Project management of small and large scale collaborations with academic institutions. Assist in overall operations and help build project management framework of the McGill Genome Centre, including integration of cutting-edge technologies as service platforms, client-facing scientific consultation, and financial tracking of projects.

Ten years after completion of the Human Genome Project provided us the first full sequence of our genome, the research community is now joining forces for its next challenge: epigenome mapping. This global effort is necessary to answer how does the genome deploys hundreds of different programs leading to different fates in cell development, altered cell function, and sometimes in disease even when the genome sequence remains unchanged. By systematic mapping of variable modifications in DNA-bases such as methylation, differential packing of DNA around proteins (histones) and resulting changes in gene expression one can gain insight how epigenetic modifications in genome govern its function. To join the global efforts of the International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC), we will establish an Epigenome Mapping Centre (EMC) and Epigenome Data Coordination Centre (EDCC) at McGill University that builds upon a high-throughput sequencing infrastructure with a critical mass of expertise and technology available to contribute significantly in deciphering the functional code of the human genome. Our work is internationally coordinated and will support research initiatives across the Canadian research community. We draw upon our previous experience in studying human genome function and molecular mechanisms involved in disease coupled with our expertise in advanced technologies applicable for epigenomics. We apply epigenome mapping to understand interactions between environment and genome in human blood cells, to interpret diseases impacting metabolism using tissue samples and to study how epigenetic changes can alter function of the brain. EMC McGill is a national hub housing a critical mass of epigenomics expertise supported by state-of-the-art genomics infrastructure. The integrated operation contributes to Canadian leadership in epigenome research, the next frontier in biomedicine.

The GRiD (Gene Regulators in Disease) project aims to identify the mechanisms that lead to differences in gene regulation among individuals and cause human diseases. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in large cohorts have identified hundreds of loci for common diseases and the candidate genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with altered gene expression at these loci. The overwhelming evidence from GWAS suggests that these variants are located in non-coding regions of genes, termed regulatory SNPs (rSNPs). Our objective is to identify and validate regulatory haplotypes and their causative rSNPs. To accomplish this goal, the GRiD team applied several genomic pipelines to study known, replicated disease genes in which regulatory variants may cause common diseases, and have identified the causal SNP in a number of cases.

My research focused on unnderstanding variations in alternative splicing and transcript isoform processing that are related to human disorders. We examine contributions of common and rare genetic variation towards complex genetic traits using high-throughput technologies.

• Standardized the process of annotating bacteriophage genomes and proteomes.• Automated process of phage ORF identification and analysis.• Mine in-house genomic databases for phage proteins possessing potentially important biological functions.• Oversight and direction of the Bioinformatics program.• Developed a turnkey High-Throughput Screening (HTS) process; from data storage to the statistical analysis of the data to tracking in vivo and in vitro results from the lead optimization process.• Lead the technical support for the HTS program.