CURRENT MEMBERS
(total of 17 current group members)
| Dr. Garrett Whitworth PhD (Post-Doctoral Fellow) | |
Dr. Iran Ocana Rios PhD (Post-Doctoral Fellow)  | Dr. Iran Ocana Rios is currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), she got a Mitacs Accelerated Award in January 2021. Dr. Ocana Rios obtained her Master and Doctorate degrees in Analytical Chemistry from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM). She has participated in environmental chemistry research projects, and also projects of the pharmaceutical and agri-food industries. Dr. Ocana Rios specializes in sample preparation techniques, liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. Her research focuses on developing analytical methods applied to aqueous, biological, environmental, and food matrices. |
Elizabeth Andrucson MSc. student  | Beth is an organic chemistry laboratory instructor for TRU CHEM 2120/2220. She received her BSc in Chemistry from TRU and in August 2021 will defend her thesis for her MSc in Environmental Science from TRU. Her MSc thesis research developed a method using capillary electrophoresis for detection of bisphenol A in drinking water and British Columbia mussels. She also contributed through her graduate research to the paper “Determination of Fatty Acids in Beef by Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry” published in Food Analytical Methods. Highlights from her undergraduate degree included training at the University of Saskatchewan’s Canadian Light Source Synchrotron and participating in the organizing committee for the Western Canadian Undergraduate Chemistry Conference when it was held at TRU. |
Zhi Chao Guo (Michelle) MSc. student Website administrator michelle8472@hotmail.com  | Zhi joined Donkor Research Group in the summer of 2013, and received her B.Sc degree in chemistry at Thompson Rivers University in 2016. Since 2013, she has participated in research projects in food safety, pharmacology, mineralogy, ecology, biology, phytology, soil science, and other fields. Of all the research areas, she is most passionate about environmental or food safety related research, which led her to choose to study and evaluate the potential of reusing industrial ash residual as a fertilizer in agriculture by monitoring the nutrients in the ash residual treated soil over a growth season using FAAS, CE and ICP-MS as her Master of Science in Environmental Science thesis project. |
Tracy Asingo Undergraduate student  | My name is Tracy Asingo and I am a fourth-year Bachelor of Science student, majoring in cellular molecular biology. During my first year, I heard about research from the students that would move around from class to class looking for participants in their research projects as well as the posters around Old Main. I also approached one of my instructors in second year to ask about research opportunities. The first project I participated in was as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for a Masters student here at TRU. The project is about determination of metal element composition in soil samples using ICP-MS. My main role in the project is sample preparation and determination of pH and conductivity. I am also doing a UREAP project which is the identification of parabens in cosmetic foundations using capillary electrophoresis. If you are interested in research, do not be hesitant when it comes to asking professors about it. Keep an eye out for different events that may expose you to research opportunities. |
Karizza Catenza Undergraduate student  | I received my B.Sc. degree in Chemistry at Thompson Rivers University in Spring 2021. Before that, I was also conferred a B.Sc. degree in Food Technology at the University of the Philippines in 2016. Hence, most of my research was mainly focused on applying analytical techniques in the analysis of biomolecules and heavy metals in food matrices. I joined Dr. Kingsley Donkor’s research group in January 2020, where I worked on developing a method for quantifying milk oligosaccharides in commercial dairy products using capillary electrophoresis. Furthermore, in collaboration with Dr. Donkor, I wrote a review article on the recent analytical techniques used for analyzing functional oligosaccharides in food and biological matrices. This review article was submitted and published in the Food