Li-Fang (Jack) Chu, PhD

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Cellular Reprogramming

Co-Chair, Reproduction and Regenerative Medicine Research Group

Academic Co-lead, Centre for Genome Engineering (CGE)

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM)

Precision Medicine & Disease Mechanisms, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI)

Jack became interested in biology and genetics as an undergrad majoring in Zoology at National Taiwan University (Taipei, Taiwan). His first undergraduate research project involved cloning a shrimp viral gene which hijacks gene regulation, and he later spent a summer at North Carolina State University as an exchange student studying plant biology. He received his PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from Baylor College of Medicine, where he studied the relationship between the early germ cell lineage and pluripotent stem cells in vitro. He then pursued training as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. James Thomson’s lab at the Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he became interested in studying developmental timing and developed an in vitro model to recapitulate the human segmentation clock. His research projects focus on using pluripotent stem cells to model development and disease and to identify novel therapeutic strategies for regenerative medicine. Aside from research, Jack is passionate about teaching and mentoring young scientists. He also enjoys swimming, hiking, traveling, and spending time with his wife and two kids. 

Vanessa Conrad, BSc honors

Lab Assistant joined the lab in the summer of 2021

Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology (Honours)

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology (Honours) at the University of Calgary. My research project explored the effect of early-life THC exposure to zebrafish behavior and physiology. As a zoology student, I also studied cellular and molecular biology and became fascinated by developmental biology and topics like regenerative medicine. In Dr. Chu’s lab, I am currently working on cellular reprogramming and understanding the regulation of the species-specific pluripotent states. In my free time, I enjoy many activities such as hiking, reading, sports, baking, and art.

Maggie Rusteika, BSc honors

MSc student, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Specialization (BME), joined the lab in the summer of 2021

CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarships Master’s Awardee (2023), BME Graduate Program Research Excellence Awardee (2023-2024),

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honorus)

NSERC USRA Award (2023), O’Brien Centre Summer Studentship (2022) and PURE Studentship Awardee (2021)

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary currently beginning my third year of a Bachelor of Health Sciences honours degree majoring in biomedical sciences. I have a hope to work in research following the completion of my degree and intend to focus on stem cell research. Particularly, the use of stem cells in spermatogenesis with the hopes of discovering new methods of fertilization. I am currently working on a research project in the Chu lab that focuses on the role of the WNT signaling pathway on regulating porcine iPS cell renewal. Outside of the lab, I enjoy weightlifting, baking, crafting, and exploring.

Pranav Ramesh, MS

PhD student, Stem cells and Regenerative Medicine Specialization (VMS), joined the lab in the summer of 2022

One Child Every Child (OCEC) Graduate Scholarship (PhD) Awardee (2023-2025)

I graduated with a Master’s in Biology from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India. My final year master’s thesis focused on characterizing the sex differences in Drosophila hematopoiesis. Having worked with multiple model organisms to study development and disease, my fascination for stem cells and developmental biology has only increased. I joined the Chu lab to build on my interests and work on the exciting bridge between developmental biology and regenerative medicine. My project mainly focuses on performing experiments using human embryonic stem cells to answer critical questions about the human segmentation clock. Outside the lab, I like to admire dinosaurs, hit the gym, do graphic designing, and sleep. 

Jaime Neira, BSc

MSc student, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology graduate program (CSM), joined the lab in the fall of 2022

Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES) Awardee (2023)

I graduated from the University of Calgary with a BSc (Honours) in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology in 2022. The following semester, I joined Dr. Chu as a MSc student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. My undergraduate thesis project was focused on the creation of a CRISPR-Cas9 construct for the knockout of costunolide synthase, a cytochrome P450 protein in lettuce (L. sativa), in the lab of Dr. Dae-Kyun Ro. This initial training in molecular biology, combined with a strong interest in developmental biology and biotechnology from my undergraduate classes, led me to seeking out a position with the Chu lab, where my project focused on studying porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (PiPSC). Outside of the lab, I like to get outdoors, go out to eat with friends, travel abroad, and learn new languages whenever I get the chance!

Monica Bautista

Undergraduate research student, Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honorus), joined the lab in the summer of 2022

O’Brien Centre Summer Studentship Awardee (2022, 2023)

My name is Monica and I am in my third year of the Biomedical Sciences program at the University of Calgary. In the Spring and Summer of 2022, I will be doing research in the Chu Lab regarding the dynamics of the WNT signaling pathway during human somitogenesis. In my free time, I love volunteering with elementary classes to teach them about science, hiking in Kananaskis, trying new food, and practicing different styles of street dance.  

