I am a biologist with experience in Evolutionary Biology, Genomics and Data Management. I have extensive expertise in the evolution and biology of Transposable Elements (TEs), parasitic nucleic acids which have made major contributions to the evolution of life on earth as mutagenic agents. I’m passionate about finding information that people need and connecting them to it. Details about how I’ve gained my skills can be found in the carousel below this section.
My work has involved collaborating with professionals from varied fields such as:
-Community Ecology
-Computer Science
-DNA Barcoding
-Genomics
-Software Development
-Information Technology
-Philosophy of Biology
Interpersonal
Team management, Project management, Hiring, Teaching and evaluation of students in Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Biodiversity, Mentoring junior employees and lab members, Customer service, Public speaking
Technical and Software
PostgreSQL, Linux command line, R, Confluence, Jira, Sharepoint, Microsoft Office, BOLD, mBRAVE, MEGA
Academic
Scientific research and writing, Data collection, synthesis and analysis, Manuscript editing and review, Departmental service, DNA sequence editing, Sequence alignment, Molecular phylogeny construction
Laboratory
Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencer operation and library preparation, PCR, RT-PCR, DNA extraction, Sequencing, Restriction digestion, Southern blot, Bacterial and Yeast transformation, Cloning, Interplasmid transposition assay, Yeast two-hybrid assay, Culturing Drosophila, WHMIS training, Opentrons operation
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Data Management Lead
Informatics Unit, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Guelph, Canada
May 2017 - Apr 2022
I managed a team of 5 responsible for the validation and uploading of data into the BOLD and mBRAVE DNA barcoding platforms. In my tenure as the Lead I managed hiring for the Informatics Unit, led and managed projects, provided custom data requests for users, and presented at regional and international conferences.
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Portable Sequencing Consultant and Biological Expert
Informatics Unit, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics: Nov 2016 - May 2017
Biolytica Inc. Jan 2020 - Mar 2020
My time at the CBG started with gathering and testing laboratory components for a portable DNA sequencing kit, the Lab-in-a-Box, the centrepiece being the portable MinION sequencer. I helped run a workshop on wildlife crime in Kruger National Park for the iBOL 2017 Conference where we sequenced specimens on-site and provided results to attendees within a few days. I also co-ran a workshop at the University of Johannesburg for the South African Department of Environmental Affairs for 16 attendees.
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PhD and MSc in Evolutionary Biology
University of Guelph, Department of Integrative Biology
Gregory Lab: May 2011 - Jan 2017
Crease and Gregory Labs: Sept 2008 - Dec 2010
My love of Transposable Elements began in the Crease and Gregory labs, where I analyzed the activity and evolution of a DNA transposon in the waterflea Daphnia pulex, and more broadly the evolution of TEs across Eukaryotes. Links to my theses can be found here and here. This included time spent as a Laboratory Technician in the Crease lab immediately before and after my MSc.
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BSc (Hon), Molecular Biology and Genetics
University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
Sept 2003 - May 2008
When I first learned of the cloning of Dolly the sheep, I knew that I wanted to pursue some sort of career in molecular biology and genetics. My schooling at Guelph was fundamental to this, but also to discovering Transposable Elements and setting me down that fascinating path.
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Research Associate
Adamowicz Lab, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph
Apr 2022 - Present
I’m currently working on a project looking at how various traits in thousands of ray-finned fish species might influence their genetic diversity. My duties include helping to manage the Adamowicz Lab, such as mentoring junior lab members by providing advice on manuscripts, presentations and coding.
