My Work

Cembrowski Lab UBC - PhD (in progress)

Gray Lab UNBC - MSc

• How do obesity and diabetes affect the brain? Are there neural mechanisms we can use to prevent or reverse these diseases?

• To answer these questions, we are working at the nexus of diabetes and neuroscience research.

• We are currently investigating appetite neurons, which control eating behavior and metabolism, and can help with weight loss.

• However, overstimulation of certain appetite neurons can lead to hormone resistance in the brain.

• We hope to identify and rescue these appetite neurons to improve therapeutic weight loss strategies to help those living with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

• How do we enhance metabolism to help achieve healthy weight loss in obesity and diabetes?

• To answer this, we studied a specialized type of fat called

  brown fat which may offer new strategies for weight loss.

• Unlike white fat, which stores energy, brown fat burns energy to produce heat.

• We found a hormone receptor not previously known in to exist brown fat, providing new opportunities for activating this amazing organ to burn off calories.

• This research may contribute to improved therapeutic targeting for weight loss strategies.

• Can we leverage genetic tools to improve the detection of ecosystem disturbance?

• To answer this, we analyzed stone flies (Plecoptera), which are key indicators of ecosystem health and resilience.

• We described a potential new species unique to the North that can be used to detect ecological disturbances.

• This work contributed to an increased understanding of aquatic biodiversity.

• These results provide improved reliability and sensitivity for ecosystem health monitoring tools and practices.

Erasmus Lab UNBC - BSc

My Research Interests

Adipose Biology

Diabetes and Obesity

• Adipose tissue, or fat, has long been stigmatized by pop culture.

• However, fat is an essential faced of a healthy human body.

• Fat can even burn energy using mitochondria, similar to muscle.

• You can convert energy-storing fat to energy-burning fat with diet, exercise, and cold exposure.

• Training our brown fat could be a key tool to burn calories and maintain a healthy metabolism.

Appetite and Metabolism

• Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases where insulin is either not present (Type 1), or cannot be used by the body (Type 2).

• There are regulatory neurons in the brain that help regulate blood sugar, but they rely on insulin action to do so.

• However, the genetic identity of these neurons and how they work together to prevent high blood sugar is not well understood.

• Identifying and protecting glucose regulating neurons may help prevent or treat both types of diabetes.

• Several groups of neurons in the brain work together to control how much we eat and our body weight set point.

• Disruptions to insulin and other hormones in diabetes and obesity causes certain appetite neurons to become hormone-resistant.

• This resistance increases food intake and weight gain, while decreasing metabolic rate.

• There is a great diversity of appetite neurons with different functions, and it is not known how they work together to maintain healthy weight.

• Leveraging appetite neuron biology provides a powerful tool for appetite control.

About Me

I'm a passionate about improving the lives of people living with chronic disease through scientific discovery and science communication. My winding journey through this career path has fostered a work ethic of resilience, creativity, and a commitment to excellence.

One of my significant achievements includes the creation of an international collaboration with Karolinska Institute in Stockhom, Sweden to expand our discoveries in mouse to human biology. This experience reflects my dedication to crossing interdisciplinary boundaries to seek new opportunities for innovation in human health.

Beyond my core reserach projects, I actively contribute to science mentorship initiatives at all levels from local science fairs to national-level judging. As an elected student councillor, I advocate for student wellbeing and help create support structures for those in need. It's my way of giving back to the community that has supported me through difficult times propelled me forward in my career.

Community First

Research Project Mentor

Science Fair Judge: CISE

Journal Editor: CJUR

Mentor: URO

My volunteer activities include...

Science Fair Judge: GVRSF

Mentor: Youth innovation Schowcase

Let's connect

I love to talk science and I am always looking for opportunities to collaborate, get involved in amazing initiatives, promote outreach, and help the scientific community grow.

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