Welcome to The Radiophotonics Lab
Welcome to the Radiophotonics Lab at the Sunnybrook Research Institute. Our laboratory is dedicated to advancing innovative cancer therapies through the integration of radiation oncology, nanomedicine, and molecular biology. Founded in 2023 by Dr. Deepak Dinakaran, the lab focuses on the development of radiation-activated therapeutic platforms designed to improve treatment precision while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Through interdisciplinary research and a strong emphasis on clinical translation, we aim to address fundamental challenges in cancer treatment, with particular focus on glioblastoma and the tumor microenvironment.
Meet Our Research Team
Our team consists of accomplished researchers, scientists, and professionals who bring a wealth of expertise to our research endeavors. With a strong focus on collaboration and knowledge sharing, our team members work together to tackle intricate scientific problems and explore new frontiers of research. Each member plays a vital role in shaping the dynamic research environment at The Radiophotonics Lab, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
Dr. Deepak Dinakaran, MD, PhD is a clinician–scientist in radiation oncology at the Sunnybrook Research Institute and Odette Cancer Centre. His translational research program focuses on therapeutic and diagnostic applications of biophotonics in cancer, with particular emphasis on radiation-activated photodynamic therapy (radioPDT), nanoparticle-based therapeutics, and image-guided treatment strategies. Dr. Dinakaran’s work integrates nanomedicine, biomedical imaging, and radiation oncology to develop clinically translatable approaches for cancer diagnosis and therapy, including central nervous system malignancies.
Principal Investigator
Lab Members
Dr. Muhammad Rafiq
Postdoctoral Fellow
Muhammad Rafiq received his B.Sc. (Honors) degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences and later earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan. After completing his master’s degree, he joined the Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan, where he worked as a Research Assistant from August 2019 to June 2023. During his Ph.D., he was awarded an International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) scholarship and served as a visiting researcher in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto from May 2023 to April 2024.
In April 2024, Muhammad joined the Dinakaran Lab as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, where he is working on the development of radioPDT and drug release strategies for the treatment of brain cancer. Outside the lab, he enjoys exploring new technologies, playing badminton, and spending time outdoors.
Manjusha Muralidharan
Research Technician
Manjusha Muralidharan, MTech is a Research Technician in the Dinakaran Lab at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where she joined in November 2024. Trained as an engineer, she brings interdisciplinary perspective to her work on radiation-activated photodynamic therapy (radioPDT) and glioblastoma models, with a particular passion for in vivo mouse studies and nanotechnology-based cancer therapeutics. Prior to joining the lab, Manjusha worked on an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) project at the Adyar Cancer Institute and Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital, gaining valuable experience in translational cancer research. Outside the lab, she channels her creativity into painting vibrant artworks, enjoys experimenting with new recipes, reading, traveling, and spending time with her dog.
Alumni
-
Eitan Fishman
-
Xinqiao Zheng(Joan)