Jacob Walsh

Dr. Jacob Walsh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), where he leads the Walsh Lab focused on microbial chemical ecology and natural product discovery. His research integrates analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology to study biologically active compounds produced by fungi and bacteria.

His educational background includes a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario and post-doctoral training at McMaster University under Dr. Gerry Wright, specializing in antibiotic discovery and resistance mechanisms.

• BSc in Biochemistry – University of Ottawa
• PhD in Analytical Chemistry – University of Western Ontario
• Post-doctoral Fellowship – McMaster University

Dr. Walsh's research centers on the roles of natural products, particularly siderophores and other metal-coordinating molecules, in microbial interactions during infection and environmental competition. He uses advanced techniques such as mass spectrometry and metabolomics to identify virulence factors and secondary metabolites with potential biomedical applications. His work bridges agriculture, health sciences, and environmental microbiology.

The interdisciplinary nature of his research spans analytical chemistry, organic synthesis, and microbial physiology, aiming to develop novel therapeutics by combining antibiotics with semisynthetic metal chelators to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Dr. Walsh is actively involved in graduate supervision and welcomes students into his lab across programs such as MSc Chemistry, MSc Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES). He encourages prospective students to reach out with transcripts, CVs, and research interest letters.

His expertise includes natural products, metabolomics, mass spectrometry, mycotoxins, antibiotic discovery, fungal and soil bacterial systems. He is currently accepting graduate students and building a dynamic research team.