Lab Members
![Whelan Lab Jan 2024](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_image_desktop/public/2024-03/Group%20Feb%202024.jpeg?h=ea5a9d1a&itok=heMRCJzV)
![Dr. Patrick Whelan](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_image_2_3_desktop/public/2023-06/Patrick_Whelan_home.jpeg?h=f0e0d33b&itok=vkCSpm2U)
Dr. Patrick Whelan
whelan@ucalgary.ca | Office: (403) 220-4210
I have been involved in spinal cord research for over 20 years. My main interest is the organization and function of spinal cord networks that produce locomotion. These networks are essential for recovery of function following spinal cord injury. I have examined this issue using a wide range of animal preparations from the conscious walking cat to the in vitro spinal cord preparation of the mouse. The majority of my research interests focus on understanding how motor networks are organized and respond to descending stimuli. We have developed multiple models to accomplish this in our lab that range from whole cell patch approaches in slice preparations to optogenetic activation of descending nuclei in freely moving mice.
![Dr. Sandeep Sharma](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_thumbnail_portrait/public/2021-01/Sandeep_Sharma.jpg?itok=05ZBVg8z)
Dr. Sandeep Sharma
Research Associate | sharmas@ucalgary.ca
I joined the laboratory of Dr. Whelan in January 2014 as a Research Associate. My primary role in the lab is to understand the role of subthalamic locomotor region in regulating locomotion in mice. This includes studying connectivity of neural circuits using a variety of neuronatomical tracing approaches. I will also examine functionality & specificity of these circuits using genetic and/or pharmacogenetic approaches. Stress & inflammation are hallmarks of most nervous system disorders and may alter behavioral output. I am also interested to examine interactive effects of stress and/or inflammation on motor circuits and locomotion behaviors.
![Jonathan Milla Cruz](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_thumbnail_portrait/public/2022-10/Jonathan_Milla_Cruz.jpg?itok=QaZJu5Mk)
Dr. Jonathan Milla Cruz
Postdoctoral Associate | jonathan.millacruz@ucalgary.ca
I completed my Masters and Doctoral degrees in Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology from the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) of the National Polytechnical Institute in Mexico (December 2020). I joined the Whelan lab in July 2021 as a Postdoctoral Associate. My research focuses on studying the motor deficits during development in a Fragile X mouse model by means of electrophysiological recordings and behavioral test. As part of this research, I will be validating a system developed by CSMopto facility to automatically record freely moving rodents, reducing animal stress and experimenter handling. This will be implemented to detect motor deficiencies in freely moving adult Fragile X mice. Recipient of the NSERC BRAIN CREATE Postdoctoral Fellowship Award.
![Donovan A.](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_thumbnail_portrait/public/2024-05/Donovan%20Ashby.png?itok=qGYMS0pr)
Dr. Donovan Ashby
Postdoctoral Associate | donovan.ashby@ucalgary.ca
I received a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from Queen’s University and a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia. I research the mechanisms of learning and memory, and the etiology of neuropsychiatric symptoms, with a focus on cortical-subcortical interactions. I work in the laboratories of Dr. Alexander McGirr and Dr. Patrick Whelan, using advanced fluorescence imaging, optogenetic, and electrophysiology tools in mice. Recipient of the NSERC Brain Create Postdoctoral Fellowship Award.
![Nobody](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_thumbnail_portrait/public/2024-05/file.jpeg?itok=QKiXg4xb)
Todd Stang, MSc
Doctoral Student | todd.stang@ucalgary.ca
![Cole Belway](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_thumbnail_portrait/public/2022-09/Cole_Belway.jpg?itok=UdxDpWCF)
Cole Belway, BSc
Masters Student | cole.belway1@ucalgary.ca
I graduated from the University of Calgary in April of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology majoring in Neuroscience. I completed a summer studentship through Alberta Innovates studying genetics in neuromuscular disease. I started pursuing my master's in the Whelan lab in September 2022. My project focuses on tracing excitatory from the A13 to the Cuneiform nucleus using transgenic animal models to exhibit the causal effect for flight-like behaviour. Recipient of the Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES) and the Spinal Cord, Nerve Injury, and Pain (SCNIP) Graduate Award.
