Company

RENE ZAHEDI, PhD

Scientific Advisor

Dr. Zahedi is a professor at Max Rady College of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine. He received his PhD at the University of Wuerzburg/Germany in 2008 for his work on the phosphoproteomics of human platelets. He has been a junior (2010-14) and later permanent senior principle investigator (2014-17) at the Leibniz-Institute for Analytical Sciences (ISAS) in Germany, where he focused on developing methods for the analysis of proteins and their post-translational modifications (PTMs) in clinical samples, using mass spectrometry. He has published >130 peer-reviewed manuscripts (12x first- and 35x corresponding author), including journals like Cell or Nature Biotechnology. His work has been cited >8000 times, yielding an h-factor of 44. He has published pioneering work on studying protein- and PTM-changes in human platelets, and their roles in cardiovascular disease and platelet disorders^1-2, and developed novel methods to study the crosstalk of PTMs^3-5.

Because PTMs are the main switches of protein activity, aberrant regulation of PTMs plays a central role in all stages of human disease. Consequently, PTM-regulating enzymes and their substrates are among the major drug targets (e.g. the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in various cancers). Dr. Zahedi aims to synergize his extensive expertise in the analysis of PTMs in clinical samples with both (i) the state-of-the-art MS technology and (ii) the unique source of expertise in computer and data science available at Skoltech, in order to deconvolute complex multi-dimensional data patterns that hide so far undiscovered disease mechanisms. This represents a unique opportunity to identify both novel therapeutic targets and molecular signatures of disease that can be used as powerful diagnostic, prognostic, and/or predictive precision medicine biomarkers⁶.

Dr. Zahedi’s research groups and affiliations include the Canadian National Proteomics Network, Manitoba Centre for Proteomics and Systems Biology, and CancerCare Manitoba Research Centre. He has published over 140 peer-reviewed articles in renowned journals such as Cell, Nature Biotechnology, and Nature Communications, and has an h-index of 53.

CHRISTOPH H. BORCHERS, PhD

Scientific Advisor

Dr. Christoph Borchers is recognized as a pioneer and leading figure in the development of mass spectrometry-based methods for protein quantification using Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM). He has also published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals, and is the founder and director of the McGill-Lady Davis Institute Integrated Proteomics Program at the Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, where he is currently a full professor in the Department of Oncology. His research is centered around the improvement, development, and application of proteomics and metabolomics technologies, with a major focus on quantitative targeted proteomics for clinical diagnostics, as well as new mass-spectrometry-based techniques for structural proteomics.

Dr. Borchers received his BS, MSc, and PhD degrees from the University of Konstanz, Germany in 1996. After his post-doctoral training and employment as a staff scientist at NIEHS/NIH/RTP, NC and he became the director of the Duke–UNC Proteomics Facility and held a faculty position at the UNC Medical School in Chapel Hill, NC (2001-2006). From 2006 to 2019, he was a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, and Director of the University-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, where he held the Rix BC Leadership Chair in Biomedical and Environmental Proteomics.

Dr. Borchers is also involved in promoting proteomics research and education through his involvement with HUPO (International Council Member), the British Columbia Proteomics Network (Executive Committee Member, past Scientific Director) and the Canadian National Proteomics Network (Member, past VP External and Chair of the Board of Directors). He is also a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

MRS. PAULA JAHSHAN

Lead of Marketing Initiatives

As a seasoned professional in marketing and business development, Paula Jahshan has a proven track record of driving growth and enhancing brand visibility. Her expertise spans across strategic planning, identifying opportunities for expansion, building strong partnerships, and executing comprehensive marketing campaigns that align with business objectives. She also leads digital marketing efforts, optimizing content and increasing website traffic through targeted campaigns.

Her initial background as a writer and translator has enhanced her ability to craft compelling narratives, communicate brand messages effectively and engage diverse audiences.

NANCY FOURNIER, PhD

President & Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Fournier is the new President & CEO of MRM Proteomics Inc. She received a PhD in Experimental Medicine (Pharmacology) and an MBA in Business Management from Laval University, Quebec. Dr. Fournier started her career as a researcher in the pharmaceutical industry at the Institut de Recherches Servier in Paris as the leader of the cardiovascular angiogenesis lab. Dr. Fournier has developed several large scale initiatives as a senior member of the McGill Office of the Vice-principal, Research & Innovation, and actively contributed in getting the initial funding for the construction of the McGill University Health Centre-Research Institute. She successfully built more than 15 large Canada Foundation for Innovation-funded infrastructure initiatives before funding her own consulting company dedicated to support health research, including development of commercialization plans. Dr. Fournier was also involved in promoting proteomics research and education through her involvement with the Canadian National Proteomics Network (Board of Directors. Financial officer)

YASSENE MOHAMMED, PhD

Chief Bioinformatic Officer

Dr. Mohammed is our newly appointed Chief Bioinformatic Officer. Yassene is an assistant professor in bioinformatics at the Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics. He received his PhD in Medical Informatics from the University of Göttingen, Germany. His research interests are bottom-up and targeted proteomics, -omics data integration, scientific workflows, and eScience. In the past Yassene has also worked on distributed computing applications, data protection and security in grid environments, biomedical image processing, as well as multiphysics simulation and modelling.

