Members
Get to Know Our Team
Dr. Natalie Zeytuni
Principal Investigator
Dr. Zeytuni is an assistant professor at the department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University.
Dr. Zeytuni has obtained a BSc in Marine Biology and Biotechnology from the department of Life Sciences at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Fascinated by the raw research potential in the marine environment she later joined Prof. Raz Zarivach laboratory at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev for MSc and PhD studies. In her MSc and PhD studies, Dr. Zeytuni’s trained as a biochemist and structural biologist, specializing in X-ray crystallography, and her studies focused on a bacterial biomineralization system that produces magnetic nano-crystals called the magnetosome. Later, Dr. Zeytuni joined Prof. Natalie Strynadka at the University of British Columbia, Canada for postdoctoral studies. As a postdoctoral fellow she studied the numerous bacterial secretion systems and membrane transporters associated with bacterial pathogenicity. During her postdoctoral training Dr. Zeytuni has specialized in cryo-electron microscopy, membrane protein production and purification as well as membrane-mimetics systems.
Dr. Zeytuni has been awarded with prestigious fellowships and grants during her studies including the Banting fellowship, EMBO long-term fellowship, L'Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science fellowship and others.
Prof. Albert Einstein's spirit
Can be only described in equations.
Pure energy.
Space heater
Chief Thermodynamics Regulator
Supports heat addiction. Essential member.
Dr. Natalie Zeytuni
Principal Investigator
Dr. Zeytuni is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and an associate member of the Biochemistry Department and the Microbiology and Immunology Department at McGill University.
Dr. Zeytuni has obtained a B.Sc. in Marine Biology and Biotechnology from the Department of Life Sciences at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Fascinated by the raw research potential in the marine environment she later joined Prof. Raz Zarivach laboratory at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev for MSc and PhD studies. In her M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies, Dr. Zeytuni’s trained as a biochemist and structural biologist, specializing in X-ray crystallography, and her studies focused on a bacterial biomineralization system that produces magnetic nano-crystals called the magnetosome. Later, Dr. Zeytuni joined Prof. Natalie Strynadka at the University of British Columbia, Canada for postdoctoral studies. As a postdoctoral fellow, she studied the numerous bacterial secretion systems and membrane transporters associated with bacterial pathogenicity. During her postdoctoral training, Dr. Zeytuni has specialized in cryo-electron microscopy, membrane protein production and purification as well as membrane-mimetics systems.
Dr. Zeytuni has been awarded prestigious fellowships and grants during her studies including the Banting fellowship, EMBO long-term fellowship, L'Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science fellowship and others.
Dr. Taylor Forrester
Postdoctoral fellow
Dr. Forrester completed his B.Sc. in Biochemistry at the University of Guelph. During this time, he developed a keen interest in bioinformatics and structural biology. He then pursued a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in the lab of Dr. Matthew Kimber at the University of Guelph. His studies focused on characterizing biological machines associated with bacterial cell-surface polysaccharide production using X-ray crystallography and other biochemical techniques.
He then joined the lab of Dr. Chris Whitfield at the University of Guelph as a postdoctoral fellow, where he applied his expertise in structural biology to investigate capsular polysaccharide synthesis and regulation.
Now, as a postdoctoral scholar in the Zeytuni's lab, Dr. Forrester is interested in using cryoEM to better understand protease structure and function to provide novel avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting both bacterial infections and human disease.
Dr. Forrester is a recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fellowship award.
Vibha Keshav
PhD student
Vibha grew up in Bangalore, India, where she completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Botany at St. Joseph’s University, with a focus on microbiology and plant tissue culture. She later joined a research lab studying bacterial pathogens, where she investigated alternatives to conventional antibiotics in swine and poultry. This experience shifted her scientific interests toward developing antimicrobial strategies that move beyond traditional approaches.
In the Zeytuni Lab, Vibha studies the structural and functional biology of virulence factors in oral pathogens. Her research aims to understand how these factors contribute to disease progression and to use these insights to guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Outside the lab, Vibha enjoys hiking, cooking heirloom recipes, and exploring new places. She is also a trained practitioner of Kerala’s traditional temple mural art.
Dr. Maxime Bizet
Postdoctoral fellow
Dr. Bizet obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Master’s degree in Chemistry for Life Sciences from Aix-Marseille University, France. He then pursued a Ph.D. in Chemistry in the Bioenergetics and Protein Engineering lab, within the Biophysics of Metalloproteins and Dynamic Systems team, under the supervision of Dr. Marlène Martinho at Aix-Marseille University. His research focused on studying the dynamics of Cytochrome P450 Reductase using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. He developed methodologies for incorporating non-natural amino acids into proteins, from plasmid design to advanced biophysical characterization, to gain deeper insights into the electron transfer mechanisms governing this essential enzyme.
As a postdoctoral researcher in Zeytuni’s lab, Dr. Bizet is leveraging cryo-EM to investigate the molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis.
Outside the lab, Maxime enjoys cooking, reading, playing video games, and hiking.
