Members

Staff MEMBERS

Sonali Uttam

Hello, I'm Sonali Uttam. I received my master's degree in Experimental Medicine from McGill University. For my master's thesis, I worked in Dr. Khoutorsky’s lab where I studied translational control of gene expression in chronic pain conditions. I was able to identify genes for which transcriptional and translational regulation was uncoupled in a mouse model of nerve injury-induced chronic pain. I continued to work in the lab for another year as a research assistant to investigate gene expression regulation in spinal cord microglia in response to nerve injury. I joined the Cottrell Lab in February 2020 and am presently using multiplex immunofluorescence to study tumor-immune cell interactions, with a broader goal of identifying biomarkers which can predict patient response and guide cancer immunotherapy. I also support other projects and lab functions by taking care of space organization, acquiring reagents and project management. When I'm not working in the lab, I enjoy cooking, craft work and volunteering for outreach activities. 

Tiina Liinamaa

I originally hail from Thunder Bay, Ontario, situated on beautiful Lake Superior.  I graduated from Queen’s Life Sciences (ArtSci ’93), followed by a Master's in Physiology (Queen’s).  I studied the distribution of motoneurons supplying feline shoulder muscles using fluorescent retrograde tracers and participated in several histocompatibility projects where I learned to love histology and the smell of histoclear.  After graduating in 1995, I worked in the same Queen’s lab to develop standard operating procedures and documentation control strategies.  In 1998, I moved to Pasadena, California, where I worked as a research associate at Allergan and Advanced Bionics, and then coordinated a fledgling graduate program in regulatory science at the University of Southern California.  I moved back to Kingston in 2002 and worked in various departments at Queen’s.  I have two kids – one a software developer/biomedical engineer and the other an apprentice carpenter/avid bird photographer.  I love forests and jungles, cooking and trying food of every origin, home projects, hot chilies, my cat Max, and gathering rocks/shells/sea glass. 

Our Current Graduate Students...

Eman Radwan

🎓 Mini-Masters, Team Cottrell 2023

Hi there!  My name is Eman.  I am a PhD student in Dr. Cottrell's lab.  I completed my MD and Pathology training at Alexandria University, Egypt.  I then worked there as a research and teaching assistant for 4 years.   I am passionate about observing the tumor microenvironment of aggressive cancers that are resistant to conventional types of therapy and investigating the pathological response of tumors treated with immunotherapy. For my PhD I am  studying the expression of immune checkpoint molecules to identify tumor immune microenvironment phenotypes in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma using multiplex IHC/IF.   Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking especially baking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
                              🍪📕💑

Michael Fotheringham

🎓 MSc. Grad, Team Cottrell 2023
Hi, I’m Michael! I came to the Cottrell Lab as an undergrad seeking an honours thesis mentor and was compelled to stay for grad school by questions left unanswered. I just wrapped up a MSc thesis evaluating tissue microarrays against whole-slide imaging in quantifying immune markers in lung cancer. My current focus as a PhD candidate is to continue to investigate the tumour-immune landscape of lung cancer using multiplex immunofluorescence technologies and by leveraging publicly available data. On the horizon somewhere is a real job, but for the time being, I’ll still cling to the daydream of becoming a massive rock n’ roll guitarist. Besides playing guitar, I like watching and playing hockey, fishing, and figuring out puzzle games.
                         🏒🧩🎸

Julia Schuurmans

Hi there, I am Julia! I am in the first year of my masters in Dr. Cottrell's Lab. I completed my Bachelors of Science with a Major in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University where I quickly developed a passion for cancer research and understanding the tumor-immune interactions in the TME (Tumor Microenvironment). My masters project focuses on identifying and analyzing a panel of biomarker expression patterns in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma using multiplex immunofluorescence. Overall, the goal of my research is to identify tumor profiles that respond to immunotherapy. Outside the lab I compete on the Queen's Varsity Rowing team and spend my free time exploring Kingston and the surrounding area with friends.

🚣 ☕ 🗺️

Jaxen Smith

Hey there! My name is Jaxen, and I am a new MSc student under the co-supervision of Dr. Cottrell and Dr. Simpson. I just finished up my Bachelor of Medical Science with an Honours Specialization in Pharmacology at Western University. My current research focuses on digital pathology and the use of AI to develop biomarkers to help guide patient treatment. I hope to continue on as a PhD student and one day become a professor. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing basketball, watching hockey and UFC, and spending time with my family
                  🏒 🛸🛋️

Gone, BUT NOT FOrgotteN!  Our Graduates...

