meet our team
Prof. Patrick MacDonald principal investigator & ADI IslETCORE DIRECTOR Pat completed his BSc at the University of Western Ontario and his PhD at the University of Toronto. He then spent time as a postdoctoral fellow at Lund University and the University of Oxford before being recruited back to Canada in 2006. He is now a Professor of Pharmacology and directs ADI IsletCore. In his spare time, he likes to run, play hockey, and spend time with his family. |
Tina Dafoe ADI ISLETCORE PROGRAM coordinator Tina has been with ADI IsletCore since 2014. As the Program Coordinator, she oversees all aspects of ADI IsletCore's administration, communications, operations, and financial management. A long-suffering Oilers fan, Tina enjoys getting outside with her husband and two children, HIIT classes, reading, needlework, and making (but especially eating) baked goods. |
Chris Peacocke program support Chris has a background in financial management, policy and procedure development, and communications. He has been providing administrative support to the MacDonald Lab, ADI IsletCore, and various islet biology training programs since 2022. In his free time, Chris is a cookbook collector, an amateur birdwatcher, and a professional homebody. |
Dr. Xiao-Qing Dai research associate Originally from Nanjing, China, Xiao-Qing completed her PhD and postdoctoral training at the University of Alberta. A member of the MacDonald Lab since 2007, she is the lead electrophysiologist and involved in many collaborative projects. When she is not busy patch-clamping, XQ enjoys spending time with her son, watching movies, and traveling. 
Dr. Chris Schaaf Postdoctoral fellow Chris completed BSc in Biochemistry in 2020, and his PhD in Cell Biology, Stem Cells, and Development at the University of Colorado in 2025, where his work focused on using stem cell models of islet development to investigate transcriptional regulation of cell fate determination in early endocrine progenitors. He joined the MacDonald lab in September of 2025. Outside of the lab, he enjoys live music, hiking, camping, and napping. 
Jasmine Maghera GRADUATE STUDENT Jasmine joined the MacDonald Lab as a graduate student in September 2020. She is interested in stem-cell derived beta-cell behaviour. Previously, she has worked in the fields of phage display and glycobiology, as well as on ion channel-related projects. In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys playing sports, going to the gym, and painting. |
Dr. Cara Ellis Research associate Cara first became interested in islet biology after doing diabetes research during her engineering undergrad. She completed her PhD in Experimental Surgery at the University of Alberta in 2015, then travelled to UBC to further her knowledge in stem cell biology and bioinformatics. Cara returned to Edmonton in 2021. Outside the lab, she enjoys sailing, running, backpacking, and playing D&D. 
Dr. Theodore dos Santos Postdoctoral fellow Theo originally worked in the field of virology as a microscopist, he is now into data-driven science in human health and diabetes. In addition to staring at data on screens, he enjoys cooking, music, home renovation, and supporting Arsenal. 
Shawn Duckett Graduate student Shawn joined the MacDonald Lab as an undergraduate student in the summer of 2023, before joining the graduate program in September 2024. Outside the lab, Shawn enjoys running and hiking in the summer months, as well as reading, music, and cooking. |
Dr. Xiong Liu POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW Xiong obtained his BSc from Wuhan University and his PhD in Physiology from the University of Alberta. He previously worked on the functional and structural characterizations of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. He joined the MacDonald Lab in February of 2022. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and searching for funny scientific stories on Twitter. He is a big fan of Oded Rechavi. 
Amanda Gomes graduate student Amanda grew up in Brazil. She came to Edmonton to join the MacDonald Lab as a PhD student in January of 2020, in partnership with the Helmholtz Research School of Diabetes. In her free time, she enjoys ice skating, reading, and watching TV series. 
James Lyon tECHNICAL DIRECTOR James has 29 years of experience isolating human islets. When he is not busy performing isolations, he can be found riding his bike, playing guitar and spending time with his family. Additionally, he is the program director and head coach of Edmonton’s only youth learn-to-race cycling program. |
Nancy Smith TISSUE SPECIALIST A technician in the MacDonald Lab since 2007, Nancy is also the second human islet isolation lead for ADI IsletCore. She assists with isolations and helps expand ADI IsletCore's isolation capacity. When she's not working, she enjoys knitting and camping with her husband and two girls. |
Aliya Spigelman technician Aliya started in the MacDonald Lab in 2008 as a student before becoming a technician in 2011. She performs secretion experiments and assists in the lab and ADI IsletCore. In her spare time, Aliya enjoys figure skating, exploring our beautiful country, and spending time with her husband and kids. |
Austin Bautista TEchnician Austin has been with the MacDonald Lab and ADI IsletCore as a technician since 2013. He assists with isolations, sample preparation, and functional characterization of islets. His favourite pastimes are alpine skiing, Ultimate frisbee, and video games. |
