Principal Investigator

Originally from the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia, Cullen received his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Waterloo under the supervision of Professor John Honek. He then completed postdoctoral training with Professor Eric Brown at McMaster University, before working in antibacterial drug discovery and development of β-lactamase and cell wall synthesis inhibitors in the biotech sector (Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Malvern, PA, USA). Cullen joined the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph as an assistant professor in the summer of 2024. His research continues to delve into the complexities of the bacterial cell wall, integrating biochemical, structural, molecular and genetic approaches to examine poorly understood aspects of cell wall synthesis and maintenance.

MSc Student

Julien has called the University of Guelph home since 2018. During his undergraduate studies, he developed an interest in antimicrobial resistance and bacterial virulence, which led him to pursue an undergraduate research project in Professor Matthew Kimber’s laboratory focused on characterizing inhibitors of bacterial virulence-promoting enzymes at the structural level. After completing his BSc in biochemistry, Julien began his graduate studies in the Myers lab in the Fall of 2024, investigating biochemical mechanisms of wall teichoic acid remodelling in Bacillus subtilis.

MSc Student

Travis has had a passion for science from a young age and completed his undergraduate degree in biochemistry at the University of Guelph in 2024. During his studies, he worked in Dr. Ryan Prosser’s laboratory, studying the ecotoxicological effects of various chemicals on aquatic systems. Travis joined the Myers Lab in January 2025 and his research aims to better understand the physiological roles of wall teichoic acid remodelling in Gram-positive bacteria.

MSc Student

Noor completed her BSc in Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University. During her time at Laurier, she completed a research project in Dr. Joel Weadge’s lab characterizing critical enzymes in Clostridioides difficile biofilm formation and assessing potential targets for phage therapy. Noor joined the Myers lab in May 2025 and her research focuses on wall teichoic acid degradation in Staphylococcus aureus.

Undergraduate project student

Hashir is a Biomedical Sciences Major at the University of Guelph, conducting a 4th year undergraduate research project in the Myers Lab. His work involves employing biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology techniques to develop tools to study the effects wall teichoic acid-degrading enzymes on bacterial cells. Outside of academics, Hashir enjoys travelling, cooking, watching movies and playing basketball.

Undergraduate student volunteer

Hayley is a third-year undergraduate student in the Biomedical Sciences program with a minor in microbiology. She is interested in career in research and plans to further her education in microbiology. 

Co-op student/ CBS Summer Research Assistantship

Mackenzie is entering her third year as a Microbiology major at the University of Guelph and is currently completing her first Co-op work term as a Research Assistant in the Myers Lab. Her work focuses on characterizing clinically important penicillin-binding-protein variants associated with β-lactam resistance. Mackenzie’s interest in antimicrobial resistance and innovative interventions was sparked during her second year of university, and she is eager to pursue a career in research. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time outdoors, running, dancing, singing, and staying engaged with her community and campus through initiatives like her involvement with the Relay for Life Committee.

NSERC USRA

Alyssa is a fifth year Molecular Biology and Genetics student at the University of Guelph. She received an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award to study biochemical mechanisms for β-lactam resistance mediated by penicillin-binding-protein 3 variants in E. coli in the Myers lab. Her interest in protein biochemistry began in Dr. Gale Bozzo’s lab, where she developed HPLC-based assays to study flavonol peroxidases extracted from radishes. She further expanded her lab experience at the University of Guelph Laboratory Services' Plant Disease Clinic, performing microbiological testing and studying antifungal resistance in wheat fungi, and at the Chemistry Division of Maple Leaf Foods Inc.'s Central Laboratory, assisting in nutritional testing and instrument validation. Outside academics, Alyssa enjoys learning languages and is proficient in English, Polish and Italian. She also spends her free time birdwatching and is a member of the University of Guelph's Artistic Swimming Team.

Research Technician