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. |
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. |
| Emily Dagasso Undergraduate student  | Hi! My name is Emily Dagasso and I am entering my fifth year majoring in Chemistry at Thompson Rivers University. I joined Dr. Kingsley Donkor’s research team in the summer of 2022 and have been working on a project involving the simultaneous quantification of cannabinoids and terpenes with the use of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). I have enjoyed my time so far with Dr. Donkor’s research group and am excited to continue the project in the Fall! |
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. |
| Celena Hoang Undergraduate student  | Hi! My name is Celena Hoang and I am going into my fourth-year, majoring in Chemistry at Thompson Rivers University. I joined the Donkor research group in the Summer of 2022 and this summer, I worked on a project determining Parabens in Cosmetic Foundations using Capillary Electrophoresis. |
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. |
| Oleksandra Kovalenko Undergraduate student | |
| Yuyang Li Undergraduate student  | Hi, my name is Yuyang Li! I am a fourth-year student majoring in Bachelor of Science —Environmental Chemistry at Thompson Rivers University, and this is my last year studying for undergraduate studies at TRU. I have been in Dr. Kingsley Donkor’s research group since Summer 2021, and I am currently working in direct studies with Dr. Kingsley Donkor. I am currently working on determining bisphenols in bottled teas using CE and LC/MS. |
| Richard Mageto Undergraduate student  | Hi, the name is Richard Mageto. I’m a member of the men’s varsity basketball team at Thompson Rivers University and I’m in the fourth year of my Chemical Biology degree. I had the pleasure of joining Dr. Donkor’s research team in the fall of 2021 and I’ve been studying the presence of heavy metals in salmon using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). I’m fascinated with the sub-cellular interactions that give rise to various diseases and this is what inspired my current research project. |
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. |
| James Neurauter Undergraduate student  | Hello! My name is James Neurauter, and I am a recent graduate of the Chemistry program at Thompson Rivers University. After joining the Donkor research group in the summer of 2022, I was given the valuable opportunity to involve myself with several research projects, including the headspace GC-MS analysis of industrial bitumen samples, the chemical characterization of petroleum refinery process waters via ICP-MS, and the determination of cannabinoids and terpenes in personal care products via GC-MS. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a member of the group, which broadened my knowledge of chemical phenomena and fortified my passion for analytical chemistry. Next year I begin my graduate studies at the University of Toronto, where I will perform research in an effort to elucidate the potential extent of microbial degradation in Canada’s used nuclear fuel containers. |
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 into my fourth year of Chemical Biology at Thompson Rivers University. I am currently working on creating a laboratory experiment for third year analytical chemistry students at TRU. The project encompasses determining the quantity of isopropanol in both gel and liquid hand sanitizers; I am utilizing gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) for the analysis. This is my second year as a member of Kingsley’s research team, and I am thoroughly enjoying it thus far! |
| Malika Sharma Undergraduate student  | Hello! My name is Malika Sharma and I am a second year Science student at Thompson Rivers University. I hope to major in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology. I had the amazing opportunity to start working with Dr. Donkor as a Student Research Assistant in his lab. I worked on a project regarding the separation of bisphenols with the use of capillary electrophoresis. This is my first year working in Dr. Donkor’s research team and I am thoroughly enjoying it! |
| Michaela Vandermey Undergraduate student  | Hi! My name is Michaela Vandermey and I am a fourth year Chemical Biology Major at TRU. Currently I am working at Activation Laboratories as a Wet Lab and Instrument Technician. The project I will be working on is detecting heavy metals leached from disposable masks using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). |
PAST MEMBERS
(total of 161 past group members)
| Kayla Hermiston | 2022 | Supervisor: High School Research |
| Fanqi Wu | 2020 – 2021 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Xingtong Ye | 2020 – 2021 | Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| Elizabeth Andrucson | 2011- 2021 | Supervisor: MSc Thesis Research |
| Tracy Asingo | 2020 – 2021 | Supervisor: UREAP |
| Karizza Catenza | 2020 – 2021 2019 – 2020 | Supervisor: USRA Supervisor: CHEM 4480 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Amanda Robinson | 2011 – 2017 | Joint Supervisor: MSc Thesis 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 |
Donkor Research Group 