Syam Somasekharan

Assistant Professor

Research Classification

Research Interests

RNA Biology
Cell Biology
molecular biology
Biomolecular Condensates
Nucleolus
mRNA Translation
Liquid-liquid Phase Separation

Relevant Thesis-Based Degree Programs

Affiliations to Research Centres, Institutes & Clusters

Research Options

I am available and interested in collaborations (e.g. clusters, grants).
I am interested in and conduct interdisciplinary research.
I am interested in working with undergraduate students on research projects.
 
 

Research Methodology

Relationship between RNA granule machinery and prostate cancer treatment resistance.
Role of epitranscriptomic (m6A) RNA modifications in the translational regulation of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA.
Mechanism of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of intrinsically disordered proteins - G3BP1, FMRP and YTHDF3- and RNA.
Molecular mechanisms of the control of gene expression at multiple levels - mRNA synthesis, transport, localisation and degradation.
Multiomics approach to profile RNA granules and define selective mRNA translation.
Nucleolus, phase separation, stress response, and treatment resistance.

Recruitment

Master's students
Doctoral students
Postdoctoral Fellows
2024
2025
  • Nucleolus, phase separation, stress response, and treatment resistance.
  • Multiomics approach to profile RNA granules and define selective mRNA translation.
  • Molecular mechanisms of the control of gene expression at multiple levels - mRNA synthesis, transport, localisation and degradation.
  • Relationship between RNA granule machinery and prostate cancer treatment resistance.
  • Mechanism of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of intrinsically disordered proteins - G3BP1, FMRP and YTHDF3- and RNA.
  • Role of epitranscriptomic (m6A) RNA modifications in the translational regulation of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA.
  • Master's student: A recent BSc or BS with a passion for research and research experience in cell and molecular biology. Students without experience will also be considered.
  • Doctoral student: A recent MSc or MS student with a passion for research and research experience in cell and molecular biology. Students without experience will also be considered.
  • Postdoctoral Fellow: A recent PhD in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related subject. The ideal candidate should be able to work independently, be passionate about cell biology, and be committed to conducting high-quality research. The candidate should have experience in techniques including RNA in situ hybridisation, RNA-electrophoretic mobility shift assay, immunofluorescence microscopy, sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, northern blotting, recombinant protein purification using prokaryotic expression system, and RNA sequence analysis, as evidenced by first author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
I support public scholarship, e.g. through the Public Scholars Initiative, and am available to supervise students and Postdocs interested in collaborating with external partners as part of their research.
I support experiential learning experiences, such as internships and work placements, for my graduate students and Postdocs.
I am open to hosting Visiting International Research Students (non-degree, up to 12 months).
I am interested in hiring Co-op students for research placements.

Complete these steps before you reach out to a faculty member!

Check requirements
  • Familiarize yourself with program requirements. You want to learn as much as possible from the information available to you before you reach out to a faculty member. Be sure to visit the graduate degree program listing and program-specific websites.
  • Check whether the program requires you to seek commitment from a supervisor prior to submitting an application. For some programs this is an essential step while others match successful applicants with faculty members within the first year of study. This is either indicated in the program profile under "Admission Information & Requirements" - "Prepare Application" - "Supervision" or on the program website.
Focus your search
  • Identify specific faculty members who are conducting research in your specific area of interest.
  • Establish that your research interests align with the faculty member’s research interests.
    • Read up on the faculty members in the program and the research being conducted in the department.
    • Familiarize yourself with their work, read their recent publications and past theses/dissertations that they supervised. Be certain that their research is indeed what you are hoping to study.
Make a good impression
  • Compose an error-free and grammatically correct email addressed to your specifically targeted faculty member, and remember to use their correct titles.
    • Do not send non-specific, mass emails to everyone in the department hoping for a match.
    • Address the faculty members by name. Your contact should be genuine rather than generic.
  • Include a brief outline of your academic background, why you are interested in working with the faculty member, and what experience you could bring to the department. The supervision enquiry form guides you with targeted questions. Ensure to craft compelling answers to these questions.
  • Highlight your achievements and why you are a top student. Faculty members receive dozens of requests from prospective students and you may have less than 30 seconds to pique someone’s interest.
  • Demonstrate that you are familiar with their research:
    • Convey the specific ways you are a good fit for the program.
    • Convey the specific ways the program/lab/faculty member is a good fit for the research you are interested in/already conducting.
  • Be enthusiastic, but don’t overdo it.
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ADVICE AND INSIGHTS FROM UBC FACULTY ON REACHING OUT TO SUPERVISORS

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