The Fernandes Lab

Karl Fernandes, PhD

Team leader Karl Fernandes received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry (Ottawa U) before pursuing research training in Neuroscience (University of British Columbia) and Stem Cell biology (Montreal Neurological Institute and Toronto Hospital for Sick Children). He started his independent research laboratory at the Université de Montréal in 2006 and was recruited to the Université de Sherbrooke in 2020.

Anne Aumont

I completed a DEC in Health Sciences in 1995 at Cégep Saint-Jérôme and a DEC in Chemistry-Biology in 1998 at Cégep Ahuntsic in Montreal. I then worked in the pharmaceutical sector while earning a Certificate in Molecular Biology from UQTR in 2002. Since then, I have worked in academia as a laboratory technician.

From 2002 to 2006, I worked with Freda Miller's team at McGill University/MNI and Sick Kids Toronto, where I gained experience with primary cultures and stem cells. Since 2006, I have managed Karl Fernandes' laboratory, ensuring its smooth operation, training new students, and participating in various research projects. I specialize in techniques such as microdissections, tissue perfusion and sectioning, immunohistochemistry, cell cultures, and sample preparation.

Marian Mayhue

I graduated in 2001 from the Medical Laboratory Technology program at CEGEP in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. My interest in research began and developed during my end-of-program internships. I initially worked in the private sector, including plant biology at DNA Landmarks and animal biochemistry and hematology at Biovet.

Seeking to explore my interest in research further, I took a risk and completed a 3-month internship in a research environment at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lennoxville. That short internship turned into multiple 6-month contracts over the course of 4 rewarding years.

In 2009, a good reference offered me the chance to work in the Department of Pediatrics/Immunology Service at the University of Sherbrooke, where I worked until 2021. Since May 2021, I have been part of Professor Fernandes’ team, contributing to several laboratory projects (including Intellicage, diet, and exercise) and assisting in the overall management of the lab.

Marta Turri, PhD

I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Fernandes laboratory, where I am passionate about lipids and excited by the challenge of understanding how cerebral and peripheral lipid metabolism contributes to Alzheimer’s disease. My primary project focuses on defining the cellular mechanisms behind a new therapeutic molecule that aims to correct brain lipid alterations in Alzheimer’s disease.

I completed a master’s degree in pharmacy and a doctorate in pharmacology at the University of Milan, which led me from my hometown of Como, Italy, to Sherbrooke. Beyond my fascination with “cholesterol and its friends” and the search for answers to their alterations, I also thrive on adrenaline from climbing and skiing, and I practice yoga daily. I enjoy having deep discussions as much as sharing funny jokes about science with my colleagues.

Paule Enora Mbra

I joined the Fernandes laboratory in May 2019 as an undergraduate intern, and I am now a PhD student focused on dietary therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). I was born and raised in Ivory Coast, a beautiful country in West Africa, and moved to Canada after graduating from high school in 2017 to pursue studies in neurological science at the University of Montreal.

My passion for health sciences and medicine stems from the challenges and complexity of human biology, inspired by my grandfather, a cardiac nurse who worked hard to reach his position, and my father, a biomedical engineer who traveled across Africa for HIV seminars and meetings.

I am proud to be building my scientific career through research on Alzheimer’s disease. I actively participate in conferences in Canada and around the world, including the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN), Society for Neuroscience (SFN), and Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson Disease International Conference (ADPD), among others. These events allow me to share my knowledge and gain valuable insights from leading experts. I am honored to be part of this exclusive scientific community and am excited to contribute further through my upcoming publications.

Jessica Avila-López, MSc

I completed a degree in Biotechnology at the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes in Mexico, which sparked my interest in aging and neurodegenerative diseases through research. I then pursued an M.Sc. in Biochemistry at the University of Sherbrooke, focusing on aging markers in the mouse choroid plexus. Currently, I am a PhD student in Biochemistry in Professor Karl Fernandes' laboratory. My research investigates the effects of physical activity on the brain, specifically examining the cell-specific effects of wheel running on the hippocampus in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to my research, I am passionate about scientific communication. I have participated in the “Inspecteur Génético” association, which organizes recreational science workshops for primary and secondary school students. I am excited to continue exploring innovative ways to communicate science to the public.

I also enjoy playing volleyball and sharing a laugh over Marta's scientific jokes.

Isaura María Suárez Uribe, MSc

I am a PhD student at Fernandes Lab where I am researching the systemic impact of ketogenic diets in Alzheimer’s disease. I completed my bachelor's and master's degree in biology, at Universidad de Antioquia. Since my bachelor's I have been really interested in animal physiology, specifically how the nervous system functions. For this reason, in 2019 I joined the Neuroscience Group of Antioquia where I investigated the gliovascular alterations of Alzheimer's disease, CADASIL, and the protection mechanism of APOE3 Christchurch, a notable case of resistance to Familial Alzheimer's disease.
Beyond my current research, I am passionate about basic research. I believe that understanding the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases is essential for developing effective therapies. Outside the lab, I enjoy cooking, practicing aikido, and sharing lively conversations with my family over a good cup of coffee.

Pablo Valderrama Carmona

I am originally from the beautiful city of Medellín, Colombia, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in Biology at the Universidad de Antioquia. It was during this time that I developed a deep passion for neuroscience, conducting undergraduate research to explore the roles of glial and vascular cells in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as their protective mechanisms, particularly in the case of APOE3 Christchurch resistance.

In January 2024, I began my master’s degree at Fernandes Lab, where my research focuses on investigating hypothalamic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease using both the 3xTg-AD mouse model and post-mortem human samples. Outside of the lab, I’m part of the Vert et Or tennis team, and I enjoy dancing and exploring the outdoors through hiking.