Dustin King, Assistant Professor, Dept. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, SFU

Dr. Dustin King grew up in Burns Lake, a small town nestled in the northern reaches of British Columbia. As a member of the Thessalon First Nation and of Ojibwe Anishinaabe heritage, he carries his ancestral legacy with deep reverence and pride.

Dustin’s academic journey started with a BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UNBC, where he discovered his passion for research under the guidance of RNA biochemist Prof. Chow Lee. In 2011, he embarked on a CIHR funded PhD, immersing himself in the world of structural biology under the mentorship of the esteemed Prof. Natalie Strynadka at UBC. Here, Dustin unravelled the intricate molecular underpinnings of the emerging bacterial resistance factor, the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase, earning him the Governor General's Gold Medal for his PhD thesis.

In the year 2016, Dustin found a new home in the chemical biology laboratory of Prof. David Vocadlo at SFU, where he pioneered proteome-wide methodologies to unravel the secrets of labile PTMs (post-translational modifications). This postdoctoral work extended to the development of a method to discover CO₂-mediated carboxylation sites within proteins, unravelling the intricate role of this modification in organismal CO₂-sensing. These groundbreaking achievements, supported by the CIHR fellowship and the MSFHR/CLEAR trainee award, firmly established Dustin as a rising star in the realm of CO₂ biology, illuminating new paths for exploration and understanding.

In July 2022, he joined the MBB department at SFU as an assistant professor, propelling his endeavors to explore the intricate mechanisms by which microbes perceive and respond to reactive metabolites. His vibrant and diverse research group work together to explore how these reactive metabolites impact human health and how they can be used to develop sustainable biotechnologies to help mitigate climate change.

Beyond his scientific persuits, Dustin finds rejuvenation in his pastimes. Whether he's lacing up his skates to play ice hockey or embarking on invigorating hikes through the beautiful landscapes of the lower mainland, he enjoys the great outdoors alongside his cherished wife, Elizabeth, and their faithful golden retriever companions, Cioffi and Luna.