Current Research Opportunities - Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry - Simon Fraser University

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Note that not all faculty members will advertise positions on the Research Opportunities website; students should contact faculty members they are interested in working with regardless of whether or not they have a position advertised.

Research Opportunity	Faculty Member	Description
Volunteers/MBB491/498	Dr. Dheva Setiaputra	We are looking for motivated undergraduate students to join our lab this summer to work on an exciting project investigating the DNA binding properties of DNA repair proteins. Students will gain hands-on experience purifying proteins expressed in insect cells and performing in vitro biochemistry assays. Students can join either as a volunteer or as a Directed Research (MBB491/498) student. Students interested in Directed Research must apply by April 14th. Please send your CV and unofficial transcripts to dsetiapu@sfu.ca. For more details, see https://www.setiaputra-lab.org/join-us. (Posted 01APR2026)
Volunteers	Dr. Ralph Pantophlet	UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES The Pantophlet Laboratory in Simon Fraser University's Faculty of Health Sciences is seeking up to two undergraduate volunteers for Spring and Summer 2027. Our research focuses on immune responses to viral pathogens and on discovering antibodies for emerging infectious diseases. Volunteers will assist with lab operations and gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge virology and immunology research. QUALIFICATIONS Applicants should have a strong academic record, including a minimum grade of B+ in relevant upper-division courses. Applicants must have completed at least one—and preferably two—of the following courses: Immunology, Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Biology, or Biochemistry. We seek students with a demonstrated interest in biomedical research and infectious disease immunology, strong laboratory performance, and a commitment to research-focused graduate training or related careers. COMMITMENT Volunteers must commit at least 11 hours per week on 2-3 weekdays (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM). Preference will be given to students who can commit to multiple semesters, as the significant training period benefits from continuity. APPLICATION PROCESS Interested students should email rpantophlet@sfu.ca with the following materials: a current SFU transcript, a Curriculum Vitae (CV), and a brief paragraph describing their academic interests and relevant coursework, motivation for working in infectious disease immunology research, and any prior laboratory experience. Questions? Contact Dr. Pantophlet at rpantophlet@sfu.ca (Posted 22OCT2026)
MBB 481/2/3	Dr. Jonathan Choy	15-credit Direct Research opportunities are available in the Choy lab for individuals interested in studying how immune responses contribute to transplant rejection and autoimmune disease. Interested students should e-mail Dr. Choy describing their research interests along with a copy of transcripts and CV.
MBB 481/2/3	Dr. Nancy Hawkins	The Hawkins lab studies the role of asymmetrically localized proteins and the Wnt signaling pathway in asymmetric cell division in C. elegans. We have focused on the protein HAM-1, that is asymmetrically localized at the cell cortex in many dividing cells in the embryo. This protein also has a DNA binding domain and localizes to the nucleus. We proposed that the asymmetric localization at the cell cortex is one mechanism to specifically distribute the protein to one of the two daughter cells during division. The goal is to watch the segregation of HAM-1 in living embryos during cell division. To accomplish this goal, the directed research project will involve generating a plasmid construct that fuses the ham-1 gene to a gene encoding a photoconvertible fluorescent protein (Dendra2). This construct will then be used to generate transgenic C. elegans. A series of experiments will then be undertaken to visualize Dendra2::HAM-1 localization and segregation in transgenic embryos.
MBB 481/2/3	Dr. Nancy Hawkins	Molecular mechanisms underlying asymmetric cell division
MBB 481/2/3	Dr. Fiona Brinkman	Multiple bioinformatics projects: Identifying cell surface drug targets. Antimicrobial gene mobility. Characterizing socio-environmental factors impacting certain infectious disease waves. Data curation and integrated analyses of microbiome, epigenetic, clinical, and environmental data, from the CHILD Cohort Study, to mechanistically characterize associations of environmental factors with eczema (and conversely also healthy childhood factors as well). (Posted 16OCT2026)
NSERC/VPR USRAs	Dr. Nancy Hawkins	Molecular mechanisms underlying asymmetric cell division
NSERC/VPR USRAs and Directed Research	Dr. Peter Unrau	The Unrau laboratory has research opportunities for motivated undergraduate students interested in RNA research that includes RNA diagnostics, RNA biology and origins of life research. Please contact Dr. Unrau by email at: punrau@sfu.ca. (Posted 20JAN2025)
MBB 481/2/3 and MBB 491/492	Dr. Valentin Jamouillé	Genetic engineering approaches to cancer immunology The Jaumouillé lab is interested in immunotherapies that promote the elimination of cancer cells through professional phagocytes. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms that restrict the anti-tumoral capacity of phagocytes to develop more effective therapeutic strategies. Our approach is to employ genetic engineering techniques to study and manipulate immune cells, including CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, chimeric antigen receptors, retroviral and transposon expression systems. Interested students should e-mail Dr. Jaumouillé with a brief description of their research interests and include a current transcripts and CV. (Posted 03JULY2025; last updated 04MAR2026)
Directed Research, MBB 491-5 and MBB 498-3	Dr. Mark Paetzel	The Paetzel laboratory has research opportunities for undergraduate students interested in structural bioinformatics. A computer science background is helpful, but not always essential. Please contact Dr. Paetzel by email at: mpaetzel@sfu.ca. (Posted 03JULY2025)

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