Please join us for exciting presentations from:

Hendrik Boog

PhD Student, Unrau Lab, Simon Fraser University

Presentation Title: Topological RNA Links as an Origin of Life Model​

Hendrik Boog is a PhD candidate in the Unrau Lab at Simon Fraser University. He holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Molecular Biotechnology from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. His current research focuses on RNA polymerase ribozymes within the context of the Origin of Life.​

Join us to explore his insights into topological RNA links and their implications for understanding the emergence of life.

Manolya Sag (Sagan Lab)

PhD Student, Sagan Lab, University of British Columbia

Presentation Title: Elucidating the Requirements of the Switch from Viral Translation to Replication in Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Manolya Sag is a PhD student in the Sagan Lab at the University of British Columbia. She received the CanHepC Doctoral Fellowship and the NSERC PGS-D award. She completed her BSc with Honors in Biotechnology at UBC. Her research focuses on understanding how RNA viruses, their viral proteins, and RNA structures regulate different stages of the viral life cycle, with a particular emphasis on the mechanisms governing the switch from translation to replication in Hepatitis C Virus infection.

Outside of the lab, Manolya enjoys backcountry camping, boxing, and spending time with her two cats.

Manideep Pachva (Sorensen Lab)

PhD Candidate, Sorensen Lab, University of British Columbia

Presentation Title: ADAR1 and Stress Granules: Crucial Defenders of Immunogenic Repeat Elements in Ewing Sarcoma

Manideep Chowdary Pachva is a PhD candidate in Molecular Oncology at the University of British Columbia and a researcher in the Sorensen Lab at the BC Cancer Research Centre. His research focuses on RNA modifications, particularly A-to-I RNA editing by ADAR1, and its role in extracellular vesicle-mediated immune modulation in Ewing Sarcoma. His work highlights how ADAR1, in conjunction with stress granules, protects cancer cells from immunogenic RNA accumulation, preventing inflammatory cell death and sustaining tumor progression.

Beyond research, Manideep actively engages in scientific leadership and mentorship. He is the Chair of the B.I.G Research Day Organizing Committee, President of the Science 2 Business Network (Vancouver-Victoria Chapter), and an academic consultant at GrasPods, where he mentors students in career development and research. His contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the BC Cancer Rising Star Award and the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) Junior Scholarship (2022–2024).