Aliya Spigelman

Aliya Spigelman is originally from Thornhill, Ontario. She graduated with her BSc from the University of Alberta with specialization in pharmacology in 2008. As part of her degree, she was also involved in the Industrial Internship Program, which allowed her to complete an internship at Bristol Myers Squibb in New Jersey. Aliya is now enrolled in the MSc program at the University of Alberta, where she is working in Dr. Patrick MacDonald’s laboratory.

Aliya is currently studying the role of potassium channels in controlling glucagon release. Glucagon is a hormone that increases blood glucose levels in response to low blood glucose. This work is important because glucagon levels are inappropriately elevated in patients with diabetes. By further understanding this regulation, we will be able to manipulate this channel to better control glucagon secretion and therefore help maintain normal blood glucose levels.