I use synthetic biology tools and automation platforms to perform high-throughput screening of environmental genomics (fosmid) libraries for enzyme discovery. In particular, we are searching for novel and/or more efficient biocatalysts to degrade lignin, a recalcitrant heteropolymer found in plant cell wall in association with cellulose and hemicellulose.

MICB 301: Dynamics and control of prokaryotic cellular processes in response to the biotic and abiotic environment including metabolic interactions and metabolic cooperation between microorganisms.I was responsible for marking exams and piloting the wiki project, where students contributed to editing or synthesizing wikipedia pages on topics relating the course material.

Our team, consisting of UBC science, engineer, and architecture graduate students, was the overall winner of the Biodesign challenge 2018 competition. We designed a "MYCOmmunity toilet" - a biodegradable composting toilet that uses an engineered blend of bacteria and mushrooms to rapidly break down waste into fertilizers.

I was involved in the technology development of Metabolik's bioremediation platform for treating pollutants from oil sands tailings ponds.

I was part of a team consisting of MBA, science, and engineering graduate students applying the lean start-up process to validate a business model around the used of bio-based dyes in the textile industry. The project was performed as part of the Technology Entrepreneurship (BAEN 506) coursework offered by UBC Sauder School of Business. Through countless interviews, I gained knowledge about the supply chain, buying influence and decision process making in the textile and fashion industries.

I was a graduate advisor for the UBC iGEM 2016 undergraduate team. I helped advise students on the experimental design, human practices, and presentation at the iGEM Grand Jamboree competition.

I have been involved with the UBC iGEM team and the iGEM community as an undergraduate team member and a graduate advisor. In total, I have participated on five different projects, where I have actively brainstormed project ideas, designed and carried out experiments with other team members. Furthermore, I have presented at iGEM jamborees during presentation and poster sessions. As a graduate advisor for the UBC iGEM 2015 and 2016 teams, I mentored undergraduates in formulating science communication strategies and public engagements to engage stakeholders on the societal and economic impact of their projects while exploring the ethical and regulatory perspectives of synthetic biology practices.

Devlin LabI connected with the Devlin lab through the MiniMed School lecture series (on epigenetics) and was selected for a summer studentship following graduation from high school. Through the summers, I have learned basic molecular biology skills and conducted research on a cohort of 700+ individuals from different ethnicities and measured for their risk for cardiovascular disease. The most recent research led to a publication on visceral adipose tissue and protein adiponectin and its relationship to cardiovascular disease risk amongst the studied ethnicities. In addition to research, I participated in the Child and Family Research Institute student summer research program. This program provided me the opportunity to present my summer projects at student seminars and poster day events.