Recent advances in technology have made possible the rapid accumulation of massive amounts of molecular biological data. Namely, rapid sequencing has made possible the complete sequencing of entire genomes, and DNA microchip technology is advancing such that the study of the expression patterns of all genes in a genome can be analyzed rapidly. Our interest is in developing and improving analysis tools that are needed to consider such large amounts of varied data in light of studying biology and evolution on a genomic scale.

Projects in the lab include:

• Developing methods of protein sequence analysis for prediction of aspects of their structure and protein interactions.
• Developing methods of DNA and RNA sequence analysis to predict aspects of their function and regulation.
• Developing new bioinformatics tools for metagenomic applications.

Current Positions

• since Oct 2002 - Scientist, Cancer Genomics and Proteomics , Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
• since Mar 2003 - Assistant professor, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
  

Education

• PhD 1994 - Department of Botany, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
  Thesis Title: Modeling the Evolution of RNA Secondary Structure: Implications for Phylogenetic Analysis.
  
• MSc 1988 * - Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Canada.
  Thesis Title: The Sampling Distribution of Alleles in Subdivided Populations.
  * Graduated with Distinction
• BSc 1986 ** - Combined Honours, Biology and Applied Computational and Mathematical Sciences, York University, Toronto, Canada
  ** Dean's List
  

Awards

• 2006-2011 - Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Analytical Genomics
• 1994, 1995 - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Post-Doctoral Fellowship
• 1991, 1992 - Ontario Graduate Scholarship
• 1989, 1990 - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Post-Graduate Scholarship
• 1988 - Best Thesis Prize, York University
  

Work Experience

• Nov 2000 - Sept 2002 - Associate Scientist II. Clinical Genomics Centre, University Health Network (Ontario Cancer Institute), Toronto.
• Apr 1996 - Oct 2000 - Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of Toronto (Supervisor: Dr. Richard A. Collins) 
• Jan 1994 - Dec 1995 - NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow, Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA (Supervisor: Dr. Marlene Belfort)
• May 1989 - Jan 1994 - PhD Candidate: Department of Botany, University of Toronto (Supervisor: Dr. Richard A. Collins)
• Sept 1986 - Sept 1988 - MSc Candidate: York University, Toronto (Supervisor: Dr. G. Brian Golding)
• June 1985 - Aug 1985 - Research Apprentice, Centre international de coopération en recherche agronomique (CIRAD), Montpelier, France
• Summers 1982-1985 - Computer Programmer, Palmindustrie, Abidjan, Ivory Coast