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-present)
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
Postdoctoral Fellow (2018-present)
jbruxell@sfu.ca
Research
I have mastered skills relevant to vaccine research as part of my past academic training, which has led to a great interest in host-pathogen interactions. My project in the Pantophlet Lab allows me to continue studying the induction of effective immune responses. The target is a conserved patch of oligomannose-type glycans on the HIV envelope spike; the host origin of these glycans poses a significant challenge to vaccine design. I am probing whether bacterially derived oligomannose mimetics can more readily trigger the desired anti-glycan neutralizing antibodies.
Other Interests
My main hobbies are drawing and photography. I combine these two passions during my free time when I hike and visit new places. I am also very interested in history, economics and geopolitics; understanding our world and our society is very important to me.
Research Assistant (2019-present)
kurtis_wing_chun_ng@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.
Undergraduate Researcher (2019-present)
GlycoNet Summer Award Recipient
tess_kirilenko@sfu.ca
Research
Some Gram-negative bacteria express lipo-oligosaccharides that mimic mammalian glycans. This mimicry is known to overcome B cell tolerance for host glycans. Our lab is exploring the utility of bacterially derived oligomannose mimetics for eliciting anti-oligomannose antibodies. My project is focused on identifying an adjuvant formulation with one of our lead glycoconjugates that best elicits HIV-neutralizing antibody responses.
Other Interests
Outside of the lab, my lifelong passion has always been competitive cheerleading. My favourite components of the sport are spending time with my teammates/best friends, attempting and perfecting new skills, and the adrenaline rush of competing. Other than cheerleading, I like to attend weekly trivia, visit craft breweries and bike around Vancouver when the weather is nice.
Undergraduate Research Intern (2019-present)
Schulich Leader nominee (Walnut Grove Secondary School)
alejandra_jahns@sfu.ca
Research
I have a deep commitment and passion for Science and am thrilled to be part of the Pantophlet Lab. I contribute to general lab maintenance and tidiness and provide assistance as needed with experiments. I joined the Pantophlet Lab because I am interested in studying and understanding the responses of living organisms to pathogens. I hope to pursue graduate studies in immunology or genetics.
Other Interests
I enjoy being outdoors and love going hiking, backpacking and for runs in my free time. I am also an avid baker and love making all sorts of sweet treats. I also like dancing, particularly going to Zumba or Salsa classes.
Undergraduate Research Intern (2019-present)
International Baccalaureate (Pacific Academy)
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 ongoing vaccine design projects in the lab focused on HIV and HCMV. I hope to pursue graduate studies in the near future.
Other Interests
In my free time, I enjoy singing and playing the ukulele. I also like going around Vancouver and trying new food places.
Undergraduate Research Intern (2019-present)
yiqiuy@sfu.ca
Research
I am an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Science and am interested in laboratory work related to vaccine research. The peculiarities of viruses like HIV and influenza have been attracting tremendous attention from researchers and there are many studies trying to make a breakthrough in the understanding and application of immune defenses against these viruses. I am keen to learn more about this field and contribute to it.
Other Interests
I love travelling and discovering cities that I am not familiar with. I really enjoy cooking and trying new recipes at home. I am also crazy about jigsaw puzzles (especially 1000/2000-piece puzzles) and can spend many hours playing!
Past Lab Members
| Asa Lau | Undergraduate Research Intern (2019) |
| 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)
Undergraduate Research Award (USRA) Student (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) |
