Discover the world of chemical biology with us. 
At the heart of our research is a simple question: How do carbohydrates influence health and disease? Our dedicated team bridges chemistry, biology, and advanced tech to decode sugar's role in life. Embracing inclusivity and collaboration, we invite you to explore our areas of study.
Our mission is to lead in chemical biology, unraveling carbohydrate mysteries with a blend of cutting-edge tech and diverse expertise. Driven by collaboration and curiosity, we aim to address health challenges linked to carbohydrate functions.

Latest News

JAN 2025
Warm (and scientifically enthusiastic) welcome to postdocs Dr. Faezeh Jamechenarboo and Dr. Richard Yuen who are joining us from the University of Alberta!
DEC 2024
📢 Congratulations to Dr. Jil Busmann, Dr. Jesús Serrano-Negron, and Nick Wong for successfully defending their respective theses! 
OCT 2024
📢 Big congrats to Dr. Sandeep Bhosale and the whole team on their latest publication! They’ve been exploring carbasugar-based inhibitors that temporarily bind to GCase, helping stabilize it without long-term blocking. This could be a promising step forward for treating lysosomal storage diseases. Awesome work, Sandeep, and kudos to everyone who contributed to this exciting research! When you get a chance, check it out!
MAY 2024
Dr. Nicholas See will be joining our molecule builders group as a new postdoc. But the real news is for you to check out his beautiful cat, Sprout. While you’re at it, meet the real stars of our lab –our pets!
 
MAR 2024
Excited to have Jacqueline Yau joining us as a research tech! She's all about adding a bit of creativity and curiosity to everything she does. Can't wait to see what we'll discover together. Welcome, Jacqueline.
It was such a treat having Prof. Stephanie Olivier-Van Stichelen over for a chat on Placental O-GlcNAcylation in gestational diabetes. Fun fact: Prof. Vocadlo was her PhD external reviewer back in the day. 🤯
OCT 2023
Curious about how we employ markers to pinpoint elusive glycoside hydrolases inside cells? Deen & Pierre shed light on cell secrets with finesse in their latest review. They've mapped the newest techniques in a must-read that's as crisp as morning news. Science enthusiast or casual reader, this one beckons. Click here, & get enlightened!
🎊Kudos to Alteen, Kola, & Jil on their recent work, now published! With a focused dive into OGT via phage display, they've illuminated a notable sequence motif, edging us closer to understanding cellular regulation nuances. If OGT, cellular insights, or just some neat science piques your interest, give the paper a glance!
SEP 2023
Warm welcomes to Kristen, joining us from McMaster University. She's set to delve deep into the world of GalC inhibitors. And with her on board, alongside Katrina, our lab's Swifty-verse representation just got a whole lot stronger. Let’s ensure she feels right at home.
Time flies! Dr. Kathi Ging, who joined us a few months ago, has wrapped up her visit with our lab. Her insights, collaboration, and shared expertise greatly enriched our team. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter, Kathi. Auf Wiedersehen!✌️
Dr. Subramania "Kola" Kolappan, is moving to join Dr. Craig's esteemed team. Kola, with you having spearheaded so many projects, the lab's dynamic will surely miss its linchpin. As you embark on this new chapter, remember you always have a home here with us. Best of luck!
AUG 2023
📢 Ding, ding! Ever wanted to be a cellular detective? Thanks to Dr. Sha Zhu's LysoFix-GBA, a shiny new tool she’s introduced, you can peek into cells' secrets –catching them in the act! Shoutout to Deen, Yan, Pierre, & Kelly for chipping in with their expertise. Ready for a cellular deep dive or just here for the scientific thrill? Jump right in! For all the juicy details, tap here.
August just got a whole lot hotter with Dr. Sandeep Bhosale's sizzling new publication!🔥 He's pulled back the curtain on Streptococcus pneumoniae, unraveling the role of an important virulence factor. But wait, there's more! His work's also uncovered a handy tool for studying our own human glycans. Way to go, Sandeep! Full story here.
JUL 2023
Our stellar supervisor, Prof. David J. Vocadlo, just earned himself the title of Distinguished Professor. With his cutting-edge research on carbs, plus his name on over 150 papers and 30 patent families, it's clear he's making waves. Major kudos to David on this fantastic achievement! We're incredibly proud to have him as our mentor. Read the official announcement.
Great news: Dr. Kathi Ging, distinguished postdoc with Prof. Johannes Loffing, is visiting our lab. An MD/PhD scholarship recipient from the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences and the Swiss National Science Foundation, we're thrilled to have her here. Looking forward to learning and collaborating with you, Kathi. Herzlich Willkommen!
JUN 2023
Great news! Drs. Dustin King, Amy Lee, and our very own David Vocadlo have just landed the New Frontiers in Research Fund. We're stoked for them and their breakthrough work! Let's give them a round of applause. Way to go, guys!🎉 
As we munch on Adrian's irresistible homemade Spanish tortillas, we wave him off on his next adventure. Here's to smooth travels and smashing career success, Adrian!
MAY 2023
Shout-out to Dr. Roger Ashmus (former post-doc), Ben, Yan, & Kelly for our latest paper! Unveiling a promising iminosugar inhibitor for α-NAGAL. DGJNGuan is here to shed new light on physiological roles of this enzyme. Read more.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the private and public funding agencies whose generous contributions have been vital to our research. Feel free to explore their exciting work by clicking their logos below.

​Your support has been instrumental; thank you!
Our lab respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Burnaby is located.