1. Where do you work, what is your position, and who is your advisor?

I am a postdoctoral fellow at Simon Fraser University, working in Prof. David Vocadlo’s laboratory. Our lab specializes in chemical biology and glycobiology, and I’m currently focused on understanding the regulation of O-GlcNAc in normal physiology and disease states.

2. How do you describe your work to people who aren’t in your field?

I study how sugar molecules and the driving enzymes, glycosyltransferases may impact the cellular behavior in human bodies. Think of them as “encoded motifs” that can affect important pathways. By understanding how these codes work, we hope to find better ways to treat diseases.

3. Other than glycomics, what areas of research do you think are important in advancing One Health (i.e. the health of people, animals, and the environment)?

RNA-based therapeutics, microbiome research, and environmental epigenetics are all emerging fields with great potential to advance One Health. They help us understand how interconnected life systems respond to disease and therapeutics across species.

4. What is your favourite aspect of your research?

What I like most about my research is that it allows me to ask big questions about how cells make decisions, especially in complex diseases. Being able to combine molecular biology with therapeutic potential is incredibly motivating.

5. What got you into this field?

During my undergraduate and graduate training, I became fascinated by how sugar molecules regulate critical biological processes. The challenge of decoding these regulators—and their potential for therapeutic innovation—sparked my passion for research in glycosylation field.

6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I hope to mentor the next generation of scientists and help create an inclusive, collaborative research environment as an independent scientist.

Short bio

Dr. Faezeh Jame-Chenarboo is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. David Vocadlo’s lab at Simon Fraser University. Her research explores the regulation of O-GlcNAc Transferase (OGT), a key enzyme involved in various cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. With a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta in Chemistry, Faezeh is also passionate about microRNA-mediated gene regulation. She is also deeply committed to mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration.