People

Ashlee   J.   Howarth

Principal Investigator

Ashlee J. Howarth was born and raised in London, Ontario. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario in 2009, and then went on to do her PhD in inorganic materials chemistry at the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Michael O. Wolf. Before joining the faculty at Concordia, she completed an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at Northwestern University with Joseph T. Hupp and Omar K. Farha. In 2018, Ashlee was recognized by Forbes Magazine as a “30 under 30” in Science for her contributions to research in the field of wastewater treatment, and the detoxification of chemical warfare agents. At Concordia, the Howarth group is focused on the design and synthesis of rare-earth metal-organic frameworks targeting applications in wastewater remediation, catalysis, and chemical sensing.

Dr. Burhan Hussein

NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow

Burhan was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He completed his B.Sc. (2014) and M.Sc. (2017) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), working under the supervision of Dr. Bryan Koivisto and focusing on the synthesis of novel BODIPY derivatives. After his master’s, Burhan joined the Science Discovery Zone - a science-based startup incubator at TMU - as a science facilitator, working with Dr. Marc Adler on synthesizing hypervalent silane porphyrins. In 2018, Burhan moved to the UK for his Ph.D. studies at Durham University under the supervision of Dr. Paul McGonigal, focusing on the control of dynamic supramolecular systems. Burhan moved back to Canada after his Ph.D. studies and joined the Lumb group as a PDF (2023), where he focused on developing novel silane molecular scaffolds as a platform for cancer therapies. Burhan joined the Howarth group as an NSERC PDF working on synthesizing redox-active linkers for rare earth MOFs. In his spare time, he likes to cook, go for hikes, and explore the creative arts.

Hudson Bicalho

PhD Candidate

Hudson is originally from Minas Gerais, Brazil. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at CEFET-MG (Brazil) and his master's degree in Chemistry at UFMG (Brazil). Hudson works on the development of new iron-based MOFs for applications in adsorption and catalysis.

While not in the lab, Hudson plays more video games than he should and watches lots of TV series and movies of questionable taste.

Victor Quezada

PhD Candidate

Victor is an international student from Chile. He is currently working on the synthesis of new rare-earth MOFs by applying complex linkers. Victor's main goal is to study their potential applications as adsorbents in wastewater treatment, and catalytic oxidation of hazardous substances. He is also interested in the synthesis of carbon-dot/RE-MOF composites, mixed RE-MOFs, and synthesis of new organic linkers in order to achieve complex topologies. One of his dreams is to create a material with real environmental applications.

Chris Copeman

PhD Candidate

Chris was raised in Montréal, and graduated with his BSc degree from Concordia in 2019. He has been with the Howarth group since 2018 as a volunteer and undergraduate researcher before starting his MSc in 2021. Chris likes to paint mountain views (Bob Ross is a huge inspiration), bake all sorts of sweet treats (he has a secret biscotti recipe), skiing (Vermont is an old time favorite), and all kinds of Pringles (sour cream and onion are his least favorite).

Lavinia Trifoi

PhD Candidate

Lavinia is a PhD student and a new Quebec resident. In 2020, she completed an undergraduate honours thesis in the Impellizzeri lab at TMU focused on the development of molecular systems that can mimic Boolean logic operators and reproduce basic arithmetic function. She received her MSc in 2022 from the same lab with her thesis focused on the design and fabrication of hybrid solid nanocomposites based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) interfaced with organic fluorophores. In her free time Lavinia likes to bake, spend time with her friends, and travel. She hopes to travel on every continent in the near future.

Clara Vieira Diniz

PhD Student

Clara is a Brazilian PhD student from Minas Gerais. She got both her undergraduate and masters degree at CEFET-MG. After that, she decided to be adventurous and became a firefighter in her country. She worked in this career for 2 years and in 2023 finally decided to go back to academic work. She is interested in the application of new MOFs for pollutant removal. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities and going to the gym.

Micaela Richezzi

PhD Student

Micaela is from Rosario, Argentina where she obtained a PhD from UNR in 2022. Her thesis focused on the development of biomimetic complexes immobilized on porous solid supports to be used as heterogeneous catalysts. In her free time she enjoys reading novels, writing stories, traveling and playing video games.

Jatinder Singh

PhD Student

Jatinder is originally from Montreal, Quebec. He obtained his undergraduate and master’s degrees in chemistry at the University of Ottawa under the supervision of Dr. Robert Ben. Following his studies, Jatinder worked in the industry as a synthetic chemist at Toronto Research Chemicals. He then joined the Howarth group as a PhD student, where he focuses on the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for applications in CO2 adsorption. While not in the lab, Jatinder enjoys following his beloved Pittsburgh Penguins and Tottenham Hotspur and playing video games.

Laure-Anne Dubuc-Kanary

MSc Student

Laure-Anne completed her BSc Biology in 2016 and BSc Chemistry in 2022. Her research in the Howarth lab centres on the encapsulation of enzymes in new RE-MOFs, as well as a novel method for separating MOFs. Outside of the lab, Laure-Anne is a technician at Apple, a 3D-printing enthusiast, and a web developer (design, coding and maintenance) for the Howarth lab.

Nathan Fischer

MSc Student

Nathan is an international student from France. In the past he has worked on imbedding pigments into MOFs to make brighter colors. He is now working on imbedding nanoparticles in MOFs for catalytic applications. In his spare time, Nathan works on building large scale interactive light-based exhibits, and enjoys video games, home cooking, and movies on a calm night.

