Research Experience
Summary
Past experience: My undergraduate research was focused on the study of glycans through analytical chemistry. I analysed polysaccharides structures originating from mammals, plants, culinary and pathogenic fungi, lichens, seaweeds through Capillary Electrophoresis/Electroosmosis with fluorescence detection, HPLC with UV detection. To do this I developed analytical methods for the instruments, sample preparation workflows, and experimented with different ways to depolymerize polysaccharides. Besides my work on analytical glycoscience, I explored plant polysaccharide remodelling enzymes computationally by looking at their aminoacid sequence diversity and proposed a functional grouping. I also began to explore chemical synthesis in an organometallics group.
Current work: Glycoprotein synthesis, in the lab of Prof. Chi-Huey Wong.
Experiences
Organometallics stint
Directed Studies in Biology
Supervised by Dr. Michael Deyholos
I established a theoretical basis and molecular biology workflow for functional characterization of putative plant Rhamnogalacturonan lyases.
Canadian Glycomics Network (GlycoNET) Advanced Training Opportunity Program trainee
supervised by Dr. Jolene Garber
I developed a Capillary Electrophoresis - Laser Induced Fluorescence (CE-LIF) “Reducing end analysis” assay for oligosaccharide terminus identification, purified Sialic Acids by semi-preparative HPLC, and upscaled a mucin O-Glycan release protocol. I also provided CE-LIF training and assistance.
Honours Thesis in Biochemistry
Supervised by Dr. Wesley Zandberg
I developed a combined oligosaccharide and monosaccharide-level CE-LIF method for structural elucidation of analytically challenging sulfated dietary fibers. The method provides compositional information through simpler and cheaper methodology than typical MS-based methods. I wrote my 2nd thesis entitled “Towards next generation glycan sequencing: A combined capillary electrophoretic and electroosmotic method for oligomeric and monomeric characterization of complex polysaccharides” and presented a poster at the Chemistry Undergraduate Research Conference (URC).
Summer Research Assistant - International Undergraduate Research Award
Supervised by Dr. Zandberg
I worked on the optimization of sample preparation workflows for lichen biofilm extraction, to enable further oligosaccharide analysis. I presented my work at the UBC Okanagan Undergraduate Research Awards Symposium.
Directed Studies in Biochemistry
Supervised by Dr. Zandberg
I developed a monosaccharide-level polysaccharide sequencing method with capability for detection of uronic acids and used it to study the compositions of biofilm extracts five species of lichens. I wrote a thesis entitled “Finding uronate: compositional analysis of the aldoses of the extracellular interaction matrices of lichens” and presented two virtual posters at the Biology and Chemistry Undergraguate Research Conferences.
Summer Research Assistantships
Supervised by Drs. Deyholos and Zandberg
I worked simultaneously in Biology and Chemistry, carrying out computational work during pandemic closure and also receiving Analytical Glycoscience and CE-LIF training after reopening. This work formed the basis for my current directed studies project.
Volunteer Research Assistantship
Supervised by Drs. Deyholos, Zandberg
I received laboratory training and carried out diverse sample preparation and data analysis tasks.