Photo by: Martin Dee, UBC Public Affairs
Canada Excellence Research Chair in Neurogenetics and Translational Neuroscience
Dr. Donald Rix B.C. Leadership Chair in Genetic Medicine
The University of British Columbia
An ambitious researcher, Dr. Matthew Farrer has made several influential discoveries in neurogenetics, and is critically acclaimed for his work on the genetics of Parkinson disease. < Learn More >
Translational Neuroscience
By focusing on the underlying molecular etiology of Parkinson disease we provide a rational basis for drug discovery and the tools to accomplish it. Genes, RNA and the proteins they encode fashion the cells and tissues from which we are made. Our group makes and characterizes cellular models that mimic ‘molecular parkinsonism’. Cellular models lead to a better appreciation of the biological processes perturbed, to new targets, intervention strategies and drug-screening assays. These tools and molecular insights have lowered the Pharmaceutical Industries’ threshold for further investment in novel therapeutics and clinical trials. << Learn More >>
Lucia Tapia, Lab Manager
Dayne Beccano-Kelly, Post-Doctoral Fellow in Molecular Neuroscience
Mattia Volta, Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Molecular Neuroscience
Lise Munsie, Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Molecular Neuroscience
Katrina Yu, Research Technician
Daisy Cao, Research Technician
Michelle Ng, Research Technician
Sabrina Bergeron, Research Technician
Patrick Chou
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Igor Tatarnikov
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Danielle Smith
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jas Khinda
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Marta Mroczek
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Emil Gustavsson, Visiting Scholar
Stefano Cataldi, Visiting Scholar
Neurogenetics
To develop successful therapies for Parkinson disease, we must identify and understand the molecular events occurring. Our objective is to provide symptomatic relief by stopping disease progression. With the help of families in which two or more individuals have been diagnosed with Parkinson disease, and with the help of communities and populations in which the disease is most prevalent, this group is working to identify genetic risk factors. Over the past decade, we have discovered many of the genes involved in Parkinson disease and are developing new models and new treatments.
Michelle Lin
Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Genetics
Joanne Trinh, Graduate Student
MSc Candidate in Medical Genetics
Chelsea Szu Tu, Research Technician
Holly Sherman, Research Technician
Heather Han, Research Technician
Mary Encarnacion
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Bioinformatics
From technology to biology, in the pursuit of the medical advancement of diagnosis and treatment, this team focuses on the continuous development, improvement, and operation of computational tools to rapidly process and efficiently store high-volume genetic sequence, genotype and expression data from its initial acquisition through its subsequent analysis. Its functions support bioinformatics, database development, data analysis, and communications.
Fred Pishotta
Manager, Bioscience Information Systems
Dan Evans
Bioscience IT Specialist
Research Support Staff
With the objective to deliver support and resources required by the researchers, this team provides integrated support in areas such as finance, resource management, program management, personnel management, and data management. They bring a wide range of interdisciplinary skills and interests to their roles, contributing significantly to the innovative and collaborative research that is characteristic of CAN.
Christina Thompson
Clinical Research Coordinator
Susana Mendez Alcala
Administrative Coordinator
Vanessa Silva
Clinical Research Coordinator
Kimberley Co
Undergraduate Research Assistant
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