Find Academic Supervisors

Brent Page is an Associate Professor (tenured) in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and maintains a research group at the Karolinska Institute , Department of Oncology and Pathology. His dual affiliation underpins a trans-Atlantic program that integrates cutting-edge chemical biology with medicinal chemistry for anti-cancer drug discovery. Education & Training PhD in Chemistry – University of Toronto (2013) HBSc in Chemistry (Honours) – University of British Columbia (2008) CIHR Postdoctoral Fellow – Karolinska Institute, Sweden (2008–2016) Assistant Professor (non-independent) – Karolinska Institute, Department of Oncology-Pathology (2017–2021) Research Focus Dr. Page’s laboratory operates at the interface of medicinal chemistry and chemical biology , aiming to identify and optimize small-molecule inhibitors for proteins previously considered “undruggable.” Core targets include STAT3, CLIC3, NUDT5/15 and SRPK3 . The group employs cellular thermal shift assays , isothermal ligand-induced resolubilization (ILIRA) , and CeTEAM technologies to quantify target engagement and refine structure–activity relationships in physiologically relevant models of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, leukemia and atopic diseases . Funding & Collaborations His program is supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and other national and international agencies. Dr. Page actively participates in UBC’s Accelerated Translational Opioid Research Cluster and welcomes interdisciplinary collaborations and undergraduate research involvement. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committed to fostering an inclusive environment, Dr. Page mandates EDI training for all lab members and actively encourages participation from equity-deserving groups.

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Chemical Biology
• Drug Discovery and Development
• +13 more

Hong Han is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences within McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences and a member of the Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research (CDCR). She holds a Canada Research Chair and leads the Han Lab, which focuses on cancer biology, RNA regulation, and innovative high-throughput technologies for therapeutic discovery. Dr. Han earned her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto (2010-2016) and has established herself as a leading researcher in glioblastoma and alternative splicing regulation. Her interdisciplinary research integrates cancer biology, RNA science, and multilayer gene regulation to uncover mechanisms underlying cancer progression and treatment resistance. Her laboratory pioneers integrated technological platforms for large-scale genetic/drug screening and ultra-high-throughput single-cell profiling. The research focuses on three main areas: alternative splicing regulation in cancer (particularly glioblastoma and prostate cancer), multilayer mechanisms of glioblastoma heterogeneity and microenvironment evolution, and multiplexed screening approaches for therapeutic discovery in treatment-resistant cancers. Analysis of Dr. Han's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on single-cell technologies to characterize glioblastoma heterogeneity, minimal residual disease states, and tumor-immune interactions. Her work increasingly bridges basic RNA biology with translational applications, particularly in developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting splicing networks and immune evasion mechanisms. Canada Research Chair Dr. Han teaches Advanced Techniques in the Biomedical Sciences (BIOCHEM 734). Her research program is supported by multiple funding sources, as evidenced by her extensive publication record in high-impact journals including Nature, Cell, Molecular Cell, and Nature Communications. She employs a comprehensive approach combining in vitro, in vivo, and patient cohort studies with cutting-edge genomic technologies. The Han Lab has developed innovative multiplexed screening platforms that enable simultaneous interrogation of thousands of conditions, ranging from CAR-T cells to small molecule therapeutics. This approach accelerates the discovery of novel cancer targets and therapeutic strategies for treatment-resistant cancers.

