Team

Our

Team

Meet our dynamic team of current and former lab members led by Professor of Chemistry Dr. Alana Ogata at the University of Toronto. Our lab members span graduate students pursuing their PhDs to undergraduate students wanting to get their first research experience.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Alana Ogata

PhD

Alana joined the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor in the summer of 2021 and is jointly appointed in the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences. She is excited to lead a research program that takes inspiration from all stage of her academic career and train the next generation of scientists under a combination of values learnt from her own mentors.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Ruben Castillo Barberi

MSc

Ruben was born in Venezuela and moved to Canada at the age of 6. He began working at the Ogata Lab as an ROP student, fabricating electrochemical impedance bioresitors. Pursuing a fourth year thesis, he began researching the encapsulation of proteins in ZIF-8 metal-organic frameworks. His Masters will now focus on fabricating a POC device using roll-to-roll technology for detection of cardiovascular markers in blood. Outside of the lab, Ruben enjoys being a Zumba instructor, watching comedy and trying new food.

Melissa D’Amaral (she/her)

PhD

Melissa completed her B.Sc. in Chemistry and M.Sc. in Molecular Science from Toronto Metropolitan University, in 2020 and 2022, respectively. She completed her theses under the supervision of Prof. Marc J. Adler, where she investigated organosilanes as agents for stoichiometric and catalytic amide synthesis. Melissa is now working towards her Ph.D. in Chemistry in the Ogata Lab, specializing in analytic chemistry, where she will conduct single particle studies of enzyme/MOF composites. When not in the lab, Melissa loves spending time with friends and family, playing volleyball, travelling, or watching reality TV.

Advikaa Dosajh (she/her)

MSc

Advikaa completed her HBSc in Chemistry and Forensic Biology at the University of Toronto in 2021. During her undergraduate studies, Advikaa did her thesis project under of Vivienne Luk where she developed a set of Guidelines for Optimization using Chemometrics. She was also the project coordinator for the Language of Forensics project that was designed to standardize the terminology used in the field of Forensic Science across Canada. Advikaa is a Masters student in Analytical Chemistry at the Ogata Lab, working on point-of-care devices. When Advikaa is not in the lab, she loves to rock climb, build Lego, and cuddle with her cats.

Jared King (he/him)

PhD

Originally a native of Barbados, Jared King came to Canada to pursue his scientific passions by attending Trent University for his Bachelor’s in Chemistry and Forensic Science. A few years after graduating, he kept his pursuit alive by attending Fanshawe College to maximize networking potential and career building. He is now pursuing a Masters in Chemistry specializing in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Toronto. His passions outside of science include archery, singing/performing, cooking, and astronomy.

Kezia Suryoraharjo (she/her)

PhD

Kezia was born and raised in Indonesia, but moved to Canada to pursue her undergraduate studies in the University of Toronto St. George campus. She gained research experience from working with the Song group and the Wheeler group, then completing her HBSc in Chemistry in 2023. She is now working towards her PhD in the Ogata lab, studying ultrasensitive detection for gynecological disease diagnostics. Outside the lab, she tries to catch up with her family and friends (as well as catch up on sleep), practices calligraphy, and watches cooking videos on YouTube. 

Justin Van Houten (he/him)

PhD

Justin completed his HBSc in Chemistry and Biology at the University of Toronto in 2019. During his undergraduate studies Justin completed work under the supervision of Igor Lenherr where he investigated the transport and fate of mercury and methyl-mercury species in freshwater rivers. Justin completed his MSc in 2021 under the supervision of Ulrich Krull after developing a functional glucose sensor with UCNPs. Justin is now working toward his PhD in the Ogata lab where he studies structure function relationships in metal organic frameworks. Justin enjoys reading classic literature and spending time in nature.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Sophia Alonzi (she/her)

Sophia is entering her third year majoring in Chemistry and Biology for Health Sciences. Previously, as a ROP student in the Nguyen Ba lab, she measured phenotypic mutation rates of yeast after removing or inactivating human oncogene orthologs. Her current UTEA project focuses on developing single molecule assays to detect biomarkers of human disease. Outside of the lab, she likes to read, garden, and crochet.

Diego Estrada (he/him)

Diego was raised in Colombia, Bogotá. He is currently entering his fourth year majoring in Biology for Health Sciences and double minoring in Chemistry and Biomedical Communications at UTM. Outside of the lab, he enjoys going for motorcycle rides, rock climbing, photography and spending time with his dog. 

Shriya Gulati (she/her)

Shriya was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. She is currently doing a chemistry specialist at UTM. Outside of lab, she loves taking pictures of the sky, especially during sunset, and going on walks to get some fresh air.

Anthony Makwanda (he/him)

Anthony was born and raised in Tanzania, moved to Canada pursuing his undergraduate studies. He is currently entering third year taking degree Specialist in Biotechnology. Outside the lab he enjoys sewing, reading and travelling.