Dr. Valerie Wallace
Dr. Wallace joined the Toronto Western Research Institute/University Health Network in September 2013, where she is Co-Director of the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute and Chair of the Vision Science Research Program. She also holds appointments in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto and holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Retina Regeneration.
A molecular and developmental biologist by training, Dr. Wallace is recognized for her work on the role of Hedgehog signaling in neural progenitor proliferation in the central nervous system.
Dr. Wallace obtained her PhD in the Department of Immunology at the University of Toronto before completing postdoctoral studies in developmental neuroscience with Dr. M. Raff at University College London. Prior to her appointment at the University Health Network in 2013, Dr. Wallace was a Senior Scientist and Director of the Vision Research Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute/University of Ottawa.
Current Members
Pranavie Premkumar
Pranavie joined the lab in 2025 as the Administrative Coordinator. In this role, she manages grant and fund administration, including budgeting and financial tracking. She coordinates a wide range of lab activities, ensuring efficient communication across team members. Pranavie also oversees the Vision Science Research Program (VSRP) Studenship, facilitating application processes, committee coordination, and program delivery.
Cre Comanita
Cre holds a Bachelor of Natural Sciences in Biology from the University Alexandru Ioan Cuza in Romania, and has completed several postgraduate courses in immunology and molecular biology at the University of Ottawa. She has extensive expertise in a wide range of laboratory techniques, which enables her to contribute significantly to vision science research projects, while also supporting the day-to-day management of the lab. Outside of the lab, Cre enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, reading, and taking long walks in nature.
Zhongda (Chris) Liu
Chris has expertise in molecular and cell biology, including immunohistochemistry, DNA/RNA/protein manipulation, cell culture, and Lenti- or Adeno-virus construction and packaging. As part of the Wallace lab, Chris maintains the transgenic mouse colony and provides the team with expert technical support.
Mostafa Ibrahimi
Mostafa joined the Wallace Lab in 2021 and holds an MSc in Clinical Biochemistry and a BSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology. His research sits at the intersection of retinal neuroscience and synthetic biology, focusing on developing a novel molecular tool for high-throughput readout of photoreceptor connectivity. Outside the lab, Mostafa enjoys reading and working out.
Laura Botler
Laura completed a BSc and MSc from the Federal University of Pernambuco, in Brazil, before joining the Wallace Lab in 2021. Laura is jointly supervised by Dr. Wallace and Dr. Karun Singh, and her project focuses on investigating how human cells communicate in vitro, using both stem cells and organoids. When not in lab, Laura enjoys baking and spending time with her dog, Alfie.
Ava Rastegar
Camille Lavoie
Camille completed her bachelors in biology at York University, before joining the lab as a PhD student in 2022. As part of the Wallace lab, Camille works on both intercellular mitochondria transfer and intracellular mitochondria positioning within photoreceptors. Outside of the lab, Camille enjoys dance classes, knitting, and exploring new hobbies.
William Bastedo
William completed his MSc in Cell and Developmental Biology with Dr. T. Michael Underhill at University of British Columbia, and previously worked in pre-clinical biotech at the contract research organization Transpharmation. As part of the Wallace Lab, William works on the intersection of cancer development and connective tissue. Outside of the lab, William enjoys dancing, hiking and attending history lectures at the University.
Rohin Chakraborty
After completing his BSc and MSc at University of Toronto and McGill University respectively, Rohin joined the PhD program at the Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology Department at UofT and started his doctoral studies at the Wallace lab in 2024. Rohin is working on the cancer project, with a focus on understanding the role of the immune system in modulating the initiation process of medulloblastoma. Outside the lab, Rohin is an avid Formula 1 enthusiast, loves to cook, read books and listen to different genres of music.
Huanyi Zhang
Huanyi completed her MSc in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University before joining the Wallace lab in September 2025. Her project focuses on identifying regulators of horizontal mitochondrial transfer using CRISPR screen. Outside of the lab, Huanyi enjoys reading and video games.
Haomin (Jason) Leng
Haomin completed a BSc in Science at the University of Toronto in 2024 before joining the Wallace lab in 2025 as a direct PhD student. Haomin is a joint student co-supervised by Dr. Valerie Wallace and Dr. Karun Singh to investigate the mechanism of alpha-synuclein transfer between cells by using cortical organoids. Outside of the lab, Haomin enjoys playing Overwatch and travelling around the world.
Jaeeun Lee
Jaeeun completed a BSc in Medical Sciences at Dalhousie University before joining the Wallace lab in 2025. She is currently expanding on previous students findings by investigating the role of NCAM1 in murine photoreceptor axon guidance. In her free time, Jaeeun enjoys going for walks around the city while having a strawberry matcha latte.
Sara Dabiri
Sara joined the lab in 2023 as a summer research student, later participated in an undergraduate course in the lab, and now works as a research assistant. Sara completed a BSc of Science at the University of Toronto in 2025. Outside the lab, Sara enjoys working out, practicing yoga, and baking.
Wallace Lab Alumni
Lauren Levy, MSc
MSc candidate, 2022 to 2025.
Parnian Dolati, MSc
MSc candidate, 2019 to 2023.
Margaret Ho, PhD
PhD candidate, 2018 to 2024.
Nicole Yan, MSc
MSc candidate, 2018 to 2021.
Akshay Gurdita, PhD
PhD candidate, 2018 to 2023.
Neno Pokrajac, PhD
PhD candidate, 2017 to 2023.
Yao Lu, BSc
Undergraduate student, 2016 to 2017.
Miriam Bergeret, MSc
MSc candidate, 2015 to 2018.
Samuel Tsai, MSc
MSc candidate, 2014 to 2018.
Nick Tokarew, PhD
PhD candidate, 2011 to 2016.
Charles Campbell, PhD
PhD candidate, 2009 to 2016.
Randy Riguette, PhD
PhD candidate, 2008 to 2016.
Andrew Ha, MSc
MSc candidate, 2006 to 2010.
Brian McNeill, PhD
PhD candidate, 2006 to 2012.
Dana Wall, PhD
PhD candidate, 2004 to 2009.
Shawn Beug, PhD
PhD candidate, 2004 to 2009.
Matt Cwinn, MSc
MSc candidate, 2007 to 2009.
Chantal Fournier, MSc
MSc candidate, 2006 to 2008.
Hong Liu, PhD
PhD candidate, 2001 to 2007.
Chuan Yu, MSc
MSc candidate, 2002 to 2005.
Shivangi Gupta, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow, 2022 to 2026.
Matej Juric, BSc
Laboratory Techincian, 2022 to 2024.
Victor Q. B. Pham Truong, MSc
Laboratory Techincian, 2021 to 2025.
Arturo Ortin-Martinez, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow, 2015 to 2022.
Phil Nickerson, PhD
Research Associate, 2015 to 2019.
Ahmed El-Sehemy, PhD
Research Associate, 2014 to 2021.
Janet Wong
Administrative Assistant, 2013 to 2025.
Sheila Smiley, MSc
Laboratory Technician, 2013 to 2016.
Erin Bassett, PhD
Research Associate, 2011 to 2016.
Alan Mears, PhD
Research Associate, 2010 to 2013.
Ya Ping Wang, PhD
Research Associate, 1999 to 2010.
Gabriel Dakubo, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow, 2000 to 2004.
Marosh Furimsky, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow, 2002 to 2006.
Claire Li
Laboratory Technician, 2013 to 2018.
Chantal Mazerolle
Laboratory Technician, 2000 to 2013.
Sherri Thurig
Laboratory Technician, 2002
Katrina Campsall
Laboratory Technician, 1991 to 2001.