Biobanking Resource Laboratory

Biobank Research Coordinator

Samantha McCain is the Biobank Research Coordinator for the Snyder Institute. She holds a BSc in Medical Sciences (Honours) from Brock University. Samantha brings a strong foundation in both scientific knowledge and administrative expertise to her role. Since joining the team, Samantha has been instrumental in coordinating research projects and overseeing biobanking procedures, ensuring compliance with Good Clinical Practices. She has attended specialized training for the Freezerworks management system, aiming to become an expert of its use, which is crucial for the secure and efficient cataloguing of samples. Samantha's focus is on certifying biobanks and enhancing the systematic management of biospecimens. Looking ahead, she plans to certify all biobanks within the Snyder Institute and play a key role in launching new biobanking projects.  

Program Manager

Grace Andonegui is the Program Manager for the Snyder Biobanking Platform and an Adjunct Research Associate Professor at the University of Calgary. She holds a PhD in Immunology and completed extensive postdoctoral training in translational research. With over 35 peer-reviewed publications and a background in clinical biochemistry, she brings both scientific insight and operational expertise to her role.

Working under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Muruve, Director of the Snyder Biobanking Platform, Grace is responsible for the day-to-day coordination and long-term development of biobanking activities across the institute. Her work includes engaging with investigators, supporting research ethics submissions, developing SOPs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and leading quality assurance efforts. She also manages cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of biobanking within diverse research programs.

Grace is actively involved in the Precision Medicine in Nephrology initiative, including the coordination of the Kidney Biobank and support for large-scale studies such as Target-KD. She also holds a Professional Management Certificate from the University of Calgary’s Continuing Education program, which complements her leadership in research operations and infrastructure.

Director of the Biobank for Molecular Classification of Kidney Disease

Daniel A. Muruve is a Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of Calgary and a member of the Immunology Research Group in the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Dr. Muruve is a practicing nephrologist in the Calgary Zone of Alberta Health Services and the former Chief and Medical Director of the Section of Nephrology and Alberta Kidney Care South.

Dr. Muruve graduated with an MD degree from the University of Manitoba in 1989. He did his post-graduate medical training at numerous Universities including a Renal Fellowship at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Harvard University in Boston, MA, USA. Following the completion of his medical training, he completed a Research Fellowship in Immunology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Harvard Institutes of Medicine.

Dr. Muruve’s research expertise is in the areas of innate immunity, inflammation and kidney disease. Currently, his research program is focused on basic immune mechanisms in the kidney and how they contribute to acute and chronic diseases. Dr. Muruve also leads a precision medicine and translational research program for kidney and glomerular diseases. Dr. Muruve is the Director of the Biobank for the Molecular Classification of Kidney Disease that provides a direct link to clinical patient samples as well as a clinicopathologic database to enable translational research in biomarkers, molecular pathology and genetics in kidney disease. Finally, Dr. Muruve is the Chief Science Officer of Arch Biopartners Inc., a company focused on translating early-stage discoveries into novel technologies and therapeutics for human diseases.