- Graduate: My lab accepts an average of one new graduate student per year (generally applicants are reviewed between Jan-March). To be considered, applicants should have a strong GPA with first class marks in genetics courses. Bioinformatics and statistical experience is highly beneficial. Candidates should also have good writing/communication skills, excellent teamwork qualities, and a passion for science and research. We are affiliated with the following graduate programs: Medical Genetics, Genome Sciences & Technology, and Reproduction & Developmental Sciences. Trainees in our lab are supported also by the CFRI research education program. Note (03/2021): My lab is currently full and for 2022 entry I am only considering MEDG or GSAT rotation students.
- 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.
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 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: My 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 4.97 years (N=6) 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)
- Asst. Prof in ObGyn UBC; (research and clinical)
- Clinical Assistant Professor UBC (molecular diagnostic laboratory);
- Research Associate UBC;
- Asst. Professor and Scientist at Sick Kids, U. of Toronto;
- Postdoc positions: Babraham Inst (Oxford); UBC; U of Toronto.; U. of Ottawa