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.
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.
Yasaman Navabi (she/her)
Lab Technician
Yasaman “Jasmine” completed her BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Victoria (UVic) in 2025. She first joined the Boraston Lab in the summer of 2025 as a Directed Studies student and now works as a research technician. Her work started by focusing on the structural and functional characterization of O-glycopeptidases from Capnocytophaga canimorsus, Mucinivorans hirudinis, and Sphingobacterium cellulitidis.
When she’s not in the lab, she’s usually reading fantasy novels, cooking, or rewatching a favourite TV show or anime.
Olivia Canil (she/her)
MSc Student
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 is now pursuing graduate studies. Her project is focused on the structural and functional characterization of carbohydrate-active enzymes produced by the host-adapted microbe Prevotella melaninogenica. Outside of lab she enjoys reading, dancing, hiking and camping.