Ballios Lab Team

Lab Manager

Cassandra became interested in the field of stem cell biology during her undergrad at York University, which led her to pursue a Master's in Cell & Systems Biology at the University of Toronto. Since completing her M.Sc. in 2017, she has held lab manager and technician positions at the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children, and is delighted to now be working in the Ballios Lab. Outside of the lab, she enjoys making music, training in martial arts, and spending time with her 2 dogs and 2 cats. 

PhD Candidate

Kristen is currently pursuing her PhD studies at the Ballios Lab with the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. She graduated from the University of Guelph in 2022 with an H.BSc. (High Distinction) in Bio-Medical Science. Her thesis work at the Ballios Lab is focused on developing a retinal organoid model in which to evaluate stem cell therapies for USH2A-associated inherited retinal diseases.  Kristen loves cross country running, reading a good book, and doting on her golden retrievers.

Graduate Awards:

• Canada Graduate Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CIHR) Award (2024-27)
• Vision Science Research Program OSOTF PhD Scholarship (2024-27)
• Vision Science Research Program Travel Award (2024)
• Institute of Medical Science Open Fellowship Award (2023)
• Vision Science Research Program OSOTF MSc Scholarship (2023-24)
• Canada Graduate Scholarship - Master's Program (CIHR) Award (2023-24)
• OSOTF Unilever/Lipton Graduate Fellowship (2023)
• University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies Travel Award (2023)
• Temerty Faculty of Medicine Academic Merit Scholarship (2022)

PhD Student

Ali is pursuing his PhD in Medical Science at the University of Toronto. He earned his M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology from the University of Manitoba in 2019, where he studied the proteome of stem cells in response to viral infections. Before joining the Ballios Lab in 2025, he worked in Canada’s biotech-pharma industry as an R&D Scientist. His PhD research focuses on developing a smart hydrogel-based retinal patch with stem cell-derived retinal cells integrated with biosensors to study inherited retinal diseases. Outside the lab, Ali enjoys watching movies, walking, and reading.