The Molecules to Systems Approach
The life sciences are a broad grouping of disciplines that study organisms across the tree of life. All organisms, whether unicellular (e.g., bacteria) or multicellular (e.g., plants, animals; including humans), require fundamental molecular building blocks. These building blocks facilitate the formation of a cell, which associates with other cells to form systems within a multicellular organism. Through evolution, organisms have become more complex, facilitated by the formation of specialized interdependent molecular and cellular systems. The Molecules to Systems Approach seeks to understand the mechanisms underlying each stage of this biological hierarchy.
Our Vision
Trent University has a wealth of expertise in various disciplines across the life sciences including molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, developmental biology, physiology, kinesiology, psychology, and neuroscience. To exploit this competitive advantage, the Molecules, Cells & Systems Research Centre brings together researchers from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Kinesiology, and Psychology to collaborate and apply the Molecules to Systems Approach in their research.
ELEVATING THE SCOPE AND IMPACT OF LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH
Model Systems
Our research spans a remarkable diversity of life forms—from single-celled protists and fungi to plants, zebrafish, amphibians, rodents, and humans. This breadth of expertise allows us to explore biological processes across scales, uncovering insights into molecular, cellular, and systemic interactions that shape life.
Discover Our Expertise
Protists (e.g., Giardia intestinalis, Dictyostelium discoideum, Euglena sp.)
Fungi (e.g., Ustilago maydis)
Plants
Zebrafish
Amphibians
Rodents
Humans
Research Centre Updates
Stay informed with the latest developments from the Molecules, Cells & Systems Research Centre. From new research initiatives to collaborative projects and key milestones for the Centre, this section keeps you connected to our ongoing progress and achievements. Explore how our work is shaping the future of life sciences.
Stay Up to Date
April 2025
We held our 3rd Annual Research Symposium on April 24, 2025. Congratulations to Best Presentation Award recipients Gillian Ekins, Isabelle Decorso, and Noah Fiorucci.
March 2025
We received a grant from the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences to support our 3rd Annual Research Symposium on April 24, 2025.
September 2024
The Centre welcomes new members Dr. Jenifer Hendel (Chemistry) and Dr. Cayleih Robertson (Biology).
May 2024
Trent News published a story highlighting our Centre! https://www.trentu.ca/news/story/39891
April 2024
We held our 2nd Annual Research Symposium on April 24, 2024. Congratulations to Best Talk Award recipients Isabelle Decorso, Lexi Thivierge, and Michael Capperauld!
March 2024
It's official! The Molecules, Cells & Systems Research Group officially becomes the Trent University Molecules, Cells & Systems Research Centre.
April 2023
We held our 1st Annual Research Symposium on April 25, 2023. Congratulations to Best Talk Award recipients Mark Seegobin, Vedanti Ghatwala, and Faith Tucker!
Meet Our Members
Discover the diverse team of researchers driving innovation at the Molecules, Cells & Systems Research Centre. Our members bring expertise across biology, chemistry, psychology, kinesiology, and forensic science, collaborating to explore life from its molecular foundations to complex systems.
MCS Research Centre Members
Holly Bates
Assistant Professor, Biology
BSc (Ottawa), PhD (Toronto)
hollybates@trentu.ca
Research interests: Obesity; Diabetes; Stress; Glucocorticoids; Brown fat; Thermogen
Ingrid Brenner
Associate Professor, Kinesiology and Trent/Fleming School of Nursing
BPHE, BSc, BScN (Toronto), MSc (Queen's), PhD (Toronto), PhD (Queen's)
ibrenner@trentu.ca
Research interests: Exercise in health promotion; Exercise for special populations (patients with cardiovascular disease, hemodialysis, pregnancy, elderly); Exercise immunology; Thermal stress physiology
Liana Brown
Associate Professor, Psychology
BSc, MSc (Waterloo), MS, PhD (Pennsylvania State)
lianabrown@trentu.ca
Lab website: https://actlab.squarespace.com/
Research interests: Learning and performing of motor skills; Roles of vision and proprioception in skill learning and performance; Effect of brain injury and neurological disorders on movement performance
Craig Brunetti
Dean, Graduate Studies
Professor, Biology
BSc, PhD (McMaster)
craigbrunetti@trentu.ca
Research interests: Molecular virology; Viral pathogenesis
RJ Neil Emery
Professor and Chair, Biology
BSc (Queen's), PhD (Calgary)
nemery@trentu.ca
Lab website: https://www.emerylab.com/
Research interests: Plant physiology and biochemistry; Interkingdom interactions; Signaling molecules and hormones; Cytokinins; Mass spectrometry and metabolomics
Neil Fournier
Associate Professor, Psychology
BSc (Laurentian), MSc (Dalhousie), PhD (Saskatchewan)
neilfournier@trentu.ca
Research interests: Brain plasticity; Neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders; Neural mechanisms involved in distinguishing safe from potentially threatening environments (learned safety)
Jenifer Hendel
Assistant Professor, Chemistry
BSc (Waterloo), MSc, PhD (Guelph)
jeniferhendel@trentu.ca
Research interests: Organic chemistry; Carbohydrates; Glycomimetics; Glycomics
Kirk Hillsley
