TEAM
CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ-PRADA
DVM, MSc, PhD
Assistant Professor
Director of the Parasitology Diagnostic Service
Deputy Director of GREMIP
Director Board Member of the Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel
I am a veterinarian and molecular parasitology researcher devoted to tackling zoonotic parasites. I completed my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of León in Spain, after which I obtained a master's degree in Biomedical Sciences. This was followed by an internship at the University of Tor Vergata in Italy to learn DNA repair mechanisms, then I completed a PhD in Molecular Parasitology in Spain. My post-doctoral training took me to the University of Laval in Québec, after which I became director of the Parasite Diagnostic Lab and assistant professor of Pathology and Microbiology at the University of Montréal.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
ANA VICTORIA IBARRA-MENESES
MSc,PhD
I obtain the degree in biology at Universidad Central de Venezuela, and the PhD on Microbiology and Parasitology at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain). As a postdoc I spent 2 years at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis in the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Spain) and 6 months at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (Belgium), funded by a Jose Castillejo Fellowship. My research experience has focused on the search for new biomarkers of cure/infection/exposure in immunocompetent, HIV or immunosuppressive patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This exploration of biomarkers for VL has been extended to include dogs. Furthermore, I have focused on the importance of transferring all the knowledge acquired on the bench to the field, in order to develop simpler, faster and more sensitive tools for diagnosis or treatment monitoring of parasite diseases in areas that are difficult to access.
PhD STUDENTS
NOÉLIE DOUANNE
PhD student
Passionate about microbiology since my childhood, I have always wanted to carry out scientific studies. My curiosity and my interest in parasitology were born at university and the courses I followed captivated me and made me want to learn more. Throughout my training, I was able to enrich my knowledge with passion and I understood the importance of emerging infectious diseases, especially as a result of their zoonotic aspect. I have also developed a strong interest in disease diagnosis and antimicrobial resistance. More generally, the courses I followed confirmed my interest in parasitology and reinforced my desire to become a parasitology teacher-researcher. Currently a doctoral student in parasitology, I am fully pursuing my professional project and hope to contribute to the advancement of research in this field.
AUDREY CORBEIL
PhD student
Hello! My name is Audrey Corbeil.
I studied microbiology at Sherbrooke University, and I also have a background of biomedical analysis in college. I am now completing a Master’s in Christopher Fernandez-Prada’s lab to characterize exosomes released by Leishmania strains responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, to identify novel, sensitive biomarkers for non-invasive and rapid diagnosis of the disease. In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, bouldering and cooking!
MSc STUDENTS
VICTORIA WAGNER
DMV, MSc student
I’m a vet with a passion for One Health and zoonotic parasites.
I studied at the University of Montreal (Veterinary Medicine) and McGill University (Animal Biology), all the while working at an animal hospital and honing my scientific writing and editing. My research has involved work in both molecular parasitology and immunology labs, and I plan to continue on in clinical parasitology.
Fun fact: my dog is Instagram famous!
Hello! I studied microbiology and immunology at the Université de Montréal after getting an introduction class in this field in college. I developed a new interest in parasitology after a class given by Dr. Fernandez Prada, and that gave me an opportunity to do an internship in his lab. The subject of my Masters’ degree will be on the interaction between Giardia parasites and cell rendered immunodefient upon treatment by the drug given to transplant patient. Hopefully, this study will give us more information about the risk of zoonotic disease transmission for immunodeficient patient.
SIMON GAGNON
MSc student
STUDENTS IN CO-DIRECTION
GEORGE DONG
PhD student in co-direction with Pr. Martin Olivier (McGill University)
CATHERINE POUCHET
MSc student in co-direction with Pr. Steeve Côté (Université Laval)
ÉVE-MARIE LAVALLÉE-BOURGET
MSc student in co-direction with Pr. Julie Arsenault (Université de Montréal)
LAURA GUERRERO
MSc student in co-direction with Pr. Martine Boulianne (Université de Montréal)
TECHNICAL STAFF
CLAUDIA DUQUETTE
Lab technician
AIDA MINGUEZ
Scientific graphic designer
After a BSc in Environmental Sciences, an MSc in Geological Risks, and a PhD in Geomorphology through GIS and Remote Sensing, I'm re-orienting my career towards science outreach, scientific graphic design and research support. I'm very much enjoying working at the Université de Montréal veterinary faculty, learning about parasites, molecular biology and cows.
When I'm not drawing bedbugs or making websites, I love to read and to knit — but no, I'm not that old!
ALUMNI
MARLEN I. LASPRILLA-MANTILLA
MSc student
ELLEN GONÇALVES
MSc student in co-direction with Pr. Rubens do Monte (Fiocruz)
DR. JOAN PEÑA
Post-Doc
DR. MARIELA SREDNIK
Post-Doc in co-direction with Pr. Mariela Segura (UdeM)
MIRA HAJJAR
CHLOÉ ROSA-TEIJEIRO
DMV-MSc student
DMV-MSc student