Meet the Team
Doctoral Students
Teshome Wondie Alemu
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Yasmin Schuermann
[email protected]
Project -> The Transition Cow: May the Odds be Ever in her Favour
Educational Background:
PhD McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2014-Present)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Animal Sciences
Thesis Title: Reproductive Longevity and the Transition Cow
MSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2012-2014)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Animal Sciences
Thesis Title: Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Granulosa Cells of Ovulating Follicles in Mice
Bsc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2008-2012)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Agro-Environmental Science
Specializations in Animal Production & Animal Health and Disease
Research Interests and Career Objectives:
"I absolutely adore cows. They're the most fascinating, gentle and beautiful animals. Their eyes are so amazing. I have ten that live on the land around my house. I love to talk to them. There are few things better than falling asleep in a field and being woken up by an inquisitive cow"- Mary Quant. This quote perfectly sums up my passion for working with cattle and the inspiration they have provided me with over the years. Having grown up on a dairy farm, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly that comes with working with cattle. A great deal of time and devotion is dedicated to running a successful dairy operation. Therefore, with my research, I hope to establish improved management practices with respect to reproductive technology and nutrition in order to increase the longevity of our modern dairy cow.
[email protected]
Project -> The Transition Cow: May the Odds be Ever in her Favour
Educational Background:
PhD McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2014-Present)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Animal Sciences
Thesis Title: Reproductive Longevity and the Transition Cow
MSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2012-2014)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Animal Sciences
Thesis Title: Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Granulosa Cells of Ovulating Follicles in Mice
Bsc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2008-2012)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Agro-Environmental Science
Specializations in Animal Production & Animal Health and Disease
Research Interests and Career Objectives:
"I absolutely adore cows. They're the most fascinating, gentle and beautiful animals. Their eyes are so amazing. I have ten that live on the land around my house. I love to talk to them. There are few things better than falling asleep in a field and being woken up by an inquisitive cow"- Mary Quant. This quote perfectly sums up my passion for working with cattle and the inspiration they have provided me with over the years. Having grown up on a dairy farm, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly that comes with working with cattle. A great deal of time and devotion is dedicated to running a successful dairy operation. Therefore, with my research, I hope to establish improved management practices with respect to reproductive technology and nutrition in order to increase the longevity of our modern dairy cow.
Ejimedo Madogwe
[email protected]
Project -> Epigenetic regulation and Reproduction
Educational Background:
PhD: 2015-Present
McGill University
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Department of Animal Science
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
Thesis Title: Mechanisms of luteinizing hormone induced transcription in granulosa cells
MSc: 2013-2015
McGill University
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Department of Animal Science
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
Thesis Title: Regulation of gene expression in murine granulosa cells
BSc: 2005-2010
University of Benin
Faculty of Agriculture
Department of Animal Science
Benin-city, Edo State, Nigeria
Thesis Title: Experiment induced stress in Goats: Physiological constant State as indicators
Research Interests:
I am fascinated by reproduction- the sequence of events that culminates in the production of a brand new baby. There are so many little critical points that could either aid or impede this process and Ovulation (the release of the fertilizable oocyte) tops the list. My focus at this point is to understand how Ovulation is regulated at the level of gene expression by examining chromatin accessibility and the role of histone modifying enzymes. When we are able to understand how Ovulation is regulated, perhaps we would be able to offer hope to women who struggle with infertility. Furthermore, we would be able to provide safer and more effective birth control methods.
Master's Students
Milena Taibi
[email protected]
Project -> ERK1/2 signaling in the murine ovary
Educational Background:
MSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (2015-present)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Department of Animal Science
Thesis Title: Regulation of gene expression in murine granulosa cells
BSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2012-2015)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science
Major in Life Sciences, specialization in Animal Science
Research Interests:
I am extremely curious about any and all science topics related to biology! The worlds of evolutionary biology, embryology, immunology -among many others- fascinate me and motivate me to continue exploring my curiosities. In this moment, my path has brought me to studying female reproduction at the molecular level, a topic I learn more about every day. I am fascinated by the dynamics and complexity of the reproductive system and all that affect it. The same complexity which fascinates me is also my greatest challenge, trying to understand a system which is so multifaceted and intricate. I believe that we can make a difference in the areas of reduced (or lack of) fertility both in animal production and human health. I aspire to gain insight into the issues surrounding infertility through my research in order to eventually develop procedures to improve reproductive health in the many areas which are still lacking understanding.
