Mena Abdel-Nour - Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology

Mena AbdelPhD Candidate
Country of Origin:  Scarborough, Ontario Canada (born in Cairo, Egypt)
Pre-MSc/PhD Education:  I received my honors BSc at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus with a specialist in human biology.

Recent Research Experience:
During my BSc I was a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Herbert Kronzucker  where I studied salt tolerance and water stress in rice and barley. I then did my MSc at Public Health Ontario in affiliation with the department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (LMP) at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Dr. Cyril Guyard where I studied the molecular mechanisms of biofilm production of the pathogen Legionella pneumophila.

Current Research:
I started my PhD also in the department of LMP in 2013 in the lab of Dr. Stephen Girardin. My current research focuses on innate immunity against bacterial pathogens. My project is aimed at better understanding the relationship between metabolism and the host innate immune response towards bacterial pathogens, using the enteric pathogens Shigella and Listeria as models. The ultimate goal of my work is to assist in the design of novel therapeutics which modulates the immune system.

Why Faculty of Medicine?
I chose to be a part of the Faculty of Medicine for several reasons. One motivating factor was the prestige associated with the faculty of medicine at U of T, and another is the quality of the faculty. The main reason for me personally however was the breadth of subject areas that are studied in the faculty of medicine, which allows students such as myself to make valuable collaborations and learn about a broad range of subject areas.

Future Education Plans and/or Career Goals:
In the future I would love to be an academic with my own lab, however at this point in time I am trying to keep an open mind and consider other opportunities as they present themselves. I do hope that in the future I can continue to do research at least in some capacity, whether it is industrial, basic or clinical. I just really enjoy the challenge of trying to solve a problem and figuring things out.

Contact Ambassador Mena Abdel-Nour