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Jörg Bohlmann is a Professor in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of British Columbia , affiliated with the Michael Smith Laboratories, Botany Department (Faculty of Science), and Wine Research Centre. His research spans genomics, biochemistry, and chemical ecology of plant specialized metabolism, focusing on terpenoids and phenolics for applications in forest health and bioproducts. Research Streams : Plant defense against insects/pathogens, metabolic engineering of bioproducts, forest genomics, and molecular evolution of terpenoid pathways. Collaborations : National and international partnerships with academia, government, and biotech industries. Recent Publications highlight genomic insights into Western Redcedar (2023), including its low genetic diversity and adaptation mechanisms despite self-fertilization. Earlier work (2001–2022) covers conifer defense systems, Arabidopsis terpenoid pathways, cannabis flavor genetics, and mass spectrometry infrastructure. Scientific Awards include: NSERC E.W.R. Steacie Fellow (2015), Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2015), Feodor Lynen Postdoctoral Fellowship (1995–1998), and Distinguished University Scholar (UBC). Funding Sources : NSERC (Discovery/Strategic grants), CFI, Genome Canada/BC, provincial/federal agencies. Labs & Facilities : Michael Smith Laboratories (UBC), National Centre of Excellence, Forest Sciences Centre, and a dedicated mass spectrometry lab for metabolite analysis.

• Plant Defense Mechanisms
• Terpenoid Biochemistry
• Forestry Genomics
• +12 more

Dr. Xiaoxiao Li is an Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of British Columbia (UBC), with joint appointments in Computer Science (Associate Member) and the School of Medicine at Yale University (Adjunct Assistant Professor). She is also a Canada CIFAR AI Chair and Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Responsible AI. Her research focuses on enhancing trustworthiness, fairness, and efficiency in AI algorithms and foundation models, particularly in healthcare applications. Education: B.S. (Honors) in Zhejiang University (2015), Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Yale University (2020), Postdoc at Princeton University (2020-2021). She leads the Trusted and Efficient AI (TEA) Lab at UBC, which develops algorithms for federated learning, medical imaging analysis, and interpretable AI systems. Research interests include federated learning, generative models, medical image analysis, AI fairness, and graph-based methods for neuroimaging. Recent projects include GMValuator (data valuation for generative models), FairMedFM (fairness benchmarking in medical AI), and FedTextGrad (textual gradient-based FL optimization). Grants: Canada Foundation for Innovation Grant (2023), UBC Green Lab Fund (2023), Vector Institute funding Teaching: Courses on machine learning, federated learning, and AI ethics at UBC Awards & Recognition: Best Paper Award at FL@FM WWW 2024, Editorial Board Member of Medical Image Analysis , multiple top-tier conference acceptances (NeurIPS, ICLR, CVPR, MICCAI). Lab & Teams: TEA Lab collaborates with industry and hospitals to translate AI research into clinical tools. Current projects address AI fairness in healthcare, federated learning for medical data, and multimodal medical analytics.

• Federated Learning
• Medical Imaging Analysis
• AI Fairness and Trustworthiness
• +7 more

Christopher M. Overall is a Full Professor at the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences . He is also a Principal Scientist at the Centre for Blood Research and holds associate memberships in UBC's Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , Obstetrics and Gynecology , and Bioinformatics Graduate Program departments. As a Canada Research Chair Laureate , he pioneered the field of degradomics to study proteases in vivo. B.D.S., University of Adelaide Ph.D., University of Toronto Postdoctoral Fellowship, UBC (with Nobel Laureate Michael Smith) Dr. Overall’s research focuses on protease proteomics and systems biology , particularly degradomics to analyze protease substrates in diseases like COVID-19 and immunodeficiency . His work on matrix metalloproteinases has revealed new therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases and cancer . His 15 most recent articles (2015–2008) demonstrate expertise in TAILS proteomics , protein terminomics , and protease network analysis with applications in arthritis , antiviral immunity , and precision medicine . Scientific Awards 2022 Helmut Holzer Award 2018 Royal Society of Canada Fellow 2014 Tony Pawson Canadian Proteomics Award 2013 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award Dr. Overall has mentored 61 trainees , including 9 full professors with department chairs, and received the UBC John McNeill Mentorship Award (2023). He leads the HUPO Chromosome-centric Human Proteome Project and consults for Genentech and Novartis .

