One of the most pressing global health crises is the rise of antimicrobial drug resistance. Dr. Dennis Yu Liu’s PhD work sought to address this crisis by developing an assay to study vulnerabilities unique to drug-resistant bacteria. This assay has helped him discover new bioactive compounds that specifically target these bacteria and can act in combination with major antibiotics to suppress the emergence of drug resistance. Additionally, he has integrated the assay with high-throughput screening robotics, to allow for faster large chemical library testing of various drug-resistant bacteria.

Liu’s work is published in top ranked journals both within and beyond the chemical sciences. He has also contributed his expertise in high-throughput screening to projects with his lab mates as well as with external collaborators from Australia, Canada, and the United States of America.

Within the lab, Liu helped to create a positive atmosphere and educational environment. He provided training and instruction for new graduate students, undergraduates, and external visitors with kindness and patience.

Liu’s supervisor, Dr. Roger G. Linington explains why he recommended Liu for this award. Linington says, “No other student in my group has come close to developing expertise in so many subject areas, nor with such professionalism and dedication. Dr. Liu's combination of tenacity, intellectual prowess, attention to detail, and collegiality are the reasons for my strong letter of recommendation.”

“I am deeply honored to be recognized for the Dean’s Convocation Medal. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the enduring support and optimism of my supervisor, Prof. Roger Linington, and both current and past members of the Linington research group. The culture of innovation and cooperation here at SFU has also been instrumental to my graduate career,”  says Liu.

Dennis currently works as an SFU postdoctoral researcher, exploring high-content imaging assays in cancer cell lines.