Adwaith B Uday
PhD student
Adwaith obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in India. Adwaith has been involved in various research projects during his time at the Indian Institute of Science. For his Master’s thesis project, he worked on understanding the structure of various complexes in prokaryotic translation initiation using cryo-electron microscopy.
Here at the Zeytuni lab, Adwaith is working on protease structure and function to characterize novel avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting both bacterial infections and human disease.
Outside of the lab, Adwaith loves listening to music, watching movies and TV shows, traveling, and exploring new places. He is also professionally trained in Indian classical music – both vocals and Mridangam (a percussion instrument).
Mia Yang
PhD student
Mia has completed her undergraduate studies in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Alberta, where she discovered her interest in topics related to protein-protein interactions and structural biology.
In Zeytuni’s Lab, Mia is investigating the structure and function of signaling cascades regulating bacterial virulence.
Outside the lab, Mia enjoys watching movies, listening to music, and baking.
Elaine Wang
PhD Student
Elaine completed her B.Sc and M.Sc in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Simon Fraser University. During her master’s degree, Elaine investigated the structure and functions of the Type IV pili proteins using X-ray crystallography and biochemical assays.
In the Zeytuni lab, Elaine utilizes structural biology techniques to determine the structure and function of bacterial pathogens' virulence factors.
Outside of the lab, Elaine loves sports and playing classical guitar.
Anh Tran
MSc Student
Anh completed his B.Sc. in Biochemistry at the University of Alberta, where he worked on projects in structural biology and biochemistry, including characterization of novel cancer drugs, antibody engineering for prion therapies and computational studies of SARS-CoV-2 membrane binding. He also gained experience in the life sciences industry through work at a biotech incubator in Calgary, which further affirmed his keen interest in translational research and therapeutic discovery.
Now pursuing his M.Sc. in Cell Biology with the Zeytuni lab, Anh is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to develop drugs that target virulence factors in oral bacteria.
Outside of the lab, he enjoys soccer, long-distance running and playing guitar.
Noah McLean
Bachelor Honor Thesis Student
Noah is completing his B.Sc. in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University. Throughout his undergraduate studies, he has developed experience in the expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant proteins, while further strengthening his research skills through coursework involving error-prone mutagenesis of fluorescent proteins and subsequent protein characterization.
In the Zeytuni Lab, Noah is applying artificial intelligence approaches toward the development of therapeutics targeting bacterial virulence factors.
Outside of the lab, Noah enjoys playing hockey, reading historical fiction, and playing acoustic guitar.
Alessia Garzia
Bachelor Honor Thesis Student
Alessia is completing her final year of a B.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University. Throughout her degree, she developed an interest in bacterial virulence and host-pathogen interactions.
Alessia joined the Zeytuni lab over the summer and is now completing a Microbiology Advanced Research Project focused on the production and characterization of bacterial virulence factors.
Outside of the lab, Alessia enjoys baking, travelling, trying new foods, and watching movies.
Prof. Albert Einstein's spirit
Can be only described in equations.
Pure energy.
Amy Shlomovitch
Bachelor Honor Thesis Student
Amy grew up in Alberta and is currently a fourth-year Biochemistry undergraduate student at McGill University. She developed an interest in structural biology and bacterial pathogenesis through her studies in biochemistry.
Here at the Zeytuni lab, Amy is working on structural and functional studies of a cell envelope-modulating complex in oral bacteria.
Outside her studies, Amy enjoys working with kids at summer camp, playing guitar, and picking up a good book in her downtime.
Jasmine Houng
Bachelor Honor Thesis Student
Jasmine is pursuing her B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences, majoring in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University. She joined the Zeytuni Lab in the summer of 2026, where she developed an interest in the structure and function studies of bacterial virulence factors. Her current research focuses on the isolation of a protein complex promoting biofilm formation in oral pathogens.
Outside of the lab, Jasmine enjoys travelling, attending concerts, and participating in outdoor activities.
Prof. Marie Curie's spirit
Chemical Integrity Officer
Radiation specialist.
Space heater
Chief Thermodynamics Regulator
Supports heat addiction. Essential member.
Alumni
Integral part of our journey
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Anshu Saran - PhD student, 2020-2026
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Melina Gabrielli - Undergraduate research student, 2026
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Sofia Castellana - Undergraduate research student, 2026
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Jeremy Wilkins - Undergraduate research student, 2026
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Soyeon Park - Undergraduate research student, 2025
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Yuman Jiang - Undergraduate research student, 2025
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Natasha Alder - Bachelor Honors thesis student, 2023-2024
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Sophie Munn - Undergraduate research student, 2024
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Melina Chen - Bachelor Honors thesis student, 2023-2024
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Maggie Zhang - Bachelor Honors thesis student, 2022-2023
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Adel Batal - Bachelor Honors thesis student, 2023
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Yifan Han - Bachelor Honors thesis student, 2023
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Gyana Prakash Mahapatra - MSc student, 2021-2023
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Abdullah Odeh - Bachelor Honors thesis student, 2022-2023
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Keanova Monreau - Bachelor Honors thesis student, 2022
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Winston Ge - Bachelor Honors thesis student, 2021