Lab Members

Joel Pearson

Scientist, Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba

Hometown: Haida Gwaii, BC, Canada

Education: BSc Thompson Rivers University

PhD University of Alberta

Postdoc Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Scientific Interests: Anything that seems really cool to me. But my passion really lies in understanding the molecular basis of cancer and why cancer happens.

Outside interests: I enjoy golfing, camping, spending time with my family and talking science over cold beverages. And I am a die-hard Toronto Blue Jays fan.

joel.pearson@umanitoba.ca

Lab Members

Nivitha Bhaskar

Research Technician, Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba

Hometown: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Education: B.Tech, Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology

MSc., Biology (Cell and Molecular Biology), University of Western Ontario

Scientific Interests: My scientific passion revolves around unraveling the intricacies of molecular mechanisms, delving into life's building blocks.

Outside interests: I love creating art through painting and sketching, with a focus on oil painting. I also take on commissioned projects. Additionally, I'm a huge cricket enthusiast.

Diya Ukani

Research Technician, Dept of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Sept 2024-present

Hometown: Surat, India

Education: Undergraduate Student, Biological Science CO-OP, University of Manitoba

Scientific Interests: I am curious to understand the molecular aspect of biology, fascinated with the developmental journey from a cell to a fully formed organism and how things are genetically intertwined.

Outside interests: I have a passion for exploring new places, spending time in nature, travelling, reading, and painting. I am on a mission to decode the sports world.

Asim Joshi

Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Nov 2024-present

Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Education: B.E. Biotechnology, University of Mumbai, India

M.E. Biotechnology, BITS Pilani, India

PhD, ACTREC-Tata Memorial Center, India

Scientific Interests: I am passionate about cancer research, particularly in understanding its genetic basis and the factors contributing to treatment resistance. Through my work, I hope to make meaningful contributions that ultimately benefit patients.

Outside interests: I enjoy spending time with my family. I love sports in general and I am a passionate cricket fan.

Doris Onuzulu

Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, March 2025-present

Hometown: Anambra state, Nigeria

Education: BSc Biochemistry, Covenant University, Nigeria

MSc Biochemistry, Covenant University, Nigeria

PhD, Dept of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba

Scientific Interests: I am passionate about uncovering molecular mechanisms underlying complex diseases, focusing on epigenetics, gene regulation, and environmental influences on disease development.

Outside interests: I enjoy Fantasy and Thriller novels (or anything that sparks my curiosity). Music is my other great love – I am an experienced Alto and Tenor singer and have taken on the exciting challenge of learning and playing the violin!

Pinky Sharma

MSc Student, Dept of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Sept 2024-present

Co-supervised by Dr. Yale Michaels at the Michaels Lab (Dept of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics)

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Education: Bachelor's of Technology, Biotechnology, Mumbai, India

MSc., Interuniversity Program in Molecular Biology (specialization in human health and diseases), Vrije Universiteit Brussel,

KU Leuven, and the University of Antwerp, Belgium

Scientific Interests: I am curious to study the molecular mechanisms leading to immune escape in cancer and develop targeted therapies against them.

Outside interests: I love creative writing and reading. I am an active member of the Manitoba Writers' Guild where I volunteer to develop writing programs for Canadians. I also love playing ukulele and violin.

Reshani Perera

MSc Student, Dept of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Sept 2024-present

Hometown: Kandy, Sri Lanka

Education: B.Sc. (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Scientific Interests: I'm fascinated by the molecular complexities of cancer and eager to study them further, aiming to understand their impact on cancer progression and resistance to treatment.

Outside interests: I love spending quality time with my loved ones, exploring nature's hidden gems and experimenting with new recipes. I also enjoy painting, which I find extremely therapeutic.

Louis Dela Pena

MSc Student, Dept of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, May 2025-present

Hometown: Been in Winnipeg, MB almost my whole life but moved from Marilao, Philippine

Education: BSc, Biological Science-Hons CO-OP, University of Manitoba

Scientific Interests: Honestly, anything biology. I have enjoyed every biology course I have been in since I love to learn new things.

Outside interests: I love spending time outdoors whether it's during the winter or summer months. I enjoy travelling and seeing new places. Most importantly, I am a die-hard Winnipeg Jets fan.

Bea Ricarte

MSc Student, Dept of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, May 2025-present

Hometown: Naga City, Philippines

Education: BSc, Biological Science – Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology (Hons), University of Manitoba

Scientific Interests: I enjoy anything regarding biology on a molecular and genomic level. I am specifically interested in studying diseases like cancer.

Outside interests: I like spending time with my friends and family, working out, knitting, crocheting, and reading. Unfortunately, I am not a die-hard Jets or Blue jays fan.

Alumni

Lexie Desjarlais

Undergraduate summer student, CancerCare Manitoba & University of Manitoba, summer 2024.

Liat Stitz

Research Assistant, CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, 2023-2024.

Current position: Working as a Policy Analyst with Manitoba Health.