Find Academic Supervisors

Mark CembrowskiView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• Molecular Biology
• +4 more

Mark S. Cembrowski is an Associate Professor (with tenure) in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Medicine. He is an Investigator at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, an Associate Member of UBC's School of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Mathematics, and a Next Generation Leader at the Allen Institute for Brain Science. His research focuses on understanding memory and cognition through multidisciplinary approaches, combining experimental and computational techniques. Education: BSc in Mathematics (UBC, 2007), MS and PhD in Applied Mathematics (Northwestern University, 2008–2011). Postdoc at Janelia Research Campus (Howard Hughes Medical Institute) under Nelson Spruston. Promoted to Associate Professor in 2024. Research Interests: Memory mechanisms, neurobiological rules of memory formation, anxiety disorders, PTSD, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. Techniques: Single-cell RNA-seq, electrophysiology, optogenetics, calcium imaging, spatial transcriptomics. Awards: Canadian Association for Neuroscience New Investigator Award (2025), Alzheimer Society of Canada grants, Brain Canada Momentum Grant, and Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar. Grants: ~$5M UBC team grant for single-cell transcriptomics and functional imaging. Lab leadership includes roles as Associate Director of the Neuroscience Graduate Program and co-PI on New Frontiers in Research Fund grants. Labs/Teams: Cembrowski Lab (founded 2019) studies memory across molecular, cellular, and behavioral scales. Collaborates with clinical and engineering teams on brain injury and disease mechanisms.

Luis RuedaView profile

Professor

• Machine Learning
• Computational Biology
• Bioinformatics
• +3 more

Luis Rueda is a Professor in the School of Computer Science at the University of Windsor, specializing in machine learning applications in bioinformatics and computational biology. His research develops algorithms for cancer biomarker discovery, transcriptomic data analysis, and secure computing frameworks. Rueda's work integrates machine learning with biological data science, creating novel methods for single-cell RNA-seq analysis, cancer subtype classification, and medical image interpretation. Current projects focus on graph neural networks for spatial transcriptomics, federated learning for genomic privacy, and deep learning models for lung nodule detection in CT scans. Recent publications demonstrate emphasis on developing privacy-preserving frameworks for genomic data, advanced neural network architectures for medical image analysis, and computational methods for identifying therapeutic targets in cancer. Articles frequently address multi-modal data integration in oncology diagnostics. Student Mentoring Award, Faculty of Science (2022) Mitacs Accelerate Award (2021, 2020) Ontario Centres of Excellence - TalentEdge Award (2018) Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research Award (2016) Professional affiliations include Senior Member of IEEE and membership in ACM, IAPR, and ISCB. Rueda serves as Associate Editor for IEEE/ACM Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and leads the Machine Learning in Bioinformatics Lab. Research has been supported by Mitacs, Ontario Centres of Excellence, and NSERC grants.

• Evolution of energy metabolism
• Mitochondrial physiology
• Ageing
• +5 more

Jason Treberg is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Science. His research focuses on mitochondrial physiology, bioenergetics, oxidative stress, and environmental adaptation across diverse species. Evolution of energy metabolism Mitochondrial function and ROS regulation Ageing mechanisms in ectotherms Thermal biology in aquatic organisms Recent publications highlight his work on mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide metabolism, comparative bioenergetics in fish and nematodes, and environmental stress responses. Studies span from molecular mechanisms to ecosystem-level adaptations.

Olivia WilkinsView profile

Associate Professor

• Climate Resilient Crops
• Gene Regulatory Networks
• Single Cell Sequencing
• +5 more

Olivia Wilkins is an Associate Professor in Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on climate-resilient crops, gene regulatory networks, and plant-microbe interactions. She leads the Olivia Wilkins Lab, exploring topics like single-cell sequencing, post-translational modifications, and plant inoculant interactions. Her work bridges fundamental biology with applied agricultural challenges. Research interests include: Development of crops resistant to climate change impacts Prediction and manipulation of gene regulatory networks Single-cell resolution analysis of plant tissues Metabolic adaptations under hypoxia and drought Engineering plant-microbe symbioses for improved productivity Recent work emphasizes spatially resolved genomics in rice, circadian rhythm responses to drought in poplar, and leveraging lactic acid bacteria for agricultural benefits. She has pioneered the use of host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) to combat fungal pathogens in Brassica crops. Current projects aim to translate single-cell insights into climate change resilience strategies for staple crops. Her lab collaborates on cannabis genomics initiatives, exploring genetic and environmental factors affecting crop yield. Training efforts include developing bioinformatics curricula for plant researchers.

