Current Students

Carmen Sarnowski, Department of Biological Sciences

During development neurons need to send out axons to find their specific targets. The fmi-1 gene has severe defects in pioneer-mediated navigation of follower axons in C.elegans. I am studying the guidance mechanisms of fmi-1 using genetic approaches (suppressor screens) and try to identify additional genes regulating pioneer-mediated axon navigation.  This work is being performed in the laboratory of Harald Hutter in the Dept. of Biological Sciences.

Jesse Taylor, Department of Biological Sciences

I recently began my Masters degree in Biological Sciences at SFU working with Dr.Hutter.  Previously I completed my BSc in Genetics at McMaster University.  My thesis project is focused on identifying axon guidance mutants in the ventral nerve cord of C.elegans through various genetic screening techniques.  I found the interdisciplinary neuroscience certificate courses provided excellent coverage of a wide range of topics related to neuroscience.

Oliver Takach - Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Silverman Lab

I am interested in how axonal transport is disrupted in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly that of Alzheimer's disease.  My BSc is in Biochemistry from the University of Northern Colorado and I look forward to the research and academic opportunities within the Neuroscience Certificate.

Robert Greenland, Department of Biological Sciences

After completing my BSc at the University of Western Ontario in Biochemistry, I chose to enrol in an MSc at SFU. I’m currently working in the Hutter lab doing neuroscience research using C.elegans as a model organism. My goal is to find interaction partners with known axon guidance proteins.  The interdisciplinary neuroscience certificate program offered an excellent opportunity to gain perspective on the various approaches to neuroscience research.