© copyright 2011 Dong Liu Bachelor of Medicine umliu48@cc.umanitoba.ca Dong got his Bachelor Degree in Medicine from Third Miltary Medical University (Chongqing, China). He  has just completed his PhD degree in Immunology under Dr. Jude Uzonna’s supervision. His research is  mainly focused on the role of PI3Ks and phosphoglycans in host resistance and susceptibility against  murine leishmaniasis.   Emeka B. Okeke B.Sc., M.Sc. umokeke@cc.umanitoba.ca Emeka holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Nigeria. He did his master's program  under the supervision of Dr. D. V. Soldatov working on the design and synthesis of novel host-guest  systems at the University of Guelph, Ontario. After his master's program, Emeka decided to pursue his  interest in biomedical research and came to the University of Manitoba for a doctorate in immunology.  Currently, his research involves the investigation of the role of the immune system in the regulation and  pathogenesis of septic shock using a murine model. Forough Khadem B.Sc., M.Sc. fkkhadem@gmail.com, khadem@cc.umanitoba.ca  Forough is a Graduate Student in the Department of Immunology, where she works under the supervision  of Dr. Jude Uzonna. Her project is mainly focused on the role of PI3K in immunity to Visceral  Leishmaniasis. She is also the Departmental Student Deputy Representative in Immunology (for the year  2010-2011). In 2004, she completed her B.Sc. degree in Plant Biology, (University of Tehran, Iran) where  her research project was aimed on expression of Phytase in microorganisms and its use in animal feeds  to increase the P-availability which was conducted under supervision of Dr. S. Zarre and Dr. M. Malboobi.  She then graduated from her M.Sc. degree in Plant Biology In 2008 (Tarbiat Modares University and  Pasteur Institute of Iran, Iran). Her M.Sc. thesis was entitled "the comparative study of the extracted  alkaloids of Berberis species from Khorasan ecological region and their effects on the growth and viability  of Mycobacterium bovis BCG", which was supervised by Dr. H. Zare Maivan, Dr. M. Abolhassani, Dr. M.  Slimi and Dr. M. Sharifi. She developed her biomedical research and leadership skills while she was  working as scientific workshop director, IT administrator & publication director in Rastadaroo  Pharmaceutical Company (2006-2009) before she arrived in Canada on December 2009. She is well  determined to continue her future profession life in the field of biomedical research. Her spare time  activities are computer based advertisement/website designing and book editing, painting, cooking,  baking, watching TV, out door activities, sports (chess, badminton, swimming) socialising and  volunteering. Ifeoma Okwor DVM, M.Sc. ofem2002@gmail.com Ifeoma is currently enrolled in a PhD program in the Department of Immunology where her project is  focused on understanding host and parasite factors that regulate secondary anti-Leishmania immunity.  Her interest in research started with her honours project which was centered on developing a Microbial  Inhibition Test that allows for the specific detection of oxytetracycline in animal tissues by utilising the  ability of oxytetracycline to chelate calcium salts. After obtaining her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)  degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria in 2002, she worked as a field veterinarian, focusing  mostly on designing and implementing preventive measures as well as treatment of diseases in large  animals and poultry. She moved to Winnipeg, in 2005 and obtained a Master of Science (Immunology)  degree from the University of Manitoba in the 2008 and her MSc project was aimed at understanding the  factors that regulate the induction, maintenance and loss of immunologic memory in cutaneous  leishmanasis due to Leishmania major infection. She also investigated the host pathogen interactions in  experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection as well as the role of regulatory T cells in experimental  sepsis. At her spare time, Ifeoma likes to read, work out, listen to music and watch TV. Onyilagha Chukwunonso Peter-Paul B.Sc. umonyila@cc.umanitoba.ca Nonso got his Bachelor of Science degree in Parasitology and Entomology in 2006 from Nnamdi Azikiwe  University, Awka. He served as a lecturer at School of Health Technology Keffi, where he taught  Microbiology and Parasitology before moving back to his advanced studies in Public Health Parasitology.  As a scientist, he is fascinated at the pace of new scientific discoveries especially in the life sciences, and  often wonders how the world would have been without these new discoveries. He is currently a M.Sc.  Student in Dr. Jude Uzonna's Laboratory and will be working on the role of Kupffer and Stellate liver cells  in the pathogenesis of experimental African Trypanosomiasis. He enjoys playing soccer and listening to  music when he has the time.   Shiby Mary Kuriakose Kunnappillil B.Sc., M.Sc. jiby_prince@yahoo.com Shiby has completed her Bachelor of Science in Zoology (1995) in Mahatma Gandhi University, India and  her Master of Science in Medical Microbiology (1998) in MAHE University, India. She is currently a M.Sc.  Student in Dr. Jude Uzonna's Laboratory where her research project mainly is focused on modulation of  host immune response to Trypanosoma congolense by the anti-trypanolytic compound Berenil. She has  had various work experiences from 1999 to 2008, mainly as microbiology laboratory technician (Trainor  Lab, Winnipeg, Manitoba), microbiology lecturer (Department of Life Science, Kannur University, India)  and research associate (Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi University, India). She is also  actively involved in different volunteer work in the department and her community. Helen Muleme B.Sc., M.Sc. helenmuleme@hotmail.com Helen completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Western Ontario. She  specialized in Zoology. She completed her Master of Science degree with Dr. Jude Uzonna and  graduated in 2010. Her research focus was the importance of parasite-derived arginase in the  pathogenesis of Leishmania major. Currently Helen lives in Ottawa Ontario and is looking forward to  pursuing a second Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. In her free time Helen loves to bake and  decorate cakes and is working on starting a small business. Richard Azinwi B.Sc., M.Sc. azinocm@yahoo.com Richard worked as a summer student in Dr, Jude Uzonna's lab during his undergraduate study in  Microbiology at the University of Manitoba. His project was geared towards understanding the role of  parasite derived arginase in the establishment of Leishmania infection. Richard spent sometime in  Cangene Coporation in Winnipeg before enrolling in a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the  University of Saskatoon. He currently works as a Commercial Account Manager with Royal Bank of  Canada. Alicia Berard Salipa Sinkala