The CLAMPS team
You can contact us any time at clampslmp@gmail.com, or contact one of the team below.
The CLAMPS representatives are elected every year by the student body.
Co-President
Susanna Fang
Program: LMP PhD Research Stream
Year: 4th Year
Responsibility on council: Oversee social and academic events organized by VP and Jr. members while liaising between the LMP department and CLAMPS.
About me: I am studying the role of the astrocyte GLP-1R and GIPR in metabolism and inflammation at the LTRI. Beyond the lab, I like to cook, draw, paint, and ski/snowboard. I am also trying to re-learn the piano.
Co-President
Jenny Min
Program: LMP PhD Research Stream
Year: 4th Year
Responsibility on council: As the Co-President, I oversee the departmental programming for LMP Research Stream, TRP, and MHSc graduate students, while serving as the primary liaison between graduate students and the LMP Department.
About Me: My name is Jenny, and I’m a 4th year PhD student studying the role of cellular senescence in aging. Outside the lab, I enjoy being active - tennis, pilates, volleyball, and skiing, to name a few.
Co-Vice President of Academics
Chuhan (Catherine) Dong
chuhancatherine.dong@mail.utoronto.ca
Program: LMP PhD Research Stream
Year: 3rd Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: As VP Academics, I help coordinate the annual LMP Research Conference (LMPRC), which brings the LMP community together to share research and exchange ideas through oral and poster presentations, workshops, and networking. I also organize the LMP Product Show and connect with life science companies and industry representatives, as well as plan the CLAMPS Seminar Series and develop sessions to support students’ academic and professional development. In addition, I work with the CLAMPS executive team to plan activities that bring students together and create opportunities to learn, connect, and share their work.
About Me: Hi everyone! My name is Catherine, and I’m a third-year PhD student in Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology at the University of Toronto, where I study antibody-mediated immune responses and red blood cell clearance. I’m passionate about immunology, scientific communication and red blood cells (of course)! Outside of the lab, I love playing piano, building LEGO sets, discovering new workout classes around Toronto (especially hot Pilates!), and spending quality time with family and friends.
Co-Vice President Academics
Claire Yang
Program: LMP MSc Research Stream
Year: 2nd Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: As Co-VP Academics with Catherine, my main responsibility is to advocate for the academic interests of my fellow grad students by liaising between the LMP department and student body. Throughout the year, the academics team runs a biotechnology vendor show, hosts faculty seminars, and organizes the annual LMP Research Conference where LMP students can show off the amazing work they do!
About Me: I am a 2nd year MSc student studying the effects of extracellular vimentin on cell-matrix interactions. Outside of the lab, I love trying new restaurants, watching movies, gaming, and making art!
Co-Vice President of Recreation and Wellness
Dhruv Srikanth
Program: MHSc in Translational Research
Year: 2nd Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: I am responsible for organizing and coordinating athletic, recreation, and wellness events within CLAMPS! This includes activities like intramural sports, open recreation, and more!
About Me: I am a 2nd year MHSc student in the Translational Research Program, and my work focuses on care for persons with dementia. Outside of academics, I look forward to watching soccer, playing golf, and finding cool restaurants near campus to try! Feel free to reach out anytime with any questions, ideas, or just to chat!
Co-Vice President of Recreation and Wellness
Ellie Wan
Program: LMP MSc Research Stream
Year: 2nd Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: Organizing and coordinating athletic, recreation, and wellness events within CLAMPS, including the intramural volleyball team and the book club.
About Me: For my thesis, I am investigating the spatial and transcriptional heterogeneity of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) using spatial transcriptomics. Outside of the lab, I like to hike, play volleyball, and try out new restaurants around Toronto.
Vice President of Communications
Christina Tao
Program: MHSc in Translational Research
Year: 2nd Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: As VP of Communications, I coordinate CLAMPS’ communications and outreach to ensure members stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities. I’m excited to showcase our vibrant graduate student community and help strengthen connections within the LMP graduate department.
About Me: I am a second-year MHSc student in the Translation Research program, where my team focuses on developing tools to support the young-onset dementia community. Beyond research, I enjoy playing badminton, running and exploring cafes.
Treasurer
Sheng Han Li
Program: LMP PhD Research Stream
Year: 5th Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: My responsibility is to make sure CLAMPS operations are well-funded and to support the team's events and activities.
About Me: I research large-scale metabolomics for blood-based biomarker discovery in psoriatic arthritis disease activity. My hobbies include exploring new restaurants, reading, and video games.
TRP Representative
Jennifer Usher
Program: MHSc in Translational Research
Year: 2nd Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: As the TRP Representative, I serve as the liaison between TRP students and CLAMPS, facilitating communication, coordinating meetings, and advocating for TRP student interests. I also help plan and promote social, wellness, and collaborative events to strengthen engagement within the department and across student groups.
About Me: I'm a second-year TRP student completing my capstone research project at SickKids' Severe Asthma Clinic, where I focus on improving asthma medication adherence among adolescents. Outside of school, I enjoy spin classes, exploring Toronto, and catching up on the latest trending shows!
MHSc Representative
Catherine Dong
Program: MHSc in Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Embryology Field
Year: 2nd Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: I represent and communicate important information between CLAMPS and the MHSc student body (CEs and PAs). I support the annual LMPRC and organize social events to bring MHSc students and other student programs together to create connections and memories with peers :)
About Me: I study clinical embryology and assisted reproduction, with research on female fertility preservation. I love to read, paint, play soccer with friends, and meet new people and places!
Vice President of External
Jaeeun Lee
Program: LMP MSc Research Stream
Year: 2nd Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: As VP External of CLAMPS, I will coordinate external collaborations and community engagement opportunities for the LMP graduate community to connect with the broader community through networking and outreach events, such as REACH Day and Science Rendezvous.
About Me: I am a second-year MSc student in Dr. Valerie Wallace’s lab, where I study how molecular signals guide photoreceptor positioning and connectivity in the developing retina. Outside the lab, I love exploring new cafés and going on walks.
Vice President of Mentorship
Semini Beragama Jathunga
Program: LMP PhD Research Stream
Year: 3rd Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: Connecting CLAMPS and the LMP Mentorship Program through joint initiatives that increase engagement with our strong mentorship program, especially among incoming students. Supporting the program’s continued success and opportunities.
About Me: I’m a third-year PhD student at Krembil Research Institute studying small-molecule signatures of psoriatic arthritis onset in psoriasis patients, under the supervision of Drs. Vinod Chandran and Vathany Kulasingam. Outside the lab, you will find me chatting away with my dog or going on long walks with good music.
Head Location Director
Liam Chen
Program: LMP PhD Research Stream
Year: 5th Year
Responsibility on CLAMPS: As Head Location Director, I’ll be coordinating the Location Directors across research facilities, helping them plan and promote events at each site, manage budgets and timelines, and bridge the Location Director team, CLAMPS executives, and the broader student body.
About Me: I study how the intestinal immune system regulates metabolic disorders associated with aging and obesity. To slow my aging, I like to play badminton, hike, and snowboard, though my passion for good foods counteracts all these efforts.