Heather E. McFarlane
Associate 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 and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in July 2026. 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
Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD, University of Toronto (2019-2025)
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)
Jordan Ferria
Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD, University of Cambridge in plant molecular biology (2021)
Master’s degree in Natural Sciences
Master’s degree in Genetics, Cell Biology and Pathology
Bachelor’s degree in Genetics and cell biology
Hometown: Lyon, France
Jordan graduated from his Ph.D. in 2021 at the University of Cambridge (UK), where he worked on the structural colors of Hibiscus trionum petals under the supervision of Beverley Glover. He then went on to a post-doctoral contract under the direction of Arezki Boudaoud at Université Polytechnique Paris Saclay (France), where he studied the relationship between mechanoperception and tissue flatness in Marchantia polymorpha.
Jordan is interested in the mechanical regulation of the plant cell wall. This involves the perception of cell wall mechanical stress through various receptors and signal transduction, and the responses they trigger to mitigate such stress. He currently works in the McFarlane lab, where he is conducting and supervising a mutant screen for abnormal responses to cell wall stress.
Jordan was once a high school teacher and loves growing plants for fun. His latest achievements include growing an apricot tree and date palm ‘trees’ from seeds, as well maintenance of as Vanilla longifolia. Jordan runs and works out daily.
Mechanical regulation of tissue flatness in Marchantia polymorpha, 2024; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.25.620180
HtDCR-like1 regulates the development of structurally coloured cuticle in Hibiscus trionum 2024 https://doi.org10.1101/2024.04.11.589056
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.
Fabrizio Chow
PhD 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
PhD Student
PhD (in progress) University of Toronto
BSc University of Toronto (2019-2024)
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Gaeun first joined the McFarlane Lab as an undergraduate student, where she completed both both CSB498 and CSB499 projects and was awarded a UTEA to conduct summer research. She then joined the lab as a graduate student, where she now studies how post-translational modifications of cell wall signaling proteins regulate plant growth.
Outside the lab, Gaeun enjoys watching baseball and building lego sets!
Rowan Brookman
PhD Student
PhD (in progress) University of Toronto
MSc McMaster University (2022-2024)
BSc University of Toronto (2018-2022)
Hometown: Ajax, ON, Canada
Rowan first joined the McFarlane Lab as an undergraduate student in the summer of 2021, where he studied N-glycosylation and salt stress in Arabidopsis thaliana (NSERC-USRA, CSB498, UTEA). He then decided to pursue his interest in the plant immune system, moving to Dr. Robin Cameron’s lab at McMaster University to study the long-distance movement of lipid transfer proteins in Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR). In the winter of 2025, Rowan returned to the McFarlane lab to begin a PhD project investigating a candidate signal transduction component in cell wall integrity signaling.
Outside the lab, Rowan enjoys photography, painting, drawing and drinking tea.
Siddharthan (Sidd) Lakshmanan
PhD Student
MSc in Plant Molecular Biology at the University of Ottawa/Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2024-2026)
BSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Toronto (2018-2022)
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Sidd completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto Scarborough, where he specialized in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. During his undergraduate studies, he developed an interest in plant biology and stress responses through an honors project studying protein degradation in Arabidopsis.
He then pursued his master’s degree with University of Ottawa and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Central Experimental Farm. His MSc research examined resistance to fungal toxins in barley using physiological and multi-omics approaches.
In 2026, Sidd returned to the University of Toronto to begin his PhD in the McFarlane Lab, where he is interested in studying the signalling networks that allow plants to sense and respond to cell wall stress.
Outside of the lab, Sidd loves playing and watching soccer!
Fayeza Tabassum Azad
MSc Student
MSc (in progress) University of Toronto
BSc University of Toronto (2021-2026)
Hometown: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Fayeza completed her undergraduate degree in Cell and Molecular Biology (Focus in Stem Cells and Developmental Biology) with a minor in Mathematics at the University of Toronto. During her undergraduate studies, she joined the McFarlane Lab as a summer Work Study student in 2024 and subsequently completed two project courses. She also received a UTEA in summer 2026 to continue her research in the lab.
Her undergraduate research focused on investigating the overlap in transcriptional responses and patterns of ectopic lignification induced by different categories of cell wall stressors. Additionally, she began investigating how the loss of a mitogen-activated protein kinase affects response to cell wall stress.
Outside of the lab, she loves trying out new restaurants and watching superhero movies :)
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. She also won prestigious summer research awards, including a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the American Society of Plant Biologists and an NSERC-USRA to support her work in the McFarlane lab.
Olive Wachira
BSc Student (CSB498)
BSc (in progress) University of Toronto Double Major: Pharmacology and Cell & Molecular Biology
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Olive is a third-year student studying Cell & Molecular Biology and Pharmacology. Her overarching scientific interests lie in molecular genetics and understanding how molecular mechanisms influence biological systems. She is particularly interested in genetics, gene therapies, and the growing role of computational and bioinformatics approaches in biological research.
