vairo
Undergraduate (2017)
Troy Stoner
Undergraduate (2017)
Trevor Gilbert
Ph.D (2010 - 2017)
Dr. Vitaliy Kapishon
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2015 - 2017)
Katelyn Chan
Undergraduate (2015 - 2017)
Zixin Zhang
Undergraduate (2016 - 2017)
Ali Abu Helal
Undergraduate (2016 - 2017)
Henry Yu
Undergraduate (2016 - 2017)
Ashutosh Kulkarni
M.A.Sc. Student (2014 - 2017)
Ivan Urosev
M.A.Sc. Student (2014 - 2016)
Xudong Deng
Ph.D (2012 - 2016)
Donovan Ramkishun
Undergraduate (2015 - 2016)
Dr. Scott Campbell
Ph.D (2010 - 2016)
Juhina Elmajdoub
M.A.Sc. Student (2014 - 2015)
Dennis Kinio
Undergraduate (2012, 2014-2015)
Owen Barrigar
Undergraduate (2015)
Juhina Elmajdoub
M.A.Sc. Student (2014 - 2015)
Danielle Maitland
M.A.Sc. Student (2012 - 2014)
Stephanie Truelove
Undergraduate (2014)
Rowen Moon
Undergraduate (2012 - 2014)
Justin Piazza
M.A.Sc. Student (2012 - 2013)
Dr. Niels Smeets
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2011 - 2013)
Pardis Assi
Undergraduate (2012)
Paniz Sheikholeslami
M.A.Sc. Student (2010 - 2012)
Leah Kesselman
Undergraduate (2009 - 2012)
Iza Noor
Undergraduate (2011 - 2012)
Jenny (Mayra) Tzoc
M.A.Sc. Student (2009 - 2011)
Syed Usman Ahmed
Undergraduate (2009 - 2011)
Thaksena Rangaranjan
Undergraduate (2011)
Owais Amir
Undergraduate (2023 - 2024)
Nils Nordstrom
Undergraduate (2023)
Laura Weiler
Summer Student (2023)
Nada Ibrahim
Undergraduate (2022 - 2023)
Samaneh Toufanian (she/her)
Ph.D (2018 - 2023)
Emma Chalupka
Undergraduate (2022 - 2023)
Melaina Del Grosso
Summer Student (2022)
Hadeel Abu-Jazar
Summer Student (2022)
Sophia Andru
Summer Student (2022)
Madeline Sain (she/her)
Undergraduate (2021 - 2022)
Cynthia Pham (she/her)
Undergraduate (2018 - 2022)
Melanie Chung (she/her)
Undergraduate (2021)
Elizabeth Keane (she/her)
Undergraduate (2020 - 2021)
Couper Smith
Undergraduate (2021)
Laura Neely
M.A.Sc. Student (2021)
Angela Pollinzi
Undergraduate (2019 - 2021)
Dr. Xiaoyun Li
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2018 - 2020)
Maya Ziolkowska
Undergraduate (2019 - 2020)
Bridget Latka
Undergraduate (2020)
Maggie Zhu
Undergraduate (2020)
Dr. Zohreh Farsangi
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2018 - 2020)
Yulia Shcherbakova
Undergraduate (2020)
Victoria Kirkness
Undergraduate (2019 - 2020)
Albert Stancescu
Undergraduate (2019 - 2020)
Ali Babar
M.A.Sc. Student (2017 - 2019)
Menatalla Ellag
Undergraduate (2019)
Anna Basatskaya
Undergraduate (2019)
Maryam Badv
Ph.D (2013 - 2019)
Francesco Vito
Undergraduate (2018 - 2019)
Alexander McKay
Undergraduate (2018 - 2019)
Angus Lam
Undergraduate (2014 - 2018)
Laura Carter
Summer Student (2018)
Dr. Fei Xu
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2013 - 2018)
Dr. Emilia Bakaic
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2012 - 2018)
Ugonwa Echendu
Undergraduate (2017 - 2018)
Abigail Go
Undergraduate (2018)
Jennifer Boughton
Undergraduate (2017 - 2018)
Jonathan Dorogin
M.A.Sc. Student (2016 - 2018)
Annika Yardy
Undergraduate (2017)
Kaylie Lau
Undergraduate (2017)
Dr. Julijana Milosevic
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2015 - 2017)
Maria Budi Hartono
Undergraduate (2016 - 2017)
Kaleela Kadir
Undergraduate (2016 - 2017)
Mimi Deng
Undergraduate (2016 - 2017)
Carter McInnis
Undergraduate (2016 - 2017)
Ashutosh Kulkarni
M.A.Sc. Student (2014 - 2017)
Helen Dorrington
M.A.Sc. Student (2015 - 2016)
Courtney van Ballegooie
Undergraduate (2014 - 2016)
Scott Campbell
Ph.D (2010 - 2016)
Jenny Chen
Undergraduate (2014 - 2016)
Ivan Urosev
M.A.Sc. Student (2014 - 2016)
Ian Gough
Undergraduate (2015)
Dr. Daryl Sivakumaran
Ph.D (2010 - 2015)
Sahil Azeez
Undergraduate (2012 - 2015)
Cameron Shaw
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2014)
Sahar Mokhtari
M.A.Sc. Student (2012 - 2014)
Andrew McMillen
Undergraduate (2014)
Rebecca Chu
Undergraduate (2012 - 2014)
Jared Gour
Undergraduate (2013)
Helen Dorrington
Undergraduate (2012 - 2013)
Sahar Mokhtari
Undergraduate (2012)
Hua Tong
Undergraduate (2012)
Janine Ho
Undergraduate (2011 - 2012)
Thomas Oszustowicz
Undergraduate (2011)
Elysia Jellema
Undergraduate (2010 - 2011)
Ho Mak
Undergraduate (2011)