丁香园AV

Dr. Cojocaru鈥檚 doctoral thesis, 鈥淚n vitro evolution of a processive clamping RNA polymerase ribozyme with promoter recognition鈥� examines the early evolution of life on Earth through RNA research. Additional to his Origin of Life work, Dr. Cojocaru helped develop a powerful RNA imaging and purification technology, collaborated on research in characterizing human RNA linked to Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma cancer and validated a microchip COVID-19 detection technology.

Dr. Cojocaru鈥檚 contribution extends well beyond his written thesis. Along with many academic achievements, Dr. Cojocaru has won the Dr. Bruce Brandhorst鈥檚 Prize for best publication, best MBB PhD Thesis and Innovate BC Commercialization Scholarship. Outside science, Dr. Cojocaru is also an enthusiastic dodgeball player.

Supervisor Dr. Peter Unrau of 丁香园AV鈥檚 Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry said that Dr. Cojocaru鈥檚 thesis, 鈥渃aptures some profound work that constrains our understanding of the earliest periods of evolution.鈥�

Says Dr. Cojocaru, 鈥淲orking with Dr. Unrau was an incredible learning experience that helped me develop into the scientist I am today. It鈥檚 an honor for our work to be recognized through the Dean鈥檚 Convocation Medal.鈥�

Dr. Cojocaru is now a research scientist at Acuitas Therapeutics, where he develops new analytical methods to study mRNA vaccines to increase understanding of their functionality and clinical potential.