Ohanes Ashekyan is a PhD candidate in Cellular and Molecular Medicine with a specialization in bioinformatics at the Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

He conducts his doctoral research under the supervision of Dr. Michael A. Rudnicki, where he investigates the role of non‑coding RNAs in muscle stem cell quiescence. Using advanced next‑generation sequencing library preparation methods, Ohanes maps the full transcriptome of muscle stem cells, encompassing both protein‑coding and regulatory RNA species. He also holds an MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics from the American University of Beirut.

He joined the NMD4C’s Basic Science Trainee Committee (BSTC) in 2026, contributing to workshop and mentorship program development.