Scott PaveyView profile

Associate Professor

• Aquatic Molecular Ecology
• Ecological Genomics
• Conservation Biology
• +3 more

Scott Pavey is an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Biological Sciences at the University of New Brunswick Saint John. His work focuses on Aquatic Molecular Ecology and Ecological Genomics, leveraging genomic tools to address conservation, fisheries management, and evolutionary questions. He leads the CRI Genomics lab, equipped with advanced technologies for DNA sequencing and bioinformatics. Education: BSc in Wildlife Biology (Colorado State University), MSc in Biological Sciences (University of Alaska Anchorage), PhD in Biological Sciences (Simon Fraser University), and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Université Laval. Research Interests: Environmental DNA (eDNA) applications, population genetics of fish species, local adaptation physiology, and ecological roles of genetic elements. Key projects include eDNA-based species monitoring, genetic stock identification of Striped Bass, and genomic responses to environmental stress. Scientific Contributions: Over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals, with a focus on salmonids, cod, and other aquatic species. Awards include the Canada Research Chair position. Advising: Supervises a dynamic team of graduate students and postdocs, including current PhD candidates (e.g., Shawn Kroetsch, Jagger Watters-Gray) and MSc students (e.g., Jake Reicker, Laken Devost). Alumni include notable researchers like Faith Penny (PhD in striped bass physiology) and Melissa Morrison (eDNA in salmon abundance). Labs and Collaborations: CRI Genomics lab at the Canadian Rivers Institute, collaborating with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Mactaquac Aquatic Ecosystem Study (MAES) on applied projects.

Mary LesperanceView profile

Professor

• Statistical Inference
• Mixture models
• Biostatistics
• +3 more

Dr. Mary Lesperance is a Professor of Statistics at the University of Victoria's Department of Mathematics and Statistics, part of the Faculty of Science. She is the Founding Director of UVic's Statistical Consulting Centre, providing statistical expertise to internal and external clients. Her research focuses on statistical inference, biostatistics, and applications in genomics and industrial statistics. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo and is a Professional Statistician (P.Stat.). Lesperance's work emphasizes the importance of rigorous statistical analysis in healthcare decision-making and policy. Her current projects include semiparametric mixture models, statistical genomics, and palliative care modeling. She teaches advanced courses such as STAT 450: Mathematical Statistics II. Her research interests also extend to environmental statistics, including studies on marine toxins and fecal coliform dynamics. Lesperance has contributed to impactful studies, including the development of the Prognostat tool for palliative care survival prediction and validation of proteomic biomarker panels for stroke diagnosis. Her work bridges theoretical statistics with applied problems in medicine, ecology, and engineering. She advocates for the practical application of statistical tools to address real-world challenges, emphasizing their role in evidence-based medicine and community impact.

Mark BelmonteView profile

Professor

• Plant Pathology
• RNA Interference
• Crop Protection
• +2 more

Mark Belmonte is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba. His laboratory investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms of plant development and pathogenesis, with emphasis on developing sustainable technologies to protect major Canadian crops including canola. Research employs cutting-edge RNA interference (RNAi) technologies and molecular profiling techniques. Current projects focus on combating fungal pathogens like Sclerotinia sclerotiorum through RNAi-based fungicides and genetic modifications. The lab utilizes laser microdissection and transcriptomics to characterize plant-pathogen interactions at cellular resolution. Field applications of RNAi technologies are being developed for practical crop protection. Dr. Belmonte teaches plant biotechnology and mentors graduate students in molecular plant pathology. His research has been recognized with the CD Nelson Award from the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists. Laboratory members include doctoral candidate Catrione Lee and master's students working on RNAi delivery optimization.

