01.
Dr. Alana Ogata
Dr. Alana Ogata 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.
Dr. Ogata obtained her B.Sc. from the College of William & Mary and completed her PhD under Dr. Reginald Penner at UC Irvine.
Click the button below to Learn More about Dr. Ogata’s career and research interests, and please consider following her on X/Twitter.
02.
Graduate Students
Shukri Ali (she/her)
MSc Student
In 2025, Shukri completed her HBSc in Chemistry at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, majoring in Chemistry with double minors in Biology and French. In her final year of her undergraduate studies and under the supervision of Dr. Ogata, she worked on a dissertation focusing on point-of-care biosensors for cervical cancer diagnostics. Now pursuing her Master’s, Shukri is working on a point-of-care biosensor for cardiac diseases from a patient-centered approach. In her free time, Shukri enjoys finding new trails to hike and reading.
Melissa D’Amaral (she/her)
PhD Student
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, traveling, or watching reality TV.
Jared King (he/him)
PhD Student
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.
Tiana Manias (she/her)
MSc Student
Tiana was born and raised in Calgary, moving to Mississauga to pursue an undergraduate degree in forensic chemistry at UTM. In the lab, Tiana is working towards optimizing the film conditions required for the development of an IBD sensor used to quantify the concentration of gastrointestinal inflammation biomarkers in the urine. Outside the lab, Tiana enjoys crafting, listening to music, and hiking.
Abigail Richards (she/her)
PhD Student
Abigail completed her HBSc in 2024 from the University of Toronto, St. George, where she majored in Chemistry and minored in Environmental Chemistry and Mathematics. Now working towards her MSc in the Ogata Lab, Abigail is focused on developing a POC device using roll-to-roll technology to quantify the concentration of gastrointestinal inflammation biomarkers in urine. Outside the lab, she enjoys outdoor activities, crocheting, and creative projects like baking and paint-by-number art.
Kezia Suryoraharjo (she/her)
PhD Student
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.
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03.
Post Doctoral Fellows
Dr. Di Pu
PhD in Chemical Engineering
Di was born and raised in China and moved to Canada in 2015 to pursue his graduate studies.HeI earned a MASc from the University of Regina and completed a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Calgary, under the supervision of Dr. Anne Benneker and Dr. Giovanniantonio Natale. His research interests lie at the intersections between chemical physics, microfluidics and colloid science, with a focus on developing biosensing platforms for women’s healthcare. Outside the lab, Di returns to a set of enduring hobbies – squash, watercolor painting, violin and cooking.
Dr. Shekemi Denuga
PhD in Chemistry
Shekemi obtained her PhD from University College Dublin in 2024, under the supervision of Dr. Robert P. Johnson. Shekemi is now working as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Ogata lab, towards developing diagnostic platforms for minimally invasive detection of gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis. Outside of the lab, Shekemi loves baking, singing, listening to podcasts, and hanging out with friends.
03.
Undergraduate Students
Humza Choudhry (he/him)
TRASNFORM HF Undergraduate Fellow
Humza is entering his third year as a molecular biology specialist with a minor in chemistry. His current research focuses on addressing health disparities in Indigenous communities as he aims to apply accessible screening tools to support earlier diagnosis and improve patient outcomes. Outside of the lab, Humza enjoys going to the gym and spending time at car meets with friends.
Jingyi Liang (she/her)
Research Opportunity Program
Jingyi is entering her third year with a double major in Chemistry and Applied Statistics. Her current research focuses on optimizing sample preparation and extraction workflows for the reliable detection of CA-125 in menstrual blood using SIMOA technology. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking and watching sports.
Barbara Lukaszczyk (she/her)
UTEA / NSERC USRA
Barbara is entering her third year with a Major in Biology for Health Sciences, Minor in Chemistry, and Minor in Business, Science and Entrepreneurship. Her current UTEA project focuses on developing self sampling protocols for menstrual blood analysis. Outside of the lab, she enjoys baking, trying new foods, and travelling.
Cailin Sadecka (she/her)
Research Opportunity Program
Cailin is entering her third year as a Forensic Chemistry Specialist. Her current research focuses on optimizing a biosensing platform for the detection of biotin. Outside of the lab she enjoys the outdoors, reading and drawing, and spending time with friends and family.
Vanessa Ujka (she/her)
Research Opportunity Program
Vanessa is entering her fourth year in the Forensic Chemistry Specialist Program. In lab, Vanessa will work towards developing a standardized workflow for measuring protein biomarkers in saliva using CandyCollect devices and SIMOA assays. Outside of the lab, she enjoys drawing, spending time with family and friends, and is currently learning animation in her free time.”
