Congratulations to the 2023 recipients of the Faculty of Science Research Awards

Dr. Amy Lee
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Dr. Lee joined MBB as an Assistant Professor in January 2020 and uses a systems biology approach to study bacterial pathogen virulence and resistance from both the pathogen and host perspectives with the goal of developing strategies to treat and prevent infectious diseases. Her research combines bioinformatics and experimental work to understand how habitat niches influence bacterial virulence and antibiotic resistance and with a goal of developing diagnostic tests for neonatal sepsis. The committee recognized Dr. Lee for her impressive funding and publication record, and international presence in her field, particularly at this early career stage.  

Dr. Karen Kavanaugh
Physics

Dr. Kavanagh is an internationally recognized expert on material interfaces for electronics and in nanoimaging techniques, with over 40 years of experience in this area. She is a leading international expert in the field, as evidenced by her election as a Fellow of the Materials Research Society in 2022. Her research ranges from fundamental studies to applications, including topics as diverse as: nano-fabrication of metallic nano-hole arrays; imaging dislocations and strain relaxation at semiconductor interfaces; ballistic electron emission microscopy of metal–semiconductor interfaces; epitaxial electrochemistry of spintronic materials; and nanoscale junctions and contacts, allowing nanowires to be quickly probed without lithographically-patterning electrical contacts. In her time at SFU she has been instrumental in establishing significant research infrastructure, including the Nano Imaging facility, a forerunner of the 4D LABS user facility.