• Cancer Biology
• Gene Regulation
• RNA Splicing
• +5 more

Dr. Philippe Campeau is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. He is affiliated with CHU Sainte-Justine, a major pediatric hospital in Montreal, Quebec, where he works in the Medical Genetics Service. His clinical and research work focuses on genetic disorders affecting children, particularly in the areas of skeletal development and neurogenetics. Dr. Campeau obtained his Doctorate in Medicine from Laval University in Quebec (1998-2003) followed by specialty training in medical genetics at McGill University (2003-2008). He completed postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine (2008-2013), which further developed his expertise in genetic research methodologies. His primary research interests include bone dysplasias , skeletal dysplasias , epilepsy , and epigenetic diseases . Dr. Campeau's laboratory identifies disease-causing genes, deciphers disease pathophysiology, and works to improve the management of children affected by these conditions. His work encompasses exome analysis , functional studies with cell lines and mouse models , and investigations into urea cycle abnormalities . He has made significant contributions to understanding genetic causes of conditions such as Genitopatellar syndrome (KAT6B), osteopetrosis, dysosteosclerosis (SLC29A3), osteogenesis imperfecta, early-onset osteoporosis (WNT1), Yunis-Varón syndrome (FIG4), and DOORS syndrome (TBC1D24). Dr. Campeau's publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory in medical genetics research, with numerous high-impact publications spanning from fundamental genetic discovery to translational research. His work spans skeletal disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, and epigenetic mechanisms. Recent publications indicate an expanding focus on chromatin modifiers, DNA methylation patterns, and spliceosome function in neurodevelopmental conditions, reflecting the evolution of his research interests toward more complex molecular mechanisms. Dr. Campeau has received several research grants in recent years (6 starting in 2014) from organizations including the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Fondation Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie. While specific students are not mentioned in the available information, as a clinical professor, he mentors medical students, residents, and research trainees in the Department of Pediatrics. His research is conducted as part of the 'Musculoskeletal Diseases and Rehabilitation' axis at CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, where he collaborates with international research teams to identify disease-causing genes and develop better management strategies for children with genetic disorders.

• Medical Genetics
• Bone Dysplasias
• Skeletal Dysplasias
• +12 more

Dr. Xuesen Dong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia and a senior scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre. His research focuses on prostate cancer therapy resistance mechanisms and developing novel therapeutics. His educational background: Medical training in China MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Laval University PhD in Physiology, University of Toronto Postdoctoral training: Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute (Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto) and Vancouver Prostate Centre Research interests include prostate cancer, therapy resistance, RNA splicing, gene regulation, drug development, hormone-dependent cancers, endocrine regulation, and biomarker discovery. His lab uses RNA sequencing and computer-aided drug design to identify new targets and diagnostics for prostate cancer. Scientific awards and funding: Rising Star Award from Prostate Cancer Canada Continuously funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) grants since 2005 Dr. Dong supervises graduate students in UBC's Cell and Developmental Biology, Experimental Medicine, and Interdisciplinary Oncology programs. His laboratory at the Vancouver Prostate Centre is dedicated to overcoming treatment resistance in prostate cancer.

• Prostate Cancer
• Cancer Therapy Resistance
• Cancer Progression and Metastasis
• +7 more

R. Glen Uhrig, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Plant Biology at the University of Alberta within the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science. His research focuses on plant functional genomics and proteomics, particularly examining diurnal regulation of cellular processes via quantitative proteomics in Arabidopsis thaliana and agriculturally relevant crops. The Uhrig Lab investigates post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation and acetylation to understand plant adaptation to environmental changes. Educationally, he holds a B.Sc.H. (2005) and M.Sc. (2008) from Queen’s University, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Calgary (2013). His postdoctoral training at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (2017) furthered his expertise in plant systems biology. R. Glen Uhrig teaches courses including BIOL 343/543 (Macromolecular Characterization Techniques) and BOT 380 (Drug Plants), emphasizing hands-on proteomics and plant biotechnology. His awards include the ASTech Award (2022), NSERC Post-Doctoral Award (2015–2017), and the Marie Curie Plant Fellowship (2013–2015). His work bridges fundamental research with applications in agri-food production and crop resilience. Key research themes include: 1) Diurnal regulation of plant proteomes and PTMs, 2) Molecular mechanisms of plant immunity and stress responses, and 3) Leveraging proteomics to enhance crop productivity. The lab employs cutting-edge tools like quantitative mass spectrometry and multi-omics integration to address these questions.

