Heather E. McFarlane
Assistant Professor & Canada Research Chair
PhD (Botany) University of British Columbia (2008-2013)
MSc (Biology) McGill University (2006-2008)
BSc (Cell Biology) University of British Columbia (2002-2006)
Hometown: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Heather joined the Department of Cell and Systems Biology at the University of Toronto as a Canada Research Chair in Plant Cell Biology in July 2019. The McFarlane Lab studies cell wall synthesis, secretion, signalling, and remodelling with a view to improving plant biomass for food, materials, and energy.
Heather earned her PhD working with Lacey Samuels at the University of British Columbia (Canada) where she studied the transport of lipids that form the protective plant cuticle. After her PhD, she moved to the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology (Germany) to study cell wall synthesis as an EMBO postdoctoral fellow with Staffan Persson. Heather moved with the Persson lab when they relocated to the University of Melbourne (Australia). There, she was awarded an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award to continue her work on cell wall signaling.
Outside the lab, Heather is an ice hockey enthusiast and opera fanatic.
For a full list of Heather’s publications, check her Google Scholar profile.
Eduardo Ramírez Rodríguez
PhD Student
Master of Biotechnology, The University of Melbourne (2017-2019)
BSc in Biotechnology Engineering (Molecular Biology Concentration), Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (2010-2014)
Hometown: Metepec, México
Eduardo completed his undergrad in Biotechnology Engineering degree at Tec de Monterrey in the beautiful city of Monterrey in Mexico with a concentration in Molecular Biology and Research and Innovation Modality. After graduating, he spent several years as QA supervisor of the snacks division of Grupo Bimbo.
In 2017, Eduardo set course to Melbourne, Australia to complete a master’s in Biotechnology in the University of Melbourne, where he undertook a project looking at the phosphorylation of CC proteins under salt stress using a targeted proteomics approach jointly supervised by Staffan Persson and Josh Heazelwood.
In 2019, Eduardo leaped back to the Americas for a fully funded PhD position in the McFarLab at U of T, where he will be working to uncover how posttranslational protein modifications orchestrate cell wall signalling.
Outside of the lab, Eduardo describes himself as an archetypical Sci-Fi fan, and enjoys a bit of reading or a visit to the movie theatre. If any of the above fail it is because he is swimming a lap in the pool or hanging out with friends.
Ramirez-Rodriguez, E. A., and Heazlewood, J.L., 2019. Enrichment of N-linked glycopeptides and their identification by complementary fragmentation techniques. (Book Chapter in press Plant Proteomics Humana Press, New York, NY)
Carlo Perolo
PhD Student
MSc in Molecular Biology, University of Padua (2017-2019)
BSc in Molecular Biology, University of Padua (2014-2017)
Hometown: Verona, Italy
Carlo studied Molecular Biology at the University of Padua (Italy) where he often enjoyed visiting the beautiful botanical garden.
For the second year of his master’s degree he had the opportunity to work at the University of Vienna (Austria) through the international mobility scholarship ERASMUS+.
In Vienna, under the supervision of Prof. Lorella Navazio and Prof. Markus Teige, he completed his research thesis on a putative calcium binding protein of the plant chloroplast.
Carlo then decided to pursue his scientific career with a PhD at the University of Toronto where he is currently investigating plant cellulose synthases and their inhibitors in a project co-supervised by Heather and Nick Provart.
In his free time he enjoys taking care of his houseplants and cooking, especially for his friends.
Yu Zhu 朱 瑜
PhD Student
MSc in Genetics, Fudan University (2018-2021)
BSc in Agronomy, China Agricultural University (2014-2018)
Hometown: Zhejiang Province, China
Yu received his undergraduate degree in China Agricultural University, then he continued his studies in the MSc program of Genetics at Fudan University to study functional genomics in rice, with a special focus on genes that affect yield and their potential values for molecular breeding.
During his research experience, Yu became very interested in how plants respond to changing surroundings, so he decided to join McFarLab at UofT to study cell wall signalling.
For him, reading and cooking in his free time are escapes from the stress of everyday life.
Fabrizio Chow
MSc Student
BSc University of British Columbia (2018-2023)
MSc (in progress) University of Toronto
Hometown: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Fabrizio is a MSc student in the McFarlane lab. He completed his undergraduate degree in chemical biology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he studied the localization of enzymes within the secondary cell wall of plants. He also investigated student perceptions towards alternative grading schemes with the Department of Chemistry at UBC.
