Jason T Maynes, PhD/MD is the Chief of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the Associate Chief of Research (Surgical Services) and a Staff Anesthesiologist at The Hospital for Sick Children. He has research training in biophysics from the University of Alberta, Los Alamos National Weapons Lab and Washington University.

Favorite Food or Drink: Scotch

Favorite Quote: " Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts." - Richard Feynman

Ramesh Babu Vanama, PhD. is the Lab Manager in the Maynes Lab at the Hospital for Sick Children. He previously completed his PhD in Genetics from the University of Osmania. His past work experience includes working as a Research Associate in the Hybrid Rice department at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, a Postdoctoral fellow in the department of Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto, and a Lab Manager in the Department of Immunology at University Health Network. He is currently working on mitochondrial fission factor protein.

I received my MD degree and an M.Sc. degree in Surgery from Dalian Medical University. After working as a surgeon for 3 years, I moved to Canada and received my M.Sc. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Calgary. Since 2004, I have been working as a Research Associate at SickKids, specializing in pediatric cancer research. In 2017, I joined this wonderful team and started working on proteomic analysis in cardiovascular diseases. My goal is to find out why people suffer from “broken hearts” and how we can heal them from molecular level.

I did my undergrad in Food Science and since I was so fascinated with what food does to our body, I studied Human Nutritional Sciences at University of Manitoba (U of M) for my Masters degree. During my PhD at the department of Physiology and Pathophysiology at U of M, I studied the mechanisms involved in the anti-obesity effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and obese db/db mice. I moved to Toronto to continue my training and after 4 years of postdoctoral training on stem cell research at the SickKids and UHN, I joined Maynes lab in 2019. I currently study the role of secreted factors from neonatal heart-derived stem cells on heart repair. Besides stem cell research I enjoy baking and gardening.

I am a post-doctoral fellow in the Maynes laboratory focusing on research pertaining to drug discovery and development. More specifically, I am investigating novel small molecular inhibitors of respiratory syncytial virus. Prior to joining the laboratory, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master’s of Biomedical Technology from the University of Calgary.

Hello, I am Wenkun! I completed my BSc at the Dalian university of Technology and PhD in mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto. I am currently a Postdoctoral research fellow at the U of T and SickKids. My project focuses on developing micro-engineered platforms, biosensors, and Heart-on-a-Chip technologies to characterize the contractile function of in vitro cardiac models for drug testing and cardiac disease modeling. I like to play with the “engineering toys” I developed for heart research. In my spare time, I like swimming and hiking with friends.

Hi, I'm Julia! I am currently a PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry at UofT, and previously graduated co-op Biochemistry at the University of Waterloo. I study proteins that relay tension in the heart. I pretend to rule over the elements, but really, I just mix colourful liquids.

Hello, I’m Tim! I am originally from Vancouver and I completed my BSc in Pharmacology at the University of Alberta. Now that I am a grad student at the UofT I can’t help but think I will eventually end up somewhere further East because I just keep moving in that direction throughout my education. I am interested in the pathophysiology of heart diseases, disease prevention and drug discovery. Currently, I study an ion channel mutation in the heart that leads to arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies. When I am not in the lab you can expect to find me at the climbing gym or on the basketball court, staying active is good for your cardiovascular health!

I did my bachelor’s degree in biology at the American University of Sharjah in the UAE. Then I moved to the second coolest London in the world and did my masters in Neuroscience at Western University before joining the Maynes lab for my PhD. I am currently studying the metabolic effects of neonatal heart-derived secretome on cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts or how my non-scientist friends like to say: “studying secretome of baby hearts and what is special about them”. I am also a cat enthusiast, so if you ever need a cat sitter, you know who to call.

Hi everyone, I’m Shirley! I am a MASc candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto. In 2020, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a specialization in Biotechnology at the University of Waterloo. Currently, my research project aims to develop a delivery system for neonatal stem cell secretomes as a potential regenerative therapy for heart failure. Outside of the lab I enjoy hiking, travelling, and trying out new cooking recipes.

Hello, I am Adam! I completed my Bsc in Biochemistry at the University of Toronto in 2020 and am currently enrolled in the same program for my graduate studies. My research project in the JTM lab is to study the epigenetics of a focal adhesion protein called beta parvins, and its relationship to the contractility of the heart. In my spare time, I love trying out new restaurants, traveling with my friends, and going to karaoke. If anyone is down for going to karaoke, I would be delighted if anyone wants to join but be warned beforehand of my terrible singing.

Hi, I’m Kaley! I am currently a laboratory technician in the JTM lab. Prior to starting here, I completed an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology & Genetics and Biomedical Sciences and a master’s degree in Pharmacology & Toxicology, both from the University of Guelph. When I’m not working on my power swing, I find time to study the effects of various anesthetics on mitochondrial function. Still working on hitting for the Krebs cycle!

I graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree and obtained my Master of Nursing Degree from Athabasca University. By day, I help coordinate research studies in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine and am responsible for various nursing/research-related tasks. By night I am a part time fitness/Zumba instructor and also enjoy tap dancing, playing the piano and traveling the world.