TEAM

Senior Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Research Centre, University Health Network.
Associate Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto.  

Kristin completed her PhD in the laboratory of Dr. John Dick with a focus on the characterization and therapeutic targeting of the cells that drive acute myeloid leukemia. She carried out post-doctoral studies under the supervision of Dr. Guy Sauvageau where she utilized functional screens to identify novel hematopoietic stem cell regulators. Her research program centers on studying pathways underlying the normal and malignant self-renewal machinery in the human blood system. Of particular interest is the exploration of this circuitry at the post-transcriptional level as mediated by RNA binding proteins (RBPs). The Hope Lab team’s work capitalizes on pre-clinical xenotransplantation assays coupled with lentiviral loss- and gain-of-function strategies, proteomics, and global genomics approaches to define candidate stem cell-regulating RBPs. These investigations are ultimately aimed at identifying nodes of post-transcriptionally controlled pathways central to regeneration and/or leukemia propagation whose tailored modulation through drug screening approaches could provide novel therapeutic possibilities.

Dr. Kristin Hope

STAFF

Scientific Associate
Lab Manager

Nick completed his PhD at McMaster University studying cancer stem cells prior to joining the Hope Lab in 2016. As a Scientific Associate (& Lab Manager) he oversees numerous projects and keeps everything organized behind the scenes, but also jumps in to help wherever needed. Outside of the lab, all his spare time goes to his two dogs.

Nicholas Wong, PhD

Scientific Associate

Ava completed her PhD at McMaster University with Dr. Hope in 2021. Now as a Scientific Associate the most fulfilling part of her role is supporting trainees with project development and scientific communication. Outside the lab Ava prioritizes family and enjoys gardening.

Ava Keyvani Chahi, PhD

Scientific Associate

Severine completed her PhD in France under the supervision of Dr. Eric Solary, where she investigated the role of caspases in hematopoietic differentiation. In 2007, she joined Dr. Iannis Aifantis’ Lab at New York University as a Postdoctoral Researcher, focusing on Notch signaling in T-cell leukemia. In 2015 she joined UHN as a lab manager in Dr. Steven Chan’s Lab, where she worked on IDH-mutated AML and clonal hematopoiesis. In 2024 she joined the Hope Lab, where her research focuses on mechanisms of disease evolution from clonal hematopoiesis and MDS to acute myeloid leukemia, including the roles of transcriptional regulation, RNA splicing, and RNA modifications. Outside the lab, Severine enjoys art, spending time in nature with her family, and getting lost in a good science fiction book.

Severine Cathelin, PhD

Scientific Associate

Amanda completed her BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry at the University of Waterloo, and her PhD at the University of Toronto with Dr. Hope in 2024. Now as a Scientific Associate, Amanda continues to focus on investigating the role of stress granules in acute myeloid leukemia and leukemia stem cells. In her free time, Amanda enjoys going for walks and playing boardgames with family and friends.

Amanda Tajik, PhD

Affiliate Bioinformatician

Soheil holds a PhD in Bioinformatics and is an Adjunct Scientist in the Stem Cell Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Prior to joining the Stem Cell Program in 2021, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher in Dr. Benjamin Haibe-Kains’ Lab where he developed extensive expertise in multiomic data analysis and the application of machine learning to cancer pharmacogenomics. Now with a strong background in developing algorithms to solve complex biological problems, he applies advanced computational and bioinformatics approaches to support research in stem cell biology, cancer genomics, and precision medicine. Outside of academic life, Soheil enjoys woodworking and the outdoors.

Soheil Jahangiri, PhD

Research Technician

Marry completed her BSc (Hons) at the University of Toronto before joining the Hope Lab in 2025. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking till the sun sets, and gaming till the sun rises.

Marry Xuan, BSc

POSTDOCS

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Cristiana completed her BSc in Microbiology & Immunology at Western University. Her interest in research led her to the University of Toronto, where she completed her PhD in leukemic stem cell lipid biology in 2025 with Dr. Courtney Jones. She has since joined the Hope Lab as a Postdoctoral Researcher to interrogate the role of RNA binding proteins in leukemia lipid metabolism. In her free time, Cristiana enjoys crocheting, sewing, as well as baking with, and for, her family.

