Alumni
Faculty Members
We recognize former faculty members for their lasting contributions to the Inflammation Research Network.
The group was established in 1999 as the Mucosal Inflammation Research Group (MIRG) and later evolved into the Inflammation Research Network (IRN) as its membership and scope expanded.
| Name | Position | Years of Involvement (MIRG / IRN) | Status / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Professor | 1999–2024 | Professor Emeritus; Founding member |
| Dr. John Wallace | Professor | 1999–2024 | Retired; Founding member |
| Dr. Morley Hollenberg | Professor | 2001–2025 | Deceased (March 2025) – Obituary |
Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows
If any of the information listed here is incorrect or incomplete, please let us know — we’d be happy to update it. You can reach us at chyz@ucalgary.ca.
| Name | Program / Position | Supervisor(s) | Current Position / Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmed Hassan | MSc (2021) | Dr. Christophe Altier | — |
| Alexis Filyk | MSc (2023) | Dr. Simon Hirota | Medical Student, University of Alberta |
| Aman Wadhwani | MSc (2012) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Interventional Radiologist, The Moncton Hospital |
| Andrew (Andy) Skinn | PhD (2008) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Gastroenterologist, BC Children's Hospital |
| Andrew Vegso | MSc (2019) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Regional Quality Manager, BC. Dynacare |
| Aracely Chávez-Piña | PhD (2008) | Dr. John Wallace | — |
| Blanca Callejas Pina | Postdoctoral Fellow (2019–2024) | Dr. Derek McKay | Senior Scientist, Human Organoid Innovation Hub, University of Calgary |
| Breena Dobson | MSc (2023) | Dr. Braedon McDonald | Medical Student Queens University |
| Brent Parkins | MSc (2008) | Dr. John Wallace | Dentist, Copper City Dental |
| Cristiane Baggio | Postdoctoral Fellow (2015–2017) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Research Associate, University of Calgary |
| Christina Hirota | Postdoctoral Fellow (2007–2013) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Strategic Development Manager, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute |
| Christina Ohland | PhD (2012) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Research Associate, University of Calgary |
| Dante Louie | MSc (2019) | Dr. Shan Liao | — |
| Darellynn Oo | PhD (2024) | Dr. Shan Liao | — |
| Diana Changirwa | PhD (2025) | Dr. Braedon McDonald | Medical Student, University of Calgary |
| Elaine Chow-Baker | MSc (2008) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Manager, Centre for Career & Personal Development Operations, University of Calgary |
| Elizabeth (Trusevych) Fernando | PhD (2016) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | — |
| Eva Shenoda | MSc (2024) | Dr. Simon Hirota | Analyst, Jazz Pharmaceuticals |
| Fernando Vicentini | PhD (2021) | Dr. Simon Hirota (Co-Supervisor); Dr. Keith Sharkey (Primary Supervisor) | Postdoctoral Fellow, McMaster University |
| Flavia Neto de Jesus | Postdoctoral Fellow (2019–2024) | Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid | Postdoctoral Researcher, Texas A&M University |
| Francina Agosti | Postdoctoral Fellow (2019–2021) | Dr. Christophe Altier | Science Writer, BrightFocus Foundation |
| Gary Martin | Postdoctoral Fellow (2005–2009) | Dr. John Wallace | — |
| Genevieve Dudar | MSc (2008) | Dr. John Wallace | — |
| Grace (Hudson) Baruta | PhD (2022) | Dr. Simon Hirota | SR&ED Technology Advisor, Copoint |
| Grace Yoon | MSc (2024) | Dr. Eduardo Cobo | — |
| Holly Szczepanski | MSc (2021) | Dr. Simon Hirota | — |
| Hongying Wang | Postdoctoral Fellow (2003–2008) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Investigator, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Hospital, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, China |
| Jacques Du Toit | MSc (2021) | Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid | Medical Student, University of Alberta |
| Jacques van der Merwe | PhD (2008) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | — |
| James Sousa | MSc (2024) | Dr. Derek McKay (Co-supervisor); Dr. Maitreyi Raman (Primary Supervisor) | PhD Student, University of British Columbia |
| Jared Schlechte | PhD (2025) | Dr. Braedon McDonald | Medical Student, University of Calgary |
| Jean-Baptiste Cavin | Postdoctoral Fellow (2015–2020) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Researcher, Nestlé Institute of Health Science, Lausanne |
| Jingna Xue | PhD (2024) | Dr. Shan Liao | Research Technician, University of Calgary |
| Joshua Lee | MSc (2024) | Dr. Simon Hirota | Clinical Research Coordinator, Canadian National Organoid Network, University of Calgary |