• Plant Functional Genomics
• Quantitative Proteomics
• Post-Translational Modifications
• +4 more

Loic Binan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Genetics at McGill University, with additional affiliations as an Associate Member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Integrated Program in Neuroscience. His research focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies to investigate how gene networks control the self-organization of cells into complex 3D tissues during development and in disease conditions. Dr. Binan's research interests span multiple interdisciplinary fields, with particular emphasis on cancer metastasis , where he investigates the genetic mechanisms allowing cells to reversibly transition between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes. His work also explores isoforms and non-coding regions , developing technologies to understand alternative splicing in neurodegenerative diseases, and examining how past cell-cell interactions shape present transcriptional activity during development. His laboratory employs a diverse array of techniques including CRISPR gene editing, spatial transcriptomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, advanced microscopy, and computational methods for image analysis. The recent publications reveal a strong trend toward integrating high-throughput genetic screening with spatial transcriptomics to map gene regulatory networks across both cancer biology and neuroscience contexts. Dr. Binan leads the Binan Lab at the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, where his team develops precision gene editing tools such as Cas9 and Cas12 for high-throughput screens, creates novel imaging tools to collect spatial context data, and builds computational tools to analyze these complex new data types. His research primarily focuses on cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, with particular attention to brain development and tumor microenvironments.

• Cancer metastasis
• Spatial transcriptomics
• Gene regulatory networks
• +7 more

David Donald Hansen is Professor and Head of Biological Sciences at University of Calgary, leading research on stem cell regulation using C. elegans model systems. His work examines proteasomal control of germline development and balance between proliferation/differentiation decisions. Honored with multiple teaching awards including Killam mentorship and U Make a Difference awards. Research Focus: Genetic controls of germ line development in C. elegans Proteasome regulation of chromodomain proteins RNA-binding proteins in oocyte maturation

• Stem Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Germ Line Development
• +2 more

Jocelyn Côté is a Full Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa, holding a concurrent role as Assistant Dean, Research and Special Projects in the Faculty of Medicine. His research focuses on the role of arginine methylation in RNA-binding proteins and its implications in neurodevelopmental disorders, neuromuscular diseases, and cancer. He leads studies on the molecular pathways underlying spinal muscular atrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and cancer progression, with particular emphasis on Tudor domain-containing proteins and PRMT enzymes. Education: B.Sc. Biochemistry (Université de Sherbrooke, 1992), Ph.D. Molecular Biology (Université de Sherbrooke, 1998), Postdoctoral Fellowships at Washington University and McGill. Research interests include: (1) arginine methylation regulation in RNA processing, (2) Tudor domain protein functions in disease, and (3) cancer-related epigenetic pathways. His work integrates cell biology, molecular genetics, and proteomics to identify novel therapeutic targets. Publications emphasize RNA biology and disease mechanisms, with recent work highlighting Staufen1's role in myotonic dystrophy and PRMT7's contribution to breast cancer metastasis. While no awards are explicitly listed, his research has implications for neuromuscular and oncological therapies. He collaborates with the Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and the uOttawa Brain & Mind Research Institute, advancing translational research in neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders.

• RNA Biology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Neuromuscular Diseases
• +3 more

Dr. Tarik Möröy is a Full Research Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal and serves as the President and Scientific Director of the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM). He is a leading expert in molecular biology, immunology, and cancer research, with over 180 publications, an h-index of 66, and 13,500+ citations. His work focuses on the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of hematopoiesis and its role in immune system malignancies. Education Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Ludwig-Maximilians, Munich (1987) Postdoctoral Researcher, Columbia University, New York (1988–1991) Research Interests Dr. Möröy investigates the molecular mechanisms of immune cell differentiation and leukemogenesis, emphasizing transcription factors (GFI1, GFI1B, c-Myc, Miz-1), RNA helicases (DDX3X), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA). His lab combines multiplex flow cytometry, genomics, and computational biology to model hematopoietic malignancies. Publication Trends Recent work explores GFI1/PRMT1 interactions in DNA repair, DDX3X in lymphoid differentiation, and lncRNAs in leukemia. Themes include transcriptional regulation, epigenetic mechanisms, and RNA biology in hematopoietic cancers. Scientific Awards Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Hematopoiesis and Immune Cell Differentiation (2007–2021) IRC Medal of Merit for Exceptional Service (2019) Elected member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2018) Advising and Leadership Dr. Möröy has mentored doctoral students like Marion Lacroix and leads a multidisciplinary team at the IRCM. He has served on national and international scientific advisory boards, including Recherche Canada (President since 2023) and the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (President 2018–2020).