• Protease Proteomics
• Systems Biology
• Degradomics
• +6 more

David Vocadlo is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry at Simon Fraser University (SFU), holding the Canada Research Chair in Chemical Biology. His research focuses on Chemical Glycobiology, investigating carbohydrate-processing enzymes and developing chemical tools to study glycan roles in health and disease. His lab explores O-GlcNAc signaling, neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s), and enzyme inhibitors for therapeutic applications. Education: PhD from University of British Columbia (UBC), followed by a CIHR postdoctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley. Key roles include E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellow and Royal Society Fellow. Research highlights include O-GlcNAcase inhibitors for neuroprotection, glycan structure-function relationships, and enzyme activity imaging tools. Collaborates globally with experts in glycobiology and employs cutting-edge techniques like chemical synthesis, mass spectrometry, and live-cell imaging. Awards: Distinguished Professor title, Canada Research Chair, Royal Society Fellowship. Active in training researchers through SFU’s graduate programs, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Lab members work on topics ranging from enzyme mechanisms to disease modeling.

• Bioorganic Chemistry
• Chemical Biology
• Glycobiology
• +3 more

Sachdev Sidhu is a Research Professor and Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on synthetic antibodies, protein engineering, and biotechnological applications. He leads efforts in developing novel therapeutic antibodies, engineered protein systems, and molecular tools for biomedical research. His work spans cancer therapy, viral infection countermeasures, and regenerative medicine. Sidhu is also involved in translational research, bridging academic discoveries with commercial applications through entrepreneurial ventures. Key research interests include synthetic antibody libraries, CAR T-cell engineering, ubiquitin-based therapeutics, and phage display technologies. He has contributed to advancements in targeted therapies for glioblastoma, leukemia, and ocular diseases. His team develops innovative methods for protein design, such as engineered ubiquitin variants and modular antibody architectures. Publications highlight breakthroughs in antibody-based treatments, including synNotch CAR T cells for glioblastoma and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. His work integrates structural biology, molecular biology, and computational approaches to address complex biomedical challenges. Sidhu collaborates with industry partners to advance technologies into clinical and commercial settings.

• Synthetic Antibodies
• Protein Engineering
• Biotechnology
• +5 more

Joel Weadge is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Wilfrid Laurier University , Waterloo, Ontario. His research focuses on bacterial biofilms, glycobiology, and protein structure-function relationships. Contact: jweadge@wlu.ca , Office: BA425 (Bricker Academic). Education: PhD in Microbiology (University of Guelph, 2006) BSc (Hons) in Microbiology (University of Guelph, 2000) Research Interests center on bacterial biofilms as virulence factors in pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella . Key areas include: Structural and functional characterization of biofilm proteins (cellulose, curli fimbriae) Enzymology of carbohydrate modifications (acetylation, phosphoethanolamine transfer) Developing therapeutics targeting biofilm synthesis Biopolymer applications for medical/industrial use Publications highlight studies on Pseudomonas and Salmonella biofilm mechanisms, glycosyltransferases, and carbohydrate-active enzymes, with methodologies spanning X-ray crystallography to high-throughput biofilm profiling. Labs and Teams: The Weadge Lab investigates biofilm roles in food/water security and oral health, utilizing enzymology, mass spectrometry, and structural biology. Current members include graduate students, technicians, and research assistants.

• Bacterial Biofilms
• Bacterial Carbohydrates
• Protein Structure and Function
• +7 more

Scott Hopkins is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, specializing in Physical Chemistry. His research integrates machine learning with experimental techniques to study ion mobility, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopic analysis. He directs the Hopkins Laboratory, focusing on computational predictions of chemical behaviors and molecular interactions. His work addresses fundamental questions in gas-phase chemistry, cluster formation, and analytical method development. Research interests span physical chemistry, computational modeling, and analytical instrumentation, with a strong emphasis on developing predictive tools for complex chemical systems. Recent investigations explore ion-solvent dynamics, fragmentation mechanisms, and machine-learning applications for spectral interpretation.

• Physical Chemistry
• Machine Learning
• Mass Spectrometry
• +2 more

Professor Louis Schmidt is a leading academic in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University , with a research focus on developmental psychophysiology, temperament, and the long-term effects of early adversity. His work bridges neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral science, emphasizing the interplay between brain function and socio-emotional development across the lifespan. Key research themes: Shyness, social anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and outcomes of extremely low birth weight. Recognized for mentoring postdoctoral fellow Kristie Poole, who was celebrated as a role model in the Child Emotion Laboratory. Scientific Awards : Royal Society of Canada recognition for contributions to research and scholarship. Research Trends from 15 recent publications include: Neurophysiological mechanisms of shyness (EEG, ERP, RSA) Impact of antenatal corticosteroids on adult brain function Intergenerational effects of maternal mental health interventions Cross-cultural comparisons of temperamental shyness Developmental consequences of preterm birth Behavioral and neural correlates of social anxiety in diverse populations Grants & Collaborations : Led the SNACS randomized controlled trial on antenatal corticosteroids, with applications in obstetrics and developmental neuroscience. Collaborates extensively on topics like autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and emotion regulation. Labs & Teams : Directs the Child Emotion Laboratory at McMaster University, fostering interdisciplinary research on developmental psychopathology and neural mechanisms of temperament.

