Juana Gonzalez

Dr. Gonzalez received her PhD at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario (2008), completing her dissertation on “Mutation in the essential splicing factor gene PRPF3 linked to retinitis pigmentosa type 18 impairs interactions within the U4/U6 snRNP complex”.  Her MSc at U of T (2002) with thesis: “Characterization of the human U4/U6 specific splicing protein Hprp3” and BSc from Univesity of Havan, Cuba (1999), Thesis: “Isolation and purification of a protease inhibitor from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus”.  She is passionate about teaching and enjoys engaging with students in creative and empowering ways.

• Animal Physiology I (BIO270H1F) and Animal Physiology II (BIO271H1F), U of T, 2019.  
• Physiology I (PLN103), School of Nutrition, Ryerson U. 2015-2019
• Anatomy and Physiology-A/B (CBLG 10A/B), Introduction to the Human Genome (CBMS 150), Biology of a Living City (CBLG 181), (George Brown College, School of Continuing Education, 2014-present)
• Bodyworks (GSCI 1172), Human Biology (GSCI 1065), Plants and Society (GSCI 1146), Brain and Ageing (GBC Seniors’ Association)
• Human Biology/Online (SBI100), Physiology (SPH100),
• Organic Chemistry (SOC100), Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, 2008 to Present.
• Conservation Biology (NATS 2310). Lead lectures and group discussions on interpreting primary scientific literature and communicating conservation biology information, York University, Lecturer and Course director, 2008 to 2009.

• Doctoral research work, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario (2002 to 2008).  Hereditary eye diseases and gene therapy,  proteomics, molecular biology, microbiology, and immunology,  awarded Best Graduate Student Poster Presentation (Pfizer Award, 2007). Provided scientific expertise regarding research outcomes to colleagues at HSC.  

• Recombinant protein expression, purification and functional assays; Cell culture,  staining techniques, cell sorting; DNA, RNA extraction from cell and tissues, DNA cloning & sequencing, PCR amplifications, genotyping, gene expression analysis, cloning, SDS-PAGE, radiochemical usage and handling, cell-based and biochemical assays, host Organisms: virus, bacteria, yeast, and human cells.

• Gonzalez-Santos JM. Electromagnetic fields: They’re not as scary as you think. Canadian Health. Jul., 2011.
• Gonzalez-Santos JM. Artificial electromagnetic fields: Are they affecting your health? Alive. Jul., 2011.
• Gonzalez-Santos JM. Nanotechnology and health. Alive. Apr., 2011.
• Cao H., Gonzalez-Santos JM, and Hu J. A Temporal and tissue specific regulation of the gene PRPF3-implications in the pathogenesis of retinitis pigmentosa 18. IOVS. 2010.
• Gonzalez-Santos JM, Cao H., Wang A., Duan RC and Hu J. Mutation in the splicing factor Hprp3p linked to retinitis pigmentosa impairs Hprp3p interactions within the U4/U6 snRNP complex. Hum Mol Genet. 2008 Jan 15; 17 (2): 225-39.
• Gonzalez-Santos JM and Hu J. Ph. D. Poster Presentation (Pfizer Award) at the he Sixth Graduate Student Research Day, Department of Laboratory Medicine and      Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 2007
• Gonzalez-Santos JM and Hu J, Role of the splicing factor Hprp3p in the development of retinitis pigmentosa (talk), Forty-Fifth Annual research Day, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, 2006
• Gonzalez-Santos JM, Cao H., Wang A., Koehler, D. R., Martin B, Navab R and Hu J. A complementation system for functional analysis of mammalian genes. Nucleic Acids Res. 2005 Jun 8; 33(10): e94.
• Gonzalez-Santos JM, Johnston MR, Liu J, Brodt P, Tsao MS, Hu J. Expression of     Chicken Ovalbumin Upstream Promoter-Transcription Factor II enhances invasiveness of human lung carcinoma cells. Cancer Research. 2004 Aug 1; 64(15): 5097-5107.