Principal Investigator

Dr Izabella Pena 🇧🇷, PhD, BsC
- Dr. Izabella Pena is a dedicated scientist with a deep passion for biology and a focus on understanding metabolic dysfunctions in rare pediatric diseases. Her primary objectives include developing novel disease models and technologies, as well as discovering new treatment avenues. In the summer of 2023, she joined CHEO-RI and the University of Ottawa to establish her own laboratory, where she looks forward to many exciting years of research and discovery.
- Prior to this, Dr. Pena was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Under the mentorship of Dr. Myriam Heiman, she investigated the unique characteristics of brain cell types in Huntington’s Disease, pioneered techniques for cell-type specific mitochondrial isolation in vivo, and identified new factors involved in vitamin B6 homeostasis. Click here to read more about her journey!

Research associate

Dr. Samuel Shields, PhD, BsC, MSc,
- Sam is an analytical chemist who specializes in mass spectrometry of lipids and metabolites. He is interested in using advanced analytical tools to study rare diseases, environmental contaminants and biological systems. Outside the lab, Sam enjoys cycling, reading Sci-Fi, and snowboarding.

Kathrine Daniel, BSc
- Kate is always helping everyone in the lab, from cell culture to staining and western blotting. She is a jack of all trades and the master of many! Ah, talking about western blots – she is the Queen!
- She enjoys reading, playing board games, traveling, cooking, eating, drinking and exercising (have to balance out all that eating and drinking!!!).

Seb Parmasad, BsC
- I am a MSc student in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Ottawa. I completed my Honours BSc in Translational and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa, where my work focused on metabolic engineering of yeast and development of a therapeutic peptide purification pipeline. My current project is centered on the mechanisms behind riboflavin transporter deficiency (RTD), a rare metabolic disease primarily affecting children. Using mass spectrometry and metabolomics techniques developped by the lab, I will be establishing metabolic profiles for RTD patient-derived cell lines and determining how treatment with riboflavin affects these cells.
- Outside the lab, you’ll find me listening to music, playing with my dog, or on the ice playing hockey

Pallavi More, BSc, MSc
- Pallavi More is student enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry specialization in Human and Molecular Genetics under the supervision of Dr. Izabella Pena and Dr. Pranesh Chakraborty. Her motivation to pursue this program is rooted in her extensive twelve-year work experience in laboratory analysis, particularly in the areas of food and inborn errors of metabolism. She is enthusiastic about integrating her knowledge in biochemical and enzymatic assays, as well as chromatographic techniques, with the study of functional genomics, organelle profiling (metabolomics and proteomics LC-MS), animal model development, and various molecular biology methodologies to investigate diseases at the CHEO Research Institute.
- Pallavi has a Bachelor and Master of Science in Biotechnology from the University of Mumbai, India. She is passionate about screening, investigating and interpreting neonates biomarkers for inborn error of metabolic disorders and hemoglobinopathies as well as adult screening for fitness and nutrition. This gave her extensive expertise over cutting-edge equipment like HPLC, UPLC, GCMS, LCMS-MS, Hb1Ac analyser, Elisa Reader, and ICPMS.

Mariana Moreno, BsC, MSc
- Mariana is a Brazilian PhD student at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and a Master's degree in Biosciences. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Biosciences at UERJ and is a visiting research student at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). She has experience in cellular and molecular biology.
- Her research focuses on the role of APE1 redox function in breast cancer cells, with a particular interest in the effects of APE1 redox inhibition on senescent breast cancer cells.
- Outside the lab, Mariana enjoys watching K-dramas, reading books, taking care of her pets, and participating in science communication activities.

Noor Trigui, honours student in Biochemistry uOttawa
- Noor is currently completing an Honours BSc in Biochemistry alongside a BASc in Chemical Engineering (Biotechnology) at the University of Ottawa. Her interdisciplinary background has allowed her to explore research across biochemistry, molecular medicine, radiochemistry, and chemical engineering, with a strong interest in applying science and engineering to improve human health outcomes.
- For her Honours project at the CHEO Research Institute, she is investigating how leukemic cells regulate intracellular vitamin B6 export, with a particular focus on SLC19A1, the gene encoding the reduced folate carrier. Her research looks at the potential role of SLC19A1 as a biomarker and therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia.
- Outside of the lab, Noor enjoys baking, reading, and spending time in nature, whether that means hiking, paddleboarding, or simply finding a new place to enjoy the outdoors!

Wiam Bakrim, uOttawa, Biochemistry program
- Wiam Bakrim is a third-year Biomedical Science student at the University of Ottawa. She previously completed a degree in Computer Science but decided to switch paths to follow her interest in science and healthcare, wanting to focus on research that directly impacts people's lives. Her main interests are in genetics and molecular biology, and she’s looking forward to combining her tech background with hands-on lab work in the Pena Lab.

Dr. Stephanie Gaudreau, BSc, PhD (MITACS postdoctoral fellow project, Jan 2026-Sep 2026), main supervisor: Dr Tuan Bui, Dr Pena co-supervisor
Rahima Hasmani, BsC, MSc - Master's student, CMM Research Project program 2023-2024 (graduated 2024)
Dr Simran Kaur, PhD, MSc, BSc - postdoctoral fellow 2023-2025
Sujata Pokharel, BSc - part-time research technician 2024-2025