People

Dr. Nicole Templeman joined the Biology Department at the University of Victoria in 2020. She became fascinated in aging biology through her Ph.D. research at the University of British Columbia, where she studied how insulin levels affect metabolic health and lifespan in mice. Dr. Templeman expanded her exploration of age-related biological changes during her postdoctoral research fellowship at Princeton University. There, she focused on signaling pathways that regulate reproductive aging, using the nematode C. elegans as a model. Her research interests were also shaped by earlier experiences—at Mount Allison University, where she studied stress responses in rainbow trout for an B.Sc. Honours research project, and at McMaster University, where she did an M.Sc. in comparative exercise physiology.

Faria Athar's research interests lie in understanding how nutrition regulates aging and age-associated diseases. Previously she studied at University College London, where she worked in the David Gems lab on dietary restriction and lifespan-extending mechanisms in C. elegans. Outside of the lab, Faria enjoys listening to podcasts, experimenting with food, and watching documentaries.

Muskan Karmani's research interests lie in understanding disease manifestations, particularly those involving hormone dysregulation. Muskan's undergraduate Honor's project examined the effects of various substrates on the growth of oyster mushrooms, which prompted her curiosity in learning more about how dietary modifications and nutrient intake can impact an organism's quality of life. This experience sparked her interest in studying the relationship between diet and health, specifically in the context of aging. Outside the lab, Muskan enjoys reading, weightlifting, and rewatching sitcoms.

Emily Jewett received her B.Sc. at the University of Victoria, where she completed a co-op term in the Templeman lab that included studying the intergenerational effects of diet and learning about polycystic ovary syndrome. This prompted her interest in polycystic ovary syndrome, and led to Emily’s current M.Sc. project investigating the impact of insulin gene dosage on its progression. Outside of the lab, Emily enjoys baking, painting pottery and hiking.

Manuel Centeno Duque’s research interests lie in understanding how diet and metabolism influence and regulate other systems within the body. Previously, he completed a B.Sc. Hons. at Thompson Rivers University, where he worked in an exercise physiology lab investigating the effects of dietary sodium intake on vascular reactivity. Outside of the lab, Manuel enjoys going to the gym, playing sports, and eating lots of sushi.

Dr. Artemis Najafi is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Templeman lab. Her research focuses on how insulin signaling influences ovarian and uterine aging, with the goal of identifying strategies to preserve reproductive health. Her broader interests include women's reproductive physiology and pathology, as well as the molecular and genomic mechanisms underlying reproductive aging, diseases, and disorders. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking new foods, painting, and camping.