Education:
BSc (Honours) & MSc in Biology, University of Western Ontario
PhD in Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan
NSERC PDF in Physiology, Johns Hopkins University
Description of Research Projects:
My current work uses advanced microscopy techniques to explore the pathology of amyloid plaques in the brain in neurodegenerative disease. Specifically, I am working to streamline clearing to optimize whole brain imaging. My previous research has centered on the role of metalloproteins and metals in neurodegenerative disease. I have examined the role of various metals in peptide structure, function, and aggregation using mass spectrometry and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. During my PhD, I also investigated the use of small metal-binding compounds as putative treatments for Alzheimer’s disease using both XAS and X-ray fluorescence microscopy. During my post-doctoral fellowship, I explored the role of oligodendrocytes in diseases of copper metabolism (i.e., Wilson’s disease and Menkes’ disease) and how copper misbalance affects both development and neurodegeneration.
