ORCID ID  Google Scholar 

Michael Johnston, Ph.D.

"The human genome is vast, complex, and somehow coordinates precise regulation."

"The cancer genome is inconsistent, seemingly broken, and somehow stays alive."

• Ph.D. in Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
• BSc in Chemistry (Biochemistry Track), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

I spend my time investigating Hi-C, ATAC, WGS, RNA-seq, and other sequencing data to understand how these two genomes influence human health.  

Funded by a Cumming School of Medicine postdoctoral fellowship, and a CIHR postdoctoral fellowship.

ORCID ID  Google Scholar 

Seungil (Gil) Paik, Ph.D.

Gil is a molecular biologist trained in stem cell differentiation and neurodegenerative diseases. His current research interest includes developing an epigenomic CRISPR screening platform to identify novel targets of cancer therapy.

Outside of the lab, Gil enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, and camping.  

Funded by a Clark H. Smith Postdoctoral Scholarship

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 
• Researcher at Pasteur Institute, Pangyo, South Korea. 
• M.Sc. in Medical Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. 
• B.Sc. in Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada. 

  ORCID ID

Francesca Maule, Ph.D.

Francesca’s research interests include exploring chromatin biology in glioblastoma stem cells. She has experience generating and working with primary cultures and PDX models of pediatric and adult glioblastoma.

When not in the lab, Francesca likes spending her time cooking, walking in the mountains and being in contact with nature. 

• Ph.D. in Developmental Medicine and Health Planning Sciences, University of Padua, Italy (2014-2016) 
• M.Sc. in Medical Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Italy (2010-2013) 

Funded by a Kids Brain Cancer Canada Research Award

  ORCID ID

Ana Nikolic, M.D.

Ana is a neuropathologist and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Calgary. Her research interests include the role of histone variants and 3D chromatin architecture in the pathobiology of glioblastoma and the development of novel tools for scATAC-seq. 

When she’s not in the lab she can be found bouldering, spinning, or board gaming. 

• Neuropathology Residency, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. (2012-2017) 
• MD, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. (2008-2012) 
• B. Arts. Sci Hons, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON. 

Funded by a fellowship from the Clinician Investigator Program, and a graduate scholarship from Alberta Innovates 

  ORCID ID

Divya Singhal, M.Sc.

Divya is interested in applying single-cell genomics and epigenomics technologies to glioblastoma. 

• M.Sc. in Bioinformatics, Indiana University, Indiana, USA.  
• Tech in Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, India. 
• Tech in Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Haryana, India. 

Funded by an Eyes High International Recruitment Scholarship

Katrina Ellestad, Research Technician

Katrina’s main focus is in vivo experiments and single-cell genomics. 

• B.Sc., University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB (2001-2005)  

Stephanie Thibodeau, Research Technician

• B.Sc. in Biological Sciences, BSc in Applied Mathematics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (2007-2012) 

Lili Deng, Lab Manager

Claire Mallard, Summer Student

Claire is completing her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at UCalgary and is a summer student in the Gallo Lab.

Outside the lab, she’ll usually be found speed skating, hiking, or baking.