• Molecular Biology
• Immunology
• Hematology
• +7 more

Dr. Chi Yan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology at the University of Manitoba and a member of the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute at CancerCare Manitoba. His research focuses on overcoming resistance to cancer immunotherapy through innovative combination therapies targeting tumor-immune interactions. He holds a PhD in cancer immunology from Dalhousie University and completed postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University, where he pioneered work on RAS-pathway inhibitors and immune checkpoint blockade synergy in melanoma. His research integrates patient-derived models and immunocompetent mouse systems to investigate mechanisms of therapy resistance. Key areas include CD40 agonism, regulatory B cells (Bregs), and cytokine/chemokine pathways (e.g., CXCR2). He has secured NIH grants and industry partnerships to advance clinical trials of novel combination therapies. Awards include the NIH R01 grants for melanoma and breast cancer research, the Lloyd Foundation Career Development Grant, and the Best Doctoral Thesis Award (2018). His work has produced 12 first/senior-author publications in journals like Molecular Cancer and the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Dr. Yan’s lab employs cutting-edge platforms including spatial biology (GeoMx), multi-omics profiling (scRNA-Seq, TCR-Seq), and high-dimensional flow cytometry (30+ parameters) to bridge preclinical discovery and clinical translation. Collaborations span clinicians, pathologists, biostatisticians, and industry partners to accelerate therapeutic development.

• Cancer Immunotherapy
• Tumor Immunology
• Immunooncology
• +5 more

Sherif Abou Elela is a researcher affiliated with the University of Sherbrooke and its Centre de recherche du CHUS . His work focuses on RNA processing, stability, and alternative splicing, with implications in cancer biology and gene expression regulation. Education: Postdoctorate, University of California, Santa Cruz (1997) PhD in Biology, University of Guelph (1994) BSc, University of Qatar (1987) Research Interests: RNA processing and stability in gene expression, splicing program modulation in cancer and stress, snoRNA biology, yeast RNA metabolism, and RNA-binding proteins. He explores how RNA decay and splicing mechanisms can inform mammalian models and human disease diagnostics. Article Trends: Recent work emphasizes snoRNA annotation tools (e.g., SnoBIRD), stress-induced splicing adaptations (cells resist starvation), yeast RNase III roles in gene regulation, and cancer-specific non-coding RNA interactions (e.g., H/ACA snoRNAs). Computational approaches (snoDB, SAPFIR, snoGloBe) and yeast as a model organism are recurring themes. Patents & Contributions: He holds patents for methods to reprogram splice site selection and cancer biomarker discovery. He organized the Ribo Club conference, indicating leadership in RNA research.

• RNA Processing
• Alternative Splicing
• Gene Expression Regulation
• +5 more

Chantal Autexier is a Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University, affiliated with the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and Jewish General Hospital. Her work centers on telomere biology, focusing on telomerase regulation and its role in cancer cell immortalization, genome integrity, and premature aging disorders like dyskeratosis congenita. Using cell culture models, she investigates telomere maintenance mechanisms and their implications in disease. BSc (Concordia University), PhD (McGill University) Her recent research explores telomerase-telomere interactions, epigenetic regulation (e.g., R-2-hydroxyglutarate and KDM4A), and the impact of dyskerin mutations on telomerase function. Articles from 2019–2025 emphasize molecular biology, cancer therapeutics, and aging-related pathways, with sub-fields spanning DNA repair, replication stress, and RNA-protein dynamics. She also contributes to geroscience initiatives, such as the Canadian Translational Geroscience Network (2025). Her lab employs advanced techniques in cell imaging and molecular genetics to study telomere integrity in cancer and aging diseases.