Chemistry journal. Currently, I am working on developing a method for determining heavy metals in cannabinoid products using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This research involves the development of a working microwave digestion procedure using dilute concentrations of HNO3 to digest various cannabinoid products such as chocolate, beverages, and tea. In the Fall 2021 term, I would be starting my graduate studies in bioorganic chemistry at the University of Alberta. I am particularly interested in applying NMR and mass spectrometry in the discovery and characterization of natural products in microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. |
| Kelsey Cruz Undergraduate student | |
Carla Figueroa Undergraduate student  | My name is Carla Figueroa and I am an international student from El Salvador going into my 3rd year of Chemical Biology. This summer, I’m helping Kingsley with a project regarding the quantification of epicatechin mostly in black teas. I will be doing this through UV-Vis spectroscopy, and I’m really excited! |
Katelyn Frymire Undergraduate student  | Hi, my name is Katelyn Frymire! I am a third year Chemical Biology Major from Kamloops, BC. The project I am working on is detecting small amounts of the biopreservative nisin, using Capillary Electrophoresis. We are using a technique called Large Volume Sample Stacking (LVSS) to help us achieve higher sensitivity. |
Seth Keenan Undergraduate student  | My name is Seth Keenan. I am about to enter my final term studying for a Chemistry degree at TRU. I chose this field of study because I felt that I would have the potential to make a difference in the world as there is still so much that we do not know in the field of chemistry. I am from Langley, and I currently live in Knutsford while I am studying at TRU. The project I have been working on with Dr. Kingsley Donkor is an interaction study between β-Cyclodextrin and the benzimidazole fungicides carbendazim, fuberidazole, and thiabendazole using Affinity Capillary Electrophoresis (ACE). My ultimate educational goal is to continue on to grad school after I achieve my undergraduate degree. |
| Yuyang Li Undergraduate student | |
Abu Nadeem Undergraduate student  | Hey! My name is Abu Harera Nadeem and I am currently in my fourth year of a Bachelor of Science degree. I have been in Donkor Research Group since the second year of my degree. Using ICP-MS, I am currently working on determining the presence of heavy metals in certain types of teas. |
Lauren Okano Undergraduate student  | Hi! My name is Lauren, and I am a fourth-year Chemical Biology major at TRU. I joined the Donkor research group in the winter of 2020 and I have worked on several research projects including the determination of aspartame in 7-Up using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and the utilization of Fly-Ash to remove bisphenols from the environment using Capillary Electrophoresis. I have also completed a UREAP project studying the sensitive detection of nisin, a biopreservative, using Large-Volume Sample Stacking Capillary Electrophoresis. I am currently studying cannabinoid derivatives and their oxidation products called hydroxyquinones using Capillary Electrophoresis. I love research in Analytical Chemistry because it allows you to explore how small changes at the molecular level can have broad implications on a system as a whole. I am specifically passionate about research projects that use analytical chemistry to solve problems related to human health and disease. After my undergraduate degree, I hope to attend medical school where I can continue learning about the chemical foundations that are important for maintaining and improving human health. |
Natalie Pietramala Undergraduate student  | My name is Natalie Pietramala, and I am going intomy third year of Chemical Biology atThompson Rivers University. I am one of the researchersworking on the AvicannaProject. Through oxidation processes, we are studyingthe stability of cannabinoids andtrying to determine their quinones and degradationproducts. We are primarily usingcapillary electrophoresis for this research, but willbe venturing into UV-Vis andpotentially NMR. This is my first year as a memberof Kingsley’s research team, and Iam thoroughly enjoying it thus far! |
| Malika Sharma Undergraduate student | |