Cristiana O’Brien, PhD

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Charlotte completed her BSc (Hons) in Pharmacological Toxicology from the University of Toronto, and later completed her PhD in 2026 under the supervision of Dr. Courtney Jones. Her research focuses on investigating the functional role of protein glutathionylation in acute myeloid leukemia, and has since joined the Hope Lab with additional interests in understanding how ribosomal regulatory machinery contributes to leukemic growth and survival. Outside the lab, Charlotte enjoys cat sitting, traveling (especially with Big Pants), experimenting with new cooking recipes, and playing Nintendo Switch.

Charlotte Ling, PhD

STUDENTS

PhD candidate

Pratik completed his BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry at McMaster University where he studied the spatial characteristics of Wnt-signaling in embryonic stem cells. In 2020, Pratik joined the Hope Lab to combine his stem cell background with cancer research to study how healthy, pre-leukemic and leukemic stem cells are regulated through post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. In the healthy context, Pratik studies how RBPs longitudinally regulate human hematopoietic stem cell function across the lifespan. He is also interested in identifying mechanisms driving the pathogenic function of pre-leukemic hematopoietic stem cells to 1) treat these pre-leukemic states that themselves carry significant burden and mortality, and 2) prevent transformation into frank leukemia. He is particularly interested in global, pathogenic alternative splicing events that occur in pre-leukemic states as novel drivers of disease.

Pratik Joshi

PhD candidate

Emily completed her BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry at the University of Victoria before joining the Hope Lab in 2020. Her research interests include hematopoietic stem cell fate decisions, RBP-RNA interactions, and erythroid differentiation. In her spare time, Emily enjoys art, trying new foods, and her plant collection.

Emily Tsao

PhD candidate

Saeer completed his MSc in Molecular Biology at the University of Waterloo before joining the Hope Lab in 2023. His research focuses on understanding how genetic variants perturb post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that contribute to leukemogenesis in AML. Outside of the lab, Saeer enjoys hiking, playing golf, and listening to music.

Saeer Adeel

PhD candidate

Lance completed his BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Toxicology and Health & Disease at the University of Toronto before joining the Hope Lab in 2023. His research focuses on investigating how tRNA-related RBPs and tRNA modifications regulate translational programs that support AML maintenance and progression. Outside of the lab, Lance enjoys travelling, swimming, exploring new food spots, and treating sleep like a serious extracurricular activity.

Lance Li

PhD student

Yumika completed her BSc (Hons) in Computer Science & Biology at McGill University. Before joining the lab in January 2025 (co-supervised by Dr. Federico Gaiti), she worked as a bioinformatics analyst at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Her research focuses on identifying cancer precursors in autoimmune disease patients. Outside of research, Yumika likes exploring nature, playing the ukulele and piano, and birds.

Yumika Shiba

PhD student

Shreya completed her BSc (Hons) in Life Sciences, and MSc in the Institute of Medical Sciences, before joining the Hope Lab in 2026. Her research project focuses on RBP-mediated pediatric AML chemoresistance. Outside of the lab, Shreya enjoys reading, swimming, trying new foods, and frolicking in the sun!

Shreya Kanade

MSc student

Tina completed her BSc in Microbiology & Immunology at the University of British Columbia. Driven by her interest in hematopoietic stem cell biology and pre-leukemic states, she joined the Hope Lab in 2026 to study splicing factor mutations and their interactions with the bone marrow microenvironment in the context of clonal hematopoiesis. Outside of the lab, Tina loves music, cooking and exploring new bubble teas.

Tina Wang

ALUMNI

  • Cecilia Restelli PhD, Post-Doc (2026)

  • Zaldy Balde, Research Technician (2024)

  • Vincent Rondeau PhD, Post-Doc (2024)

  • Tony Chen, MD/PhD (2024)

  • Steven Moreira PhD, Post-Doc (2023)

  • Ana Vujovic, PhD (2023)

  • Joshua Xu, MD/PhD (2022)

  • Lina Liu PhD, Post-Doc (2022)

  • Derek Chan, MD/PhD (2020)

  • Damian Tran, MSc (2019)

  • Belma Abidin PhD, Post-Doc (2019)

  • Laura de Rooij, PhD (2018)

  • Michelle Ly, MSc (2017)

  • Muluken Belew, PhD (2017)

  • Stefan Rentas, PhD (2016)

  • Nicholas Holzapfel, MD/PhD (2016)