Gavin Chen, PhD

Contact

Associate Prof & CRC2 in Plant Lipid Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Ag, Food & Nutri Sci Dept

Email: gc24@ualberta.ca
Address: 410 Agriculture/Forestry Centre
9011 116 St NW

Edmonton AB

T6G 2P5

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

plant lipid biotechnology oilseed crop canola oleaginous microorganisms

About

PhD The University of Hong Kong

Selected Recent Awards and Honours

2023 The C.D. Nelson Award in Plant Biology, Canadian Society of Plant Biologists

2023 Fulbright Scholar Award

2018 - present Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Plant Lipid Biotechnology

Research

Using vegetable oils as a source of dietary lipids, renewable biomaterials and biofuels is increasing worldwide. Increasing seed oil production is necessary to fulfill global demand and benefit Canada. Moreover, seed oils customized for specific markets would result in added value and diversification opportunities for oilseed producers. In addition, some microorganims such as certain microalgal and yeast species can accumulate high amount of lipids, fatty acids and other valuable bioproducts. However, efforts to improve oil yield and quality in seeds and microorganisms are limited by our inadequate knowledge about oil formation and the lack of effective biotechnology strategies.

I am interested in

expanding our knowledge of storage lipid formation and acyl editing;
increasing oil yield in plants and microorganisms;
producing pecialty oils and other high-value bioproducts in plants and microorganims via synthetic biology;
improving agronomic characteristics of oil crops (e.g. stress tolerance, seed yield and quality).

Teaching

Plants for Bioproducts (PL SC 345 & AFNS 545); Lipid Science (AFNS 414 & AFNS 514).

Courses

AFNS 414 - Lipid Science

Fundamentals in lipid biochemistry featuring learning modules of relevance to students of plant, food and animal science, and human nutrition, and other life science. Topics include characteristics of lipids, environmental effects on lipid metabolism, oilseed biotechnology and biomass solutions for petrochemical alternatives. Normally offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: BIOCH 200 or PL SC 345.

Winter Term 2026

AFNS 514 - Lipid Science

Fundamentals in lipid biochemistry featuring learning modules of relevance to students of plant, food and animal science, and human nutrition, and other life science. Topics include characteristics of lipids, environmental effects on lipid metabolism, oilseed biotechnology and biomass solutions for petrochemical alternatives. Normally offered in alternate years. Not to be taken if credit received for AFNS 414. Prerequisite: BIOCH 200, PL SC 345, or consent of instructor.

Winter Term 2026

AFNS 545 - Plants for Bioproducts

This course will enable students to get a comprehensive understanding of the production and use of plant bioproducts. By the end, students will be able to properly outline the most recent research, development and production of certain plant bioproducts in written and oral presentations. The following contexts will be given special consideration in lectures: carbon cycle and human impacts, strategies for reducing our environmental footprint, and production and application of plant-based industrial materials. Students will also prepare a written overview on a given topic and then give an oral presentation about this topic in class. Not to be taken if credit received for PL SC 345. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Winter Term 2026

PL SC 345 - Plants for Bioproducts

Agronomy, breeding, biochemistry, biotechnology, and ecological issues related to production of plants for bioproducts. Topics selected from biodiesel, fuel ethanol, biolubricants, bioplastic, platform biochemicals, and starch and protein for nonfood applications. Prerequisite: BIOL 107, PL SC 221, or CHEM 164.

Winter Term 2026

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