| Fanqi Wu Undergraduate student | |
| Xingtong Ye Undergraduate student |
PAST MEMBERS
(total of 154 past group members)
| Gurcharan Uppal | 2020 – 2021 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Zahkary Barone | 2020 – 2021 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Jaime Ferreira | 2020 – 2021 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Malika Sharma | 2020 | Supervisor: High School Research |
| Madeline Tuai | 2020 2019 – 2020 | Supervisor: Summer Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Cyrene Catenza | 2019 – 2020 | Supervisor: UREAP & NSERC USRA Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Fraucis O. Ogunyemi | 2019 – 2020 | Supervisor: UREAP & CHEM 4480 TRU Apprentice |
| Kali Mailhot | 2019 – 2020 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Katie Shouldice | 2019 – 2020 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Jinghan Tan | 2019 – 2020 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Nicky Siguoin | 2019 – 2020 | Co-Supervisor: BIOL 4480 |
| Puneet Parihar | 2019 – 2020 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 4480 & UREAP Research |
| Elisha Balazo | 2019 – 2020 | Co-Supervisor: UREAP Research |
| Seth Keenan | 2019 – 2020 | Supervisor: UREAP Research |
| Nicholas Piroddi | 2019 – 2020 | Co-Supervisor: UREAP Research |
| Will Primrose | 2019 – 2020 | Supervisor: UREAP Research |
| Chris Melvin | 2019 | Supervisor: UREAP Research |
| Chris Birch | 2018 – 2020 | Supervisor: TRU Apprentice Research |
| Ravinder Sappal | 2018 – 2020 | Co-Supervisor: PDF MITACS Research |
| Aramide Taiwo | 2018 – 2020 | Supervisor: MSc Thesis Research |
| Lynnea Carr | 2018 – 2019 | Co-Supervisor: BIOL 4480 |
| Brady Zappone | 2018 | Supervisor: Research Assistant |
| Jess Dio | 2018 | Supervisor: Research Assistant (TRU-IRF) |
| Iran Rios Ocana | 2018 | Supervisor: PhD Research (Mexico Exchange) |
| Austin Pietramala | 2019 – 2020 2018 – 2019 2017 – 2018 | Co-Supervisor: MITACS Research Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Hons Research Supervisor: UR Apprentice Research |
| Emmet Suttil | 2019 – 2020 2017 – 2018 | Supervisor: Undergraduate Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Keegan Koening | 2017 – 2019 | Co-Supervisor: BIOL 4480 |
| Domenic Mercuri | 2017 – 2018 | Co-Supervisor: BIOL 4480 |
| Mae Frank | 2017 – 2018 | Co-Supervisor: BIOL 4480 |
| Rory McKerchar | 2017 – 2018 | Co-Supervisor: BIOL 4480 |
| Drayden Kopp | 2017 – 2018 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Adrian Batista | 2017 – 2018 | Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Hons Research |
| Richenda McFarlane | 2017 – 2018 | Co-Supervisor: BIOL 4480 |
| Aidan O’Neill | 2017 – 2018 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Mat Norman | 2017 – 2018 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Jordan Schofield | 2017 – 2018 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Osmin Aviles | 2017 – 2018 | Supervisor: MSc Research (Mexico Exchange) |
| Jagdeesh Uppal | 2017 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Noor Shubear | 2019 2016 – 2017 2016 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 Supervisor: Summer Undergrad Research Supervisor: TRU Apprentice Research |
| Danielle Belliveau | 2016 – 2018 | Supervisor: TRU Apprentice Research |
| Tyson Bodor | 2016 – 2018 | Supervisor: NSERC Engage Research Supervisor: Research Assistant,NSERC Engage |
| Albert G.A. Rodriguez | 2016 – 2018 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Julie McNutt | 2016 – 2017 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 4480; UREAP |
| Braedon Paul | 2016 – 2017 | Co-Supervisor: TRU-IRF Research |
| Hector Martinez | 2016 – 2017 | Supervisor: MSc Research (Mexico Exchange) |
| Mitchell Wihlidal | 2016 – 2017 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Isra Jaffar | 2016 – 2017 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Ngoc Nguyen | 2016 | Supervisor: Mitacs Globalink Research |
| Khalid Alenezi | 2016 | Supervisor: Summer Research |
| Vi Tranh Tran | 2015 – 2017 | Supervisor: MSc Thesis Research |
| Carlee Poleschuk | 2015 – 2017 | Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Maryaum Tawhid | 2015 – 2017 | Supervisor: Summer Research |
| Trevor Johnson | 2015 – 2016 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Chantal Holm | 2015 – 2016 | Co-Supervisor: BIOL 4480 |
