National Postdoc Appreciation Week: celebrating SFU's postdoctoral fellows

Area of research: Cultural loss and disasters

I study cultural loss under shocks. This topic is prevalent throughout human and non-human history and evolution and in our current world. Cultural loss has a tremendous effect on wellbeing, sustainability, survivability and life in general. However, there is little to no active research is focused on how to conceptualize, understand, model and address this important issue. This is a dramatic topic, one that asks for all my attention and to be extended as much as possible as we experience constant loss that affects our present and future.

What would you like to accomplish during your time at SFU?
I want to learn as much as possible from the community and network, and share as much as possible with the people here.

Name a scholar who inspires you: Ethnobotanist Nancy Turner, whose research integrates the fields of botany and ecology with anthropology, geography and linguistics, among others. She is interested in the traditional knowledge systems and traditional land and resource management systems of Indigenous Peoples, particularly in western Canada.

Area of research: Heatwaves, rivers, glaciers and climate change

I research how rivers respond to climate change in places like Western Canada, where snow and glaciers are critical for downstream water resources.  In particular, I am deeply concerned and curious about how heatwaves influence the timing and magnitude of river flows.  How will future heatwaves impact water resources as the climate changes?  Let's find out!

Area of research: Cancer genomics & biology

My research identifies and tests new strategies for treating non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Lymphomas are a diverse group of cancers that will afflict roughly one in 50 Canadians in their lifetime. These cancers develop in cells of the immune system and arise from errors, known as mutations, in the DNA of the cell. These errors provide cells with incorrect or incomplete instructions, which can cause changes in cells that affect their behaviour and may ultimately lead to cancer.

What do you want people to know about your research?

Every day, scientists are learning more about cancer and using those findings to improve treatment for patients. We have made incredible progress—and there is still so much work to do. I am inspired every day by the people I know affected by cancer.

Area of research: Urban history

My interest in urban history paved the way for a postdoc research project that examines the history of Vancouver’s False Creek and Downtown Eastside neighbourhoods from the 1880s to the 1980s. At the heart of this research are transactions between the government of British Columbia and the Canadian Pacific Railway, colonial agendas and contested developments, as well as the development of the site that would become Expo 86.

What would you like to accomplish during your time at SFU?

I am currently working on Montreal After Dark, a manuscript under contract with McGill-Queen's University Press. It examines how, from the 1950s to the 1980s, Montreal's municipal leaders focused heavily on regulating nightlife while reimagining the city's global role. At SFU I aspire to bridge the history of Montreal and Vancouver by showing how similar processes are at the root of the latter's development during the late-twentieth-century. Like Montreal, Vancouver's re-imagination during the 1980s led to intense developments and an influx of capital that would have a profound impact on urban life, including on affordability and housing. 

Area of research: Climate research, specifically the effect of reforestation on hydrologic cycle

My research is a part of the Nature-based Climate Solutions Canada project to mitigate climate change through reforestation and afforestation for sequestering atmospheric carbon. My work focuses on understanding the complex interplay between reforestation and the hydrological cycle at the regional and global scale.

What do people think you do—versus what you actually do?
Many people assume that as a PhD student in environmental studies, I spend most of the time in the field. However, I actually spend a substantial amount of time in my office, where I leverage cutting-edge technology and computational tools to advance our understanding of climate systems.

Name a scholar who inspires you.
SFU Distinguished Professor of Climate Science Kirsten Zickfeld has been a constant source of inspiration in my academic journey. Her extensive expertise, unwavering dedication to research, and passion for addressing pressing environmental challenges have been a driving force in shaping my own research pursuits.

What’s your best advice for other postdocs as they embark on their new projects?
Embarking on new projects and studies is an exhilarating yet challenging phase in one's academic journey. My best advice is to start by setting clear, well-defined objectives for your project or study. This not only provides a roadmap but also helps in maintaining focus throughout your research. Time management is crucial. Develop a schedule or work plan that accommodates your research, personal life and self-care. A well-balanced approach will help you maintain productivity and prevent burnout.

