Brian K. Coombes, Ph.D., FAAM
Professor and Chair
Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology
Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences
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Brian Coombes is Professor and Chair in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University. His research interests are centered on infectious diseases and public health, with a focus on gut health, antimicrobial resistance, and the roles of microbes in chronic gut disorders, including Crohn's disease. The lab has a deep interest in understanding bacterial virulence factors and their action on the host's innate immune system. A long-term vision of the Coombes laboratory is to generate fundamental knowledge into how bacterial pathogens override immunological systems. This information can be used as an entry point to drug discovery where the goal of therapy is to harness the power of innate immune systems to eradicate disease-causing microbes and overcome challenges such as antimicrobial resistance.
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Working at the interface of microbiology and innate immunity, we study host-pathogen dynamics in cell models and pre-clinical models of various infections and chronic conditions. We are particularly interested in drug-resistant bacterial infections and chronic diseases where microbes are disease modifiers, such as inflammatory bowel disease. We also work closely with the private sector where we are actively collaborating on novel drug discovery projects.
Dr. Coombes is the recipient of the Scientific Merit Award from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Fisher Scientific Award for Career Achievement, and the Boehringer Ingelheim Investigator Award in Biological Sciences and was inducted into Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. In 2023, he was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. Dr. Coombes has published over 220 peer-reviewed articles and conference papers and given over 80 invited talks worldwide on his research related to IBD and host-pathogen interactions. The Coombes lab has trained over 110 researchers at all levels from undergraduate, graduate student, and postdoctoral fellow.
ACHIEVEMENTS
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American Society for Microbiology Young Investigator Award (2006)
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Most Promising Researcher Merit Award, Public Health Agency of Canada (2007)
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CIHR New Investigator Award (2007)
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Early Researcher Award, Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation (2008)
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Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award (2010)
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Canada Top 40 Under 40 (2010)
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Canada Research Chair (2011, 2016)
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Fisher Scientific Award (2012)
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University Scholar (2016)
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Board of Directors, Association of Medical and Graduate Departments of Biochemistry (2019)
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Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (2023)
LAB MEMBERS
Meet the team
Emily D'Agostini
Undergraduate student
Emily is a fouth-year undergraduate student completing her BHSc in Biochemistry. Her project studies how different types of microbes in the gut influence inflammation and disease. In her free time, Emily enjoys taking dance classes, traveling and reading.
Katie Iacobucci
M.Sc. Student
Katie completed her undergraduate thesis in the lab and started graduate school in May 2023. Her project explores how host processes and xenobiotics influence behavior of enteric pathogens in the gut. Katie is a member of McMaster's recreational dance team and enjoys reading and hiking.
Marie-Ange Massicotte
PhD Student
Marie-Ange completed an MSc at Laval University studying the adaptation of a pathogenic bacteria. In the Coombes lab, Marie-Ange is studying host immune evasion by intracellular bacteria. Marie-Ange holds a Canada Graduate Scholarship from CIHR and a doctoral award from Fonds de recherche du Québec.
Yeganeh Yousefi
Research Laboratory Technician
Yeganeh completed her MSc degree in Medical Sciences at McMaster University studying IBD models. After this, she worked at the London Health Sciences Centre as a Research Assistant before returning to McMaster in the Coombes lab. Yeganeh's research interests are in microbiota/host immune system interactions.
Anna Fan
Undergraduate student
Anna is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization program. Her project focuses on investigating compounds against invasive non-Typhoidal Salmonella. Anna is a member of the McMaster's dragon boat club and enjoys working out and cooking
Victoria Lange
Ph.D. Student
Victoria completed a BSc in Microbiology at the University of British Columbia then worked as a Lab Technician at Rapid Novor, focusing on antibody discovery and polyclonal antibody sequencing projects in alpaca and rabbit models. Outside of work, Victoria enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, and cooking.
Claudia Rodriguez
PhD Student
Claudia completed her BSc at the University of Havana and worked at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Cuba. She completed her Masters in Microbiology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she evaluated the protective efficacy of a passive immunization therapy against A. fumigatus.
Dr. Megan Zangara
Postdoctoral Fellow
Megan is originally from the United States and received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Case Western Reserve University and Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. Her dissertation research examined the role of diet as a modifiable factor of inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis. Outside of the lab, Megan enjoys reading, going to the gym, and hiking.
Aline Fiebig
Research Technician
Aline is a Research Technician in the Coombes lab who joined the group in 2015. Prior to joining the lab, she worked abroad at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry near Munich and at the Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute at McMaster.
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Hansel Lui
Undergraduate student
Hansel is a fouth-year undergraduate student completing his BHSc in Biochemistry. In the lab, Hansel is working to better understand host-pathogen interactions. In his free time, Hansel enjoys going on hikes and playing badminton, basketball, and slopitch.
Melissa Speagle
MSc Student
Melissa has a BHSc in Biochemistry with a Biomedical Research Specialization. As a graduate student in the lab, she is interested in drug development for invasive non-Typhoidal Salmonella. Outside the lab, Melissa enjoys teaching or taking dance classes, thrifting, and visiting her favourite spots in Hamilton.
Lab Alumni
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