| Parta Pisaraei | 2015 – 2016 | Co-Supervisor: BIOL 4480 |
| Kile McKenna | 2015 – 2020 2015 – 2016 | Co-supervisor: MSc Thesis Research Co-Supervisor: UREAP Research |
| Vahab Nazeri | 2015 – 2016 | Co-Supervisor: Ph.D. Thesis Research |
| Chantal Holm | 2015 | Co-Supervisor: UREAP Research |
| Humberto Hernandez | 2015 | Supervisor: Mitacs Globalink Research |
| Tallon Milne | 2014 – 2017 | Co-Supervisor: MSc Thesis Research |
| Cindy Lam | 2014 – 2015 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Brian Tong | 2014 – 2015 | Co-Supervisor: BIOL 4480 |
| Devin Chattu | 2014 – 2015 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Kelsey Reay | 2014 – 2015 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Kevin Cooley | 2014 – 2015 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Matthew Drayton | 2015 2014 – 2015 | Supervisor: UREAP Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Kelsie Sallis | 2015 2014 – 2015 | Supervisor: UREAP Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Paige Wildeman | 2015 2014 – 2015 | Supervisor: UREAP Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Madeline Brooks | 2014 – 2015 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Antonio Rodriguez | 2014 | Supervisor: Mitacs Globalink Research |
| Katie Sparrow | 2015 – 2016 2015 2014 2013 – 2014 2013 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Hons Co-Supervisor: USRA Summer Research Co-Supervisor: USRA Summer Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 Supervisor: Summer Research |
| Lindsay Jmaiff | 2014 – 2015 2013 | Supervisor: URA Summer Research Supervisor: Co-op Summer Research |
| Amna Farooq | 2013 – 2015 | Supervisor: MSc Thesis Research |
| Ivan Hartling | 2014 2013 – 2014 | Co-Supervisor: Research Assistant Co-Supervisor: CHEM BIO Honors |
| Jovan Gill | 2014 2013 – 2014 | Supervisor: UREAP Summer Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Tallon Milne | 2013 – 2014 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 4480 Co-Supervisor: MSc Thesis Research |
| Alison McClean | 2013 – 2014 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Scott Borden | 2013 – 2014 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Taran Main | 2013 – 2014 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Amanda Robinson | 2011 – 2017 | Joint Supervisor: MSc Thesis Research |
| Jagdeesh Uppal | 2016 2015 – 2016 2014 2012 | Co-Supervisor: Mitacs Globalink Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 Supervisor: URA Summer Research Supervisor: Summer Research |
| Dipesh Prema | 2012 – 2015 | Joint Supervisor: Post-Doctoral Fellow |
| Jessica Krauchi | 2012 – 2014 | Joint Supervisor: Research Associate |
| Jessica Pilfold | 2012 – 2014 | Joint Supervisor: Research Associate |
| Raniyah Alnahdi | 2012 – 2014 | Co-Supervisor: MSc Thesis Research |
| Erika Koeck | 2012 – 2013 | Co-Supervisor: UREAP; CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Juan Francisco | 2012 – 2013 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Yuen Ting Law | 2012 – 2013 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Christina Drescher | 2012 – 2013 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Chris Ewanyshyn | 2012 – 2013 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Hayfaa Golapkhan | 2012 | Supervisor: Summer Research |
| Gareth Bloudell | 2011 – 2012 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Michael Bregoliss | 2011 – 2012 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Michael Reid | 2011 – 2012 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 & UREAP |
| Connor Kulchyski | 2011 – 2012 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Corbin Sallis | 2011 – 2012 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Yulia Egorova | 2011 – 2012 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Rebecca Paliwoda | 2011 – 2012 | Supervisor: UREAP & CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Jennifer Olsen | 2011 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Aisha Musa | 2011 | Supervisor: Summer Research |
| Andrew Owusu | 2011 | Supervisor: Summer Research |
