John R Tyson

Dr. John R Tyson is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a Senior Scientist for Wet Lab Genomics at the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory. His expertise lies at the intersection of molecular biology, genomics, and public health, with a particular focus on viral genomics and pathogen surveillance.

Dr. Tyson's research interests include:

• Molecular cell biology and genomics
• Next generation sequencing technologies and molecular diagnostics
• Microbial genomics, particularly for viral pathogens
• SARS-CoV-2 sequencing methods and variant tracking
• Development of cost-effective genomic surveillance approaches

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on viral genomics, particularly for SARS-CoV-2 and avian influenza. He has contributed significantly to the development of the ARTIC network amplicon sequencing methods, which have been widely adopted for SARS-CoV-2 monitoring globally. His work spans both technical advancements in sequencing methodologies and their application to public health surveillance.

Dr. Tyson's scientific contributions include:

• Co-development of widely-adopted SARS-CoV-2 sequencing methods (ARTIC network)
• Tracking and characterizing genetic drift in SARS-CoV-2 genome lineages in British Columbia
• Research on avian influenza surveillance and characterization
• Advancements in nanopore sequencing technologies for viral genomics

Dr. Tyson collaborates extensively with local and international colleagues to advance genomic surveillance capabilities. His work bridges laboratory science with practical public health applications, particularly in the context of emerging infectious disease threats. He has been instrumental in establishing genomic surveillance frameworks that have informed public health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.