The Boraston Lab Research Group
From humble beginnings, the Boraston Lab Research Group has developed into a vibrant and welcoming environment for all people interested in studying microbiology, protein biochemistry, and glycobiology. It is a dynamic training environment where researchers gain access to a wide range of expertise, experiences, and infrastructure. While we take our science seriously, coffee break is a daily ritual for informal discussions, while the occasional "Beer Friday" is an opportunity to relax in a family-like atmosphere.
Alisdair (“Al”) Boraston received his BSc. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and completed his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology under the supervision of Professors Doug Kilburn and Tony Warrren at UBC. Then, after a brief post-doctoral research appointment in the UBC Biotechnology Laboratory, he trained in England as an NSERC-funded Post-Doctoral Fellow in the York Structural Biology Laboratory, University of York, UK, under the supervision of Professor Gideon Davies. He is now a full Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at The University of Victoria. Recognitions include an EWR Steacie Memorial Fellowship, a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar award, and a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair.
In his spare time Al is an avid brewer of his own beer where he combines >30 years of practical brewing experience and >25 years of microbiology/biochemistry research experience.
Berna Alvarez (she/her)
PhD Candidate
Bernadette “Berna” received her BSc in Biology from Vancouver Island University (VIU) in 2019. She joined the Boraston Lab in Fall 2019 after completing an undergraduate research project under Dr. Rosemarie Ganassin and Dr. Spencer Russell, where she developed a non-lethal method of detecting pattern recognition molecules in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) using blood plasma. Nowadays, she works on structurally and biochemically characterizing proteoglycan-degrading enzymes in Bacteroides caccae, a diet-sensitive member of the human gut microbiota.
When she is not in lab, she is likely at the UVic Kendo club, learning how to channel her inner samurai; hanging out with her humans; cuddling cats; catching up on anime and other TV shows (as of Spring 2025: Arcane, Dandadan, Ted Lasso); or playing video games (as of Spring 2025: Hades, Dragon Age Origins, Dave the Diver).
Emily Knudson-Goerner (she/they)
PhD Candidate
Emily received her BSc in Environmental Chemistry at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, where she completed an honours project fingerprinting carbohydrate linkage patterns using mass-spectrometry. Emily is now a PhD Candidate in the Boraston lab studying marine bacterial enzymes capable of degrading the complex polysaccharide fucoidan found in several brown algae species. Specifically, they are interested in characterizing the mechanistic details of a polysaccharide utilization locus in the marine bacterium Winogradskyella vidalii using x-ray crystallography, as well as investigating the distribution of fucoidan-processing enzymes throughout marine bacterial genomes.
In their spare time they enjoy sunbathing with their beautiful cat Mo, exploring the island’s beaches and forests, surfing (not well), eating amazing food, practicing yoga, and volunteering to restore wetland ecosystems.
Liam Mihalynuk (he/him)
MSc Student
Liam is a Masters student studying an O-glycopeptidase from the human gut microbe Phocaeicola vulgatus. Prior to starting his Masters, Liam was involved in several projects in the Boraston lab including the development of a FRET based assay for analyzing O-glycopeptidase activity, and studying algal polysaccharide processing. When he is not in the lab, Liam may be found in the woods, on the water, or in the closest pub.
Olivia Canil (she/her)
Lab Technician
Olivia received her BSc (Hon.) in Biochemistry & Chemistry from the University of Victoria in 2024. She completed her Honours project in the Boraston lab and now works as a technician, where she is focusing on the structural and functional characterization of an O-glycopeptidase from Prevotella melaninogenica. Outside of lab she enjoys reading, practicing yoga, hiking and camping.
Julien Case (he/him)
Lab Technician
Julien is a Lab technician in the Boraston laboratory following his graduation with a B.Sc. Biochemistry (Hons.) in the Boraston lab. He is currently working on characterizing structures and function of O-glycopetidases from Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium botulinum, and Serratia marscensens. As well as this he is attempting to crystallize and produce other hard to crystallize O-glycopetidases currently studied in the lab. In his free time you will find him swimming in lakes, and hiking, or skiing on mountains any chance he can get, usually followed by a good beer with friends.
Kate Bourdon (she/her)
Honours Student
Kate is currently completing her BSc in Biochemistry. Watch this space for details about her project!
Emily Howard (she/they)
Honours Student
Emily is currently completing her BSc in Biochemistry with a minor in Business. They joined the Boraston Lab in May 2024 and is currently investigating the structure and function of six O-glycopeptidases from Akkermansia muciniphila, a common gut commensal. Previously, she completed three research experience terms and one Co-op term in Dr. Lauren Davey's lab where she studied A. muciniphila pili structure and function, assimilatory and dissimilatory sulfate reduction pathways, and microbe-microbe interactions in the gut.
They are originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, and moved to Victoria for university. When she is not in lab, she enjoys hiking, gardening, playing guitar, and snowboarding.
Arthur Valdivieso (he/him)
Honours Student
Arthur is a final-year biochemistry student originally from Belgium and Spain. He moved to Victoria four years ago to pursue his undergraduate studies. Arthur has been a member of the Boraston lab for the past year, working on projects related to carbohydrate-active enzymes. His first project, part of his directed studies, investigated Insights into the Activity of the Glycoside Hydrolase BM4 on Desulfated ι-Carrageenan. Currently, he is characterizing the structure and specificity of two carbohydrate-binding modules from a polysaccharide utilization locus in Prevotella melaninogenica. Outside the lab, Arthur enjoys running and cycling, and in the winter, he spends as much time as possible skiing.