His work in the McFarlane lab focuses on the signal pathways in the secondary cell wall of plants as a stimulus response to their external environments.
Fabrizio is a coffee enthusiast, an avid gym goer and urban explorer. In his free time, you can find Fabrizio reading a book in a coffee shop or tending to his houseplants.BC
Gaeun Shin
MSc Student
BSc University of Toronto (2019-2024)
MSc (in progress) University of Toronto
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Gaeun started in the McFarlane Lab as an undergraduate student double majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology and Immunology. She conducted both CSB498 and CSB499 projects and won a UTEA scholarship to conduct summer research in the lab. She joined the McFarLab as an MSc student in Fall 2024.
She is interested in studying the correlation between epithelial cells, the extracellular matrix, inflammation, and immune cell regulation. In the McFarlane Lab, her project involves clustering isoxaben phospho-responsive mutants together into groups based on their phenotypes in the presence of different cell wall stress factors.
Outside the lab, Gaeun makes bubble tea and enjoys cooking!
Eskandar Mohammad
MSc Student
BSc University of Toronto (2019-2023)
MSc (in progress) University of Toronto
Hometown: Collingwood, ON, Canada
Eskandar was an undergraduate specializing in Cell and Molecular Biology with a focus in Plant Genomics and Biotechnology. He joined the lab in May 2022 as work-study student, then conducted a CSB498 project, and won a UTEA award. After graduating, he joined the McFarlane Lab as an MSc student. He is interested in gaining appreciable understanding of plant cell signalling with the hopes of increasing yield.
In his spare time, Eskandar enjoys weightlifting, badminton, volleyball and keeping up with his friends.
Tina Guan
BSc Student (NSERC-USRA)
BSc (in progress) University of Toronto (2021-2025)
Hometown: West Vancouver, BC, Canada
Tina is an undergraduate student pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Biology with a minor in Physiology. She is interested in learning about the molecular components that are involved in the dynamic remodelling of the cell wall in response to abiotic and biotic signals, especially against pathogen invasions. She is also interested in exploring the applications of cell wall derived material for biotechnology. Tina’s NSERC USRA project focused on investigating how hormones promote cell wall synthesis to drive root growth.
Outside of the lab, Tina enjoys swimming, reading, and exploring the city with friends.
Elle Nelson
BSc Student (work-study)
BSc (in progress) University of Toronto (2021-2025)
Hometown: Victoria, BC, Canada
Elle is an undergraduate student who is currently pursuing a major in Human Biology and a double minor in Physiology and Women and Gender Studies. Her scientific interests are deeply rooted in women’s health and environmental sustainability. She is passionate about exploring ways to improve the well-being of women through innovative research and healthcare solutions. She just completed a project on community agency health promotion capacity and is now excited to be expanding her research horizons by aiding in the research of the mechanisms of cell wall signaling and plant growth responses.
Outside the laboratory, Elle finds enjoyment in skiing, which provides her with a unique perspective on the importance of preserving the environment. Her scientific curiosity and commitment to environmental conservation reflect her dedication to making a positive impact on both women’s health and the world we live in.
Fayeza Tabassum Azad
BSc Student (CSB498)
BSc (in progress) University of Toronto (2021-2025)
Hometown: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Fayeza is an undergraduate student majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology (Focus in Stem Cells and Developmental Biology) and Mathematics. She joined the lab as a Work Study student in May 2024 and is now conducting a CSB498 project in the lab. She is interested in exploring various areas of research related to cell biology, such as bioinformatics, developmental biology, math modelling etc. Prior to joining the McFarlane lab, Fayeza completed an ROP project in the Department of Cell and Systems Biology where she worked to develop a hands-on laboratory for undergraduate students to observe gene expression patterns in Drosophila.
Outside of the lab, she loves trying out new restaurants :)
Jenson McIntyre
BSc Student (CSB498)
BSc (in progress) University of Toronto (2022-2026)
Hometown: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Jenson is currently doing a double major in biology and chemistry. He has previously done cell biology research with Dr. Gary Eitzen’s lab at the University of Alberta, where he looked at the effects certain drugs had on the lipid metabolism in Huh7 cells. He hopes to learn more about the chemistry of plants and cell signalling.
Outside of school, Jenson’s hobbies include hockey, rock climbing, reading, and gaming.
Stella Chen
BSc Student (work-study)
BSc (in progress) University of Toronto (2023-2027)
Hometown: Toronto, ON, Canada
Stella joined the McFarlane lab as a work-study student in fall 2024.