Nicole Espinosa
🎓 MSc. Grad, Team Cottrell 2023
- Starting Law School in Fall 2024 -

Angela Choi
🎓 Mini MSc. Grad, Team Cottrell 2023
- University of Toronto Pharmacy Program -

Emily Cohen

🎓 MSc. Grad, Team Cottrell 2023
- University of Toronto  PhD Program -

Current Undergraduate Students

Phoebe Ji

Hi there! My name is Phoebe and I am completing my third-year in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at Queen’s University. I have been with the Cottrell Lab since May 2022. My role involves analyzing multiplex immunofluorescence images using AI algorithms, along with identifying neutrophils on human tissue slides. My 3rd yr thesis project was focused on neutrophils and tertiary lymphoid structures with the Cottrell Lab. I have always been passionate about cancer treatment, so I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the future of cancer research. I won the QCRI Summer 2024 award. As an aspiring physician-scientist, I am looking forward to continuing to gain valuable skills under the guidance of Dr. Cottrell and senior lab members. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading and writing novels. Some of my other hobbies include playing piano and singing! 

🎼 🎹

Kyran Sachdeva

Hey, I’m Kyran! I am finishing my 3rd year in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at Queen’s University. I began working with the Cottrell Lab at the beginning of June 2022 as a summer research student. In 2023 I received the QCRI Weaver/Howe Studentship to work on a neutrophil project and continued that work on  a 3rd year thesis project. Throughout my time at the lab, I have enjoyed learning more about using a method called pixel analysis to analyze multiplex immunofluorescence images. In addition, it has been interesting to learn how to stain and scan slides. I’m eager to discover more about how the research being done here can be used to help improve cancer treatment. Although my plans are constantly changing, I currently want to pursue a career in research as a graduate student or in medicine. While not volunteering or working in the lab, I love hiking in the summer, baking and reading. 

🥾 📚

Olamide (Mide)
Olanrewaju

Hello, I am Olamide (Mide) Olanrewaju and I am a 4th year student in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at Queen’s University. Currently, I work in the Cottrell laboratory as a SWEP student during the summer. This year, I am also doing a thesis project during the school year. In the lab, I have performed tasks like phenotyping, pixel analysis and data analysis via coding under the tutelage of senior lab members.  I am interested in going into the field of medicine and specializing in a field (maybe family/sports medicine). Though my plans have developed over time, I am looking at potentially pursuing further research in pathology, epidemiology or physiotherapy. Some of my hobbies are gaming, watching/playing basketball, Netflix, casual gaming and reading.
🏀 📺 


Alex Utriatre


Hello! My name is Alex and I am a second year Life Sciences student specializing in cancer research. I began working at the Cottrell lab as a research assistant in May 2023 and will be staying with the lab during the school year as a volunteer. During my time at the lab, I have learned a lot about non-small cell lung cancer and immunotherapy, as well as developed skills relating to different tissue staining techniques and histopathologic scoring. As an aspiring oncologist, I look forward to continuing to develop these skills under the guidance of Dr. Cottrell and senior lab members. In my free time I love to play sports, especially basketball, as well as spend time with friends and family. 

🏀 🧍


Past Members

Darah Vlaminck
Undergrad Student: May 2020 - August 2022

Alexa Fiorante

Undergrad Student:  May 2020 - August 2021

Dendra Hillier, M.Sc.

Research Coordinator:  August 2021 - July 2022

Michelle Mataj

Undergraduate Student:  May 2021 - April 2022


Pablo Morse

Undergrad:  May 2021 - April 2022

Bhakti Pandey

Undergrad:  May 2020 - August 2021

Katie Pirie

Undergrad:  September 2020 - August 2022

Daphne Wang

Project Manager:  March 2020 - August 2021

Daniel Kurtz

Undergrad 2021-2022

Angel Wong

Undergrad 2022-2023

Recent Achievements and Awards

Julia Schuurmans

Mide Olanrewaju

Phoebe Ji

Emily Cohen

Kyran Sachdeva

Nicole Espinosa

Michael Fotheringham

Katie Pirie

Darah Vlaminck