My CV is available as here, and here as a PDF file.
I have a Master's degree in Computational Biology and Molecular Evolution. My undergraduate degree is in Molecular Plant Biology. I am interested in the low-level biological processes, both in how genes are expressed (and how this affects the organism), to how changes in these genes are likely to occur over large time scales.
In my thesis work, I focused on the relationship between structural and chemical features of the protein and the evolutionary rate of the individual protein sites. A number of works have identified a correlation between the replacement rate at a protein site and the degree of solvent exposure at that site, as well as between the rate and the distance of the residue from the active site. This observation seems to favour a neutral model of evolution, where the protein sites that play a more important role in maintaining the structure and function of the enzyme experience stronger purifying selection.
In my undergrad work, I developed a specific interest in chloroplasts and evolution of the plastid genome. I did a small project analyzing the largest ORF in the chloroplast genome, the function of which is not known. I used the ratio of synonymous to non-synonymous substitutions to try to determine if it was a pseudogene, or if it were still under constraint. While the degree of constraint varied throughout the gene, it was generally under more constraint than a pseudogene in the same region. Further, it is more conserved in the non-photosynthetic plant Epifagus virginiana than the photosynthesis-related psbA gene is, indicating that it is likely involved in a non-photosynthetic plastid function. This project can be found here.
Here is another short project I did for a course, on the subject of codon bias in viral genomes, and how this bias compares to the host's codon usage patterns.
I made extensive use of Perl in my thesis work, and am most comfortable working in the Linux OS. (When I have more other projects to show for it, I can link them here). I have learned to use many standard bioinformatic applications in the process, sometimes to artistic effect. I am aiming to continue working in bioinformatics and improving my programming skills in a variety of ways.
I have lived in Vancouver for over a year now, and I have been
enjoying it immensely. I've been making good use of the pleasant
weather, and have run two half-marathons since I've been here. I have
since been introduced to the road bike, and my running shoes are
slightly pleased to hear that it is my new best friend. I seem to have
agreed to try to ride the 2007 PBP, but I may develop some good
sense before I have bought the plane tickets. I also enjoy cooking and
baking slightly unusual but delicious things, as well as sewing aprons
with personalized designs for my friends.
Here are some links to biology and bioinformatics resources:
Fitness links: