Grant: Canada Research Chairs

My research program comprises multiple projects, all motivated by solving real-world problems and focusing on developing novel statistical methods and software to analyze complex and big data. Following are a few examples of research projects I will lead or co-lead. 1. Develop the statistical methods for the first analysis pipeline to discover cell type abundance biomarkers using single-cell genomic data, and to validate biomarkers using bulk genomics data in large-scale studies. Our research will not only provide a software pipeline for data analysis, but also serve as an experimental protocol to guide genomics researchers in utilizing advantages from both single-cell and bulk genomics technologies to discover and validate cell type abundance biomarkers. We will apply this analysis pipeline to develop the first immunotherapy to cure chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Genome BC SIP (2021-2023) funded the first stage of this research. I will apply for more funding to continue it. 2. Develop novel algorithms for a genomic diagnostic test to identify virus infections in grapevines. Our rapid and cost-effective genomic solution will replace the over 30 molecular and biological tests currently performed on grapevines to look for disease. The Canadian Grapevine Certification Network will use this genomic test for monitoring domestically bred vines, ensuring grape growers have faster and more affordable access to clean vines to improve the health of their vineyards. (Funded by Genome Canada GAPP 2021-2024.)3. Develop novel machine learning tools to investigate rich spatial-temporal data collected over 40 years on 14,710 shellfish harvesting sites across 6 coastal provinces. These data include fecal coliform bacteria and marine biotoxins that cause amnesic, diarrhetic and paralytic shellfish poisonings (ASP, DSP, PSP) associated with climate change, pollution, coastal eutrophication and other factors. The deliverables of this research will enable Canadian government agencies (e.g. NRC, ECCC, DFO, CFIA) and the shellfish industry to visualize historical and geospatial contamination patterns and to predict future contamination levels across Canada, to ensure the sustainability of this industry. It might also affect future government policies on environmental protection. (Funded by NRC DHGA program 2021-2023)