Katie received her PhD in Developmental Biology from the University of Toronto and did her postdoc with Dr. Valentina Greco at Yale University, where she used intravital imaging approaches to unravel cell fate decisions in epidermal stem cells. In August of 2022, she moved to Montreal to start her independent group in the Department of Biochemistry at McGill. In her spare time, Katie likes to cook and eat tasty food and spend quality time with the lab mascot, Lucy.

Jacinthe received her MSc in Molecular Biology from UQAM in 2000, studying the role of apolipoprotein D in neurodegenerative diseases. Following this, she worked in the lab of Dr. Michel L. Tremblay and in the McGill Transgenic Core. In 2018, she joined the lab of William Pastor, working on DNA methylation and transcription factors involved in early embryonic development. Since 2023, she has also joined the Cockburn lab and shares her time between both labs. She enjoys winter outdoors, cross-country skiing, yoga, and trying to keep up with the piano.

Sophie did her BSc at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and her MScA in Biotechnology at McGill University. As a PhD student in the Bouchard, McCaffrey and Cockburn labs, Sophie studied lineage specification during the formation and maintenance of different epithelial systems, using both prostate and skin epithelia as models. As a postdoc in the Cockburn lab, Sophie continues to study mechanisms of cell fate specification and morphogenesis in the adult skin epithelium.

Vandana was born in Toronto, Ontario but grew up in Tennessee, USA. She received a BSc in Biochemistry at McGill University and joined the Cockburn Lab in the fall of 2022 as an undergraduate honours student. As a Masters’ student, she is studying the role of Notch signaling in skin renewal and homeostasis. Outside of the lab, Vandana enjoys playing the cello in I Medici di McGill’s Doctor’s Orchestra and in chamber ensembles.

Michael completed his BSc in Honours Pharmacology at McGill and joined the Cockburn Lab shortly after that in September of 2023. His project focuses on elucidating changes in skin stem cell fate in response to injury as well as in states of homeostasis. In his free time, he will make every effort to secure a sweet treat and enjoys doing intramural sports with friends.

Mauna was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. She received her BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Ottawa and joined the Cockburn lab in July 2024. Mauna’s project is related to the role of YAP/TAZ proteins in the epidermis. When she’s not in the lab, Mauna enjoys painting and being overly critical of famous literary icons.

Daniela was born and raised in Mexico. She completed her BSc in Biotechnology at Arkansas State University. As a master's student she is studying keratinocyte-melanocyte communication. Outside of the lab Daniela enjoys reading, going to the gym and drinking good tea.

Milan completed her Bachelor of Health Science in Biomedical Science at the University of Calgary in 2023 and remained at the university for a subsequent year as a lab technician. She began her Master's in the Cockburn lab in September 2024, where her project will assess how epidermal keratinocytes respond to cellular damage. She is an avid Pokémon fan and enjoys dream interpretation.

Olivia was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and is pursuing a B.Sc in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University. She is currently doing an undergraduate research project in the Cockburn lab, helping to study the role of Notch signalling in skin differentiation. In her free time, Olivia enjoys cafe hopping and exploring the city of Montreal.

Paul is a U3 student enrolled in the Interdepartmental Honours program in Immunology at McGill. His project aims to understand how epidermal stem cells respond to cellular damage.

Lucy is a schnauzer mix. She understands very little about epithelial biology, but provides crucial emotional support.