Principal Investigator
Ralph Pantophlet, PhD
Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences
Associate Member, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar (2012-2020)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator (2009-2015)
Office: Blusson Hall, Room 11712
Phone: (778) 782-8648 | Fax: (778) 782-5927 | Email: rpantophlet@sfu.ca
Profile: FHS faculty profile | Feature: Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR)
Education
- B.Sc., Polytechnic Faculty, Hogeschool Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Ph.D., University of Leiden, The Netherlands/Research Center Borstel, Germany
Biography
Dr. Pantophlet is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences and an Associate Faculty member of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Dr. Pantophlet joined the Faculty of Health Sciences in 2008 and heads the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Immunology.
Dr. Pantophlet received his B.Sc. degree in medical microbiology from the Hogeschool Rotterdam & Omstreken (The Netherlands) (1995) and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Leiden (The Netherlands) (1999) for his work on the immunochemical properties of Acinetobacter lipopolysaccharides (performed at the Research Center Borstel, Germany). He moved to The Scripps Research Institute in California (2000) for postdoctoral research on anti-HIV antibodies and vaccine design under the mentorship of Dr. Dennis Burton. Dr. Pantophlet returned to the Research Center Borstel for a brief postdoctoral period (2002) and then rejoined the Burton laboratory as a senior postdoctoral fellow to focus on HIV vaccine design (2003).
Current Team
Research Assistant (2020-present)
Research Assistant/Technician (2019-2020)
kwn5@sfu.ca
Research
My past research experience has made me realize that I have a passion for antiviral research. My primary responsibilities in the Pantophlet Lab are to perform research work related to HIV and influenza vaccine design, including flow cytometry, protein purification, and mammalian tissue culture. As a research-experienced lab member, I also assist less-experienced lab members with their research work and provide general support when needed.
Other Interests
I am an easy-going and cheerful individual with great love for nature and travelling. I enjoy hiking, kayaking and skiing when on vacation. In particular, I love spending time with my family and friends meandering along a nice easy trail where relaxed and delightful conversations can take place.
Graduate Student (2020-present)
VPR Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) Recipient (2020)
Undergraduate research intern (2019-2020)
qang@sfu.ca
Research
I joined the Pantophlet Lab because I want to learn more about vaccine immunology and am highly interested in various aspects of anti-viral antibody responses. I am keen to be supporting an emerging vaccine design project in the lab focused on HCMV and look forward to pursuing graduate studies.
Other Interests
In my free time, I enjoy singing and playing the ukulele. I also like going around Vancouver and trying new food places.
Postdoctoral Fellow (2020-present)
hajar_chihab@sfu.ca
Research
My past research experience has encompassed many aspects of host-virus interactions in the context of hepatitis B and C infections. I am keen to continue studying molecular and cellular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions and infectious diseases. I am therefore thrilled to be a member of the Pantophlet Lab, which will allow me to consolidate my training in immuno-virology. The objective of my postdoctoral project is to contribute to the design of a more broadly protective flu vaccine. To this end, I aim to better understand antigenic triggers for eliciting protective antibodies. I also will utilize expertise from my PhD research to probe innate immune effectors that may be relevant to eliciting such antibodies.
Other Interests
I like to discover nature, where I can meditate and be inspired to write. Indeed, I hope to publish my personal diary one day. In addition to writing, I also enjoy drawing and creating fashion styles. I am very interested also in psychology and philosophy and like reading and interpreting others’ personalities.
Undergraduate research intern (2021-present)
VPR Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) Recipient (2021)
li_yi_lim@sfu.ca
Research
I am a 4th year Major in the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry program at SFU. Since taking an introductory immunology course, I have become increasingly interested in this field of science. I hope to gain further knowledge through the opportunity to work in the Pantophlet Lab as a USRA student. I look forward to contributing to research in the lab aimed at eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies, specifically VRC01-like, in an effort to develop an HIV vaccine.
Other Interests
My hobbies include traveling, baking, and also trying out new food. I have traveled to a few different countries that are mostly in Asia and I do hope that one day I will be able to say that I have been to all of them!
BISC 498 Undergraduate student researcher (2021)
mhassand@sfu.ca
Research
I am currently in the last semester of my bachelor’s in Biology at SFU, with a concentration in Cells, Molecules, and Physiology (CMP). Immunology research, in particular antibody responses induced by vaccines, has always been a field that I wanted to pursue. Applying methods derived from the HIV-1 field to advance vaccine development against Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV), the world’s leading cause of the congenital birth defect, is truly an extraordinary experience to have and I look forward to contributing to this platform in the Pantophlet Lab.
Other Interests
Outside of University, I enjoy hiking and travelling to different places in BC, and a brown sugar bubble tea always makes me happy. I also lead a humanitarian club called Better Life SFU, that collaborates with various instructors and non-profit organizations to enhance SFU student’s university life and raise awareness about resources available to them.
BISC 499 Undergraduate student researcher (2021)
dcsavage@sfu.ca
Research
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry with an interest in immunology, virology, and vaccine development. My research in the Pantophlet Lab is focused on SARS-related coronaviruses and evaluating the efficacy and durability of neutralizing antibodies elicited through vaccines. Prior to joining this lab, I contributed to research on cross-reactivity of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with other coronaviruses. I hope my research contributions will aid the development of next-generation vaccines against prospective COVID-19 variants and I hope to learn more about how this research might be applied more broadly to addressing other infectious pathogens.
