Marcus Yee

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry master's student in the Faculty of Science

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I am a Master’s student in Dr. William Hsiao’s lab at The Centre for Infectious Disease Genomics and One Health. My fascination with microbial bioinformatics began during my undergraduate studies, where I was captivated by the remarkable ability of bacteria to adapt and evolve in diverse environments, especially in the face of antibiotics. I was also interested in the microbiome, being amazed that trillions of bacteria live in our gut and play a significant role in our health. In my final year of undergraduate studies, my thesis work was split between wet and dry lab research due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This experience allowed me to explore both bench work and the computational side of microbiology. I discovered a strong preference for dry lab work, where I could delve into bioinformatics and data analysis. This realization led me to pursue my current research focus, developing computational pipelines to track the spread of antibiotic resistance in the gut microbiome.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I chose to attend SFU because of its experts in my field of study, microbial bioinformatics. I was particularly excited to work in Dr. William Hsiao's lab, as the research there perfectly aligns with my academic goals and interests. Additionally, the welcoming and supportive environment of the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry program made SFU the ideal place for me to pursue my studies.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern, often highlighted in the news due to its impact on global health. When bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, the medications we rely on to treat infections can become ineffective. One way bacteria acquire this resistance is by transferring mobile genetic material to neighboring bacteria, a process that allows resistance to spread rapidly. This occurs frequently in the human digestive tract due to its diverse bacterial population, containing trillions of bacteria. My research involves studying this genetic transfer in the gut microbiome, developing computational pipelines of identifying the mobile genetic material, and analyzing if specific bacteria are more likely to transfer these antibiotic-resistance genes.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Data Analysis

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

Before starting my Master’s degree, I spent a summer in the lab as a research assistant, which allowed me to become familiar with the lab environment and acquire the essential skills and techniques needed for my research. Following this, I had the opportunity to serve as a teaching assistant in the Spring semester. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and it was incredibly rewarding to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for the field with younger students, helping them navigate their university journey. These experiences have significantly contributed to my academic and professional development, honing my technical expertise and enhancing my ability to communicate complex concepts effectively.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

I am deeply grateful to have received the CIHR-CGSM Award and the BC Graduate Scholarship. These awards have profoundly impacted my studies by allowing me to fully dedicate myself to my research and make significant advancements in my projects. Additionally, the recognition and encouragement from these scholarships have been incredibly motivating, inspiring me to pursue excellence in my work.

Contact Marcus:marcus_yee@sfu.ca

Additional Links

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