Assistant Professor, Biology
BSc, PhD (Sheffield)
kirkhillsley@trentu.ca
Research interests: Effects of stress and infection on the microbiota - gut - brain axis; Peripheral central nervous system interactions; Neurophysiology
Robert Huber
Director and Co-Founder, Molecules, Cells & Systems Research Centre
Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Biology
BSc, PhD (Toronto)
roberthuber@trentu.ca
Lab website: http://www.huberlab.ca/
Research interests: Lysosomes; Intracellular trafficking; Protein secretion; Signal transduction; Molecular networking; Extracellular matrix; Calcium and calmodulin; Batten disease; Dictyostelium discoideum
Carolyn Kapron
Associate Professor Emerita, Biology
Co-Founder, Molecules, Cells & Systems Research Centre
BSc (Waterloo), MSc, PhD (McGill)
ckapron@trentu.ca
Research interests: Developmental biology and toxicology; Cellular and molecular basis of abnormal embryonic development; Stress-activated signal transduction pathways; Vascular development
Leslie Kerr
Associate Professor, Biology
BSc, MSc (Carleton), PhD (UBC)
lkerr@trentu.ca
Research interests: Behavioural neuroscience; Environmental stressors and developmental plasticity
Hugo Lehmann
Dean, Trent/Fleming School of Nursing
Associate Professor, Psychology
BA (Concordia), MSc (Alberta), PhD (Concordia)
hugolehmann@trentu.ca
Research interests: Neural circuits involved in acquiring, storing, and retrieving memory; Mechanisms involved in long-term consolidation and temporally graded retrograde amnesia; Emotion and mnemonic function
Sanela Martic
Associate Dean, Science
Associate Professor, Forensic Science
BSc (Bishop's), MSc (McMaster), PhD (Queen's)
sanelamartic@trentu.ca
Lab website: https://sites.google.com/trentu.ca/marticlab
Research interests: Protein aggregation and human disease; Biosensor development; Therapy development; Environmental and forensic toxicology; Sustainable chemistry
Steven Rafferty
Professor and Chair, Chemistry
BSc (Waterloo), PhD (UBC)
srafferty@trentu.ca
Research interests: Bioinorganic chemistry; Heme proteins; Giardia intestinalis
Cayleih Robertson
Assistant Professor, Biology
BSc (Mount Allison), MSc (Guelph), PhD (McMaster)
cayleihrobertson@trentu.ca
Lab website: https://cayleihrobertson.com/
Research interests: Developmental physiology; Batokine signalling; Thermoregulation
Barry Saville
Associate Professor, Forensic Science
BSc (Guelph), MSc, PhD (Toronto)
barrysaville@trentu.ca
Research interests: Microbe interactions in biology and forensics; Microbial metal tolerance; Transcriptome, transcript, and functional RNA analysis
Stephanie Tobin
Management Committee, Molecules, Cells & Systems Research Centre
Assistant Professor, Biology
BSc (Western), PhD (York)
stephanietobin@trentu.ca
Lab website: https://www.stephaniewalestobin.com/
Research interests: Stem cell physiology; Striated muscle pathologies; Aging; Inflammation and tissue repair; Signal transduction
Sarah West
Dean, Science
Associate Professor, Kinesiology
BPHE, MSc, PhD (Toronto)
sarahwest@trentu.ca
Research interests: Exercise physiology; Exercise and bone health; Exercise in chronic disease; Bone physiology
Janet Yee
Professor, Biology
BSc (Toronto), MSc (Queen's), PhD (UBC)
jyee@trentu.ca
Lab website: https://www.jyee.ca/Yee_lab_website/Home.html
Research interests: Gene expression; Heme proteins; RNA-splicing; Protein interactions; Giardia intestinalis
Connect with the Centre
Located at Trent University’s Symons Campus
Molecules, Cells, and Systems Research Centre
1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough, Ontario
K9L 0G2
Contact Us
Management Committee
Dr. Robert Huber (roberthuber@trentu.ca)
Dr. Stephanie Tobin (stephanietobin@trentu.ca)
Sean Condie (seancondie@trentu.ca)
Josephine Esposto (josephineesposto@trentu.ca)
Communications Manager
Josephine Esposto (josephineesposto@trentu.ca)
The MCS Annual Symposium
Our annual symposium brings together leading scientists, students, and collaborators to share groundbreaking research and foster interdisciplinary dialogue. Explore highlights, keynote presentations, and award-winning contributions from past events.
Explore our Symposium
Code of Conduct
Our Centre is committed to creating a professional, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants in research activities and events. We uphold equity, diversity, and integrity as guiding principles, ensuring collaboration that is free from discrimination or harassment.
Learn More
The Trent University Molecules, Cells & Systems (MCS) Research Centre mandates adherence to equity, diversity, and inclusion policies during all events and meetings organized by the Centre (please see www.trentu.ca/chrea/ for more information). All attendees, including but not limited to Centre members, commercial vendors, and volunteers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, which includes promoting a welcoming atmosphere for all participants that is respectful and free from any form of discrimination or harassment. The Centre does not tolerate statements or actions that attack an individual’s sex, age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, political views, or disability. Violations of this Code of Conduct should be reported to the Director of the MCS Research Centre who will then consult with the Centre’s Management Committee to determine possible disciplinary actions (e.g., removal from the Centre).
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