Welcome to the Sweeney Laboratory

Dr. Hyekyoung Sung, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Exploring Bamberg in Germany

Education:

Doctor of Philosophy, 2017 (York University)

Research interests: 
Iron overload induced apoptosis by inhibition of autophagic flux and/or by induction of oxidative stress in L6 skeletal muscle cells.

Disrupted autophagy flux in adiponectin knockout mice exacerbates ischemia-induced heart failure.

Allysta Pharmaceuticals Project : Testing adiponectin-mimetic effects of ALY688.

Other interests:  Traveling, Play instruments, Golf, Pilates, Kendo

Education:

Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Science (double major), 2018 (Handong Global University, South Korea)

Research interests:

Investigating the mechanisms and significance of alterations in lipid profile on ferroptosis susceptibility in the heart

Other interests:

Playing bass guitar and enjoying music!

Eddie Tam

Undergraduate Student – Honours Thesis

Education:

 Bachelors of Science Honours, 2021 (York University)

Research interests: 

The effect of hyperglycemia on hypoxia-reperfusion induced cardiac autophagy and apoptosis.

Investigating the effects of iron overload on metabolism and mitochondrial function of skeletal and cardiac muscle cells.

Chloe Reno

Undergraduate Student – Honours Thesis

Adventuring through caves

Education:

 Bachelors of Science, 2021 (York University)

Research interests: 
The various mechanisms behind obesity- and diabetes-induced heart

disease especially the role played by lipocalin-2

Other interests: Gardening, reading, snowboarding, and really anything that takes me outside

Patricia Reboucas

Master’s Student

Enjoying Doors Open Toronto

Education: 

Biotechnology Advanced Diploma, 2017 (Seneca College)

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, 2008 (Catholic University of Salvador)

Other interests: Hanging out with friends, traveling, running

Ben Lam

Undergraduate Student

Walking through New York

Education:

Bachelor of Science Honours, 2020 (York University)

Bachelor of Biomedicine, 2017 (University of Melbourne)

Research interests:

Investigating the effects of iron overload on metabolism and mitochondrial function of skeletal and cardiac muscle cells.

Other interests:

Running, cooking and enjoying foods from all over the world, and the occasional cocktails.

Samantha Chow

Research Assistant

Meeting deer in Nara

Education:

Masters of Applied Science, 2019 (University of Toronto)

Bachelor of Applied Science, 2014+PEY (University of Toronto)

Research interests:

The effect of hyperglycemia on hypoxia-reperfusion induced cardiac autophagy and apoptosis.

Investigating the effects of iron overload on metabolism and mitochondrial function of skeletal and cardiac muscle cells.

Allysta Pharmaceuticals Project : Testing adiponectin-mimetic effects of ALY688.

Other interests:

Gardening, baking, and yoga

Obesity is also a major risk factor for development of heart failure which occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the demands of the body. Progression of heart failure is now commonly believed to result due to a complex interplay of detrimental effects (remodeling). The ability of leptin, the product of the obese (ob) gene, and other adipokines such as resistin and adiponectin to mediate direct effects on cardiac muscle may help explain the strong association between obesity and cardiovascular complications, including heart failure. Our work may aid the development of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of heart failure in obesity.

The significant physiological relevance of these studies is highlighted by the fact that obesity has become an epidemic in North America. Associated with this is an alarming increase in the incidence and a decrease in the age of onset of type 2 (insulin-resistant) diabetes. This means a vastly increased proportion of the population are susceptible to the myriad of complications associated with diabetes, including nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure and stroke. As a result, a major research initiative in this millennium will be a detailed understanding of the molecular basis for this observation. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, the failure of peripheral tissues, including liver, muscle, and adipose tissue, to respond to physiologic doses of insulin, and a relative insufficiency of insulin production from pancreatic beta-cells in response to blood glucose levels. Obesity is a significant risk factor for the development of insulin resistance (80% of individuals with type 2 diabetes are obese) and it is believed that endocrine effects of hormones released by fat cells (adipokines) play an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.We are currently studying the role played by the adipokines leptin, resistin and adiponectin in glucose uptake and metabolism in skeletal muscle and investigating the signaling mechanisms responsible for effects of these adipokines. These studies are potentially exciting for the development of therapeutic approaches for the treatment of diabetes.

Dr. Vivian Vu, PhD, MD

Lab Manager and Research Associate

Exploring San Antonio River Walk in Texas