University Of Calgary
November 2025
Nikolic Lab @ CEEHRC 11th Annual Canadian Conference on Epigenetics
Nikolic Lab represents Glioblastoma research at the CEEHRC conference in Banff, Alberta, Canada!
The Nikolic lab put their best foot forward at the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC), presenting their data from many ongoing projects. Dr. Ana Nikolic herself performed a 15 minute presentation on GBM spatial Epigenomics from the 2025 paper titled Spatial epigenomic niches underlie glioblastoma cell state plasticity (doi:10.1101/2025.05.09.653178) (in collaboration with Kint, S. et al).
Other lab members were in attendance as well, including Nayantara G, Amy B, and Kate Y, whom all presented posters on their respective projects within the Nikolic Lab. Shoutout to all who went and represented our lab and the GBM research community at CEEHRC!
October 2025
Dr. Ana Nikolic Selected as a "Top 40 under 40" by Avenue Magazine
Dr. Nikolic's research in GBM and it's heterogeneity is recognized by Avenue Magazine!
Dr. Ana Nikolic, Principal Investigator of the Nikolic Lab, was named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 recipients in recognition of her contributions to glioblastoma (GBM) research. This award celebrates emerging leaders across Calgary who are making significant impacts in their fields, and highlights Dr. Nikolic’s innovative work at the intersection of cancer biology, epigenetics, and cellular state plasticity.
Dr. Nikolic’s research focuses on understanding how GBM cells adapt and transition between cellular states, processes that contribute to tumor aggressiveness and treatment resistance. Through a combination of experimental and computational approaches, her work aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms driving brain cancer progression and to inform the development of more effective therapeutic strategies. This recognition reflects both her scientific leadership and her commitment to advancing GBM research. Congratulations, Dr. Nikolic!
September 2025
Nikolic Lab Welcomes Audrey Li to our lab!
Engineering Undergraduate joins our team to help understand GBM cell heirarchy
Yexin (Audrey) Li is a cooperative education student pursuing her BASc in Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Currently, she is aiding us as a Digital Pathology Research Assistant, with a genuine interest in the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and biology.
She works directly with Dr. Nikolic on machine learning and deep learning pipelines, seeking computational accuracy and engineering robustness for spatial images analysis of brain tumors.
We are excited to have your engineering expertise to aid us in spatial image analysis, and hope you enjoy your Co-operative education experience while you are with us, Audrey!
Welcome to the team!
September 2025
Dr. Nikolic organizes UCalgary Researchers for the 45th Terry Fox Run
MOHCCN - Prairie Cancer Research Consortium raises $1,715 for the fight against Cancer
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Dr. Nikolic and her team represented the Prairie Cancer Research Consortium at Calgary’s 45th Terry Fox Run, held at the historic Fort Calgary. She brought together a strong group of researchers to take part, showing their shared support for cancer research and a cause that continues to unite communities across Canada.
A powerful moment came from lifting a replica of Terry Fox’s prosthetic leg from the Marathon of Hope. Its unexpected weight offered a striking reminder of the physical toll of his journey and the extraordinary resolve that defined it.
It was a great day for the team—coming together, supporting an important cause, and reflecting on the impact that collective effort can have in the fight against cancer.
Way to go, team!
May 2025
Nikolic Lab Welcomes Kate Yakubets to our lab!
Nikolic lab gains another soldier in the fight against GBM
Kate recently graduated from the University of Calgary's Bachelor of Medical Sciences program, and has joined us in the Nikolic lab to persue her passions.
Kate's main focus in the lab will be studying dormant glioblastoma stem cells and exploring ways to modulate their behavior using wet lab techniques and advanced live-cell imaging.
We are excited to welcome you to the lab, and are excited to see your contributions to our current knowledge of GBM.
We are thrilled to have you here, Kate!
February 2025
Nikolic Lab Welcomes Dr. Nayantara Govindrajan to our lab!
Dr. Govindrajan joins us as a PDF, lending invaluable expertise to our lab!
Dr. Govindrajan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and completed her PhD at the University of Calgary, where her doctoral research focused on cell fate specification during mammary gland development.
With her a strong background in cellular, molecular, and developmental biology, her focus in the Nikolic lab is to investigate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying glioblastoma cell state plasticity and tumor progression.
We are thrilled to welcome you to the lab, Nayantara, and hope you gain valuable experience and knowledge while here.
We are so fortunate you joined us, Nayantara!