![Cecilia](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_thumbnail_portrait/public/2023-09/Image_20230908_124657_665.jpeg?itok=Q9yP0kGl)
Cecilia Badenhorst, MSc
Lab Technician | cecilia.badenhorst@ucalgary.ca
I received my master’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Lethbridge in September 2018. The focus of my thesis explored the effects of chronic unpredictable stress on decision making strategies in rodents and in particular, habit formation. I joined the Whelan lab in November 2019 as a lab technician. I am passionate about learning new concepts and ideas in the scientific field and hope to utilize my knowledge and skills to aid Dr. Whelan and his lab in studying descending modulatory pathways involved in locomotion and autonomic function.
![Michelle Tran](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_thumbnail_portrait/public/2023-09/Michelle%20Tran.jpeg?itok=pjWNg1rc)
Michelle Tran, BSc
Lab Manager | mmadriag@ucalgary.ca
I received my BSc with Specialization in Genetics from the University of Alberta. I rejoined the Whelan Lab in January 2018. Previously, I worked for Patrick as a Lab Technician from 2001-2011. During that time, I became proficient in in vitro and in vivo experimental techniques, studying the modulation of locomotor activity by multiple serotonergic and dopaminergic receptor subtypes in the neonatal mouse spinal cord. Currently, I provide support in post hoc tissue processing, mainly slicing, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, imaging (confocal and episcope), and analysis. I also validate new antibodies and establish controls. I help all trainees and staff in the lab while managing the daily operations.
Former Lab Members
Many of the students and personnel who have come through the lab have gone on to have successful careers in academia, dentistry, industry, law, and medicine. Congratulations on your accomplishments! Wishing you continued success in your future endeavours!
- Joseph Grams, MSc
- Adam Lognon, MSc
- Elizabeth Thurston, MSc
- Kyle Mayr, MSc
- Jennifer Flood, MSc
- Prince Ozogbuda, MSc
- Sukanya Biswabharati, MSc
- Adam Kirkby, MSc
- Dr. Mary Dunbar, MD
- Ian Gordon, LLB
- Dr. Kim Christie, PhD, Neuroscience
- Dr. Selina Pearson, PhD
- Dr. Linda Kim, PhD
- Dr. Simon Sharples, PhD
- Dr. Kathrin Koblinger, DVM, PhD
- Dr. Jennifer Humphreys, PhD
- Dr. Charlie Kwok, PhD
- Dr. Anna Griener, PhD
- Dr. Pengcheng Han, PhD
- Dr. Ning Cheng, PhD
- Dr. Tak Ho Chu, PhD
- Dr. Celine Jean-Xavier, PhD
- Dr. Sravan Mandadi, M. Pharm, PhD
- Dr. Stan Nakanishi, PhD
- Anchita Shonak, BSc Neuroscience
- Rebecca John, BKin
- Andrew Li, BHSc
- Dr. Seungwon Choi, MD
- Lauren Weber, PT
- Dr. Brieanne Rodgers, MD
- Dr. Rachelle Kettner, MD
- Jon Jimenez, BN
- Dr. Katherine Girgulis, MD
- Abel Mebrahtu
- Theodore Nelson
- Stephanie Tam, BSc Honors, Pharmacology & Biomedical Toxicology
- Claire McPherson
- Raneen Abdul-Rahman, BSc Honors, Neuroscience
- Nathan Meulenbroek, BSc, Computer Science and Physics
- Sara Ngan, BSc, Neuroscience
- Dr. Dion Kelly, PhD
- Andrew Chen
- Beibhinn Hinds, BSc
- Dr. Siddhartha Goutam, MD
- Dr. Rhiannon Brett, MD
- Dr. Mitchell Rohatensky, MD
- Natalie Farrell
- Dr. Peter Hong, MD
- Ming Yang Gao
- Lawrence Lee
- Dr. Magnus Breitling, MD
- Dr. Ah-Ling Cheng, MD
- Patricia Wrobel
- Gurleen Grewal
- Lin Xiang, BSc, Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
- Louisa Hardjasa, MSc, Informatics
- Nathaniel Osachoff, BEng
- Zahra Ghavasieh, BSc Computer Science
- Robert Fiker, BSc, Computer Science
- Leanne Young, JD
- Dr. Shane Eaton, MD
- Hawar Pasha
- Dr. Taha Chersa, DMD
- Claude Veillette, MSc
- Jillian Ejdrygiewicz, BSc, Marine Biology
- Dr. Aleksandra Krajacic, PhD