Sam is the Operations Manager for Global Nexus and a Senior Research Scientist at the Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub (CP2H). He received his PhD at McMaster University in the laboratory of Dr. Zhou Xing, focusing on the development and evaluation of respiratory vaccine candidates for tuberculosis. He is a co-developer of McMaster’s inhaled COVID-19 vaccine platform and a co-investigator for AeroVax, a pan-Canada phase II study characterizing the safety and immunogenicity of the inhaled COVID-19 vaccine. Sam additionally provides scientific oversight for research activities in the Miller Lab and facilitates collaborations between private, public, and governmental partners.

Jann is the Lab Manager for the Miller Laboratory. She started her research career by doing her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry specializing in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at McMaster University. Jann did her 4th year undergraduate thesis on Malaria where she studied  the sequence requirements for the inner membrane complex (IMC) proteins to form the pellicle of the parasite. Jann continued her passion for research by doing her Masters Degree in Chemistry (Biochemistry) at University of Waterloo. She studied the in vitro modification of monoclonal antibodies using a glycosyltransferase. 

Outside of the lab, Jann enjoys baking and is always up for a hike!

Michael is a post-doctoral fellow, who completed an M.Sc. in the lab of Dr. Zhou Xing investigating the role of memory alveolar macrophages in control of tuberculosis, and his Ph.D. here in the Miller Lab developing active and passive vaccination strategies against SARS-CoV-2. Michael is working on a phase 2 clinical trial to progress McMaster’s inhaled COVID-19 vaccine.

In his free time, Michael enjoys live music, sports, the gym, and playing with his dog Summer.

Art completed his PhD in the Miller Laboratory, where he continues to examine the relationship between viral infections and the development of ALS. Art began his research career as a Research Assistant at SickKids hospital in the Paediatric Emergency Medicine department. He completed his Honours Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Human Biology: Health and Disease at the University of Toronto, where he developed a strong interest for host-pathogen interactions and immunological responses. ​

In his spare time, Art enjoys hiking, reading, playing basketball and  boardgames. Especially, beating people in Catan.

Yona is a PhD candidate in the Miller Laboratory. Her research focuses on understanding mucosal antibody responses to respiratory viral infections and how we can better leverage these responses during vaccination and as broadly-protective passive immunization strategies. She received her Honours Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science (Biochemistry) at McMaster, where she completed her undergraduate thesis in the Miller Lab. Her undergraduate work focused on characterizing new broadly-neutralizing antibodies as potential therapeutic treatments against influenza virus infections.

Outside of the lab, Yona is an avid baker and knitter.

Vithushan is a MD/PhD candidate in the Miller Laboratory. He completed his Honours Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Physiology at the University of Toronto. During that time, he developed an interest in the interaction between neurological disorders and the immune system from his work in the field of spinal cord injury and epilepsy. His research in the Miller Laboratory focuses on understanding the intersection between senataxin (SETX), viral infection, and neurodegenerative diseases.

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Outside of the lab, Vithushan enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and watching movies.

Kyle earned his Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Genetics from McMaster University. He went on to complete a Master of Science in Experimental Medicine at the University of British Columbia, where his thesis focused on evaluating anti-pertussis immune responses in infants and children born to mothers who were either vaccinated or unvaccinated against pertussis during pregnancy. In the Miller Lab, Kyle’s doctoral research investigates how vaccine formulation and route of administration influence the induction and magnitude of trained innate immunity.

Hahn is a PhD student in the Miller Laboratory. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree at McGill University in the Microbiology and Immunology program. His fourth-year advanced research project with Dr. Chen Liang at the Lady Davis Institute focused on investigating a library of microbial metabolites for novel immunomodulatory compounds. His graduate research project focuses on leveraging machine learning for the exploration and discovery of novel antiviral strategies and compounds.

Outside of the lab, Hahn loves watching movies and shows, doing random activities with friends, and going on hikes during the 2 weeks of Fall weather Canada gets.

Charlotte is a PhD student in the Miller Laboratory. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology & Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Guelph. Her graduate research is focused on further understanding the mechanisms by which broadly neutralizing antibodies protect against influenza A virus.

Outside of the lab, Charlotte enjoys playing piano, singing, cooking, and spending time on her family’s farm.

Josh earned his Honours B.Sc. in Conservation Biology from Trent University, where he conducted research in Nunavut studying the relationships between Arctic plants, snow, and climate change. As an undergraduate, he was selected to join the inaugural cohort of the Summer Scholars Program and began working in the Miller Lab studying the unfolded protein response during coronavirus infections. Now a master’s student in the Miller Lab, Josh is focused on expanding the lab’s chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored vaccine platform. He is currently developing and characterizing a new vaccine candidate designed to combat the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1.

Outside of the lab, Josh enjoys birdwatching and rock climbing.

After completing his undergraduate thesis and co-op work term in the Miller Laboratory, Imran continues his research as an MSc. candidate. His research has focused on how ALS-associated SOD1 mutations and viral infections work in the context of neurodegeneration. He will continue to research the relationship between viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases in the context of HSV-1 infections in mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases.

Outside the lab, Imran enjoys playing volleyball, spending quality time with friends, hiking and binge-watching all his comfort shows.

Emma completed her BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics at McMaster University, where she developed a strong interest in immunology and infectious diseases while conducting her senior thesis in the Miller Laboratory. Building on her undergraduate work, Emma's research focuses on trained innate immunity and broad-spectrum protection.

Outside the lab, she is usually running, hiking, or worrying about her cells.

Karena completed her undergraduate thesis at the Miller Laboratory. Alongside her pursuit of a Master of Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization, she is working at the lab to continue her research on the mechanisms of protection mediated by broadly neutralizing antibodies against influenza A virus.

In her free time, Karena enjoys rock climbing, creating art, and playing with her dog. 

Emma is a Biochemistry and Biomedical Research summer co-op student entering into her fourth-year thesis. She’s currently working on developing a universal flu vaccine using an adenovirus vector to train the immune system to recognize conserved regions of the influenza virus.

Outside the lab Emma loves experimenting with new baking recipes, arts and crafts, and watching F1!

Jenny is a Biology and Pharmacology Co-op (B.H.Sc) undergraduate student at McMaster University. She previously completed a co-op at Zymeworks, where she developed and performed in-vitro assays on drug candidates to compare the potency of different antibody arms. In the Miller Lab, her project focuses on investigating novel drug candidates through both cell work and animal models.

Jenny enjoys hiking and finds satisfaction in organizing — whether it’s cleaning up lab data, tidying her space, or building the perfect Excel spreadsheet.