• Developmental Psychophysiology
• Temperament and Personality Development
• Neuroscience of Shyness and Social Anxiety
• +4 more

Dr. Jacques Archambault is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University , and an associate member of the Division of Experimental Medicine since 2016. His research focuses on the molecular biology and pathogenesis of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and polyomaviruses (HPyVs), with an emphasis on their replication mechanisms as episomes in host cells. The Archambault laboratory employs functional genomics, proteomics, and chemical biology approaches to identify cellular pathways exploited by these viruses and develop high-throughput assays for screening small molecule inhibitors of viral replication. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on HPV and HPyV replication machinery, including studies on the E1 helicase, UAF1-USP1 interactions, and structural characterization of viral proteins involved in DNA replication. His work bridges virology, oncology, and drug discovery, particularly targeting oncogenic HPV types implicated in anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as HPyVs like BKPyV and JCPyV that cause pathologies in immunosuppressed patients. Current efforts in the lab aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which HPVs and HPyVs replicate their genomes and to develop antiviral therapies targeting these processes. Techniques such as fluorescence anisotropy, NMR spectroscopy, and crystallography are frequently employed to study protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions critical to viral replication.

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Polyomavirus
• Viral DNA Replication
• +4 more

Dr. Markus Brinkmann is an Associate Professor in the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, and Director of the Toxicology Centre. He holds the Centennial Enhancement Chair in Mechanistic Environmental Toxicology. His research focuses on exposure and risk assessment modeling, toxicokinetic modeling, and aquatic ecotoxicology, with an emphasis on understanding contaminant effects under realistic environmental conditions. Affiliations: Associate Professor, University of Saskatchewan Director, Toxicology Centre Member, Global Water Futures Program Member, Global Institute for Water Security Education: Ph.D. (Biology) - RWTH Aachen University, Germany (2015) M.Sc. (Ecotoxicology) - RWTH Aachen University, Germany (2011) B.Sc. (Biology) - RWTH Aachen University, Germany (2009) Research Interests: Dr. Brinkmann develops computational models to predict contaminant uptake, effects, and cross-species extrapolation. His work integrates toxicology, environmental chemistry, and hydrology to address challenges like flood-related contaminant remobilization and dioxin-like compound toxicity. Key areas include: Mechanistic toxicology of emerging contaminants (e.g., 6PPD-quinone, PFAS alternatives) Sediment toxicity and bioavailability Wastewater surveillance for public health monitoring Grant Highlights: Global Water Futures Program (2018-2023): Hydrological-exposure models for environmental risk assessment Genome Canada (2016-2020): EcoToxChip for chemical prioritization Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (2016-2018) Awards: Friedrich-Wilhelm-Award (2016) SETAC GLB Young Scientists Award (2016 PhD, 2012 MSc) Borchers medal (2016) Leadership: He advises on strategic research partnerships between Canada and Germany and collaborates globally on projects like the EcoToxChip and Project House Water . His work bridges academic research with practical environmental management solutions.

• Exposure and risk assessment modelling
• Toxicokinetic modelling
• Aquatic ecotoxicology
• +3 more

Gabriela V. Cohen Freue is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver Campus, and holds a Canada Research Chair (CRC Tier 2). She leads an interdisciplinary research program focusing on developing robust statistical methodologies for analyzing high-dimensional data in genomics and proteomics, with applications in medical sciences. Her work addresses challenges such as outliers, collinearity, and measurement errors, with applications in biomarker discovery for diseases like multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disorders, and asthma. Her academic journey includes collaborations across disciplines, including with the BC Cancer Agency, PROOF Centre of Excellence, and iCAPTURE. She has pioneered methods like the Penalized Elastic Net S-Estimator (PENSE) and contributed to proteomic data analysis tools such as the Protein Group Code Algorithm (PGCA). She also co-developed the MDQC quality control method for microarrays. Research interests include robust regression, biomarker development, and statistical methods for big data. Her team includes postdocs, PhD, and MSc students, with a focus on training in both statistical rigor and interdisciplinary collaboration. Notable grants include a CANSSI Collaborative Research Team Project (CRT) award for robust causal inference and prediction modeling. Teaching responsibilities span statistical consulting, high-dimensional biological data analysis, and generalized linear models. She emphasizes active learning and real-world problem-solving in her courses. Her lab’s work is supported by grants from the Data Science Institute (DSI) and collaborations with institutions like the PROOF Centre. Alumni of her group hold positions in academia (e.g., George Mason University) and industry (e.g., Merck, BC Cancer Research Centre).