Previous McFarLab Members
Graduate Students & Postdocs
Natalie Hoffmann
Natalie was an PhD student from 2019-2024. Her thesis work investigated cell wall synthesis, secretion, and signalling in the plant endomembrane system. After graduating she was awarded an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Alban Mariette
Alban was a visiting postdoc from the Ebert lab at Ruhr University Bochum. He joined the lab in Summer 2023 with a Travelling Fellowship from the Company of Biologists to study subcellular localization of cell wall synthesis using advanced microscopy.
Jenny (Jia Hui) Huang
Jenny was an MSc student from 2021-2023. She investigated subcellular trafficking of N-glycosylated cell wall proteins. After graduating, she joined Terrana Biosciences as a research associate.
Raegan Larson
Raegan was an MSc student from 2020-2022. During her thesis, she generated real-time sensors of cell wall stress. She later joined the University of Copenhagen for her PhD studies.
Undergraduate Students
Gaeun Shin
Gaeun conducted both CSB498 and CSB499 projects in the lab from Summer 2023 to Winter 2024 and then won a UTEA for Summer 2024. She then later joined the McFarlane lab for her graduate studies.
Demitra Tsoukalas
Demi started as a work-study student in Summer 2023, then she conducted a CSB498 in Fall 2023-Winter 2024. She is now conducting research in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Vicky Fang
Vicky was a CSB498 student in the McFarlane lab in Fall 2023 to Winter 2024. She studied the activation of intracellular kinases in response to cell wall stress.
Francesca Skye Medina
Skye joined the McFarlane lab as work-study student in Summer 2023 and Fall 2023-Winter 2024. She supported Eduardo in screening for cell wall signaling mutants.
Shengjie Xu
Shengjie was a CSB498 project course student in the McFarlane Lab in Summer 2023 working on characterizing real-time sensors of cell wall stress.
Evan Berthelot
Evan joined the lab as a CSB498 student in Fall 2022-Winter 2023 and continued as a CSB499 student in Summer 2023. He then joined the Zimmer lab at UNB for his MSc.
Eskandar Mohammad
Eskandar joined the McFarLab as a work-study student in Summer 2022, then conducted a CSB498 project, and later won a UTEA for Summer 2023. He later joined the McFarlane lab for his MSc.
Lauren Hall
Lauren was a work-study student in the McFarLab from Fall 2022-Winter 2023. She later joined the Wong lab for her graduate studies in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at SickKids.
Vicky Zhu
Vicky started as a work-study student in Fall 2021, then won a CSB-URA, then did a CSB498. Then, she joined the Mitchell Lab in CSB with an NSERC-USRA. and then the Sloan Kettering Institute for her PhD.
Leo Tullo
Leo joined the McFarLab as a work-study student in Fall 2022-Winter 2023.
Carlos Wang
Carlos was a volunteer from Spring 2021 to Winter 2023. After finishing his BSc, he joined the Masters of Public Health program at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Terrence Amponsah
Terrence was a BCB430 student in Summer 2022. After graduating, he joined ADP Canada as an Associate Applications Developer.
Rowan Brookman
Rowan was an NSERC-USRA, a CSB498 student, and a UTEA student from 2021-2022. He next joined Robin Cameron’s lab at McMaster as a grad student.
Lella Erceg
Lella was a CSB498 student in Summer 2022. She did another project course in the Department of Biochemistry at UofT, then joined the Gan Lab at UTSC for her MSc.
Erik Ensminger
Erik was a BCB330 student in Fall 2020-Winter 2021. He later joined the Pugh Lab in the Medical Biophysics program at UofT as a graduate student.
Stephanie Halim
Stephanie was a MITACS Globalink Intern from The University of Hong Kong in Summer 2021. After graduating, she joined MIT as a graduate student.
Una McNally
Una was a CSB497 student in Summer 2020 and a CSB498 student in Fall 2020-Winter 2021. Next, she joined CSB as a graduate student in the Harris Lab.
Jenny (Jia Hui) Huang
Jenny joined the lab in Fall 2019, then she won an NSERC-USRA in Summer 2020 and continued as a CSB498 project student in Fall 2020-Winter 2021. She next joined CSB as an MSc student in the McFarLab.
Benjamin-Israel Moke
Ben was a work-study student from Fall 2019-Winter 2020. After finishing his BSc, he joined Laura Corbit’s lab in CSB as a graduate student.