Congratulations to SBME postdoctoral researcher Dayag Sheykhkarimli from Dr. Nozomu Yachie’s lab for receiving $100,000/year for two years from the H.L Holmes Award by the National Research Council of Canada. The award will support the creation of the first whole-body atlas of tissue-specific viral interactions across the body by using cutting-edge tools that were developed in the Yachie Lab. The research will pave the way for novel targeted drug delivery vehicles to address diseases requiring precision therapeutics, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and other tissue-specific illnesses. The atlas will provide researchers with tools to explore cellular specificity, and industries to revolutionize drug delivery platforms.
“The Holmes Award is a humbling honor,” comments Dayag. “It affirms that experts in the field see value in my vision and trust me to bring it to life, which is a great responsibility. This sense of responsibility extends to my mentors and collaborators, whose unwavering support and trust early in my journey made this achievement possible. Standing alongside the remarkable past recipients of this award is both inspiring and daunting, challenging me to uphold their standard of excellence. I am deeply grateful for this generous support, which encourages early-career researchers to pursue bold, innovative ideas. It is a responsibility I embrace with both pride and determination.”
Dayag started his postdoc in SBME in the Yachie Lab at UBC in April 2024. Early on in his undergraduate degree, when he was a student in Dr. Roth’s lab at the University of Toronto, he had the opportunity to work with Dr. Yachie on a project and was inspired by his ability to turn bold, unconventional ideas into disciplined, rigorous research. Eight years later, he was able to reconnect with Dr. Yachie over a shared passion for sequencing as a universal tool, particularly for DNA recording.
Dayag’s passion for research is clear. “I love the art of synthesizing ideas through the intellectual gymnastics of turning scattered concepts into a cohesive vision,” he comments, “I am inspired by the idea of transforming viruses—our ancient adversaries—into allies for tissue-specific targeting. There is a profound beauty in repurposing evolution’s ingenuity to tackle modern biomedical challenges. To contribute, even in a small way, to the great unfolding drama of the scientific tradition is a privilege I deeply cherish.”