Principal Investigator


Annie Vogel Ciernia, Ph.D. (she/her)
Assistant Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
annie.ciernia@ubc.ca
My overall research interest is in understanding epigenetic mechanisms of transcriptional regulation involved in brain plasticity and neurodevelopmental disorders. I have a broad background in neurobiology and behavioural neuroscience as well as epigenetics and neurodevelopmental disorders. My graduate work in Dr. Marcelo Wood’s laboratory at UC Irvine focused on examining the role of a neuron-specific nucleosome remodeling complex in regulating transcription subserving long-term memory formation. My postdoctoral work under Dr. Janine LaSalle at UC Davis focused on understanding how DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility impact gene expression in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). I have extensive experience in animal behavior, molecular neuroscience, bioinformatics and systems biology approaches for interpreting epigenomes. I was co-mentored in the Autism Training Program at the UC Davis MIND Institute by Dr. Jacqueline Crawley, an expert in animal models and behaviours related to neurodevelopment and ASD, and Dr. Paul Ashwood, an expert in ASD neuro-immunology. My current research focus is on understanding how early-life perturbations to the epigenome alter microglia-neuron interactions in the developing brain and lead to life-long changes in cellular function and behaviour.
2014-2019 Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Autism Research Training Program
University of California, Davis
Mentors: Dr. Janine LaSalle, Dr. Jacqueline Crawley, Dr. Paul Ashwood
2008-2014 Ph.D., Neurobiology & Behaviour
University of California, Irvine
Mentor: Marcelo Wood
Dissertation: The role of a novel epigenetic regulatory mechanism in long-term memory formation synaptic plasticity, and gene expression
2004-2008 Bachelor of Science, Majors Biotechnology and Psychology, Minor Chemistry
North Dakota State University
Honors Thesis Psychology: Orienting to Predictive Arrow, Gaze, and Symbol Cues
Mentor: Dr. Chris Friesen
Honors Thesis Biotechnology: The Role of Attachment Protein TRAP in Cryptosporidium Infection
Mentor: Dr. John McEvoy
Graduate Students
Jennifer Kim, MSc (she/her)
PhD Student Neuroscience
My research interests lie in understanding how environmental stressors shape epigenetic modifications in the nervous system to alter gene expression and mediate behavioural responses. I am especially interested in examining the long-term impacts of depression-induced neuroinflammation on nervous system function and development. When I’m not in the lab, I am either cozied up in a blanket watching a comedy show or out and about exploring a new part of town.
Morgan Towriss (she/her)
PhD Student Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
My research interests are studying the underlying mechanisms of innate immune memory in Microglia. I am very interested in how chronic exposure to immune agonists can cause microglia to enter a tolerant state and produce anti-inflammatory cytokines upon later immune stimulus. My intentions are to grow the understanding of how microglia mediate neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative states. When I am not in lab, I am probably at home drinking too much coffee and reading my favourite books.
Lhyanne Soto (she/her)
PhD Student Neuroscience
My research interests center on investigating microglial dysfunction in immune responses. I am particularly excited to explore the mechanistic consequences of epigenetic regulation in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Beyond the lab, I love playing volleyball and badminton competitively, enjoy backcountry camping in the summer, snowboarding during the colder seasons, and indulging in year-round sessions of Magic: The Gathering.
Hitasha Bajaj (she/her)
MSc Student Neuroscience
My research interests involve understanding the impacts of early life stress on local glucocorticoid regulation and gene expression in the brain. I am especially interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying the negative effects of early life stress and would like to further investigate the role microglia play in local glucocorticoid synthesis. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy going hiking and spending time with friends and family.
Vivien Dang (she/her)
MSc student Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
My research interest involves epigenetics and how it relates to human diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders or cancer. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies at home or cafe hopping around Downtown.
John Ni (he/him)
Co-supervised MSc student Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
I’m currently engaged in structural studies of and surrounding the neuronal BAF complex and its role in neurodevelopment. All things food-related, such as finding and making new dishes, bring me joy.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Megan Rowland, Ph.D. (she/her)
Postdoctoral Fellow Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
My research interests involve investigating how epigenetic gene regulation contributes to normal development. I am particularly interested in understanding how perturbation of gene regulatory networks lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. By understanding how chromatin remodelers influence normal brain development, I hope to contribute to laying the groundwork for therapeutic development to treat neurological disorders. Outside of the lab you’ll find me hiking a trail with my dog, playing board games with friends or reading a space opera.
Jordan Hamden, Ph.D. (he/him)
Postdoctoral Fellow Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Jordan is particularly interested in integrative biology, the goal of his current research is to understand the mechanisms linking gut health to the endocrine and immune systems and brain aging. Outside of the lab, Jordan spends most of his free time outdoors including activates like: traveling, biking, hiking, and playing any and all kinds of sports.
Staff
Nadine Plett (she/her)
Lab Manager
My research interests are in big data analysis and it’s applications to neuroscience. I get to explore our North Shore mountains trail running and I coach men’s volleyball at Capilano University.
