People

Bozena Samborska, MSc (University of Guelph)
Bozena completed her MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Guelph studying protein structure and function of cyanobacterial carboxysomes. She has been a Research Assistant at McGill University since 2011. In the Kazak lab, she is investigating creatine metabolism in T cell function. In her spare time, she is a maker of delicious bean-to-bar chocolate. Read Bozena’s papers.

Mouna Tlili, PhD (INRS-Armand Frappier research centre)
Mouna was born in Tunis (the capital of Tunisia). She then obtained her doctorate in virology and immunology. Mouna is using genetic screens to investigate the role of creatine in tumour progression. Read Mouna’s papers.

Fitore Raka, PhD (University of Toronto)
Fitore was born in Kosovo and recently completed her PhD at the University of Toronto, where she focused on studying postprandial lipid metabolism and the role of serotonin in this process. When she’s not in the lab, Fitore enjoys cycling around the city and is always on the hunt for the best coffee and croissants.

Faiz Hussain, PhD candidate 
Faiz is a born and raised Montrealer. He completed his BSc at McGill University. He is exploring how the futile creatine cycle is triggered downstream of thermogenic inputs, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, protein mass spectrometry and classical enzyme biochemistry. Read Faiz’s papers.

Jakub Bunk, PhD candidate 
Jakub completed his MSc at the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland. He then spent 2 years at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, working on proteomic changes to cardiac mitochondria in response to diet-induced obesity. Jakub spends his free time climbing and hiking.

Drishti Soni, PhD candidate 
Drishti was born in Delhi, the capital of India. She did her master’s from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India. She spent 2 years at CSIR-IGIB, Delhi exploring the regulation of telomerase in breast cancer. Drishti’s PhD work is focused in vivo genetic screens to identify regulatory mechanisms important for obesity-driven breast cancer.

Maria Delgado Martin, PhD candidate 
Maria was born in Madrid, where she completed her BSc in Biotechnology. She obtained her MSc in Biomedical Sciences from Maastricht University and moved to Stockholm to continue working at the Karolinska Institute. Maria is exploring mechanisms of adipocyte GPCR signaling on energy expenditure and weight loss and metabolic disease. Maria spends a big part of her free time at the gym, but also loves music, travelling and hiking.

Qiaoqiao (Ellen) Zhang, PhD candidate
Qiaoqiao was born in Urumqi, China and went to high school in Vancouver. She is currently studying mechanisms driving fat loss through GPCR signaling in adipocytes. Qiaoqiao loves jazz dance, drama performance, hiking, and is an avid equestrian. 

Mina Ersin, PhD candidate 
Mina was born in Istanbul, Turkey. She obtained her BSc in Biochemistry with Biotechnology Specialization at the University of Waterloo. Mina is studying metabolite regulation of lipid abundance in brown adipose tissue. Mina enjoys singing and sketching in her spare time.

Maria Guerra Martinez, PhD candidate 
Maria was born in Cajamarca, Peru and relocated to Calgary, Canada. Following, Maria moved to Montreal, Canada where she earned an honors degree in Biochemistry at McGill University. Currently, she is exploring how GPCR activation on adipocytes can trigger weight loss. In her spare time, Maria enjoys painting and watching movies.

Abel Oppong, PhD candidate 
As a native of Montreal, Abel completed his BSc in Biochemistry with Honours at Concordia University and MSc in Biomedical Sciences – Experimental Medicine at UdeM. Prior to joining the Kazak Lab, Abel worked as a research assistant at the CRCHUM studying the biology of multiple tissues (e.g. adipose tissue, pancreas, liver) and roles of various proteins in their development and function. His project currently focuses on understanding how TNAP activation impacts adipocyte thermogenesis and bone mineralization. In his free time, Abel enjoys weight lifting, biking, yoga, and gaming.

Matthias Calderon, MSc Candidate
Matthias is is studying the capacity for energy expenditure pathways to offset obesity and obesity-associated complications.

Isabella Carre Diaz, honours research
Isabella is an undergraduate biochemistry student entering her third year at McGill University. She is studying how GPCR signaling in brown fat adipocytes regulates energy expenditure in metabolic disease. In her free time, Isabella enjoys rock climbing and attending live music performances.

Binrhui (Ray) Huang, honours research
Ray is a U3 undergraduate student majoring in Pharmacology. He is studying GPCR signaling in brown adipose tissue and its role in weight loss and appetite suppression. Ray enjoys photography, gaming, and cooking in his spare time.

Félix Chapotier, honours research
Félix is an undergraduate student entering his last year at McGill University majoring in biochemistry. He is investigating the thermogenic potential of brow adipose tissue in de novo adipogenesis. He enjoys hiking and going out with friends in his spare time.