Team

December 2024

Dr. Chantelle Capicciotti

Dr. Chantelle Capicciotti received her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Ottawa in 2014 under the supervision of Prof. Robert Ben where she worked on designing small molecule carbohydrate-based ice recrystallization inhibitors for use as novel cryoprotectants. In 2014, she joined the laboratory of Prof. Geert-Jan Boons for post-doctoral research studies at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC), University of Georgia where she developed chemoenzymatic strategies for the synthesis of complex glycans and developed a cell-surface glyco-engineering methodology using modified sialic acid derivatives. In 2018, she moved to Queen’s University as an Assistant Professor and Queen’s National Scholar in Precision Molecular Medicine, jointly appointed in the Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical and Molecular Sciences. Her research interests are at the interface of organic chemistry and biochemistry, with an interest in understanding how glycans/glycoproteins interact with binding-proteins at a cellular level to elicit biological function, and on developing glycan-based approaches for biomarker identification, disease diagnosis, imaging techniques, and cell-based therapies.

Graduate Students

Youjin Kim

Youjin Kim is a PhD student in the Capicciotti Lab on a project developing glycan-handle antibody-drug conjugates. She completed a BASc in Chemical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, and received an Ontario Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology. Youjin is from Seoul, South Korea and outside of the lab you can find her playing with her dog, knitflixing, or indoor gardening. Fun fact: Youjin has travelled to 3 out of 7 continents (so far)!

Marie Boddington

Marie Boddington joined the Capicciotti Lab as a Master’s student in May 2019 and transitioned into the PhD program in April 2021. She completed her BScH in April 2019 at Queen’s with a specialization in Biochemistry. Marie’s current research includes chemoenzymatic synthesis and cell surface engineering. She is from a small town outside of Toronto and enjoys dancing, cycling, and hiking.

Jack Babulic

Jack (Jonathan) Babulic started in the Capicciotti lab as an NSERC USRA student in 2019 and began as an MD/PhD in the Capicciotti Lab in 2020 working on developing chemical biology tools to study the complex biology of glycans. He completed his BScH at Queen’s University with a specialization in Biochemistry, and his past experience focused on molecular biology and natural products biosynthesis. Jack is from Ottawa, and outside of the lab you can catch him playing music, out for a run, or losing at trivia somewhere. Fun fact: Jack can play 7 instruments (kind of)!

Josh Kofsky

Josh Kofsky started in the Capicciotti lab as an NSERC USRA student in 2019 and began his PhD degree in May 2020. He completed his BScH with a specialization in Chemistry at Queen’s University in 2020. Josh has a diverse research background, having worked in molecular biology, epidemiology, and analytical chemistry labs in the past. He is from Ottawa and enjoys swimming at the pier (year round, of course), playing Beatles Rock Band, and binge-watching the latest terrible Netflix comedy. Fun fact: Josh can speak six languages (kind of)!

Fabiola De Leon Gonzalez

Fabiola De León González joined the Capicciotti lab as an undergraduate summer thesis student in 2020 and will now be completing her PhD in Chemistry in the summer of 2026. She is from Pickering and enjoys playing the guitar, and staying active rock climbing & playing tennis. Fun fact: Fabiola was born in Venezuela and speaks Spanish fluently! Fun fun fact: she loooooves surfing – you best believe she’ll be catching waves in Costa Rica after she is done her degree.

Yasmine Saini

Yasmine Saini joined the lab in May 2023. She has completed a BSc. in biological and pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of Guelph. Her previous research experience involved analyzing polysaccharides extracted from Cannabis flowers. She is from Guelph, ON and enjoys travelling and hiking. Fun fact: She has gone paragliding in Switzerland.

Daisy Nebel

Daisy Nebel started as a master’s student in the Capicciotti Lab in 2023 after completing her undergrad in Chemistry at Queen’s in Spring 2023 and has since transitioned to a PhD. She is from St. Catharine’s enjoys running, and spending time with friends.

Madeleine Cook

Madeleine Cook started as a 4th-year thesis student in the Capicciotti lab, and completed her undergrad in Biochemistry at Queen’s in the spring of 2024. She has since continued in the lab as an MSc student in biochemistry. Madeleine is from Toronto, loves reading, spending time with friends, and knits and crochets!

Cole Garnier

Cole Garnier started in Capicciotti lab as an NSERC USRA student in the spring of 2023. He completed his BScH specializing in Biochemistry in 2024 and is continuing his research as an MSc student. Cole is a Kingston local and enjoys reading, discovering new music, and getting active!

Maryam Momeni Moqadam

Maryam Momeni Moqadam began her graduate studies in the Capicciotti lab in May 2024. She is originally from Iran, where she completed her earlier studies before moving to Canada. Outside of the lab, Maryam enjoys reading books, practicing yoga, and spending time with friends.

Thanh Nguyen

Thanh Nguyen joined the lab in September 2024 as a master’s student after completing her BSc. from University of Guelph. She is from a small town in Southwest Vietnam, and outside the lab she enjoys discovering new hiking trails and taking long drives.

Nicky Boileau

Nicky Boileau joined the lab in September 2024 as a master’s student after completing her BSc. in Biochemistry at the University of Ottawa (in french!). Nicky enjoys crafting, thrifting, and cooking. Fun fact: Nicky swam with a tiger shark in Hawaii.

Krista Brunt

Krista Brunt joined the lab as a 4th-year thesis student and completed her undergrad in Biochemistry in the spring of 2025. She is continuing her research as a Master’s student. Krista is from Grimsby and enjoys reading, baking, and exploring the Niagara wine region!

Olivia Roland

Olivia Roland joined the lab as a four-year student, and graduated from her undergrad in Biochemistry in spring of 2025. She has since continued as a MSc student in Chemistry. She is from Toronto and loves to read, bake, and go on camping and canoe trips! Fun fact: she has swam between tectonic plates in Iceland!

Art Ahmedi

Art Ahmedi joined the Capicciotti Lab in 2025 as a Master’s student in Chemistry. He completed his Honours B.Sc. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Trent University. Art is from Prishtina, Kosova, and his research focuses on glycomimetics and carbohydrate-based chemistry. Fun fact: his native language is Albanian, and he previously did competitive swimming!

Klaus Konrad Effenberger

Klaus Effenberger started as a dual master’s student in the Capicciotti Lab in September 2025. He completed his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at the University of Stuttgart in Germany with a bachelor’s thesis on the synthesis of a dye sensitizer for nanodiamonds. He enjoys sports, reading, and spending time with friends, preferably in nature.

Alina Weaver-Rodriguez

Alina Weaver-Rodriguez joined the lab in September 2025 as a master’s student after completing her BSc. in Biomedical Science and a minor in Chemistry at Toronto Metropolitan University. Alina is from Kingston and enjoys cooking, playing tennis, and reading.

Lab Technician

Xiaojing Guo

Xiaojing Guo came from south China, a city called Guangzhou, and brought her degree and work experience to Canada. She has lived in three different provinces in Canada, has seen the beautiful British Columbia, frozen Saskatchewan, amazing Ontario. She like sports such as biking, swimming, and running.

Undergraduate Students

Katherine Brewer

Katherine (Katie) Brewer join the lab in May 2024 and has since completed her 4th year thesis in the lab. Katie enjoys cycling and is part of the Queen’s team!

Daniel Mason

Daniel Mason joined the lab as an NSERC USRA student in May 2025. He will be continuing his research while completing the 4th year of his BScH with a specialization in Biochemistry. His past research experience focused on natural product biosynthesis. Daniel is from Burlington and enjoys cooking, running, and spending time with friends!

Rachel Heaney

Rachel Heaney is a fourth year Biochemistry specialization student who joined the lab in May of 2025 and will continue as a fourth year thesis student. Rachel is from Burlington, and loves to thrift, hike, and perform with her band called ‘Dutchbaby’!

Alumni and Past Members

Capicciotti Group Photos