Master's Student 

• Maanas Vankalapati, BsC

  • Maanas is an enthusiastic MSc candidate in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Ottawa. He holds an Honours BMSc with a specialization in Medical Cell Biology, graduating with High Distinction from the University of Western Ontario. In the laboratory, Maanas is currently focussing on the role of the thiamine transporter SLC25A19 in vitamin B6 and B1 deficient environments, working off of a project completed by Dr. Izabella Pena. Alongside his research, Maanas loves to spend time volunteering at the hospital and with the children at CHEO, as he says he enjoys giving back to his community. During his spare time, Maanas loves to read comics, watch soccer, and spend time at the gym

PhD student 

• Pallavi More, BSc, MSc

  • Pallavi More is a first-year student enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry specialization in Human and Molecular Genetics under the supervision of Dr. Pranesh Chakraborty, Dr. Izabella Pena and Dr. Matthew Henderson. Her motivation to pursue this program is rooted in her extensive twelve-year work experience in laboratory analysis, particularly in the areas of food and inborn errors of metabolism. She is enthusiastic about integrating her knowledge in biochemical and enzymatic assays, as well as chromatographic techniques, with the study of functional genomics, organelle profiling (metabolomics and proteomics LC-MS), animal model development, and various molecular biology methodologies to investigate diseases at the CHEO Research Institute.

  • Pallavi has a Bachelor and Master of Science in Biotechnology from the University of Mumbai, India. Her research progression can be defined in three junctures. Firstly, her Master’s degree dissertation on “Construction of Standards for Quantitation of HBV DNA in patient’s sera using conventional PCR”, this two-year journey propelled confidence within her and drew strongly towards biochemistry and biotechnology. Secondly, her passion was elevated by the opportunity to work in diagnostic laboratory settings and assisting on a method development assignment using LCMS-MS for amino acids, acyl-carnitines, and succinylacetone. Subsequently, using GCMS for Fatty acid methyl esters in Milk and Blood. Thirdly, she would put forward her professional pursuit which majorly revolves around screening, investigating and interpreting neonates for inborn error of metabolic disorders and hemoglobinopathies as well as adult screening for fitness and nutrition. This gave her access and command over cutting-edge equipment like HPLC, UPLC, GCMS, LCMS-MS, Hb1Ac analyser, Elisa Reader, and ICPMS.

Research technician

• Kathrine Daniel, BSc

Undergraduate students

• Justin Nguyen, uOttawa TMM program

  • Justin is currently completing a Honours BSc in Translational and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa. His project focuses on studying behaviours in the zebrafish larvae model of PDE and helping to develop a novel pharmacological model of PDE in zebrafish larvae.

  • Outside the lab, Justin enjoys volunteering at CHEO and working with kids!

  • Hobbies include: taking care of my plants, baking sweets, and playing video games.

• Isabella Arlotta

  • Isabella is an ambitious and dedicated student currently completing her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science with a focus in Cellular and Molecular Medicine. Her current work at Pena Lab as a volunteer involves utilizing zebrafish models to analyse and investigate the effects of Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy (PDE), aiming to advance understanding of this rare condition. 

  • Beyond her academic and research pursuits, Isabella is deeply passionate about volunteer work. She is the co-founder of The Lotus Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for local shelters in need, reflecting her commitment to giving back to the community. In her spare time, Isabella enjoys travelling, baking, hiking, and painting.