Research Focus Teams

Cancer, Rare Diseases

Research Interests

Autophagy, Cancer, Rare Diseases

Departments

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Bio

University of British Columbia, 2001, B.Sc. (Honours)

University of British Columbia, 2006, Ph.D.

Harvard Medical School, 2010, Postdoctoral Fellow

Awards

  • 2012 CIHR New Investigator Award
  • 2011 Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Career Investigator Award
  • 2009 CIHR Jean-François St-Denis Prize
  • 2006 Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund Fellowship
  • 2006 Lionel E. McLeod Health Research Scholarship

Knowledge and Technology Translation

  • 2014/9 Committee Member, Research Uptake Strategies
    • Participate in a new initiative to establish a pan-Canadian autophagy research network to enhance cross-disciplinary, collaborative research and engagement with clinicians and other potential end-users of knowledge
  • 2011/8 Member, Technology, Product, Process, Service Improvement Development
    • As a member of the Network of Canadian expert in cryo-EM technology that was established to facilitate the introduction and application of cutting-edge molecular imaging technology methods to the Canadian biomedical research community.
  • 2011/1 Leader, Technology, Product, Process, Service Improvement Development
    • Introduce single-particle electron microscopy (EM) molecular imaging method to the BC biomedical research community through obtaining CFI/BCKDF funding to establish core infrastructure, co-directing the UBC LSI transmission electron microscopy facility, developing a training program on this technology suitable for non-specialist, and co-leading a CFI Innovation Fund 2015 application to leverage for more advanced electron microscopy for high-resolution molecular imaging.

Recent Publications

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Structure of the human autophagy factor EPG5 and the molecular basis of its conserved mode of interaction with Atg8-family proteins

Molecular basis for plasma membrane recruitment of PI4KA by EFR3

Structure of calcineurin bound to PI4KA reveals dual interface in both PI4KA and FAM126A.

Molecular structures and function of the autophagosome-lysosome fusion machinery

Novel Genetic and Phenotypic Expansion in GOSR2-Related Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy

Allosteric activation or inhibition of PI3Kγ mediated through conformational changes in the p110γ helical domain

Molecular basis for differential activation of p101 and p84 complexes of PI3Kγ by Ras and GPCRs

Rational Generation of Monoclonal Antibodies Selective for Pathogenic Forms of Alpha-Synuclein