Ian DworkinView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Genetics
• Developmental Biology
• Genomics
• +7 more

Ian Dworkin is a Professor in the Biology Department at McMaster University, where he leads research focused on evolutionary genetics, developmental biology, and genomics. His work primarily uses Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) as a model system to investigate fundamental questions about phenotypic evolution, genetic variation, and developmental processes. His research interests span several interconnected areas: the causes and consequences of context-dependent effects of mutations; the interaction of nutrition, genomic variation, and sex on development and morphology; genetic and genomic approaches to studying phenotypic evolution and evolvability; and genomic analysis of shape and sexual differences. His lab employs diverse methodologies including genomic analysis, developmental genetics, quantitative genetics, and evolutionary approaches to understand how organisms evolve and develop. Dr. Dworkin's recent publications reveal a strong focus on genetic background effects, canalization, cryptic genetic variation, and the genetic architecture of complex traits. His work often examines how environmental factors interact with genetic variation to produce phenotypic outcomes, with particular attention to wing morphology, sexual dimorphism, and behavioral traits in Drosophila . His research demonstrates how genetic background can dramatically alter the expression and evolutionary consequences of mutations. His scholarly impact is substantial, with over 70 publications spanning molecular ecology, genetics, developmental biology, and genomics. His work has been particularly influential in understanding how cryptic genetic variation can be revealed under environmental stress or in different genetic backgrounds, and how this impacts evolutionary processes. As an educator, Dr. Dworkin teaches courses including Population Genetics, Evolutionary Developmental Biology, and Bioinformatics, mentoring students in both classroom and research settings. His lab maintains active research projects with datasets, code, and publications accessible through platforms like Figshare and GitHub.

Daniel J. McDonaldView profile

Professor

• Epidemiology Modeling
• Statistical Methodology
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Prof. Daniel J. McDonald is a Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Science. His research focuses on statistical methodology, epidemiology modeling, machine learning, and time-series analysis. He has contributed to the development of R packages for statistical computing and has advised students like Wakeel Adekunle Kasali and Jiaping(Olivia) Liu. His work spans applications in public health, neuroscience, and econometrics. Education details are not explicitly provided, but his career trajectory suggests advanced training in statistics. Research interests emphasize statistical methods for complex data, including fMRI analysis, epidemic forecasting, and structural brain connectomics. He has published extensively on topics such as time-varying reproduction number estimation, sparse group lasso algorithms, and trend filtering techniques. His articles reflect a blend of methodological innovation and applied problem-solving in public health crises (e.g., COVID-19), neuroscience, and macroeconomic modeling. Collaborations likely involve interdisciplinary teams given the scope of his work in health informatics and computational neuroscience.

• Plant Pathology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Agricultural Crop Diseases
• +3 more

Stephen Strelkov is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Alberta, within the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. He holds a PhD from the University of Manitoba. His research focuses on plant pathology, particularly host-parasite interactions involving fungal pathogens such as Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (tan spot of wheat) and Plasmodiophora brassicae (clubroot of canola). He leads investigations into host-specific toxins, pathogen genetics, and integrated disease management strategies. His work emphasizes applied and basic research on emerging diseases like clubroot, including pathotype diversity, molecular responses in plants, and sustainable control methods. Dr. Strelkov teaches courses such as AFNS 583 (Principles of Plant Pathology), AFNS 601 (Seminar), and PL SC 380 (Principles of Plant Pathology), contributing to graduate education and professional development. He collaborates with researchers across Canada to advance disease management and agricultural resilience. His research integrates field studies, molecular biology, and genomics to address critical challenges in crop protection. His most recent publications (2024–2025) highlight advancements in clubroot resistance mechanisms, pathogen diversity analysis, and sustainable management practices. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to crop health, combining genetics, ecology, and agronomy to mitigate disease impacts in Alberta’s agricultural systems.