Area of research: economic sociology, rural marketing

My current study explores how 'emotions fueled from cultural and colonial experiences are reflected in the artworks of artisans and penetrate into the market.’ With a special focus on entrepreneurs from minority communities, it's fascinating to delve deep into different cultures and unveil their traces in the economic sphere.

What do you want people to know about your research?
I want people to know and remember my work as a voice of the unheard and to be compassionate and empathetic to the people who are not heard or seen in the mainstream population.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time at SFU?
I aspire to connect with as many people as possible and understand and learn about their culture. I believe connecting with more people and trying to see the world from their perspectives will shape my identity in such a way that I can relate myself to the whole world which would strengthen the unity which is much required in a diverse world we live in.

Name a scholar who inspires you.
Dr. Paneerselvam Subrahmaniam who was my late professor during my grad days. He introduced us to deep ethnographic works he did in the remotest corners of the world. Till his last day, he worked in every possible way to support the marginalized. He continued his work during the pandemic in COVID-19-affected areas and the infection took his life. All his good deeds and works are true inspiration for the younger generation.

What’s your best advice for other postdocs as they embark on their new projects?
Love for research is a bright candle deep within us that drives us and keeps our passion for knowledge alive. The more you share that light, the brighter the spaces you live and thrive. So keep spreading the love and hunger for research and the very act will lead you through all your ups and downs of the research journey.

Area of research: Mathematical biology

I work at the intersection of mathematics and biology. The connection between these two might not seem clear at first, but we can use computational science to predict biological systems. In short, I study the evolutionary history of diseases like COVID-19, to infer parameters that might explain an epidemic's future behavior.

What do people think you do—versus what you actually do?
When I say I'm in mathematical biology, many people find it hard to understand how these fields relate. They remember math and biology from school and think they're very different. In truth, my job is like applied mathematics but focused on biology. I design or improve existing mathematical models to explain biological systems.

What do you want people to know about your research?
What's exciting about my research is the variety of work I do. I handle different mathematical models, both deterministic and stochastic. I also work with probability distributions when I analyze data. And yes, I use various programming languages like Python, R, and Mathematica to address problems.

Area of research: chemical glycobiology

Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) is a rare genetic disorder caused by gene malfunctions, notably MYORG, encoding the enzyme MYORG in the endoplasmic reticulum. MYORG has surprising sugar-processing abilities, and Migalastat that existing drug can stabilize it, offering potential PFBC treatment. This suggests unknown sugars in the endoplasmic reticulum, with implications for PFBC and related neurodegenerative diseases. This research is captivating because it delves into the mysteries of a rare disease and unveils an enzyme, MYORG, with unexpected capabilities.

What do you want people to know about your research?
The quest to identify unknown glycan structures in the endoplasmic reticulum promises to unveil broader insights into cellular biology with implications for various neurodegenerative diseases. This research has transformative potential for rare disease treatment and neuroscientific understanding.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time at SFU?
As a postdoc in science at SFU, my primary aim is to advance research in my field while simultaneously publishing my findings in reputable journals, collaborating with peers, securing research funding, mentoring and teaching, developing professionally, contributing to societal advancements, building a strong professional network, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, all aligned with your specific research area and personal goals.

Name a scholar who inspires you.
Nobel-prize winning chemist, professor Carolyn Bertozzi, whose research interests span the disciplines of chemistry and biology. Her research focuses on studies of cell surface sugars important to human health and disease.

What’s your best advice for other postdocs as they embark on their new projects?
My best advice is: stay curious and adaptable. Embrace the unknown, ask questions, and be open to unexpected findings. Collaboration and networking are invaluable, so connect with colleagues in your field and related areas. Don't be discouraged by setbacks; they often lead to breakthroughs. Finally, maintain a healthy work-life balance to sustain your long-term enthusiasm and creativity in research.

Area of research: food system research; transformation from industrial to local

My research is focused on how participatory action research can provide a framework and tool for building local food sovereignty, based on a systems approach and local collaboration

What do people think you do—versus what you actually do?
In my research I work collaboratively with fishers, farmers, food processors, grocers, chefs, food distributors, local food hubs (both non-profit and for profit), policy makers and investors. As an insider researcher they see what I do directly. They are direct participants as non-academic researchers and knowledge keepers.