| Keith Keane | PhD (2024) | Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid | — |
| Kelcie Lahey | MSc (2015) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Paediatrician, Cape Breton Regional Hospital |
| Kristen MacEachern | MSc (2005) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Registered Dietitian, Mount Sinai Hospital |
| Kristoff Nieves | MSc (2020) | Dr. Simon Hirota | PhD Student, APC Microbiome Ireland |
| Kristofer Svendsen | MSc (2023) | Dr. Christophe Altier (Co-supervisor); Dr. Keith Sharkey (Primary Supervisor) | — |
| Kyle Flannigan | PhD (2014) Postdoctoral Fellow (2017–2023) | Dr. John Wallace Dr. Simon Hirota | Senior Scientist, Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Larissa Périco | Postdoctoral Fellow (2019–2023) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Service Representative, Ingenio by Phytronix |
| Lauren Smith | MSc (2023) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton (Primary Supervisor); Dr. Simon Hirota (Co-supervisor) | Inside Sales Coordinator, Advanced Chemistry Development, Inc. |
| Lilian Basso | Postdoctoral Fellow (2015–2018) | Dr. Christophe Altier | Research Fellow, Toulouse Institute of Infectious Diseases (INSERM) |
| Linda Vong | Postdoctoral Fellow (2007–2010) | Dr. John Wallace | Scientific Director, Immunodeficiency Canada |
| Mahesha Bandara | MSc (2019) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Clinical Research Coordinator, University of Calgary |
| Maria Fernando | PhD (2010-2015) | Dr. Derek McKay | Freelance scientific manuscript editing |
| Marilyn Gordon | Postdoctoral Fellow (2015–2018) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Lab Consultant, Roche |
| Matthew Stephens | Postdoctoral Fellow (2017–2023) | Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid | Research Associate, University of Calgary |
| Melissa Cumenal | Postdoctoral Fellow (2021–2025) | Dr. Christophe Altier | — |
| Michael Peplowski | PhD (2015) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Internal Medicine Physician |
| Michelle Buresi | PhD (2003) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Gastroenterologist |
| Michelle Seymour | Postdoctoral Fellow (2000–2002) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | — |
| Nasser Abdullah | MSc (2024) | Dr. Christophe Altier | Postdoctoral Fellow, Inserm Toulouse |
| Natalie Andonian | MSc (2025) | Dr. Derek McKay | Medical Student, University of Alberta |
| Natalie Ronaghan | PhD (2017) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Scientific Marketing Specialist, STEMCELL Technologies |
| Neil Dufton | Postdoctoral Fellow (2010–2012) | Dr. John Wallace | Senior Lecturer, Queen Mary University of London |
| Peter Brothers | MSc (2023) | Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid | Medical Student, The University of Western Australia, Perth |
| Preedajit (Som) Wongkrasant | Postdoctoral Fellow (2021–2025) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton (Co-supervisor); Dr. Keith Sharkey (Co-supervisor) | Senior Research Fellow, Mayo Clinic |
| Raffay Ilyas | MSc (2025) | Dr. Shan Liao | Analyst, Tailwind Ventures |
| Raza Zaheer | Postdoctoral Fellow (2011–2015) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Medical Head, Next Gen Immunology – North America, Sanofi |
| Reem Aboushousha | MSc (2014) | Dr. Christophe Altier | Faculty Scientist, University of Vermont |
| Renata Zanardo | Postdoctoral Fellow (2003–2006) | Dr. John Wallace | Drug Utilization Stewardship / STEDT Pharmacist, Alberta Health Services |
| Robyn Flynn | Postdoctoral Fellow (2011–2015) | Dr. Christophe Altier | Centre for Genome Engineering, University of Calgary |
| Ryan Mathias | MSc (2011) | Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid | Gastroenterologist, Lumen Gastro, Adelaide |
| Simarpreet Kaur | MSc (2025) | Dr. Christina Thornton (Primary Supervisor); Dr. Braedon McDonald (Co-supervisor) | — |
| Sonia Rehal | MSc (2011) & PhD (2016) | Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid | Director, Lipodystrophy Canada |
| Sruthi Rajeev | PhD (2024) | Dr. Derek McKay | Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto |
| Stella Zamuner | Postdoctoral Fellow (2002–2005) | Dr. John Wallace | Professor, UNINOVE |
| Stewart Lee | MSc (2013) | Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid | Director, Strategy & Execution, EY-Parthenon |
| Tamia Lapointe | Postdoctoral Fellow (2011–2016) | Dr. Christophe Altier | Adjunct Professor, University of Tuebingen |
| Vadim Iablokov | MSc (2011) & PhD (2018) | Dr. Wallace MacNaughton | Gastroenterologist |
| Vikrimjeet Lohat | MSc (2024) | Dr. Shan Liao | — |
| Yingxuan Chen | MSc (2014) | Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid | — |
| Yujia Lin | PhD (2017) | Dr. Shan Liao | Physician, Beijing Central Hospital, China |