[email protected]
Project -> ERK1/2 signaling in the murine ovary
Educational Background:
MSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (2015-present)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Department of Animal Science
Thesis Title: Regulation of gene expression in murine granulosa cells
BSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2012-2015)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science
Major in Life Sciences, specialization in Animal Science
Research Interests:
I am extremely curious about any and all science topics related to biology! The worlds of evolutionary biology, embryology, immunology -among many others- fascinate me and motivate me to continue exploring my curiosities. In this moment, my path has brought me to studying female reproduction at the molecular level, a topic I learn more about every day. I am fascinated by the dynamics and complexity of the reproductive system and all that affect it. The same complexity which fascinates me is also my greatest challenge, trying to understand a system which is so multifaceted and intricate. I believe that we can make a difference in the areas of reduced (or lack of) fertility both in animal production and human health. I aspire to gain insight into the issues surrounding infertility through my research in order to eventually develop procedures to improve reproductive health in the many areas which are still lacking understanding.
Audrey St-Yves
a[email protected]
Project -> Reproduction, nutrition and welfare in dairy cattle
Educational Background:
MSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2016-present)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Animal Sciences
Thesis Title: The Relationship between a Reproductive Biomarker in Milk and the Welfare Status of Dairy Cows.
BSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2013-2016)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Honours Agro-Environmental Science
Specialization in Animal Production
Research Interests:
Cows! I began working with dairy cows in the summer of 2013 and have become fascinated with them and the industry that relies on them. In my short time of working with dairy cows, one issue stands apart from the rest: fertility. Many high producing dairy cows struggle with fertility, which can result in great producers being eliminated from the herd. In order to improve fertility, one must understand what the processes are before investigating the issues. My focus is on ovarian and ovulatory pathways and functions. I have also begun research into the metabolic effects of the transition period and the effects of ease of movement on the fertility of lactating dairy cows. By understanding what the cow needs to perform, whether it be health, fertility, or production related, we can better provide the environment, nutrition and welfare that these metabolic athletes require.
a[email protected]
Project -> Reproduction, nutrition and welfare in dairy cattle
Educational Background:
MSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2016-present)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Animal Sciences
Thesis Title: The Relationship between a Reproductive Biomarker in Milk and the Welfare Status of Dairy Cows.
BSc McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada (2013-2016)
Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Honours Agro-Environmental Science
Specialization in Animal Production
Research Interests:
Cows! I began working with dairy cows in the summer of 2013 and have become fascinated with them and the industry that relies on them. In my short time of working with dairy cows, one issue stands apart from the rest: fertility. Many high producing dairy cows struggle with fertility, which can result in great producers being eliminated from the herd. In order to improve fertility, one must understand what the processes are before investigating the issues. My focus is on ovarian and ovulatory pathways and functions. I have also begun research into the metabolic effects of the transition period and the effects of ease of movement on the fertility of lactating dairy cows. By understanding what the cow needs to perform, whether it be health, fertility, or production related, we can better provide the environment, nutrition and welfare that these metabolic athletes require.
Past Members
Dr. Dayananda Siddappa (completed PhD Studies)
Melissa Pansera (completed MSc Studies)
Lisa Dupuis (completed MSc Studies)
Anitha Kalaiselvanraja (completed MSc Studies)
Veronique Boyer (Undergraduate Researcher)
Gerald Welsford (Undergraduate Researcher)
Kira Durston (Undergraduate Researcher)
Christina Mastromonaco (Undergraduate Researcher)
Melissa Pansera (completed MSc Studies)
Lisa Dupuis (completed MSc Studies)
Anitha Kalaiselvanraja (completed MSc Studies)
Veronique Boyer (Undergraduate Researcher)
Gerald Welsford (Undergraduate Researcher)
Kira Durston (Undergraduate Researcher)
Christina Mastromonaco (Undergraduate Researcher)