Dastmalchi Lab Members

Mehran Dastmalchi
Assistant Professor
Department of Plant Science | McGill University

I joined McGill University as an Assistant Professor in the Fall of 2020. I obtained my PhD from Western University (2010-2015), studying soybean isoflavonoid biosynthesis. I conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Calgary on opium poppy (2015-2018) and at Brock University on Madagascar periwinkle (2018-2020). I am a member and Senior Director of the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists (CSPB) and a member of the Phytochemical Society of North America (PSNA), the Centre de Recherche Biologie Structurale (CRBS), and the Centre SEVE. I enjoy a weekly run, every Thursday at 4:30 pm, together with the grad students at the Macdonald campus -- we call ourselves the Tenure Track Club  (follow us @ttcmacdonald).

Current lab members:

Fanfan Li (M.Sc. 2021 > Ph.D. 2023)

I completed my Bachelor's in Honours Biology at McMaster University (2021), where I developed a strong interest in plant science. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I pursued my passion for sustainable agriculture and tackling food security through biotechnology research. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing a variety of sports and spending time exploring the outdoors!
Brandon (M.Sc. 2021)

I received my Bachelor's of Science from Queen's University, specializing in biotechnology (2017-2021) and learning about plant cell biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics. While at Queen's, I conducted research to characterize the plant "Ubox" protein family. Simultaneously, I worked to complete a certificate in business from the Smith School of Business (2018-2021) with the hope of building a link between plant biochemistry and business. Outside of science, I spend my time obsessing about sports and exploring the outdoors. 
Audrey Coté (USRA 2022 > Honours 22/23 > Research Intern 23)

I recently completed my second year at McGill as an undergraduate student in Environmental Biology (BSc). Coming from a musical background, I studied opera for many years before my passion for science took over in 2017. I consequently acquired certificates to become an animal behaviourist and worked five years on the field tackling emergency rescues and rehabilitation missions with wild animals. This past summer, I worked as a USRA in the Dastmalchi lab, and I will continue this project as an Honour's student during the academic year. Outside of work, I spend my time appreciating music, gastronomy, and nature. 
Lee-Marie Raytek (Ph.D. 2022)

I recently completed my BSc/MSc at Queen’s University studying plant stress biology with a focus on post-translational (phosphorylation) regulation of metabolic enzymes. During this research, I became fascinated by synthetic biology efforts in the ag-biotech sector. As I join the Dastmalchi lab, I am excited to pivot towards this booming and crucial field. When I’m not conducting experiments, I enjoy participating in Science Communication outreach initiatives, through CSPB and other opportunities. In my free time, I love being down by the water, salsa dancing and traveling (ideally doing all three at same time in Colombia)! 
Xavier Brasseur-Trottier (NSERC-USRA 2023)

After more than a decade working in the restaurant and microbrewery industries, I decided to pursue another passion of mine, agriculture. It started when I worked in an organic farm for a full season and then decided to study Horticultural Production at EPSH (Saint-Hyacinthe). There, one of my professors, an agronomist, pushed me to continue my studies to a higher level.
I started my first year of Bioresource Engineering (BREE) not thinking that I would end up doing research during my first summer. It was after the course “Organisms 1” with Dr. Mehran Dastmalchi that my curiosity was piqued. I’m now studying a transporter protein found in soybeans. 
I’m still interested in everything food-related and I continue to explore that as one of the vice-presidents of the Fermenters and Brewers of Mac club.
Dr. Meha Sharma (Postdoctoral Researcher 2023)

I received my Ph.D. in Plant Science at McGill University (2023). During my graduate work, I focused on identifying the molecular basis of interaction between plants and rhizobacteria. I have identified the role of organic acids and their associated genes in the recruitment of beneficial bacteria. Throughout this work, I gained expertise in the fields of molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics. In the Dastmalchi lab, I am excited to conduct bioinformatics and protein expression analyses to identify plant-derived compounds which can enhance pesticide efficiency. Outside the lab, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, playing sports, and cooking.
 

Past lab members:

Jonathan Turcotte - (NSERC-USRA Summer 2021)
Cam-Ly Nguyen - (Volunteer Summer 2022)
Defne Helvacioglu (Honours 2022/23)