Jin-A Lee, PhD

Eyes High Postdoctoral Fellow, joined the lab in the winter of 2023

I completed my PhD at Sungkyunkwan University in August 2019, under the supervision of Professor Kyeong Kyu Kim, who heads of the laboratory of Structural Biology at Samsung Biomedical Research institute and Sungkyukwan University School of Medicine. Prior to my current position, I worked as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto for 2 years, focusing on researching alternative therapies for Cystic Fibrosis (CF).  Outside of the lab, I enjoy activities such as cycling and hiking during the summer, as well as skiing and snowshoeing during the winter. I also have a passion for traveling and exploring new places.  

Saher Raouf

Undergraduate research student, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bioinformatics (Honorus), joined the lab in the fall of 2023

I’m in my fourth year of Bioinformatics program at the University of Calgary. I am working on a research project at Chu Lab where we are looking at time course RNA-Seq data of cells in somitogenesis. We will employ computational tools to develop a robust method for detecting and characterizing the oscillatory expressed genes. In my free time, I enjoy long walks, Pilates, reading and going shopping with friends.

Emily Hiles, BSc

Lab Assistant

Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

I completed my undergrad at the University of Calgary majoring in Neuroscience. My research project explored the metabolic properties of aging in neurons with a focus on fatty acids. Over the course of my undergrad, I also became interested in regenerative medicine and am excited to continue to pursue this passion in the Chu Lab! I am currently working on projects which explore the segmentation clock and the formation of iPSC lines across multiple species. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking for my family, hiking and backcountry camping, and painting.

Eve Higgins

Time in the lab: Sept 2021 – May 2022

4th-Year Honours Research Thesis Project student (MDSC 508)

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary and am in the fourth and final year of my Health Sciences degree. I am conducting my honors thesis in the Chu lab. My project focuses on how influencing the WNT signaling pathway affects cell maintenance and proliferation of porcine iPS cells. I hope that in the future I will be able to take these skills abroad to conduct further research to bridge knowledge disparities in different countries. Outside of the lab I enjoy, sketching, playing video games, and working out. 

Selina Jiang

Time in the lab: Sept 2021 – May 2022

4th-Year Research Thesis Project student (CMMB 528)

I am currently a 4th-year Biological Sciences student at the University of Calgary. From the beginning of my degree, I knew I enjoyed lab work and wanted to take part in a research project before the end of my studies. In my 3^rd year, I took an introduction course to developmental biology and established an interest in this field. From there on, I contacted Dr. Chu and got the opportunity to join the Chu lab! I am currently working on my thesis project, focusing on exploring the segmentation clock and how it’s influenced by different factors. Outside the lab, I enjoy exploring the mountains, building 1000-piece puzzles, and watching the great Canadian Baking Show.

Anthony Do

Time in the lab: May 2021 – Sept 2021

Summer Student, NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awardee (USRA)

An undergraduate student at the University of Calgary majoring in Biological Sciences with a strong interest in biochemistry and molecular biology. Currently, I am working on a research project in the Chu Lab for the summer studying the role of NOTCH signaling pathway in regulating human segmentation clock model using embryonic stem cells. I plan to pursue a career in dentistry in the near future using my background in the sciences and research. I also currently volunteer with Alberta Health Services; supporting staff at temporary vaccination sites and visiting patients at Rockyview General Hospital. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing sports, going hiking, travelling, cooking, and hanging out with friends

Valentyna Maslieieva, MS

Time in the lab: Sept 2020 – Feb 2021

Lab Manager (co-managing Ungrin Lab)

Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Valentyna has a broad interest in life sciences. She received her BSc degree in Biology from National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (Kyiv, Ukraine), researching cardiomyocyte cell death during ischemia-reperfusion. She then obtained her MSc in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary, supervised by Dr. Roger Thompson. Her work was mostly focused on BCSFB neuroimmunology and stroke treatment projects, involving areas of cell biology, physiology and biochemistry. There she designed a novel protocol for isolation of live and intact rat choroid plexus, and developed a new labelling and live-cell imaging technique that allowed observation and quantification of physiological responses of immune cells in choroid plexus / blood-CSF barrier. She is currently working in two labs of Dr. Jack Chu and Dr. Mark Ungrin. In the latter, a biomedical engineering lab, she is developing a new method for microencapsulation, and works on diabetes treatments.

In her free time, she is developing two start-ups in the fields of biotechnology and mental health. She is an avid audiobook listener, likes hiking, gardening and travelling (has been to over 20 countries).