The HEAT-AMR Research Group
Meet Our Team!
Staff
LEAD INVESTIGATOR
SIMON J. G. OTTO, PhD DVM BSc
(He/Him/His)
Dr. Simon Otto is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. He is a veterinarian and epidemiologist whose research investigates the One Health epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to create evidence to tackle this wicked problem. He works closely with government and industry partners to create realistic strategies for antimicrobial stewardship using a One Health approach. He is the Thematic Area Lead for Healthy Environments in the Centre for Healthy Communities at the School of Public Health.
Ellen Sykes, BSc
Project Manager, (She/Her/Hers)
Ellen Sykes completed her BSc with a specialization in microbiology from the University of Alberta and is just about to finish her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Manitoba. Using a One Health approach, she studied the opportunistic bacterial pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii, with a focus on AMR and pathogenicity. She is highly skilled in many wet-lab techniques, from generation of gene deletion mutants to whole-genome sequencing as well as dry lab techniques such as de novo genome assembly and resistome determination. She also loves to teach and has mentored many undergraduate students. When she is not working, she is planning trips abroad, watching movies with friends and her partner, and cuddling with her cat, Tux.
Jo-Anne Relf-Eckstein, MPP Qualitative Engagement Support, (She/Her/Hers)
Jo-Anne was born and raised on a mixed dairy farm in southeastern Saskatchewan, and graduated with an M.P.P. in Public Policy from the University of Saskatchewan in 2020. Her thesis asked the questions, what farm-level problems do smart technologies solve, and how does public policy enable or slow innovation? While at the UofS, she was accepted into the NSERC-ITraP (Integrated Training Program in Infectious Disease, Food Safety and Public Policy) program. Before grad studies, she worked as a professional plant breeder developing specialty oil and meal canola, and condiment mustard varieties. During this time, Jo-Anne traveled to Chile, England, and Italy where she discovered the local farmers grew San Marzano tomatoes and now grows this tasty variety on her very small farm east of Saskatoon. When not gardening or working for the Saskatchewan forage seed growers, Jo-Anne and her family enjoy sailing and skiing.
Graduate Students
Olufunto (Funto) Adewusi, DVM, MSc
PhD Candidate, (She/Her/Hers)
Olufunto (Funto) Adewusi is originally from Nigeria where she graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (2006) and a Master of Science in Virology (2009) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Her holistic outlook towards determinants of health has consistently driven her interest to exploring the “one health approach” in public health interventions. Her research will be piloting a genomic tool to support the antimicrobial stewardship in Western Canadian livestock industry. This tool may reduce antimicrobial resistance in Canadian veterinary practice and its varied effect on the environment and humans. Funto also enjoys the support of her husband and two wonderful children. She love movies, visiting new places and spending time with family and friends.
Etienne de Jongh, MSc Epidemiology Candidate, (He/Him/His)
Etienne is a second-year DVM student currently pursuing an intercalated MSc with Dr Simon Otto. Etienne has been involved in two different projects with the HEAT-AMR lab group. The first—inspired by his passion for agriculture and interdisciplinary research—was a paper investigating honey bees as One Health organisms. Then, in 2021, Etienne worked on a project investigating AMR and AMU metrics in BC finfish aquaculture. Etienne plans to pursue his fascination of animal, public, and environmental health through his combined DVM and MSc. When not at the lab or in classes, Etienne likes to garden, keep bees, and go for weekend hikes.
Markus Gaenzle, MSc Epidemiology Candidate, (He/Him/His)
He is working towards an MSc. in Epidemiology as part of the Heat-AMR lab. He initially took an interest in AMR and the OneHealth paradigm during his undergraduate degree in Biology, which he completed at the University of Alberta in 2022. His thesis research revolves around a set of wastewater-treatment-resistant strains of the ESKAPE pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from Alberta sewage. He is working on characterizing these isolates through lab-based and bioinformatic methods, with a particular focus on assessing the extent to which they are potentially pathogenic or resistant to antimicrobials. When not working or studying, Markus enjoys playing video games, hiking with friends, reading, and volunteering.
Rebecca Wassmuth, MSc Epidemiology Candidate, (She/Her/Hers)
Rebecca is a DVM student at the University of Calgary concurrently completing her MSc with Dr. Simon Otto. Her interest in research began in her undergraduate degree, where she collaborated with students and professors across several specialties to produce publications and presentations on brain imaging techniques following injury. This spurred her to investigate the intersectionality of human and animal health (and later environmental health). She now hopes to combine her past undergraduate experience in human health, present veterinary studies, and future graduate training in Public Health to help solve complex One Health problems. In her spare time, she loves to do outdoor activities, home renovations, and cooking.
Paris Prince, MSc Epidemiology Candidate, (She/Her/Hers)
Paris Prince earned her BSc in Neuroscience and is currently completing her MSc in Epidemiology with Dr. Simon Otto. Her interests lie within understanding perceived barriers and facilitators with regards to the implementation of new interventions or strategies. More specifically, her current work involves understanding perceptions of water reuse in order to inform a successful implementation of a water reuse strategy in Calgary and serve as a model of implementation for respective jurisdictions. When not in classes, she loves to be involved in her church's activities and events.