04.
Honorary Member
Moose
Lab Dog!
06.
Group Structure
#1
Group Meetings
The Ogata Lab has group meetings once a week, where one graduate student presents a research update, literature review, lesson on an analytical technique, or literature on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
#2
Weekly One-on-one Meetings
Students meet with Professor Ogata once a week to discuss experimental progress, professional development, and feedback.
#3
Electronic Lab Notebooks
Student’s must maintain a onenote lab notebook, template provided by upon entry to the group. Everyone’s notebook and protocols are open for ease of access. Students log their daily experiments and prepare pre-meeting notes. Keeping clear and detailed lab notes is an important skill that translates to all future careers in research.
#4
Lab Responsibilities
Each graduate student is assigned a leadership role in the lab and is responsible for performing the tasks for that role. Example of leaderships roles include safety officer, purchasing manager, and social chair.
07.
Mentorship
#1
Individual Development Plans
Each student will create individual development plans and meet with Prof. Ogata to discuss their unique career goals, challenges, and strategic planning of 4-month goals. These meetings are also used to assess student progress and strategize for continued student growth.
#2
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
To educate ourselves and foster discussion skills, all students are required to present on an article focused on equity, diversity, inclusion topics at group meeting at least once a semester.
#3
Equitable Mentorship
Each student will meet with Prof. Ogata at weekly one-on-one meetings. Prof. Ogata’s mentorship style is to provide students the opportunity to receive feedback weekly while requiring students to be proactive in executing experiments on a day-to-day basis; with the goal of fostering independence and critical thinking skills in students.
05.
Alumni
Justin Van Houten (he/him)
PhD in Chemistry
Jacky Que (he/him)
Theresa Okquegbuna
MSc in Chemistry
Theresa started medical school in Fall 2025
Ruben Castillo Barberi (he/him
MSc in Chemistry
Ruben started at Mettler Toledo as a Territory Sales Specialist in Spring 2025
Sophia Alonzi (she/her)
UTEA, NSERC USRA, CPS489 Thesis Student
Sophia went on to graduate school (PhD) in Chemistry at the University of Toronto in Fall 2025
Anthony Makwanda (he/him)
LEAPS, CPS489 Thesis Student
Arvin Azodi (he/him)
Research Opportunity Program, CPS489 Thesis Student
Arvin started graduate school (MSc in Chemistry) at the University of Toronto in Fall 2025.
Syrus Kenyon (he/they)
Research Opportunity Program, CPS 489 Thesis Student
Syrus started graduate school (MSc in Chemistry) at the University of Toronto in Fall 2025.
Katinka Miklóssy (she/her)
Research Opportunity Program
Leon Nitsch (he/him)
Research Opportunity Program
Mujda Mirabi (she/her)
Undergraduate Researcher
Mujda continued as an ROP student in the Korzynski Bespoke Materials Laboratory.
Ayesha Dar (she/her)
Undergraduate Researcher
Shriya Gulati (she/her)
NSERC USRA summer student, ROP & CPS489 thesis student
Shriya went on to graduate school (MSc in Chemistry) in the Wheeler Lab at the University of Toronto.
Diego Estrada (he/him)
ROP & CPS489 thesis student
Diego went on to be Lab Assistant at the Ministry of Environment, Conservations and Parks of Ontario.
Advikaa Dosajh (she/her)
MSc in Chemistry
Advikaa started as a scientist at the Forensic Science Centre in Winter 2023.
Gurjap Bhullar (he/him)
Research Opportunity Program, CPS489 Thesis Student
Gurjap went on as a lab technician at UTM and then graduate school at University of Waterloo.
Shirley Liu (she/her)
BIO481 Thesis Student
Shirley started at Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Fall 2023.
Ruben Castillo Barberi (he/him)
Research Opportunity Program, CPS489 Thesis Student
Ruben started graduate school (MSc in Chemistry) at the University of Toronto in Fall 2023.
Ian Kenalty
CPS489 Thesis Student
Ian started graduate school (MSc in Chemistry) at the University of Toronto in Fall 2023.
Hannah Ruffo (she/her)
Undergraduate Researcher
Hannah started graduate school (PhD in Chemistry) at the University of California Irvine in Fall 2023.
Zaheer Khan (he/him)
Undergraduate Researcher
Christine Gaoiran (she/her)
Research Opportunity Program
Christine started went on as a research assistant, Nanonphotonics Lab at MIS Electronics, Inc.
09.
Core Values
Safety
Respect
Professionalism
Ogata Lab over the years….
