- Graduate: (updated 12/2023) My lab accepts an average of one new graduate student per year (generally applicants are reviewed between Jan-March). Due to the large volume of requests and insufficient time to respond to all, I currently am only considering students that are accepted into Medical Genetics, or Genome Sciences & Technology rotation students. These programs accept the top applying students to rotate into three different labs. It allows both student and supervisor to identify the best match. To be considered, as a rotation student in our lab, applicants should also have a strong GPA with first class marks in genetics courses. Bioinformatics and statistical experience is favoured. Candidates should also have good writing/communication skills, excellent teamwork qualities, and a passion for science and research.
- Postdoctoral: I welcome postdoctoral applicants with the above qualities and who already have or are competitive for funding awards.
- Funding: Any accepted student is awarded a minimum funding package in accordance with Medical Genetics Graduate Program guidelines of $24,000 (MSc); However many students are successful at winning other awards and typically earn higher rates of funding. Most trainees accepted in my lab eventually obtain CIHR or UBC 4YF awards.
- Trainees in our lab are supported also by the CFRI research education program.
Philosophy: Attracting and nurturing trainees is a key component to research success. I actively work to create a culture of interdisciplinary and cross-generational training. I strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for trainees from diverse backgrounds. I believe in fostering creativity, independence, team-work, collegiality, and practicing ‘responsible science’. I have supported many generations of students – high school, undergrad, graduate, visiting professors, medical trainees. A key to developing a well-rounded researcher is exposure to diverse fields and perspectives, which is then translated into collaborations and innovative research in the lab.
Success: Trainees have graduated with an average of 9 publications (4-5 1st author) for PhD students and over 4 for MSc students. The majority have won funding awards (CIHR, CFRI, MSHRF or UBC) and many have been honoured with awards such as the departmental Teaching Assistant award, Jim Miller Prize, poster awards etc.
Average time to completion of PhD is 5 years based on students finishing since 2008.
All graduate and postdoctoral trainees from our lab have continued in research, teaching, or clinical pursuits after leaving my lab. The majority of the students entering in my lab in the MSc program have transferred to the PhD program staying in this same lab.
- Where did the MSc graduates go?
- high school science teacher;
- medical school;
- research assistants;
- project lead CIHR;
- doctoral programs: Stanford; UC Berkeley;
- What are the PhD graduates doing?
- Clin. Prof. U of Victoria (teaching in medical school)
- Assoc Prof in ObGyn UBC; (research and clinical)
- Clinical Assistant Professor UBC (molecular diagnostic laboratory);
- Research Associate UBC;
- Asst. Professor, U. of Toronto and Scientist at Sick Kids.
- Asst Professor, McMaster U
- Asst Professor, University of Cambridge
- Postdoc positions: Babraham Inst (Oxford); UBC; U. of Ottawa, U Toronto