I joined the Biochemistry Department at the UofT in 1999. How did I get here? After a youth spent reading sci-fi and playing D&D, I received my Ph.D. from McMaster University in 1994 where I worked with James Smiley to understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate cellular and viral gene expression in cells infected with Herpes simplex virus. It was during this time that I developed an interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms that control mRNA translation, stability and subcellular localization. I continued to pursue this interest as a post-doctoral fellow at Stanford University in Paul Macdonald’s lab using the fruit fly embryo as a model system. While at Stanford I discovered the highly conserved Smaug family of RNA-binding proteins that they regulate the translation and stability of target mRNAs.
When I’m not in the lab, I can be found hiking the Bruce Trail, traveling and following world soccer. I am also a somewhat frustrated fan of Toronto FC.