Zoey Davis

BSc Student - Research Assistant

Originally from Ottawa, Zoey is a second year specialization ecology student completing their SCOL 290 project in the Howarth lab studying recycling methods of solvents. When they're not in the lab, Zoey enjoys dancing, writing (questionable) scifi, playing dnd and accumulating concerning amounts of houseplants.

Isabella M. Lopez Delgado

Mitacs Globalink Research Intern

Isabella is a last-year chemistry undergraduate student at Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia. Their research interest involves supramolecular, photochemistry, organic, and inorganic chemistry, as well as the preparation of unique molecules and their study for dynamic-functional systems development. In the Howarth lab, Isabella will be working on the synthesis of new rare-earth cluster-based metal–organic frameworks for applications in catalysis. Outside the lab, Isabella enjoys cooking all kinds of food and spending time with family and friends.

Kyle Coelho

SCOL 290 Student

Kyle is currently specializing in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Science College. Kyle is an active member of CODA, a cancer awareness fundraiser, and enjoys figure skating in their free time. Kyle is very extroverted and friendly making it easy to engage with others, while also staying dedicated to their studies. Kyle is passionate about their field and hopes to acquire a career in the medical field one day.

MSc Alumni

Ximena Canales Galvez

Then: MSc Student

Now:

Pedro Donnarumma

Then: MSc Student

Now: PhD Student at CIC biomaGUNE

Samantha Prelaz

Then: MSc Student

Now: Quality Assurance Specialist at Medisca

Lars Miller

Then: MSc Student

Now: Field Service Engineer at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments

Amna Muhammad

Then: MSc Student

Now:

Zvart Ajoyan

Then: MSc Student

Now: Business Systems Analyst at TELUS Health

Paola Marino

Then: MSc Student

Now: Health Economics & Market Access Quality Associate at Amaris Consulting

Felix Saraci

Then: MSc Student

Now: Product Associate at erthos

BSc Alumni

Meghan Henderson

Then: SCOL 290 Student

Now: BSc Student in Systems and Information Biology

Bassam Al-Haj

Then: Chem 419 Student

Now:

Claude Massabni

Then: Chem 419 Student

Now: Clinical Research Laboratory Technician at Abich Inc

Renata Sabini

Then: Concordia USRA Student

Now: BSc Student

Subaanky Krishnapillai

Then: Chem 419 Student

Now: BSc Student

Hoai An Luu

Then: Chem 450 Student

Now: Doctorate of Pharmacy Program at the University of Montreal

Justin Sardilli

Then: Chem 419 Student

Now: Manager of Expansion at Estateably

Sabine Plummer

Then: Chem 450 Student

Now: Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University

Panagiota Taktikakis

Then: Chem 450 Student

Now: MSc Student in Chemistry (DeWolf Group) at Concordia

Ninaad Kalla

Then: Chem 450 Student

Now: Research Scientist at Galenvs Inc

Danna Schwartz

Then: Chem 419 student

Now: Inside Sales Associate at Univar Solutions

Ecaterina Sirghi

Then: Chem 419 Student

Now: Health, Safety, and Risk Assistant at the University of Ottawa

Soraya Manya Toussaint

Then: BSc Student

Now: Regulatory Affairs Officer at Health Canada

Reginald Gratia

Then: BSc Student

Now: Product Manager at General Dynamics

Valerie Mulvey

Then: CHEM 419 Student

Now: Product Manager at Karl Storz

Sahara Frojmovic

Then: CHEM 450 Student

Now: Clinical Research Coordinator at the Endocrine Research Society

Petar Babic

Then: CHEM 419 Student

Now: Quality Control Analyst, at Lonza Biologics

Dang Vo

Then: CHEM 419 Student

Now: Regulatory Affairs Associate at Knight Therapeutics Inc

Gemini Ramasamy

Then: BSc Student

Now: Masters program in experimental medicine at McGill University

Yolla Fallouh

Then: CHEM 419 Student

Now: Technical Support at Medisca Pharmaceutical

Elissa Mariani

Then: CHEM 419 Student

Now: MSc Student in Chemistry (Vuckovic Group) at Concordia

Anthony Falgiani

Then: CHEM 419 Student

Now: High School Science Teacher, English Montreal School Board

Jaina Cardenas Paez

Then: CHEM 419 Student

Now: Validation Coordinator at GlaxoSmithKline

Meggy Mengele

Then: CHEM 419 Student

Now: Project Manager at NeuroRx

Ramnik Riar

Then: CHEM 419 Student

Now: Pfizer

Carmen Yan

Then: CHEM 450 Student

Now: Junior R&D Technician at Delon Laboratories

Adriana Danko

Then: CHEM 419 Student

Now: Masters of Applied Computer Science Student

Tiffany Te

Then: CEGEP Student

Now: Undergraduate student in Science at McGill University

Iris Radu

Then: CEGEP Student

Emily Deligia

Then: CEGEP Student

Past Exchange Students

Theertha Babu Therambil

Then: Mitacs Globalink Research Intern

Now: BS-MS student at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research

Anaclaudia Semkiw

Then: MITACS Globalink Research Intern

Now: Laboratory Technician at 3M Experimentação Agrícola

Taylor Fisher

Then: IRECCEE PhD Exchange Student

Now: PhD Student at Arizona State University

Chen Si

Then: MITACS Globalink Research Intern

Now: Masters student in Materials Science and Engineering at KAUST

Molly Clark

Then: Exchange Student

Now: PhD Student at University of Southampton

Paula Nkulikiyinka

Then: PhD Exchange Student

Now: BECCS Project Engineer at Drax Group