Summer Researcher (Past Member)
- 2011-2014 M.Sc. Organic Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Supervisor: Prof. Steve Withers
- 2006-2010 B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry, University of Alberta
RESEARCH INTEREST
Cellulose, a linear polymer of glucose units, adopts a highly ordered crystalline structure in solution. In cellulose I, the dominant form of cellulose in nature, the polymeric chains of cellulose are aligned in the same direction. However, attempts to synthesize cellulose I in vitro have resulted in the preparation of cellulose II, which has the thermodynamically favoured anti-parallel orientation of chains.
My research is focused on the synthesis of soluble fragments of cellulose, and the preparation of a defined surface of cellulose I. This synthesis is performed using a combination of chemical synthesis and engineered enzymes. The preparation of a cellulose I surface would enable the more detailed study of carbohydrate binding domains and other cellulose interacting proteins found in nature.