Sergey V. Plotnikov, PhD
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Associate Professor
University of Toronto
Department of Cell & Systems Biology
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Ernest
Iu
PhD Candidate
BSc Biochemistry UofT 2018
BSc Cell & Molecular Biology UofT 2018
Hong Kong
Joined April 2017
Ernest is investigating calcium signalling in lamellipodia of migrating cells. He is a superb microscoptician and active on sci-twitter -- follow him @ernest_iu!
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Outside of the lab, Ernest plays the guitar and is a dog dad to the very handsome SJ!
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Karan
Ishii
PhD Student
BSc Biology UCLA 2020
Jericho, New York
Joined September 2022
Karan studies calcium signaling at focal adhesions. She spent two years at Kyoto University as a research assistant in the Kageyama and Matsuda labs.
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She is a former camp counsellor and ski instructor who enjoys going to concerts, lounging with her dog, and fostering community in the department.
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Ethan
Payne
Undergraduate Workstudy Student
Hons. Program, Trinity College
Neuroscience and Cell and Molecular Biology Double Major
Toronto, ON
Joined September 2024
Ethan is currently working on a cloning project, designing and making fluorescently tagged myosin protein mutants.
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Ethan enjoys oil painting, baking, and going on walks with his dog.
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Fernando Valencia
PhD Candidate
Hon. BSc Chemistry UTM 2018
Hon. BSc Biology UTM 2018
Toronto, ON
Joined July 2017
Fernando is studying mechanosensitive actin polymerization by the formin Dia1. He is an expert in laser experiments and a great mentor and teacher!
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Fernando is quite the globe trotter -- his desk is decorated with lots of animal mementos from his travels.
Ashley Choi
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Hons. Program, Trinity College
Physiology and Cell and Molecular Biology Double Major
Toronto, ON
Joined March 2025
Ashley is currently working on using a machine-learning image tracking program to track focal adhesions.
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Ashley loves to do art, especially anything related to color! In her free time, she enjoys watching hockey and baseball and absolutely adores catching sunsets and going on scenic drives with her dog, Max.​
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Meet Our Microscopes
Yokogawa CSU-X-1 Spinning Disk Unit on Nikon Eclipse Ti2 Inverted Microscope
Our trusty workhorse!
Nikon H-TIRF Module (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence) on Eclipse Ti2 Inverted Microscope
Super resolution at the imaging interface!
CREST Optics Spinning Disk Unit on Nikon Eclipse Ti2 Inverted Microscope
Great for FRET!
Nikon A1R MP Upright Multiphoton Microscope
Image deep into tissue! Great for micropattering!
Lab Alumni
David Zheglov Undergraduate Research Assistant 2024, exchange student from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
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Alexander Bogatch Undergraduate Researcher 2019-2024
Molecular and Cellular Biology PhD Student at Harvard University
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Arthur Siu Undergraduate Researcher 2022-2024
Biosciences PhD Student at University of Chicago
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Daphne Jiang Undergraduate Research Assistant 2022-2024
Undergraduate Researcher in Dept. of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Vasconcelos Lab
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Athena Cheng Undergraduate Workstudy Student 2023-2024
Rico Dong Undergraduate Research Assistant 2022-2023
Undergraduate Researcher in Dept. of Physics, Zilman Lab
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Elaine Leang Undergraduate Workstudy Student 2022-2023
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Rosiey Yang, M.Sc. Masters Student 2018-2022
Medical Writer at IC Axon
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Joy Du Undergraduate Research Assistant 2020-2022
Medical Student at McMaster University
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Chen Tuo Undergraduate Research Assistant 2020-2022
Biochemistry PhD Student at UofT, Wilde Lab
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Ajay Singh Undergraduate Research Assistant 2021
Molecular Biophysics PhD Student at UofT
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Linda Li Undergraduate Research Assistant 2019
Cell and Systems Biology PhD Student, Saltzman Lab
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