Lab Members

Sabine Gilch, PhD, PI

I obtained my PhD in Molecular Biotechnology in 2009 from the Technical University of Munich, Germany. Then I undertook postdoctoral studies on the molecular and cellular biology of prion infection at the Technical University of Munich and the University of Wyoming in Laramie, USA. In May 2013, I joined the UCVM Faculty as an Assistant Professor and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Prion Disease Research.

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Su Shim, MSc

Researcher/ Lab Manager

Irina Zemlyankina, PhD Candidate

I have been a PhD student at Dr. Glich’s lab since September of 2021. My research is focused on the response that different brain cells have to prions and thus their effect on disease development and progression. I have completed a BSc Hons in Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver where I did research on the relationship between liquid-liquid phase separating proteins and neurodegeneration with aging and disease. Outside the lab, I spend a lot of my time either hiking in the Rockies and doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or playing video games and Dungeons & Dragons with my friends.

Jessica Cashion, PhD Candidate

Jessica completed her BSc in Honors Biochemistry from the University of Alberta, where she received a Biomedical Research Certificate working in Dr. Holger Wille’s lab. She joined Dr. Gilch's lab in the Fall of 2021 as a graduate student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Her project focuses on cholesterol metabolism and its possible role in alleviating prion disease. In her spare time, she enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, cop TV shows, and reading.

Gokhan Yilmaz, PhD student

Gokhan received his BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Ottawa, and started in the Gilch lab as a masters student. His project is on the cellular pathways that are affected in prion infection. In his spare time, he likes playing board games, video games, and sports.

Melissa Razcon Echeagaray, PhD student

I have a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics from the University of Sonora, in Mexico. I just started my graduate program for MSc Veterinary Medical Sciences. I am working with CWD isolates from moose to determine its strain properties and investigate their potential transmission to caribou in the boreal forests. During my free time, I really like playing video games (currently I'm playing Tears of the Kingdom), watching movies and tv shows, and reading.

Anja Itum, MSc

Research Assistant

Kristen Gregg, MSc. student

Kristen received her BSc in Chemistry from Montana State University in 2022. She then worked at the NIH for 2 years studying yeast prions under Dr. Reed Wickner. Her current project is focused on a mechanism of genetic resistance of CWD and looking at the evolution of CWD strains. In her free time, Kristen loves to spend time hiking, camping, and climbing as well as playing in the Calgary Civic Symphony.

Aiman Mirza, MSc. student