Trainee Symposium II

Title: Linking Proteinase Activated Receptor (PAR) Cleavage to Osteoarthritis (OA) Severity

About Amr Mousa

"I am currently a Ph.D. student at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, researching the molecular mechanisms of Proteinase-Activated Receptors (PARs) in osteoarthritis. I got my Bachelor's in Pharmacy from Minia University in 2011 and began my career as a teaching and research assistant in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Later, I completed my Master's degree in Pharmacology at Minia University, focusing on hydrogen sulfide's role in hypertension-induced endothelial dysfunction.

In November 2021, I joined Dr. Ramachandran's lab as a visiting graduate student, and in September 2022, I enrolled in the direct-entry Physiology and Pharmacology Ph.D. program with a specialization in musculoskeletal health research (CMHR).

During my short academic journey, I was awarded the Young Investigator Transdisciplinary Research Award (2022-2023 and 2023-2024) from the bone and joint institute, Western University and the New Student Poster Award (2022). I also received the Scientific Excellence and Publication Award from Minia University for the years 2022 and 2023."

Amr Mousa on the web

• Google Scholar

• Dr. GPCR

Title: Balancing G Protein Selectivity and Efficacy in the Adenosine A2A Receptor

About Louis-Philippe Picard

"I earned my Ph.D. in Biochemistry, working under the guidance of Dr. Michel Bouvier, at the University of Montreal from 2015 to 2019. Currently, I am engaged in postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Dr. Scott Prosser. My primary research focus lies in gaining deeper insights into the structural mechanisms governing G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and G protein activation. I employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines molecular pharmacology, biochemical assays, and biophysical techniques to unravel the intricacies of these processes."

Louis-Philippe Picard on the web

• Google Scholar

• Dr. GPCR

Title: Development of a Transgenic Mouse Platform for the Detection of Endogenous G protein Activity

About Remi Janicot

"After graduating as an undergrad from Ursinus College, I joined the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to work as a lab tech in a neurophysiology lab investigating mechanisms behind pediatric epilepsy disorders. I then joined Boston University to pursue my scientific career as PhD student and joined the lab of Dr. Mikel Garcia-Marcos which investigates GPCR and G protein signaling"

Remi Janicot on the web

• Boston University

• Dr. GPCR

Title: Antibodies Expand the Scope of Angiotensin Receptor Pharmacology

About Meredith Skiba

"Meredith completed her PhD in Biological Chemistry with Janet Smith at the University of Michigan studying the biosynthesis of polyketide natural products using x-ray crystallography. She then joined Andrew Kruse’s lab for her postdoc in 2018 where she has employed protein engineering, receptor pharmacology, and structural biology to study how different types of ligands modulate angiotensin receptor signaling."

Meredith Skiba on the web

• Harvard University

• University of Michigan

• Dr. GPCR