Undergraduate Students
Alumni
Kelsey Robertson, MPH
Project Manager, (She/Her/Hers)
Kelsey worked as a Project Manager from 2021 - 2024. She completed a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Alberta in 2019, and previously studied nursing at the University of Toronto and global development at Queen’s University. Kelsey has worked in diverse clinical settings with a recent focus on public health and infectious diseases. Through these experiences Kelsey gained an interest in antimicrobial stewardship. She is passionate about health equity and working with people and communities to generate meaningful change. Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys reading, mountain biking, and spending time with her pets. Kelsey now works as a Public Health Nurse at the Tuberculosis clinic in Edmonton, AB.
Amreen Babujee, MPH
Project Management Lead, (She/Her/Hers)
Amreen previously worked as a Project Management Lead with the HEAT-AMR Research Group (2020-2021). During her time with the research group, she supported the design and launch of the website, assisted students with literature reviews and data analysis, and worked on report writing. With an academic background in Public Health, Amreen now works as a Project Coordinator at CAMH in Toronto, ON.
Julia Grochowski, BSc Scoping Review Support, (She/Her/Hers)
Julia completed a BSc Hon. in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Alberta in 2011, with a focus on vertebrate diversity and evolution. She took a brief break from science and academia to pursue filmmaking and improvisational theatre, performing in festivals and teaching workshops all over North America. Julia is continuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary and started in the fall of 2022. She is excited to learn so much more about this exciting field while integrating her passion for biological diversity and One Health into her studies. Outside of her academic pursuits, Julia loves film, chess, video games, and cooking/eating new and exciting food.
Soumyaditya Ghosh,
MPH Environmental Health, (He/Him/His)
Soumyaditya (Shomo) Ghosh earned his PhD in Molecular Biology from Cleveland Clinic-Cleveland State University Joint Program (Ohio, USA). He subsequently attended the MPH program at University of Alberta and specialized in Environmental Health. He loves applying Molecular and Cellular Biology knowledge to solving problems in Environmental Public Health. Soumyaditya enjoys reading Speculative Fiction in his spare time.
Morgan Lehmann Undergraduate Summer Student, (She/Her/Hers)
Morgan is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan, majoring in animal science and minoring in applied microbiology. Her research interests include infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and genetics. In her free time, Morgan loves riding horses, showing cattle, skiing (downhill and cross-country), and playing guitar.
Misha Miazga-Rodriguez,
MPH Epidemiology, (He/Him/His)
Misha completed his Master's of Public Health (MPH) degree at the University of Alberta, School of Public Health, in the spring of 2020. He previously worked with Dr. Simon Otto and Dr. Lynora Saxinger on an evaluation of antimicrobial resistance and use surveillance programs across Canada, funded by the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease (NCCID). When not doing schoolwork or research, Misha likes to play Dungeons and Dragons with his friends and stress bake pies, cakes, and cookies. Misha is currently working as an epidemiologist with Alberta Health, Government of Alberta.
Jacob Narbonne,
MSc Epidemiology, DVM, (He/Him/His)
Jake was born and raised in Alberta, and graduated with a BSc in Animal Science from the University of Alberta where he played 5 years of Golden Bears football. He was accepted to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Calgary where he completed his first year of veterinary school before accepting a scholarship to participate in an MSc in Epidemiology at the University of Alberta. Jake was part of the HEAT-AMR team from 2019 - 2021 and recently graduated after completing his Master's degree that focused on reviewing antimicrobial use surveillance indicators in salmonid aquaculture settings. His hobbies include: casual gaming, exercising, and learning about computers.
Christine Neustaedter,
MSc Epidemiology,
(She/Her/They/Them)
Christine is a transplant from rural Manitoba and completed a MSc in epidemiology with a focus on communicable diseases. Christine has a diverse research background ranging from an undergraduate degree in psychology studying emotional body language, to work experience breeding disease resistant wheat, and helping Manitoba roll out cannabis regulation. To break up the semester they travel, rock climb, hike, and kayak.
Tianna Rusnak, BSc
Scoping Review Support, (She/Her/Hers)
Tianna completed her Bachelors of Science degree at the University of Alberta in 2020. Tianna's research interests include environmental change, global food security, and food safety. Tianna is pursuing a Masters of Science in Nutrition in the Fall of 2021. Outside of work and school, Tianna enjoys travelling, trail running, spending time with her pets, and cooking for friends and family.
Dana
Tschritter,
MSc Epidemiology, (She/Her/Hers)
Dana graduated in 2018 with her BSc in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph. Dana completed her MSc in Epidemiology and her research interests include environmental health, climate change, and policy. Being from Toronto, Dana loves talking about the Raptors, disappointing subway systems, and Canadian politics.