• Metabolic and Chemical Biology
• Plant-Microbial Interactions
• Sesquiterpene Lactone Biosynthesis
• +5 more

Professor Dae-Kyun Ro is a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary. He holds a B.S. in Agricultural Biology from Korea University (1995) and a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of British Columbia (2002). His research focuses on metabolic and chemical biology in plants and microbes, with emphasis on sesquiterpene lactones, natural rubber biosynthesis, and proanthocyanidin metabolism. Key projects include elucidating chemical diversity in Asteraceae plants and developing synthetic biology tools for metabolic pathway engineering. Research activities involve interdisciplinary approaches combining molecular genetics, biochemical analysis, and genomics. Recent work includes CRISPR/Cas9 editing in legumes, yeast-based production of plant metabolites, and genome studies of medicinal plants like Salvia divinorum. Courses taught include Medicinal Plant Biochemistry , Plant Physiology , and Plants and People . Publications highlight innovative contributions such as reconstructing curcumin biosynthesis in yeast, identifying rubber biosynthesis mechanisms in lettuce, and discovering novel enzymes in Salvia species. Ongoing projects emphasize sustainable production of pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals through synthetic biology.

• Immunity
• Inflammation
• Vaccinology
• +3 more

Tobias R. Kollmann is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Pediatrics at Dalhousie University, Canada. He is also the founder and CEO of the Born Strong Initiative, a global network addressing adverse pregnancy outcomes. His research focuses on immune ontogeny, maternal and neonatal host responses, and systems vaccinology, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like systems biology and AI. Kollmann has held leadership roles, including Division Head at the University of British Columbia and Director at the Telethon Kids Institute in Australia. Education: MD and PhD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, followed by pediatric residency and infectious diseases fellowship at the University of Washington. His work spans clinical and translational research, emphasizing global health in low-resource settings. Research interests include neonatal sepsis mechanisms, non-specific vaccine effects, and leveraging omics data to predict immune responses. Key projects include the 'Born Strong' initiative and studies on BCG vaccine's heterologous effects. He leads grants from organizations like Open Philanthropy and the Human Vaccines Project. Awards include membership in the WHO Expert Advisory Group on Non-specific Immunological Effects of Vaccination. His lab is part of the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, collaborating globally on maternal and child health challenges.

Jean-Francois PoulinView profile

Assistant Professor

• Dopamine circuits
• Neural circuits
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• +6 more

Jean-Francois Poulin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine, where he joined The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute) in 2019. His research laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular diversity and circuit organization of dopamine neurons, which represent less than 0.001% of the neuronal cells in the human brain but are essential for proper brain function. Dr. Poulin's work spans both fundamental neuroscience and translational research on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. BSc: University of British Columbia, Psychology PhD: University Laval, Neurobiology Postdoc: Raj Awatramani's lab at Northwestern University Dr. Poulin's research program centers on dopamine circuits and their role in brain function and disease. His laboratory studies how dopamine circuits form during development and how they become impaired in disorders such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. The lab operates under the hypothesis that each dopamine neuron subtype is embedded within a defined neural circuit with unique properties and functions. Current work involves mapping the neuronal circuits of dopamine neuron subtypes in both developing and mature mouse brains using advanced molecular and circuit tracing approaches. His team also investigates how these circuits are affected in transgenic models of disease, with a focus on structural synaptic integrity, neuronal connectivity, and aberrant circuit activation. A key goal is to develop novel viral and transgenic approaches to illuminate and manipulate dopamine circuits for potential therapeutic interventions. Analysis of Dr. Poulin's publication record reveals a consistent focus on dopamine neuron diversity and circuit organization. His research employs cutting-edge techniques including single-cell gene expression profiling, spatial transcriptomics, and intersectional genetic approaches. The publications demonstrate a progression from fundamental characterization of dopamine neuron subtypes toward understanding their roles in disease models, particularly Parkinson's disease and autism spectrum disorders. His work bridges molecular neuroscience with systems-level circuit analysis, creating a comprehensive framework for investigating dopamine-related disorders. Dr. Poulin's research is supported by major funding agencies including Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL), Brain Canada, and Parkinson's Canada. These grants enable his laboratory to pursue innovative approaches to mapping dopamine circuits and understanding their dysfunction in neurological disorders. Dr. Poulin actively mentors a diverse team of researchers including multiple PhD and MSc candidates, research assistants, and undergraduate students. His laboratory develops novel molecular tools to map synaptic connections and investigates how dopamine circuit dysfunction contributes to symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorders. Current projects include understanding selective vulnerability in Parkinson's disease by identifying molecular signatures of vulnerable dopamine neuron populations, and linking specific dopamine circuits with behavioral symptoms in disease models.