Since July 2013 Yassene is also heading the bioinformatics activities at the Proteomics Centre of the University of Victoria, Canada focusing on targeted proteomics bioinformatics, clinical applications of proteomics and statistical approaches for MRM and PRM analyses.

GARY H. KRUPPA, PhD

Director

Dr. Gary Kruppa is currently Vice President for Proteomics at Bruker Daltonics. He manages market and applications development for research solutions in proteomics. Dr. Kruppa has more than 30 years of experience in the field of life-science mass spectrometry. He is recognized for his expertise in Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry, and other applications of other mass spectrometry. Previously, Dr. Kruppa was the President and Chief Executive Officer of MRM Proteomics Inc. where he was responsible for business development and executive management (2014-2016). He also served as Vice President for Business Development at Bruker from 2004-2014. During this time he was responsible for key account development and development of new markets in clinical and industrial microbiology applications of mass spectrometry. From 2001-2004, Dr. Kruppa was a key technical staff member at Sandia National Laboratories, working on the development of new methods for protein characterization and protein structure elucidation using mass spectrometry. Dr. Kruppa started his work at Bruker Daltonics in 1991, working on the development of new software and applications for FTMS and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and became Vice President for FTMS in 1998. Dr. Kruppa received his BS, Chemistry at the University of Delaware and his PhD, Chemical Physics at the California Institute of Technology.

ROBERT POPP, PhD

Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Robert Popp is currently the Senior Scientist and Chief Operating Officer at MRM Proteomics Inc. He received his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Victoria Genome BC Proteomics Centre, working on the development and automation of immuno-MALDI assays for cell signaling pathway analysis. Dr. Popp is trained in bio-, pharmaceutical, clinical and forensic analysis, concentrating on mass spectrometry-based proteomics. His current focus is on developing and applying targeted proteomics applications based on immuno-MALDI for highly sensitive and precise protein quantitation from clinically relevant biofluids and tissues. Dr. Popp received both his BS and MSc at Hochschule Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Germany. During his BS, Dr. Popp also worked on the optimization of an immuno-turbidimetric assay for quantifying C-reactive protein (CRP) at Beckman Coulter, Ireland.

CHRISTOPH H. BORCHERS, PhD

Chair

Dr. Christoph Borchers is recognized as a pioneer and leading figure in the development of mass spectrometry-based methods for protein quantification using Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM). He has also published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals, and is the founder and director of the McGill-Lady Davis Institute Integrated Proteomics Program at the Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, where he is currently a full professor in the Department of Oncology. His research is centered around the improvement, development, and application of proteomics and metabolomics technologies, with a major focus on quantitative targeted proteomics for clinical diagnostics, as well as new mass-spectrometry-based techniques for structural proteomics.

Dr. Borchers received his BS, MSc, and PhD degrees from the University of Konstanz, Germany in 1996. After his post-doctoral training and employment as a staff scientist at NIEHS/NIH/RTP, NC and he became the director of the Duke–UNC Proteomics Facility and held a faculty position at the UNC Medical School in Chapel Hill, NC (2001-2006). From 2006 to 2019, he was a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, and Director of the University-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, where he held the Rix BC Leadership Chair in Biomedical and Environmental Proteomics.

Dr. Borchers is also involved in promoting proteomics research and education through his involvement with HUPO (International Council Member), the British Columbia Proteomics Network (Executive Committee Member, past Scientific Director) and the Canadian National Proteomics Network (Member, past VP External and Chair of the Board of Directors). He is also a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

GERALD BATIST, MD, FACP

Director

Dr. Gerald Batist is Deputy Director and Senior Investigator at the Lady Davis Institute and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. As an international leader in cancer therapy research, he is known for his innovative work in molecular oncology and precision medicine. He has generated leading edge experimental data on mechanisms of tumour resistance and strategies to overcome it. His laboratory and clinical research program has been credited with over 180 scientific publications. He has trained many scientists and clinical oncologists, and also practices medical oncology. Dr. Batist holds several additional directorships including Director of the McGill Centre for Translational Research in Cancer at the Lady Davis Institute, Director of the Segal Cancer Centre at Jewish General Hospital, Director of the Department of Oncology at Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, and Scientific Director of the Montreal Centre for Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer. He helps lead the National Centre of Excellence in Personalized Medicine called Exactis. He is also a professor in the Department of Medicine and Minda de Gunzburg Professor of Oncology at McGill University. Dr. Batist founded the McGill Centre for Translational Research in Cancer, the research core of the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital, which is focused on efficient translation of new research discoveries into clinical benefits for patients. He also created the Quebec Consortium for Clinical Research in Cancer (Q-CROC). Q-CROC operates as a network for oncology care and research, with a focus on biomarker-driven clinical trials and conducting serial biopsies of metastatic cancers that will define molecular signatures of therapeutic resistance to specific treatments.

Who we are

MRM Proteomics Inc. is a provider of high quality technologies for proteomics.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

NANCY FOURNIER, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

CHRISTOPH H. BORCHERS, PhD

Scientific Advisor

ROBERT POPP, PhD

Chief Operating Officer

YASSENE MOHAMMED, PhD

Chief Bioinformatics Officer

RENE ZAHEDI, PhD

Scientific Advisor

MRS. PAULA JAHSHAN

Lead of Marketing Initiatives

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHRISTOPH H. BORCHERS, PhD

Chair

GARY H. KRUPPA, PhD

Director

GERALD BATIST, MD, FACP

Director