Our Team
Dr. Angus McQuibban
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry
After completing an undergraduate degree and M.Sc. (Biochemistry) at the University of Toronto, I moved to Vancouver to pursue a Ph.D. (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology). My work focused on identifying novel substrates for a class of proteases (MMPs) that contribute to cancer metastasis. I discovered that inflammatory chemokines were a new family of substrates for this enzyme family. After completing my Ph.D. I moved to England for my PDF at the MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. I continued my work of proteolysis, but this time working with a new family of proteases, called Rhomboids. There I revealed their important activity within mitochondria. I started my lab ‘back home’ in 2005, and since, my research interests have focused on mitochondrial quality control, and how dysregulation leads to human disease. My lab currently balances basic science projects with translational studies and small molecule screening to develop novel therapeutics in neurodegenerative disease.
Dr. Sholto de Wet
Post-doctoral fellow
I joined the McQuibban lab as a postdoc in 2024 after finishing my Ph.D. in South Africa. I have an appreciation for the role that mitochondria play in neurodegenerative diseases. I'm interested in augmenting mitophagy through the use of small molecules as a way to improve the mitochondrial network and thereby improve neuronal activity. I love trying food or pastries that I'm not familiar with.
Wade Burson
Photo coming soon!
PhD Student
My name is Wade, and I joined the McQuibban Lab in 2022 where I currently pursue my PhD. My studies focus on the discovery of the mitochondrial membrane protein MPV-17 and its role in mitophagy and aging. When I am not in the lab, I’m taking care of my tomato plants, and I love taking pictures with my camera. A fun fact about me is that I am a coffee conoisseur.
Candela Bosco
PhD Student
My name is Candela, and I joined the McQuibban Lab in 2023 where I currently pursue my PhD. My studies focus on the discovery of probiotic-derived mitophagy activators as potential adjuvant therapies for age-related diseases, with a focus on Parkinson’s disease. When I am not in the lab, I train with the UofT Triathlon club. A fun fact about me is that I grew up on a farm in Argentina.
Asis Tung
Undergraduate Student
My name is Asis. I am a Biochemistry undergraduate and I joined the McQuibban Lab in 2025. My project focus is understanding the effect of probiotic-derived molecules in mtDNA release and neuroinflammation, which are central symptoms of Parkinson's disease. When I am not in the lab, I like to try new foods and go on walks! A fun fact about me is that I love to drink coffee.
Ella Xu
Undergraduate Student
My name is Ella, and I joined the McQuibban lab in 2026 as an undergraduate student hoping to learn more about the mechanisms involved in mitochondrial health regulation. Currently, I am studying the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mtUPR) in cells, a cellular stress response that regulates proteostasis. A fun fact about me is that I am a biking addict, and you will find me biking to the lab, biking home from the lab, biking to school, and even biking 3 minutes across the street!
William Wang
Photo coming soon!
Undergraduate Student
My name is William, I’m a fourth year undergraduate student studying Neuroscience and Immunology. I completed my HMB496 Independent Research Project in the McQuibban Lab, invstigating the role of the inner mitochondrial protease PARL in mitophagy. I am also the creator of this website!
Previous lab members
Erin Gao
Anne Hu
Dr. Sudeshna Nag
Kimberley Ng
Manal Islam Khan
William Wang
Sila Kaya
Lab socials
Sailing on the Toronto Islands
Picnic at Queen’s Park
Dim Sum