Sally AitkenView profile

Professor

• Population genetics
• Climate change adaptation
• Forest conservation
• +5 more

Dr. Sally Aitken is a Professor at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Forestry , where she investigates genomic and ecological dynamics of tree adaptation to climate change . Her work spans multiple species including spruce, pine, and Douglas-fir, with a focus on hybrid zones, assisted gene flow, and forest conservation genetics . Lead researcher at Centre for Forest Conservation Genetics Principal investigator for the CoAdapTree Project Research Highlights Dr. Aitken's lab combines genomic tools with common garden experiments to study: Local adaptation in tree populations Hybridization as a mechanism for climate resilience Novel climate detection for forest management Genetic conservation in transitional ecosystems Awards & Recognition Canadian Forestry Scientific Achievement Award (2009) UBC Killam Teaching Prize (2010) IUFRO Scientific Achievement Award (2014) Wall Scholar (2014) Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2017) Genome BC Award For Scientific Excellence (2018) Training & Supervision Dr. Aitken has supervised over 12 doctoral projects and 4 master's theses, including work on: Adaptation of interior spruce to climate change Amphibian conservation in Haida Gwaii Lodgepole pine growth responses Douglas-fir stress tolerance genetics

Ying WangView profile

Assistant Professor

• Atherosclerosis
• Vascular Biology
• Spatial Biology
• +5 more

Dr. Ying Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine. She serves as Director of the Bruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank and has affiliations with the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation and St. Paul's Hospital. As an early career investigator from the PlaqOmics Leducq Foundation Trans-Atlantic Network, Dr. Wang leads a multidisciplinary research team focused on cardiovascular disease mechanisms and therapeutic development. Dr. Wang's educational background includes: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of British Columbia Post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Vascular Surgery at Stanford University Post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia Her research focuses on studying cell-cell and cell-microenvironment interactions to determine why diseased cells accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions and how we can remove them. The lab combines vascular biology and spatial biology to answer clinically relevant questions about cardiovascular disease, with a central theme of 'Functional omics on a tissue slide.' Current research programs include targeting efferocytosis, mapping therapeutic targets for drug repurposing, and developing new biobanking methods. Analysis of Dr. Wang's recent publications reveals a strong progression from fundamental mechanisms toward therapeutic applications. Her work increasingly utilizes advanced spatial biology techniques to characterize human atherosclerotic lesions at the single-cell level within tissue context. The research demonstrates a clear trajectory toward clinical translation, particularly in efferocytosis enhancement and drug repurposing for cardiovascular disease. Dr. Wang has received notable recognition including: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada New Investigator award Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar award Dr. Wang actively mentors a diverse team of researchers, currently supervising PhD candidate Maria Elishaev (recipient of prestigious CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship and UBC Four-Year Doctoral Fellowship), postdoctoral fellow Yuancheng Mao, and multiple Master's students. Her lab collaborates with pathologists, data scientists, and physician scientists for bench-to-bedside research. Current major projects include 'Targeting efferocytosis to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events' (CIHR 2022-2027), 'Spatial characterization of human atherosclerotic disease for therapeutic and biomarker development' (CFI-JELF 2022-2027), and 'Solve the puzzle of vulnerable plaque' (New Frontiers in Research Fund 2022-2024). The Wang Lab maintains a unique platform for translational research featuring PhenoCycler multiplex imaging, Visium CytAssist spatial gene expression, Halo imaging analysis, and access to the Bruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank. The lab motto is 'Can Do,' reflecting their collaborative and solution-oriented approach to cardiovascular research.