People
Principal Investigator
Melissa Chen, PhD
Bachelor of Science in Honours Cell & Developmental Biology- University of British Columbia (2015)
Master of Science in Botany- University of British Columbia (2017)
PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology- University of Colorado Boulder (2022)
Email: melissa_y_chen at sfu dot ca
Office: SCB B8280
Current Lab members
Jungsoo Park, PhD
Jungsoo is a Postdoctoral Fellow interested in microbial ecology, metagenomics, and comparative genomics. In the Chen Lab, he uses comparative genomics to investigate the genomic basis of contrasting symbiotic lifestyles and plant-microbe interactions. His broader interests include microbial ecology, genome-resolved metagenomics, and comparative genomics. He spends much of his time comparing genomes and asking what makes microbes behave the way they do.
Noémie Duchemin-Stevens, Bachelor of Science
Noémie is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto, where she obtained an Honours BSc in Biology. Her undergraduate studies and work in neuroimmunology research sparked her interest in understanding how biological systems interact and respond to external stimuli. She is excited to continue exploring these questions as an MSc student in the Chen Lab, where she will be studying symbiotic communities of plant-associated microbes. In her free time, Noémie enjoys baking, hiking with her dog, and listening to true crime podcasts.
Tea Zamani, Bachelor of Science
Tea is a Research Assistant and recent graduate of the BISC department. She is interested in all aspects of biology, but loves genetics and behavioural ecology, and she really enjoy teaching and finding ways to make biology more engaging and approachable. Outside of the lab, Tea enjoys baking, gaming, watching documentaries, travelling, and spending time with friends and family.
Parmis Bagher Zadeh
Parmis is a summer undergraduate lab assistant and USRA (Undergraduate Student Research Award) recipient. She is a Biological Sciences student with a concentration in Cells, Molecules, and Physiology. Parmis is interested in how microbes can allow for sustainable agriculture practices and improve food security. Outside of school, Parmis enjoys crocheting, playing the piano, watching horror movies, and baking. She also enjoys volunteering at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµas a Writing and Learning Peer with the Student Learning Commons.
Parry Goyal
Parry is a BISC student currently working on a 498 project where she is screening bacteria for N-fixing, P-solubilizing, and K-solubilizing traits. Her main areas of interest are microbiology and cell biology. Besides academics, she enjoys working as a literacy tutor, reading, watching movies, and spending time with her friends.
Honorary Lab members
Maxine Cheastman
Maxine has no formal education.