Dr. Anna Blakney is an Assistant Professor and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in the Michael Smith Laboratories and School of Biomedical Engineering at UBC. She received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical & Biological Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and her PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Washington. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Imperial College London on the development of molecular and biomaterial engineering strategies for delivery of self-amplifying RNA. Her lab uses bioengineering, molecular biology and immunology approaches to develop the next generation of RNA vaccines and therapies.

Dr. Ethan Greenblatt is interested in the biology of translational regulation in disease and aging. His lab studies Drosophila oocytes to understand translational control by disease-relevant RNA binding proteins and to understand the role of ribosomes in age-associated infertility and neurological disorders. Ethan received his B.S. in chemistry from the College of William and Mary, his Ph.D. in biophysics from Stanford University under Ron Kopito, and performed his postdoctoral studies in Allan Spradling's lab at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

Dr. Eric Jan is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UBC. He completed my PhD at Northwestern University and a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University. He joined UBC in 2006. He is a leading expert in mRNA translational control mechanisms, with emphasis on viral internal ribosome entry site mechanisms.

As a dedicated RNA researcher, Yihang’s fascination with the therapeutic potential of RNA biology has driven her academic and professional journey. After completing her Bachelor's in Food Nutrition and Health (Honors), with a minor in Biochemistry at UBC, she delved into the complexities of viral internal ribosome entry sites during her Master’s studies in Dr. Eric Jan's lab. Now at NanoVation, she is engaged in pioneering RNA research and development, particularly for lipid nanoparticle delivery.

Katie obtained her BSc (honours) in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at SFU. She is currently a Master’s student in Dr. Ethan Greenblatt’s lab where she is using Drosophila to understand how translation is altered during oocyte aging.

Subash is a PhD student in the Jan lab at UBC's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. With a background in virology from his Masters, his current research focuses on RNA elements from different viruses and the mechanisms they employ to regulate translation non-canonically. Subash is keen in applying biochemical and molecular approaches to understanding the critical role of RNA as a regulator of translation. Outside the laboratory, Subash loves to hike and trail-run; if not reading and playing music at home.

Credo is a dedicated researcher in the field of genome sciences and genomics, currently pursuing a PhD at The University of British Columbia (UBC). His research is centered around RNA technologies, particularly in the expansion of the self-amplifying RNA platform, contributing to advancements in molecular biology and disease prevention.