Project Manager supporting researchers in the Genome Sciences Centre with grant applications, financial tracking, and other administrative duties as required.

Volunteer on the SCWIST events committee, planning and supporting various social, networking and career-related events.

Working with Dr. Allison Kermode in investigating the enzyme kinetics of Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) isolated from a variety of plant species as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of the human genetic disorder PKU. Assisted in submission of grant applications (NSERC, CHRP, CIHR, Genome Canada and Genome BC, among others) and final reports, including financial summary statement. Guest lecturer in Plant Physiology (BISC 366), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BISC 457), and Molecular Biotechnology (BISC 474); and updated the 4th Year Lab Manual: Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

Explored the molecular basis of sporophytic self-incompatibility and characterised a novel stigma-specific peroxidase in _Senecio squalidus_ (Asteraceae) with Prof. Simon Hiscock (PI). In addition to standard molecular biology techniques (northerns, Southerns, cDNA and genomic cloning/sequencing):•Contributed to grant applications and the submission of Research Project final report to BBSRC (funding agency).•Performed promoter analysis, Binary vector construction, Arabidopsis transformation, screening of T-DNA tagged lines•Confocal and light microscopy•Peroxidase enzyme analysis and phylogenetic analysis•Supervised third year undergraduate project students •Supervised 2nd year students and taught as part of a team during the Floral Ecology of the Mediterranean field course in the Algarve, Portugal. April 2004 and 2005.•2002 - Tutor for Non-Biology majors tutorial group, and 2003 3rd year Biology tutorial group.

Investigated the role of an R2R3 Myb transcription factor isolated from Pinus taeda in regulating genes of the lignin biosynthetic pathway.Transgenic tobacco over-expressing the Myb coding region were assessed for altered lignin content, as well as changes in levels of expression of genes within the lignin biosynthetic pathway. In situ hybridization experiments were performed on P.taeda seedlings to localize expression of the native Myb transcript on a cellular level. Supervised 3rd year project student in the lab.

Working with Prof. Keith Hutchison (PI) cloned and characterized a putative RNA-binding protein from the conifer Larix decidua, as well the putative orthologue in Arabidopsis. Exploring possible involvement of these genes in vernalization response and time to flowering. A second project involved cloning a Pinus taeda expansin gene expressed during adventitious root formation.