• Statistical Methodology
• High-Dimensional Data Analysis
• Robust Statistics
• +6 more

Ali Ghodsi is a Professor at the University of Waterloo and Director of the Data Science Lab, with affiliations at the Vector Institute. His research spans machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence, with applications in natural language processing, bioinformatics, and computer vision. His group develops theoretical frameworks and algorithms for analyzing large-scale datasets, focusing on neural network architectures, knowledge distillation, and model efficiency. Current projects include deep learning for identity control, computational antibody design, and generative AI/large language models. Ghodsi has authored influential tutorials on diffusion models, graph neural networks, and large language models. Notable research contributions include computational methods for de novo peptide sequencing from mass spectrometry data, green simulation-assisted reinforcement learning, and efficient natural language processing models. His lab maintains collaborations with industry partners including Google, Amazon, and Roche.

• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Natural Language Processing
• +3 more

Michael P. Bradley is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Engineering Physics at the University of Saskatchewan, affiliated with the College of Arts and Science. He holds a Ph.D. from MIT and is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). His research focuses on precision measurement techniques, plasma-based nanofabrication, and quantum metrology, including work on diamond NV-centre magnetometers and superconducting watt balance systems. He leads the University of Saskatchewan Plasma Physics Laboratory (U of S PPL) and has received a Canada-UK Joint Quantum Technology grant for quantum sensor development. Education BSc (Honours) in Applied Physics, University of New Brunswick Ph.D. in Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Research Interests Bradley specializes in quantum magnetometry , plasma processing , semiconductor nanostructures , and precision electromagnetic measurements . His lab develops novel techniques for materials characterization and fabrication, including plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) for micro- and nano-scale engineering, graphene doping, and silicon photonics. Recent work includes advancements in diamond NV-centre magnetometry for quantum technologies. Grants & Collaborations Recipient of a prestigious Canada-UK Joint Quantum Technology grant (2023). Collaborated internationally, including at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) in France, where he contributed to superconducting watt balance prototypes for redefining mass standards. Teaching Teaches courses in optics, thermodynamics, and planetary astronomy, including EP421: Optical Systems & Materials and ASTR104: Planetary Astronomy .

• Quantum Magnetometry
• Precision Electromagnetic Measurements
• Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII)
• +7 more

Mark Nitz is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on bio-organic chemistry and chemical biology, with specialties in Mass Cytometry reagent development, bacterial glycobiology (particularly poly-N-acetylglucosamine), and the creation of novel bioorthogonal reactions. Research Interests: Mass Cytometry: Developing heavy-atom probes (e.g., tellurium) for high-parameter biological analysis in vivo. Bacterial Glycobiology: Investigating polysaccharide synthesis (PNAG) in bacteria, developing inhibitors through in vitro enzyme studies and bacterial system validations. Novel Reactions: Exploring hydrazine/hydroxylamine chemistry with carbohydrates and aqueous tellurophene reactions for bioorthogonal applications. Recent Work: His lab published a breakthrough in 2024 detailing the OSTAC reaction, enabling selective protein labeling in complex systems. This integrates seamlessly with existing techniques like SPAAC and CuAAC. Advising: Dr. Nitz has guided PhD students Jamie Bu, Nicole Potter, and Stephanie Sebastiampillai. His team actively collaborates on structural biology projects, including co-crystal structure determinations. Labs/Teams: The Nitz Lab, located in the Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories (St. George Campus), emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to chemical biology challenges, blending synthetic chemistry with biological applications.

• Biological Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Mass Cytometry
• +3 more

Michael Organ is a Full Professor at the University of Ottawa's Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. He also serves as Director of the Centre for Research and Innovation in Catalysis. His research focuses on catalysis, flow chemistry, and medicinal chemistry, emphasizing sustainable and efficient synthesis methods. Organ has held adjunct roles at the University of Toronto and has extensive industry collaborations, including with GlaxoSmithKline and Abbvie. Education: PhD (University of Guelph, 1992), MSc (University of Guelph, 1988), Hons. BSc (University of Guelph, 1986). Research Interests: Catalysis, microwave-assisted continuous synthesis, reactive intermediates in flow systems, and drug discovery methodologies. His work bridges organic chemistry with engineering, developing scalable and green processes. Publications & Impact: Over 200 publications, including seminal works in Journal of the American Chemical Society and Chemistry – A European Journal . Key contributions include the Pd-PEPPSI-IPent catalyst and the MACOS flow chemistry platform. Awards: NSERC John C. Polanyi Award (2018), Encyclopedia of Reagents Best Reagent Award (2017), Raymond Lemieux Award (2016). Recognized internationally for catalytic innovations. Grants & Funding: Over $45M in research funding, including NSERC Discovery Grants and industry partnerships. Notable projects include CFI JELF grants for sustainable manufacturing and pandemic-related flow chemistry for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. Labs & Teams: Leads the Organ Group, collaborating with chemical engineers and industry partners. Specializes in reactor design, catalyst development, and continuous processing systems.

• Catalysis
• Synthetic Organic Chemistry
• Mechanistic Chemistry
• +4 more