I am writing Laurie’s bio because she is too modest to do justice to her many talents and the huge contribution she makes to the smooth running of our lab. Laurie completed her PhD with Dr. Virginia Walker in the Department of Biology at Queen’s and joined us for post-doc research in the 1990’s when we were beginning to isolate and characterize insect antifreeze proteins. Since then, we have published close to 40 papers together including a couple in Science and Nature. Laurie is an expert in molecular biology from the ‘pre-kit’ days. Her amazing skills in bioinformatics are helping us mine the wealth of genomic and transcriptomic data that is being deposited every year. In addition to being a rigorous scientist, Laurie is a spouse, mom, hockey player, and a life-long learner with a passion for science, astronomy, minerology, oceanography, and nature.     /Peter Davies

Photo credit: Thomas Hansen

Hi, my name is Rob. I have worked in the department with many of the current and former members of the Davies Lab members since 1999. In 2016, with Sherry Gauthier's 'semi-retirement', I joined the Davies lab as full-time Research Assistant. I help to keep the lab running smoothly by ordering supplies, maintaining and repairing equipment, and ensuring Health and Safety compliance through persononnel training and updating standard operating procedures. My roles include being familiar with all techniques and protocols used by the Davies lab to ensure that knowledge remains with the lab when researchers move on. I help train newcomers to the lab in techniques and protocols. My current research projects include studying the structure-function relationships of ice-binding proteins, and the use of antifreeze proteins for cell, tissue and organ preservation.

In Dr. Davies' Lab, I specialize in using X-ray crystallography and complementary small-angle X-ray scattering to study structure-functional relationship in a variety of proteins. These include the calpain family of calcium-dependent proteases, ice-binding proteins and bacterial adhesins. My research generally starts with recombinant protein production and purification, protein crystal growth, followed by solving the protein structure. The 3D-structures provide valuable information for further investigations on these proteins by our group. Although the path to determine the protein crystal structure is not even, I truly like science and enjoy my research achievements. My hobbies include swimming and gardening.

Hello, my name is Mathias, and I am a PhD candidate in the Davies lab. I grew up on Vancouver Island on the west coast. After completing an undergraduate biochemistry degree in the French Immersion stream at the University of Ottawa, I came to Queen’s to pursue graduate studies. My research focuses on calpain-3, a member of the calpain family of proteases with a series of unique sequence features. We are studying the interaction between calpain-3 and titin and how calpain-3’s unique sequence features are involved in this interaction. When not working in the lab, I enjoy reading, playing piano, and hiking in Frontenac Park.

My name is Thomas Hansen and I'm a PhD candidate in the Davies Lab. After obtaining my BSc in biochemistry from the University of Ottawa, I taught high school biology in Colombia for six years, the last four of which were with Colegio Colombo Británico, an IB academy in Cali. ¡Cali es Cali! It had always been my intention to continue my education, so in being here, I'm living the dream! I'm working with ice nucleation proteins (INPs), which as their name suggests, nucleate ice crystal formation at temperatures as warm as -2 °C. INPs have been studied for decades but to date, no one has solved their structure nor their mechanism. I'm doing my best to change that, so I've been at the bench doing functional work and behind the keyboard running simulations. Collaborating with the other talented people on this page has been invaluable in progressing toward our goals.

Hello! My name is Trina; I am a MSc Candidate in the Davies’ Lab. I completed my undergraduate thesis project in the Davies Lab working on the calpain project, specifically investigating mutations in IS2 and their effects on calpain-3 and titin binding. My master’s thesis project is studying carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) found in bacterial RTX adhesins, specifically bacterial species that are pathogenic to fish. A fun fact about me is that I have been figure skating since I was 7, so when I am not in the lab, you can find me in the rink skating or coaching!

I am also the Social Convenor of lab events. Check out the recent hikes (under Lab News) to enjoy fall colours at Rock Dunder and the 13-km Small Slide Lake Loop trail in Frontenac Park.

Hi! I'm Jocelyn, a MSc student in the Davies lab. I am from Markham, Ontario, although I spent my early childhood between Taiwan and Canada. Before joining the Davies lab as a thesis project student, I interned for 16 months at a vaccine company. I also studied abroad in Japan as part of a program centred around intercultural business and collaboration. My MSc thesis project is a study of ice nucleation proteins, which are produced by certain species of Gram-negative bacteria. When I'm not working, you'll find me making music, playing video games, or cheering on the Toronto Raptors!

Hi! My name is Blake and I'm currently an MSc candidate having done my 421/422 Honours thesis project in the Davies Lab. I am investigating how bacterial pathogens like Vibrio vulnificus bind and colonize their hosts. We are trying to develop reagents and methods to block bacterial adhesion before biofilm formation can take hold. This is one of the strategies designed to help counter the loss of antibiotic efficiency that is increasingly a problem in combatting bacterial infections. If I'm not in the lab, I am usually playing guitar, watching soccer and football, or playing video games!

Hi! My name is Justin, and I am a fourth-year Biochemistry Specialization student at Queen’s University. I was a volunteer in the Davies Lab last year, where I gained hands-on experience with key biochemical techniques such as protein separation, plasmid DNA purification, and cell culturing. I am now applying this knowledge towards my thesis project, which concerns RTX adhesins, where I'm currently studying an environmental strain of bacteria. Outside of academics, I previously played competitive hockey in the US and still love playing recreationally. I also enjoy cooking, swimming, hiking, and financial market analysis.

Hi! My name is Shawna and I am a fourth-year biochemistry specialization student here at Queen’s University. Having worked as a volunteer in the Davies Lab last year, I am honored to return this year for my thesis project. Currently I am working on the structural determination of the cysteine protease, calpain-3 and studying its interactions with the muscle protein, titin. Outside of the lab, I enjoy being by the water and outdoor activities like swimming, canoeing and running. Fun fact, I can solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute!

Hi! My name is Michael, and I’m a fourth-year Biochemistry Specialization student here at Queen’s. After spending the summer here as a USRA student in 2025, I’m currently completing my BCHM 421/422 Honours thesis project in the Davies lab. My work is focused on an RTX adhesin called FrhA from Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium which causes cholera. Since pathogenic bacteria like V. cholerae must first attach to their hosts to establish an infection, we have been exploring chemical and protein-based methods to inhibit the function of FrhA. Outside of the lab, I’m also a musician! This semester, I’m playing the guitar in Queen’s Players and in a band called Duck Pond with my friends!

Hello! My name is Stella and I am a fourth-year Biochemistry specialization student. I am excited to be completing my honours thesis project in the Davies lab, where I am studying the structure of ice nucleation protein multimers, which are present on the surface of some bacterial plant pathogens. A fun fact about me is that I completed an exchange semester in Uppsala, Sweden. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, bouldering and hiking!

Hey! My name is Melissa and I am a fourth-year biochemistry student doing my research project in the Davies Lab. My project focuses on antifreeze proteins and their discovery - from those found in cold environments to engineered proteins. Outside of the lab, you can find me joking with friends, solving puzzles, or cheering for the 49ers!