In the McFarlane Lab, Olive is working on a project investigating the role of protein kinase family members in plant cell wall stress signaling. Her research involves characterizing mutant lines and examining how the loss of different kinaser family members may affect plant responses to cell wall stress.
Outside the lab, Olive loves baking, an interest that began when she started baking gluten-free treats for herself. Coincidentally, her experiences navigating a gluten-free diet also helped spark her curiosity about genetics and biology, making baking and science two interests that have become unexpectedly connected.
Connor Hayakawa
BSc Student (CSB498)
BSc (in progress) University of Toronto Double Major: Cell & Molecular Biology and Health & Disease
Hometown: Toronto, ON, Canada
Connor has a strong interest in exploring how molecular and cellular mechanisms can be applied to biotechnology and sustainable agriculture. In the McFarlane Lab, his project involves understanding herbicide effectiveness.
Connor enjoys going to the gym and grappling.
Nicholas Amenta
BSc Student (work-study)
BSc (in progress) University of Toronto
Hometown: Toronto, ON, Canada
Nick is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a double major in Ecology and Environmental Biology and Environmental Studies. He joined the McFarlane Lab during the summer of 2026 as a Work-Study student, and is excited to explore the ways molecular processes can be manipulated to improve the lives of individuals throughout the world. Outside of the lab, Nick is interested in regenerative agriculture and urban habitat restoration, and has recently conducted research as part of the Research Opportunities Program regarding campus citizen science communication.
When not working, he enjoys going on hikes, gardening, and playing with his cat.
Yasmin Haruna-Popoola
BSc Student (work-study)
BSc (in progress) University of Toronto in Plant Genomics and Biotechnology
Hometown: Calgary, AB, Canada
Yasmin is a Plant Genomics and Biotechnology undergraduate student at the University of Toronto. Her grandparents were ranchers and farmers in southern Saskatchewan, and her summers working the land sparked her interest in agriculture, plant growth innovation, and environmentalism.
Rachel Tsai
BSc Student (work-study)
BSc (in progress) University of Toronto (2024-2028)
Hometown: Toronto, ON, Canada
Rachel is an undergraduate student studying Biochemistry and Nutritional Sciences, with a minor in Applied Data Science. She joined the lab as a Work-Study student in Fall 2026. Rachel is interested in exploring the effects of common environmental stressors on the gene expression of self-defence genes, both at the intracellular and organism level.
Outside of the lab, Rachel enjoys finding good deals on food and playing roguelike games.
Previous McFarLab Members
Graduate Students & Postdocs
Yu Zhu
Yu was a PhD student from 2021-2025. He characterized two ubiquitinated proteins that contribute to cell wall signaling and plant responses to cell wall stress. He then took up a postdoc position at the CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Science
Callum Hayes
Callum was a visiting postdoc from the Haydon Lab at the University of Melbourne. He joined the lab in Summer 2025 with a RN Robertson Scholarship from the Australian Society of Plant Scientists to study subcellular localization of transcription factors using advanced microscopy.
Eskandar Mohammad
Eskandar was an MSc student from 2024-2025. He characterized a mutant with defects in cell wall and cell expansion and pioneered several new techniques in the lab.
Eduardo Ramírez Rodríguez
Eduardo was a PhD student from 2019-2025. He tracked changes to the phosphoproteome under cell wall stress and characterized an intracellular kinase that contributes to cell wall signaling. He then took up a postdoc position at the University of Toronto.
Natalie Hoffmann
Natalie was a 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
Fayeza Azad
Fayeza was a work-study, CSB498, and CSB499 student in the lab from summer 2024 to winter 2026 and then won a UTEA for summer 2026. She then joined the McFarlane lab for her graduate studies.
Lou Freidel
Lou was a work-study, student in summer 2026 and is currently completing her BSc degree.
Aliya Zulaikha Mohd Zamri
Aliya was a CSB498 project course student in 2025-2026 and is currently completing her BSc degree.
Olivia Boyle
Olivia was a work-study student in 2025-2026 and is currently completing her BSc degree.
Anastasija P.
Anastasija was a work-study student in 2025-2026 and is currently completing her BSc degree.
Kai Kang Nie
Kai was a work-study student in summer 2025 and is currently completing his BSc degree and working in the Harris Lab.
Elle Nelson
Elle was a work-study student in the lab from 2023-2035. After graduating, she returned to BC to attend Medical School at UBC.
Krystyn Kalloo
Krystyn was a CSB498 project course student in 2024-2025 and is currently completing her BSc degree.
Jenson McIntyre
Jenson was a CSB498 project course student in 2024-2025 and is currently completing his BSc degree.
Tina Guan
Tina won an NSERC-USRA in summer 2024, then stayed as a work-study student for fall-winter 2024-2025. Since graduating, she is working as a technician at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
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 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. She then joined the Masters in Public Health program at Waterloo.
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. He then went on to an M. Eng degree at UofT.
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. After graduating, he joined the Zhao Lab at UTSC for his MSc in plant biology.
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 Stewart Lab at UTM Biology 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.