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Guanqun (Gavin) Chen is a Professor and Canada Research Chair specializing in Plant Lipid Biotechnology at the University of Alberta. His research is primarily focused on lipid biotechnology, aiming to enhance oil yield and production in oilseed crops through innovative biotechnological approaches. He investigates oleaginous microorganisms such as canola, arabidopsis, yeast, and microalgae for their potential to accumulate valuable lipids for bioproducts. His work addresses significant challenges in understanding oil biosynthesis and improving agronomic traits like stress tolerance and seed yield, which are critical for sustainable crop production in variable environmental conditions. He teaches courses on lipid biochemistry and bioproducts, helping educate students on the applications of lipid science in agriculture and nutrition. Chen has received several honors, including the C.D. Nelson Award from the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists.
Department: Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management