Other Interests
My other academic interests include studying the brain, psychopharmacology, and neuroscience. Outside of school, I enjoy playing piano, swimming, skiing, and spending time with my friends.
Undergraduate research intern (2021-present)
sarviola@sfu.ca
Research
I am a 4th-year molecular biology & biochemistry student at SFU. Since taking upper-division courses, especially on introductory immunology and molecular physiology, I have become extremely fascinated in the field of vaccine research. After completing two co-op work terms in a local pharmaceutical, I am hoping to utilize my chemistry and molecular biology background to contribute to the Pantophlet Lab. I am excited to explore my passion for biomedical research with the team!
Other Interests
Outside of school and the lab, I enjoy music. I sing and play the guitar and/or ukulele during my free time. I also like listening to podcasts and spoken word poetry. Recently, I’ve been interested in cooking and baking!
Past Lab Members
| Simran Basra | Co-op Lab Assistant (2021) |
| Diana Yang | FHS Dean's Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) Recipient (2020) |
| Simon Wang |
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Honours student (2020)
Undergraduate Research Intern (2020) |
| Yiqiu Yang |
FHS Dean's Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) Recipient (2020)
Undergraduate Research Intern (2019-2020) |
| Edarlin Royce Bigornia, BSc | Undergraduate Researcher/Intern (2019-2020) |
| Alejandra Jahns | Undergraduate Research Intern (2019) |
| Sophie Fu, MSc | Research Assistant/Intern (2019-2020) |
| Tess Kirilenko, BSc |
Undergraduate Researcher (2019)
GlycoNet Summer Award Recipient (2019) |
| Asa Lau | Undergraduate Research Intern (2019) |
| Jean-François Bruxelle, PhD | Postdoctoral Fellow (2018-2021) |
| Natallia Varankovich, PhD | Senior Research Assistant (2019) |
| Nikki Atanasova, MSc | Research Assistant (2018) |
| Dahn Hahm, MSc | Research Assistant (2018) |
| Gurshaan Sidhu | Undergraduate Research Intern (external) (2018) |
| Vanesa Tomas Bosch, MSc | Senior Research Assistant (2018) |
| Heather Galley, BSc (Hons) | Research Assistant (2018) |
| Helen Do | Undergraduate Research Intern (2018) |
| Lea Sanchez Milde, BSc | Lab Assistant (part-time) (2018) |
| Michelle Chan YeeTeng | Undergraduate Research Intern (2018) |
| Quratulain Qureshi | Undergraduate Research Intern (2018) |
| Naiomi Lu, BSc |
Undergraduate Research Intern (2017)
VPR Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) Recipient (2017) Lab Assistant (2017-2018) |
| Sreedevi Kesavan | Undergraduate Research Intern (2017) |
| Daniella Bavaro | Undergraduate Research Intern (2017) |
| Saru Sandhu | Undergraduate Research Intern (2017) |
| Shianne Bains | Undergraduate Research Intern (2017) |
| Alekhya Josyula, BSc | MSc student (2014-2017) |
| Vivian Qian Liu, PhD | Postdoctoral Fellow (2016) |
| Iva Demirova |
Grade 11 Pre-International Baccalaureate (IB) Research Intern (2015-2016)
National Sanofi Biogenius Award Student (2016) |
| Nina Maglanoc | Undergraduate Research Intern (2015-2016) |
| Ruth Wijaya |
Undergraduate Research Intern (2014-2016)
Undergraduate Research Award (USRA) Student (2015) |
| Jessica Parker | Undergraduate Research Intern (2015) |
| Alexandra Vela | Research Intern (2015) |
| Caitlin Rempel |
Undergraduate Research Intern (2013-2014)
Research Assistant & Acting Lab Manager (2014) |
| Timothy Crowe | MSc Student (2013-2014) |
| Megan Curpen | Research Intern (2013-2014) |
| Natalia Savasteeva | Visiting Student (Concordia U) Research Intern (2014) |
| Simrita Sandhu | Research Intern (2014) |
| Barinder Sangha | Honors Student (2014) |
| Natalie Kinloch | Research Intern (2014) |
| Dennis Chau |
Research Assistant & Acting Lab Manager (2013-2014)
Research Intern (2010-2011; 2012-2013) |
| Angela Trinh | Research Intern (2013) |
| Sophia Tsai | Research Intern (2013) |
| Kate Auyeung, BSc |
Senior Research Assistant (2009-2013)
Lab Manager (2011-2013) |
| Allan Linde | Research Intern (2012) |
| Jessica Sidhu | Research Intern (2012) |
| Sunny Tang | Research Intern (2011-2012) |
| Savrina Manhas, BSc | MSc Student (2010-2012) |
| Fatima Ahmed, BSc | MSc Student (2010-2012) |
| Irina Vicol | Honors Student (2012) |
| Maxim Parfyonov | Research Intern (2012) |
| Lauretta Yu | Research Intern (2011) |
| Lisa Kieneker | Honors Student (2011) |
| Ben Chan | Undergraduate Research Assistant (2011) |
| Matt Michaleski |
Honors Student (2010)
Lab Assistant (2010-2011) |
| Brenda Clark, MSc |
Senior Research Assistant (2009-2011)
Lab Manager (2009-2011) |
| Basim Nehal | Research Intern (2011) |
| Jose-Tam Huang | Research Intern (2010-2011) |
| James Kwon | Research Intern (2010-2011) |
| Sima Gerami | Research Intern (2010) |
| Abby Lin | Research Intern (2010) |