What do you want people to know about your research?
That participatory research can create change in the food system. That we can democratize the food system by embedding our work with circular economy values and social justice priorities.

Name a scholar who inspires you.
I am inspired by professor Mary Bernard, the founding director of research at Royal Roads University, and professor Jennifer Clapp, the Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability at Waterloo University.

Area of research: Robotics

My research focuses on pioneering an in-pipe welding robot, marking a groundbreaking advancement in the pipelines field. This robotic innovation promises to revolutionize the pipeline industry by drastically reducing welding time, ultimately leading to substantial cost savings within pipeline projects. 

What do people think you do—versus what you actually do?

People might initially think that I am working on an ordinary robotic system. However, in reality, I am engaged in cutting-edge research and development and creating a unique machine that pushes the boundaries of technology that will transform the pipeline industry.

What do you want people to know about your research?

I want people to know that my research is pushing the boundaries of innovation within the pipeline industry. Our work represents a major step forward in pipeline technology, potentially bringing about significant improvements in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time at SFU?

During my time at SFU, I aspire to advance knowledge in my field through innovative research and professional growth. Building a strong network, contributing to society, and inspiring the next generation of researchers are also key goals.

Name a scholar who inspires you.

My current supervisor, SFU mechatronics systems engineering professor Mehrdad Moallem, is as a significant source of inspiration in my work. His influence extends beyond his knowledge and expertise; it's also about the genuine care he shows towards those working with him.

What’s your best advice for other postdocs and researchers as they embark on their new projects and studies? 
Here's some helpful advice: clearly define your goals, plan your work carefully, stay organized, work with others, learn from challenges, communicate well, ask for feedback, and balance work and life. Remember, research is a journey, so be tireless and adaptable, and take care of yourself for success.

Area of research: Immigration policy, quantitative methods, public health 

Tell us about your research and why you find it fascinating:

My current research lies at the intersection of immigration policy, quantitative methods and public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtually all countries adopted international travel measures such as border closures, quarantine, and health screening. I am excited to work on creating a global dataset of the travel measures used during the pandemic. My next goal is to study the impacts of these measures on equity-deserving groups including immigrants and ethnic minorities. 

What do you want people to know about your research?

Although COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency, the study of COVID-related policies matters. The pandemic has profoundly changed the way people live and work, and we can still feel its long-term effects. My research is needed to understand and inform decision-making on whether, when and how travel measures should be used during public emergencies of international concern.   

What do you hope to accomplish during your time at SFU?

I am learning how to work in an interdisciplinary team that brings together researchers from many disciplines. I aspire to complete my work on the dataset of COVID-related travel measures and take part in other projects including the study of Canada-U.S. border management during the pandemic.

Area of research: Digital health for adolescents

I study how to create technology that helps people with their mental health, especially those who might have a harder time with it like children and adolescents. After years of volunteering in hospitals and supporting people through a crisis hotline, I am fascinated by technology's capabilities to both amplify existing therapeutically effective supports and engage people in a way that speeds up a process that can sometimes take years otherwise. I am especially interested in emerging technologies like mixed reality and wearables.

What do people think you do—versus what you actually do?

Some people might think I make trendy or gimmicky apps that are meant to solve all mental health issues or replace traditional forms of therapy and support. Not true! In reality, I conduct extensive and rigorous studies that involve working with many people from across disciplines. I draw from psychology, design, and education to ensure what I create is evidence-based as well as recognize the limitations and ethical implications of technology-based supports for mental health.

Name a scholar who inspires you.

I am inspired every day by all of my colleagues at the School of Interactive Arts and Technology They are some of the most thoughtful and intelligent people who are deeply committed to understanding the complex relationships between people and technology. SIAT is a truly unique place where multidisciplinary research tackles some of the hard problems facing our world today. I am incredibly grateful to both learn and do research with and alongside them.

What is your best advice for other postdocs as they embark on their new projects?

Use your time as a postdoc to go deep into research that will set you up for future success in academia, industry or elsewhere. Now is the time to hone your research skills and lead projects. Talk with other researchers and expand your network because you never know what insight you’ll find or opportunities that might open up in the future. And remember to be kind to yourself. Set boundaries, prioritize self-care and take breaks when needed.