June 21, 2023

Nik Kovinich, PhD
Curriculum Vitae
Department of Biology
York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3Phone: 416-736-2100 x 33890
Email: kovinich@yorku.ca
Home page: www.kovinichlab.com

Summary
As an Associate Professor of Systems Biology, I lead a team that studies gene regulatory
networks that control the biosynthesis of medicinal and agriculturally important defense
molecules in plants. I have authored over 25 publications – several of them in top journals in thefield, including The Plant Cell and Plant Physiology – and delivered 7 invited seminars at national
and international conferences and workshops. I have led or co-led 21 successful funding awards,
collectively worth over $3.76 million CAD, including a prestigious NIH AREA R15 award (worth~$500,000 over 4 years). I have won or have been nominated for 14 awards during my career,
including a Faculty Award for Distinction in Mentoring of Undergraduates in Research (2018).
Eighteen (13) of my undergraduate and 5 of my graduate students have (co)authored research
papers in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals, including BMC Genomics and Plant
Physiology. Our discoveries on the regulation of anticancer and antipathogenic metabolites
produced by plants has resulted in two (2) provisional patents with the USPTO. I am a member ofseveral professional societies, including the American Society of Plant Biologists and the
Phytochemical Society of North America. Finally, I am active at disseminating research at thenational and international levels by hosting seminars, chairing and organizing conferences, andproviding presentations to the public.

Funding: $3.76 Million
PhD students: 3
Undergraduates trained: 38
Undergraduate trainees with publications: 15
Courses taught: 4Awards and Nominations: 14
Publications: 26
Provisional Patents: 2
Invited presentations & seminars: 7
Accepted conference presentations: 7

CV

Nik Kovinich

Nik Kovinich

York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON, Canada, M3J 1P3
kovinich@yorku.ca
Website: kovinichlab.com

A. PERSONAL
Employment History
Associate Professor of Systems Biology, York University
Faculty of Science, Biology Department
2022 September – Present
Assistant Professor of Systems Biology, York University
Faculty of Science, Biology Department
2019 September – August 2022
Assistant Professor of Genetics, West Virginia University,
Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, Davis College of Agriculture,
Natural Resources and Design2015 July – 2019 August
Postdoctoral Fellow
The Ohio State University, Department of Molecular Genetics
2011 October – 2015 June
Research Affiliate
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Supervisor: Brian Miki)2010 April - 2011 September
Plant Biology Research Assistant
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Supervisor: Harvey Voldeng)
May – September, 2003-2007
Degrees
Ph.D. Biology
Carleton University / Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
2007 September – 2011 September
B.Sc. Honors Biology (Biotechnology)
University of Ottawa
2003 September - 2007 April
Diploma - Horticulture and Greenhouse Management
Kemptville College
2001 September – 2003 April

B. SCHOLARLY AND PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
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Research Support
Summary•Awarded over $3. million CAD in funding

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Nik Kovinich•

Funding

Diverse funding portfolio for carrying out pure and applied research21) USDA-NIFA
Investigation of the Transcriptional Regulation of Cannabinoid Synthesis
in Industrial Hemp
Role: Co-investigator$595,461 USD, Subaward $62,950 USD/$84,478 CAD, May 1, 2023 –January 14, 2025
20) Brad Lace Donation
Increasing pharmaceutical production in plants by novel biotechnology methods
Role: Principal Investigator$15,000, November 2022
19) York University Faculty Association (YUFA) Minor Research Grant
Plant Regeneration for Genome Engineering of Cannabis
Role: Principal Investigator$3000, January 2022
18) York University Junior Faculty Fund
Multi Network Deregulation for Anticancer Metabolite Production
Role: Principal Investigator$1325, January 2022
17) York University Faculty Association (YUFA) Minor Research Grant
Developing a Cannabis Strain for Pharmaceutical Production
Role: Principal Investigator$3000, January 2021
16) York University Junior Faculty Fund
Sinapine Transporter Regulates Flavonoid Biosynthesis
Role: Principal Investigator$2000, January 2021
15) CFI John R. Evans Leaders Fund Project number 40371
Infrastructure to Research and Engineer Specialized Metabolism in Plants
Role: Principal Investigator$75,010, June 23, 2020 (pending matching funds by Ontario Government)14) NSERC Discovery Grant (RGPIN-2020-06111)
Phytoalexin Gene Regulatory Networks
Role: Principal Investigator$165,000, May 2020 - April 2025
13) NSERC Discovery Launch Supplement (DGECR-2020-00131)
Phytoalexin Gene Regulatory Networks
Role: Principal Investigator$12,500, May 2020
12) USDA-NIFA
Characterization of the terpene-cannabinoid metabolic network and its genetic
regulation in industrial hemp.
Role: Co-investigator$199,603 USD, Subaward $25,920 USD/$35,506 CAD, June 1, 2020 – May
31, 2022
11) York University Faculty Association (YUFA) Minor Research Grant
Developing Gene Knock-out Technology for Cannabis
Role: Principal Investigator