| Nicholas Azad | 2011 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Rachel Corbett | 2011 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Jessica Risley | 2012 2010 – 2012 2010 – 2011 | Research Assistant Supervisor: UREAP CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Hoa Nguyen | 2012 2010 – 2011 | Supervisor: Summer Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Nisha Jaswal | 2011 2010 – 2011 | Supervisor: NSERC Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Akemi Darlington | 2010 – 2011 | Supervisor: UREAP & CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Tiffany Campbell | 2010 – 2011 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Mark Chase | 2010 – 2011 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Darren Bishop | 2010 – 2011 | Supervisor: UREAP & CHEM 4480 |
| Evangeline Lu | 2010 – 2011 | Supervisor: UREAP & CHEM 4480 |
| Megan Campbell | 2009 – 2012 | Supervisor: NSERC Research |
| Megan MacGillivray | 2009 – 2011 | Supervisor: Summer/NSERC Research Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Dustin Jones | 2009 – 2010 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Ian Heppner | 2009 – 2010 | Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Jared Curle | 2009 – 2010 | Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Natasha Hayden | 2009 – 2010 | Supervisor: U-REAP/NSERC Research; Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Dan Patterson | 2009 – 2010 | Supervisor: NSERC Research |
| Brennan Arduini | 2009 – 2010 | Supervisor: CUEF and CHEM 448 |
| Brittany Dever | 2009 – 2010 | Supervisor: CUEF and CHEM BIOL Honors Supervisor: NSERC USRA |
| Bob Stanley | 2008 – 2009 | Supervisor: CUEF and CHEM 448 |
| Kin Wong | 2008 – 2009 | Supervisor: NSERC Research |
| Trent Kellock | 2008 – 2009 | Co-Supervisor: NSERC Research Supervisor: NSERC USRA |
| Kyle Burns | 2008 | Co- Supervisor: Summer/ Co-Op |
| Ursal Williams | 2008 | Co- Supervisor: Summer/ Co-Op |
| Laiel Soliman | 2012 – 2014 2008 – 2010 2007 | Joint Supervisor: Research Associate Supervisor: NSERC Research Supervisor: CHEM 448 and CUEF |
| Jaret Laquerre | 2008- 2009 2007 | Supervisor: NSERC Research Supervisor: URA Summer Research |
| Kevin Mehr | 2007- 2008 | Supervisor: Co-Op /CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Lain Dekowny | 2007- 2008 | Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Kent Colville | 2007 | Co-Supervisor: CUEF |
| Brent Rudyk | 2007 | Supervisor: Summer Research |
| Bryan Karolat | 2006- 2007 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Adi Chikkara | 2006- 2007 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Mark Crawford | 2006- 2007 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Karla Taylor | 2006 | Supervisor: Industry Research |
| Greg Kaufmann | 2007 2005 | Supervisor: CHEM 448 Supervisor: YTL, Summer Research |
| Michael Prystai | 2005-2006 | Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Adam Klassen | 2005-2006 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM BIOL Honors |
| Gilberto Jerez | 2005-2006 2005 | Supervisor CHEM 448 / CUEF Supervisor: YTL |
| Laura Muraca | 2005 | Joint-Supervisor: Co-Op student |
| Trevor Brown | 2005 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Marcus Trayer | 2005 | Joint-Supervisor: NRC-IRAP |
| David Ward | 2004- 2005 | Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Eric Bottos | 2004 | Joint-Supervisor: NRC-IRAP |
| Sheila Beacom | 2004 | Supervisor: YTL |
| Nola Wilde | 2004 | Supervisor: YTL |
| Andrew Roy | 2004 | Co-Supervisor: NRC-IRAP |
| Stuart Chambers | 2003-2004 | Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Veron Novosad | 2003-2004 | Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Jason McHarg | 2003 | Supervisor: RESL/CUEF |
| Rhea Underwood | 2002-2003 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Derek Bleackley | 2002-2003 | Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Lori Philips | 2001-2002 | Co-Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
| Sonja Schenkeveld | 2001-2002 | Supervisor: CHEM 448 |
VISITING RESEARCHERS
| Dr. Marina Espinoza | 2019 – present | UNAM, Mexico |
| Dr. J. de Jesus Olmos Espejel | 2019 | UNAM, Mexico |
| Iran Ocãna-Rios | 2018 – 2019 | UAEM, Mexico |
| Dr. Oscar Olea Mejia | 2018 – 2019 | UAEM, Mexico |
| Dr. Reyna Natividad | 2017 – 2018 | UAEM, Mexico |
| Dr. Rubi Romero | 2016 – 2017 | UAEM, Mexico |
| Dr. Samuel Mugo | 2016 | Grant McEwan University |
| Dr. James Kariuki | 2016 | University of Alberta |
