Current Lab Members

Nicole Benayguev, MSc Year 1

As a first-year MSc. student in Kinesiology at York University in Dr. David Hood's lab, I am excited to continue exploring the senescence-like phenotype in skeletal muscle. I first joined the Hood lab as a third-year volunteer and returned in fourth year for an independent study using a late-passage C2C12 model to investigate muscle cell senescence and evaluate senomorphics. Building on that foundation, my current work aims to deepen our understanding of how cellular aging shapes muscle health and function. Outside the lab, I enjoy being active, and spending time with family and friends
Sabrina Champsi PHD Year 2

Following my undergraduate degree, specialized in Biomedical Science I joined the Hood lab for my MSc. My thesis focused on elucidating the role of Sulforaphane in activating mitochondrial, lysosomal, and antioxidant-related pathways when superimposed with a model of Chronic Contractile Activity (CCA) in vitro. Currently, I am continuing my scientific training with Dr. Hood as a PhD student, where I am examining the mitochondrially-related proteins Prohibitin 1 and 2, during CCA and aging. In my free time I enjoy spending time with loved ones and staying active with the gym and running.
Juliana Calderon Dominguez Visiting Undergraduate Student

I am a Biotechnology Engineering student from EIA University in Colombia, currently doing an internship at York University through the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) scholarship. During my time in Dr. Hood’s lab, I am investigating the effects of aging on key cellular pathways, including mitochondrial function, lysosomes, mitophagy, inflammasome activity, and senescence in heart, brain, and muscle tissues. Through this project, I am excited to gain new skills, learn as much as I can, and develop a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms related to muscle health. Beyond the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, exploring new places, and staying active!
Danielle Della Mea MSc Year 1

My interest in muscle physiology research began during my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University (BA), where I took Dr. Hood's advanced physiology courses, focusing on mitochondria and muscle health. I joined the Hood lab as a volunteer, which further sparked my research interest, leading me to pursue a MSc. My current research focus is mitochondrial transplantation and its impact on skeletal muscle health. I am grateful and excited for the opportunity that Dr. Hood gave me to contribute to this work. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, working out and playing soccer.
Ellahe Fatehi, MSc Year 1

I completed my undergraduate degree in biology at York University. During my third year, I had the opportunity to perform a research project in Dr. Saridakis' lab, where we examined the changes in EZH2 protein stability in response to USP7 transfection. In my fourth year, I took Dr. Hood's Exercise Physiology course, which allowed me to gain a wealth of knowledge on molecular pathways underlying exercise adaptations and sparked my interest in muscle physiology research. I am excited and honoured to continue my academic journey under the supervision of Dr. Hood as an MSc student. My research project focuses on understanding the role of the mitochondrial phosphatase PGAM5 in regulating mitochondrial quality control, including mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy, during the differentiation of muscle cells. This study could highlight how this important mitochondrial phosphatase coordinates the metabolic reprogramming of differentiated muscle cells beyond its function in regulating cell death. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing table tennis and spending time with family and friends.
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 PhD 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 mitochondrial quality control pathways. I am now continuing to investigate the effects of age, exercise training, and a naturally occurring nutraceutical, sulforaphane on skeletal muscle health as a PhD student. I continue to enjoy my time here building my knowledge and academic career under Dr. Hood’s supervision. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with loved ones and going on runs
Dan Lin Undergraduate Year 4

As an undergraduate in my fourth year of a Kinesiology degree. I have had the pleasure of volunteering with Dr. Hood's lab over the summer after having grown interested in, and been exposed to, research in exercise physiology through his advanced exercise physiology class. I am grateful for the opportunity to conduct an independent study looking at the role of Parkin-mediated mitophagy in regulating inflammasome activation. I am looking forward to learning more about research methods and to refine my presentation skills in Dr. Hood’s lab. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing the piano, travelling, and cooking
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 4

I am a senior PhD candidate studying the impact of exercise on lysosome health in skeletal muscle. I have been a member of the Hood Lab since my undergrad and have the continued privilege of learning core skills that span from a variety of cool laboratory techniques to mentoring and teaching colleagues and students. I come from a versatile exercise background, allowing me to translate the scientific knowledge I have gained to my own health journey. We are privileged to contribute to these important missions that advocate for skeletal muscle health through our lab’s research questions. When I am not running an experiment, you might catch me running with my fellow colleagues around campus! Otherwise, I might hop on the bike, cook for people, or hang out with my two sweet cats, Fish and Rosie.
Victoria Sanfrancessco PhD Year 3

Following my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Health Science here at York University, I joined Dr. Hood’s lab for a Masters, where I investigated the consequences of acute contractile activity in relation to the mitochondrial Integrated Stress Response (ISR) and the transcription factor ATF4 in vivo. Upon completion of my MSc, I continued my foray into research and the world of muscle physiology where I am now pursuing a PhD to explore the role of mitochondrial stress response regulators in the maintenance of muscle health in with age and following chronic muscle disuse. Our goal is to establish the importance of the ISR in maintaining mitochondrial health during periods of muscle inactivity. 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 muscle physiology. Outside of the lab I enjoy staying active and spending time with my friends and family.
Jada Sangha MSc Year 2


I completed my BKin degree at the University of British Columbia. This is where I first discovered my passion for research, volunteering in a cardiorespiratory physiology lab and an exercise physiology/epigenetics lab. 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 inflammasome activation in the context of muscle. Outside of the lab and school, I really enjoy spending time with my friends and family, being outdoors, and running