Undergraduate Students
Jatin Choudhary (he/him)
Undergraduate Researcher
My research interests involve understanding the relationship between gut inflammation and neurological disorders such as ASD. My other interests outside of the lab include weightlifting, hiking and watching hockey.
Ching Zhang (she/her)
Undergraduate student researcher
My research interests broadly involve molecular biomarkers in neurological outcomes. Specifically biomarkers relating to stress or immune hormones, and how early life stress can have a lasting impact on how we respond to it later on. Outside of the lab, you can find me down at the beach exploring tide pools, raising many plant babies in my apartment, or cafe hopping downtown.

My research interests encompass understanding epigenetics, transcriptomics and neurological disorders. I am excited to explore how early life stress affects gene expression and steroid hormones. During my free time you’ll catch me taking film photography, adventuring to try new food and weightlifting!
Cal Rosete (They/Them)
Undergraduate Directed Studies
My long-term research interests include gut microbiome and epigenetic factors in psychiatric disorders, specifically bipolar disorder and PTSD. When I’m not in the lab, you can find me hiking, reading in the park, or pressing flowers!
Brian Deng (he/him)
Undergraduate Directed Studies
My research interests include understanding the relationship between gene regulation and actin polymerization in neurological disorders like ASD. I enjoy backpacking in BC, reading fiction novels, and playing with my cat Romee.
Cosette Koltek (she/her)
Undergraduate WorkLearn Student
My research interests include understanding the molecular basis of neural circuitry and plasticity, and how epigenetic mechanisms regulate gene expression during brain development. Outside of the lab, you can find me in the backcountry skiing, hiking, or paddling!
Shreya Gandhi (she/her)
Undergraduate Directed Studies Student
My research interests include understanding how the gut microbiome impacts microglial development and function. Outside of the lab, I love to read and listen to music on walks in Pacific Spirit Park.
Gurkirat Singh Nijjar
Undergraduate Work-Learn Student
I’m passionate about neurobiology, specifically regarding opioid addiction and neonatal opioid exposure. In the Ciernia lab, I am involved in investigating the ‘two-hit’ hypothesis, exploring how perinatal infections might contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders when combined with later-life stressors like recreational drug use. Outside school, I love to go on walks and I’m actively involved with Team SOUDA, dedicated to raising awareness about the drug toxicity crisis.
Ciernia Lab Alumni
Fortune Rantuana
Previously: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology work-learn student
Michelle Chan
Previously: Directed studies student Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olivia Sullivan
Previously: MSc student in GPM, graduated spring 2023
Currently: Research technician at VGH
Stephanie Spencer
Previously: Undergraduate Directed Studies Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 2022-2023
Laura Meleady
Previously: MSc student BMB
Currently: Medical student Memorial University of Newfoundland
Vince Bacarac
Previously: Directed Studies Honours Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Currently: STEM CELL Technician
Hayden Scott
Previously: Undergraduate researcher
Currently: Undergraduate UBC student
Kenza Zobaidi
Previously: Undergraduate researcher
Currently: Undergraduate SFU
Sana Arora
Previously: Behavioural Neuroscience Undergraduate Researcher
Currently: Co-op student UBC
Kateryna Voznyuk
Previously: Behavioural Neuroscience Undergraduate Researcher
Jana JaJarmi
Previously: Undergraduate Directed Studies Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 2021-2022
Currently: Graduate Student UBC
Kit Lee
Previously: Lab Manager & Research Assistant
Brianna Bristow
Previously: Undergraduate Directed Studies Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 2019-2020
Currently: Graduate student Cembrowski lab, UBC
John Shin
Previously: Science Co-Op student 2020
Currently: Finishing Undergraduate degree in Computer Science
Kalya Judson
Previously: Undergraduate Directed Studies Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 2019-2020
Research Assistant 2020-2021
Currently: Research Assistant, Greenblatt lab, UBC
Tess Osborne
Previously: Undergraduate Directed Studies Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 2020-201
Currently: MSc Student, Jan lab, UBC
Daniel Wong
Previously: Undergraduate Honours Directed Studies Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 2020-201
Currently: Graduate student Cornell University
Sarah Wissmann
Previously: Undergraduate RA 2020-2021
Currently: Undergraduate Directed Studies, UBC
Jessie Chai
Previously: Undergraduate NSERC URSA 2020-2021
Currently: UBC medical student
Michelle Lu
Previously: Undergraduate Directed Studies Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 2020-201
Currently: graduate student UBC-O
Sophia Gu
Previously: Undergraduate researcher 2020
Currently: UBC Co-Op student
Baria Choudry
Previously: Undergraduate researcher 2020
Currently: graduating spring 2022
Brandon Wong
Previously: Science Co-Op student 2021
Currently: STEM CELL Technician
Justin Jao
Previously: Undergraduate researcher 2019-2021
Currently: completing computer science undergraduate
Mark Sgro
Previously: Undergraduate Work-Learn student 2021
Currently: completing undergraduate