• Telomere Biology
• Cancer Research
• Genome Integrity
• +3 more

Masad J. Damha is a Distinguished James McGill Professor in the Department of Chemistry at McGill University. He holds a B.Sc. (1983) and Ph.D. (1988) from McGill University and completed postdoctoral training at the California Institute of Technology. His research bridges chemical biology and synthesis/catalysis, focusing on the chemical synthesis, biochemical properties, and molecular behavior of nucleosides, nucleic acids, and their analogues, with applications in biotechnology including siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides, and aptamers. Research Interests: Professor Damha's work explores inter- and intracellular communication between nucleic acids and proteins, particularly investigating how chemically modified nucleic acids (e.g., ANA, 2’F-ANA) can enhance therapeutic efficacy. His research aims to develop novel strategies for genetic regulation and diagnostic tools through engineered nucleic acid systems. Honors and Awards: R.U. Lemieux Award (CIC, 2020) Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) Bernard Belleau Award (CSC/CIC, 2007) Merck-Frosst Award for Therapeutic Research (1999) Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada (FCIC, 1999) John Charles Polanyi Chemistry Prize (1989) Leo Yaffe Award for Excellence in Teaching (2011-12) David Thomson Award in Graduate & Teaching (2010) Teaching and Leadership: Professor Damha teaches Introductory Organic Chemistry (CHEM 302) and Advanced Nucleic Acid Chemistry (CHEM 542). He has held leadership roles as President of the International Society of Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids (2019-20) and the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society (2013-14).

• Chemical Biology
• Nucleic Acid Chemistry
• Biotechnology
• +2 more

Naomi Fast is an Associate Professor in the Department of Botany at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Science. Her research examines genome evolution in single-celled eukaryotes, particularly focusing on how genome reduction affects intron architecture and spliceosome machinery in microsporidian parasites. Using comparative genomics approaches, Fast's lab investigates the retention and modification of introns in highly compacted genomes. Her work has revealed fundamental insights into the evolutionary trajectories of spliceosomal components under extreme genomic constraints. Current research compares splicing mechanisms across diverse eukaryotic lineages including extremophilic red algae. Fast supervises graduate students studying microsporidian genomics and eukaryotic evolution. Her research has been published in leading molecular evolution journals including Molecular Biology and Evolution.

• Genome Evolution
• Intron Biology
• Spliceosome Structure
• +2 more

Guy Lemay is a Full Professor at the Université de Montréal's Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology. He joined the faculty in 1989 and was promoted to his current rank in 2000. His academic background includes a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology from Université de Montréal, a Ph.D. from McGill University, and postdoctoral training in enzymology and protein biochemistry at Université de Montréal. Research Focus: Dr. Lemay's work centers on virology, particularly mammalian reoviruses, with emphasis on: Viral and cellular determinants of interferon responses Reovirus adaptation during persistence Reverse genetics and capsid protein enzymology Transcriptome alterations during infections (in collaboration with Université de Sherbrooke) His research aims to harness reoviruses for cancer therapy by elucidating their oncolytic mechanisms. Awards & Recognition: Science Popularization Award (Association francophone pour le savoir, 2010) Excellence in Teaching Award (Université de Montréal, 2015) Academic Leadership: He has served as Department Director, Head of Graduate Studies, and Head of the Undergraduate Program. Current advisees include M.Sc. candidate Guillaume David Després and Ph.D. candidate Simon Boudreault (co-supervised with Université de Sherbrooke).

• Virology
• Viral Replication
• Interferon Response
• +4 more