Our Team
Our research group prides itself on its dedication to scientific inquiry, to scientific communication, to collegiality and to a work-life balance; we love the diversity of our team members, which benefits all aspects of our group work.
Nancy Forde
Principal InvestigatorNancy is responsible for directing research of the lab as a whole
Alaa Al-Shaer
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MBB) PhD studentAlaa is studying collagen and basement membrane assembly
aalshaer@sfu.ca
Koushik Bar
Physics PhD studentKoushik is developing instrumentation for the centrifuge force microscope
koushik_bar@sfu.ca
Janine Srocka
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MBB) PhD studentJanine is developing single-molecule fluorescence approaches for studying collagen
janine_srocka@sfu.ca
Luis Ramirez-Ramirez
Physics MSc studentLuis is building our new magnetic tweezers + TIRF microscope
lrr1@sfu.ca
Kassandra Richard
Physics MSc studentKassandra is imaging collagen with AFM
kassandra_richard@sfu.ca
Michael Goriainov
Undergraduate research assistantMichael is studying collagen assembly
michael_goriainov@sfu.ca
Ryan Tam
Undergraduate research assistantRyan is developing assays for our new TIRF microscope
ryan_tam@sfu.ca
Martin Zuckermann
Honorary Group MemberMartin works with us in designing and investigating the mechanisms of action of novel molecular motors
mjzheb@gmail.comAre you interested in joining our team?
If so, please write to Nancy including a CV and statement of why you're interested in our research, including how your past research or coursework relates to our ongoing research. If you are an undergraduate student looking for a thesis or ISS project in Physics, Chemistry or Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, we are especially interested in hearing from you.
Alumni - Graduate students |
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|---|---|---|
| Thomas Brouwer | MSc thesis student from VU Amsterdam, 2012-2013 | Machine Learning Engineer, RevoData |
| Ignacio Calderon de la Barça | Physics MSc student, 2018-2020 | Technical Community Manager - Plutus, Cardano |
| Linda Dekker | MSc thesis student from VU Amsterdam, 2010 | Physics teacher |
| Yi Deng | Physics MSc graduate, 2005-2007 | Applied Scientist II, Amazon |
| Benjamin Downing | Physics MSc graduate, 2007-2010 | Paramedic |
| Arnau Farré | Visiting PhD thesis student from U Barcelona, 2009 | Scientific Director, Impetux Optics |
| Philip Johnson | Physics MSc graduate, 2004-2007 | Staff Scientist (tenure-track), Paul Scherrer Institut |
| Mike Kirkness | MBB PhD graduate, 2013-2019 | CEO and President, 3Helix |
| Chapin Korosec | Physics PhD graduate, 2015-2021 | Postdoctoral researcher, Department of Mathematics, York University |
| Michelle Lee | Physics MSc graduate, 2005-2007 and research assistant, 2008 | Physics teacher |
| Victoria Loosemore | Physics MSc graduate, 2014-2017 | Analyst, British Columbia Provincial Health Services Authority |
| Naghmeh Rezaei | Physics PhD graduate, 2009-2016 | Senior research scientist, Google |
| Laleh Samii | Physics PhD graduate, 2007-2013 | Financial Engineer, d1g1t Inc. |
| Juliette Savoye | MSc student from École normale supérieure Paris, 2023 | Graduate student in Physics, ENS |
| Marjan Shayegan | Chemistry PhD graduate, 2008-2014 | Research Development Advisor, Concordia University |
Alumni - Research associates |
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|---|---|---|
| Tuba Altındal | Postdoctoral researcher, 2013-2016 | |
| Ryan Bauer | Postdoctoral researcher, 2021-2022 | |
| Marieke Berga | Research assistant, 2005-2007 | High school science teacher |
| Gerhard Blab | Postdoctoral researcher, 2009-2010 | Assistant professor of Molecular Biophysics, Universiteit Utrecht |
| Astrid van der Horst | Postdoctoral researcher, 2006-2009 | Senior Researcher, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam |
| Suckjoon Jun | Summer visitor, 2007 | Professor of Biology and of Physics, UC San Diego |
| Shahryar Khattak | Short-term postdoctoral researcher, 2005 | Stem Cell Core Manager, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute QBRI |
| Suzana Kovacic | Research associate, 2007-2011 | Research associate, Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University |
| Kathrin Lehmann | Postdoctoral researcher, 2018-2020 | Scientific Coordinator, University of Duisburg-Essen |
| Cindy Li | Research assistant, 2009 | Communications Coordinator, Simon Fraser University |
| Eric Lin | Research associate, 2020-2022 | Manager, R&D Operations, Photonic |
| Andrew Wieczorek | Research associate, 2008-2013 | Research associate, Department of Biology, Simon Fraser University |