Team

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 a summer thesis student and will be completing her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Queen’s in the summer of 2020. Her past work in chemistry includes a sixteen-month internship placement in the Oil & Gas industry for the CNOOC Limited Int. laboratory. This will be her first experience in a research lab. She is from Pickering and enjoys playing the guitar, writing poetry, painting and staying active with CrossFit. Fun fact: Fabiola was born in Venezuela and speaks fluent Spanish. 

Alex Golds

Alex Golds joined the Capicciotti lab as a 4th-year undergraduate thesis student at Queen’s University in the fall of 2021. She has since completed her BScH with a specialization in biochemistry in April 2022. Alex is continuing research as a Master’s student in the Capicciotti lab. She is from Toronto and enjoys playing the trumpet and piano, and loves going on extended canoe trips. Fun Fact: Alex can do a 360º spin on a wake surf board.  

Josh Hutton

Josh Hutton began in the lab as an MSc student in 2022. He completed BSc in biochemistry and molecular biology at Trent University. His previous research experience includes studying the effects of cytokinins on frog virus 3 replication as an undergraduate researcher. He also enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding and playing guitar. Fun fact: Josh has been bungee jumping!

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 enjoy 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. She is from St. Catharine’s and 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 can play the piano!

Cole Garnier

Cole started a master’s in the Capicciotti lab after completing a fourth-year thesis project with our group during his undergrad in biochemistry. Cole is from Kingston and enjoys trampoline coaching after work!

Undergraduate Students

Ella Millenaar

Ella Millenaar joined the Capicciotti lab in Summer 2024, will be continuing for her 4th-year thesis and will be completing her Bachelor’s of Chemistry in the spring of 2025. Ella is from Vancouver and enjoys spending time with friends, music and travelling.

Celina Bradley

Celina Bradley is currently completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and joined the Capicciotti Lab for the Summer of 2024. She is from England, and enjoys travelling, cooking, and spending time with her friends!

Alumni and Past Members

Capicciotti Group Photos