Current Lab Members

Nicole Benayguev Undergraduate Independent Study Student

As a third year undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to volunteer in Dr. Hood’s lab, which sparked my interest in research. Now, in my fourth year, I am grateful to be completing an independent study, investigating muscle cell senescence and the effects of senolytics on the aging phenotype. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy working out, spending time with family and friends, and playing guitar.
Sabrina Champsi PHD Year 1

Following my undergraduate degree specialized in biomedical science, I joined the Hood lab for my MSc. My thesis focused on elucidating the downstream consequences of Nrf-2 activation in C2C12 myotubes employing the nutraceutical Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound found in cruciferous vegetables. We examined the effects on mitochondrial, lysosomal, and antioxidant-related pathways, and observed that activation of these pathways paralleled adaptations detected with our in vitro model of chronic contractile activity. Currently I am continuing my scientific training as a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Hood, where I am examining the mitochondrial-related protein prohibitin, and its response during age and chronic exercise. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to continue my development in this field and contribute to novel muscle research.
Priyanka Khemraj BSc Year 2

I completed my undergrad degree at York University in Kinesiology and Health Science (B.Sc.), where I developed an interest in muscle physiology! After volunteering in Dr. Hood’s lab, I later joined the lab for my M.Sc. in Kinesiology. My research focuses on investigating the relationship between mitochondria and inflammation, specifically looking into the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex and its downstream consequences on skeletal muscle health and functioning. I look forward to new opportunities and experiences that can help foster both personal and professional development and refine my skills within the research field. In my personal time, I enjoy dancing, reading, and painting.
Jared Kuthe MSc Year 2

I started volunteering at the Hood lab during my final year of my undergraduate degree at York University, where I completed my BA in Kinesiology and Health Science. During my degree, I enrolled in many of Dr. Hood’s mitochondria and muscle related physiology courses, which further increased my interest his research. I have now started my MSc which focuses on understanding the role of the transcription factor ATF5 in regulating the mitochondrial unfolded protein response and the integrated stress response under conditions of cellular stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. I am grateful to Dr. Hood for allowing me to participate in this research process and giving me the opportunity to further develop my academic career. Some of my hobbies I enjoy when I am not in the lab are bodybuilding, gaming, watching anime and looking after my two border collies.
Anastasiya Kuznyetsova MSc Year 1

During the completion of my BSc in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University, I developed a strong interest in exercise physiology through Dr. Hood’s undergraduate courses. I joined the Hood Lab as an Independent Study student investigating changes in the mitochondrial integrated stress response with age. I am now continuing to investigate these responses in skeletal muscle function that occur with age along with the addition of exercise training as a MSc student. I am excited and appreciative to start this new chapter of academia under Dr. Hood’s supervision which has already been both very knowledgeable and enjoyable. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with loved ones and friends, and going on runs.
Thulasi Mahendran Post Doctoral Fellow

I completed my undergraduate degree in Molecular biology and Biochemistry from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thereafter, I moved to California to pursue my Masters in Biochemistry and Molecular biology from the University of California, Riverside. I had a deep passion for pursuing a PhD in the field since my undergrad. Therefore, I joined Kent State University, Ohio where I completed my PhD in Chemistry under the Biochemistry division. During my PhD, I mainly focused on studying the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases like MS and PD. I was enthusiastic to delve more into mitochondrial dynamics in cellular functions. I was inspired by the work done by Hood lab, particularly on skeletal muscle and decided to pursue my post-doctoral training under the mentorship of Dr. David Hood. I will be focusing on studying Lysosomes and mitochondria in muscle. I am excited and thankful for this opportunity. Apart from the lab, I enjoy cooking and baking at home.
Neushaw Moradi PhD Year 2

I started at the Hood Lab as an undergraduate Independent Study student, and I am grateful to continue as an M.Sc. student. My thesis focuses on the restoration of mitochondrial health in skeletal muscle by characterizing three different agents as we identify their time- and dose-dependent intracellular signaling behaviours, in vitro. Alongside my research, I have been granted the privilege to collaborate with my colleagues as an author in two newly published scientific reviews on mitochondrial bioenergetics, preservation, and turnover (IJMS and AJP Cell). Finally, I have gained authorship in an original study (J. Physiol), owing to my early opportunity to partake in research during my undergrad, with Dr. Triolo and Dr. Hood. I am humbled by these experiences as they allow me to enhance my versatility in this career and refine my trajectory towards a well-rounded scientist. Outside of the lab, I enjoy working out and spending time with friends, family, and my weird cat named Fish.
Victoria Sanfrancessco PhD Year 2

I first started volunteering in Dr. Hood’s lab during my undergraduate experience at York, where I completed my BSc in Kinesiology and Health Science. In my fourth year, I took several of Dr. Hood’s advanced physiology courses and developed an interest in the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial and skeletal muscle health with exercise. Since then, I have recently defended my MSc, under the supervision of Dr. Hood, investigating the transcription factor ATF4 and the mitochondrial integrated stress response following acute contractile activity. Continuing my foray into academia and the world of molecular physiology, I am now pursuing my PhD to explore ATF4 and mitochondrial stress responses with aging, exercise training, and disuse. I am grateful to have the opportunity to further develop my scientific career under the tutelage of Dr. Hood and contribute to the field of physiology. Outside of the lab I enjoy working out and spending time with friends and family!
Jada Sangha MSc Year 1


I am a first year Masters student. I completed my BKin degree at the University of British
Columbia. This is where I first discovered my passion for research, volunteering in a cardio-
respiratory physiology lab and an exercise physiology/epigenetics lab. In the latter, I contributed to a project looking into exercise training and histone modifications. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to present preliminary data in a poster presentation, as well as to collect gene expression data for the study. Through my education and practical experiences, I refined my research interests, ultimately leading me to Dr. Hood’s lab. I am eager to continue previous work in the lab investigating inflammasomes in muscle cells. To date, inflammasomes have been studied primarily in immune cells, so I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to the understanding of inflammasomes in the context of muscle. Outside of the lab and school, I really enjoy spending time with my friends and family and being outdoors.
Klaudia Sztolszener Post Doctoral Fellow

I had a Master’s degree in Laboratory Medicine at the Medical University of Bialystok (MUB) in Poland. Therefore, I started my research work at MUB, which resulted in obtaining in 2022 a PhD degree in Medical and Health Sciences in the discipline of Medical Science. I have a strong background and expertise in the influence of high-fat feeding on lipid metabolism in different tissues, in the field of fatty acid transporters and lipid metabolism in physiology and pathophysiology conditions, especially in the liver cells. My primary research areas are confirmed by publications in cooperation with a research team from the Department of Physiology MUB. Currently, I am exploring potential strategies for the treatment of all stages of fatty liver disease and its progression. Since March 2024, I have been one of the members of Dr. Hood's lab, where I am focusing on the implications of contractile stimulation in the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein responses in a mouse myoblast cell line and their contribution to mitochondrial dynamics. I am hopeful that further professional development will help me improve my skills in scientific work.