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Nik Kovinich$2000, March 2020
10) York University Junior Faculty Fund
Characterizing Glyceollin Transcription Factor Recognition Elements
Role: Principal Investigator$1100, March 2020
9) NIH (AREA R15 PAR-18-714)
Unlocking the Regulation of Phytoalexin Biosynthesis
Role: Principal Investigator$450,000/$579,350 CAD, September 2019 – August 2022**Award could not be transferred to a Canadian Institution8) York University (Lab Start-up Funds)
Role: Principal Investigator$150,000, September 1, 2019 – Present
7) West Virginia University (SRF Deans’ InSPIRe Award)
Glyceollin I Reduces Hypoxia Induced Chemoresistance in Lung and Breast
Cancer Cell Lines
Role: Principal Investigator$5700 USD/$7,330 CAD June 1 2019 – August 16, 20196) West Virginia University (Research and Scholarship Advancement)
Metabolite Transport in Plants.
Role: Principal Investigator$10,000/$12,870 CAD, July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020
5) NIH / WV INBRE (Idea Network for Biomedical Research Excellence)
Glyceollin I a novel chemosensitizer acting through HIF-1-alpha.
Role: Principal Investigator$45,000/$57,900 CAD, August 1, 2017 – July 31, 20184) West Virginia University (Research and Scholarship Advancement)
Identifying the transcription factor gene that activates the biosynthesis of
antimicrobial defense metabolites in soybean to provide broad spectrum
resistance to Phytophthora sojae.
Role: Principal Investigator$14,915 USD/$19,200 CAD, July 1, 2017 – June 30, 20183) USDA-NIFA WVA00687 (HATCH Capacity Act)
Understanding Metabolic Responses of Plants to Stress for Crop
Improvement and Human Health.
Role: Principal Investigator$5,700//$7,330 CAD, August 1, 2016 – July 31, 20191) West Virginia University (Lab Start-up Funds)
Role: Principal Investigator$325,000/$418,290 CAD, July 16, 2015 – August 16, 2019
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (Postdoctoral
Pelotonia Fellowship)
Combining Semi-Synthesis with Plant and Microbial Synthetic Biology:
New Frontiers in the Chemical Arsenal Against Cancer$80,000 USD/$102,900 CAD, November 1, 2012 – November 1, 2014

Peer Reviewed Publications
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Summary

Nik Kovinich

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Several papers in high impact journals including The Plant Cell (IF: 9.618)
and Plant Physiology (IF: 6.902)
First-author or Principle Investigator for 21 of 26 papers, cited 921 times
H-index = 15
14 students mentored by Kovinich (co)authored 13 papers

Notes:*Denotes students supervised at foreign institutions.
**Denotes students supervised at York University, Canada.
26) Lin J**, Monsalvo I**, Ly M**, Jahan Md A, Wi D**, Martirosyan I**,
Kovinich N (2023). RNA-Seq Dissects Incomplete Activation of
Phytoalexin Biosynthesis by the Soybean Transcription Factors
GmMYB29A2 and GmNAC42-1. Plants 12 (3), 545.
25) Yousefi-Taemeh M, Lin J**, Ifa DR, Parrott W, Kovinich N (2021).
Metabolomics Differences of Glycine max QTLs Resistant toSoybean Looper. Metabolites 11 (10), 710.
24) Lin J**, Liu D, Wang X, Ahmed S**, Li M, Kovinich N, Sui S (2021).
Transgene CpNAC68 from Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)
Improves Arabidopsis Survival of Multiple Abiotic Stresses. Plants
10 (7), 1403.
23) Ahmed S**, Gao X, Jahan Md A*, Adams M*, Wu N, Kovinich N(2021). Nanoparticle-Based Genetic Transformation of Cannabis
sativa. Journal of Biotechnology, 326(1), pp. 48-51.
22) Ahmed S**, Kovinich N (2020). Regulation of Phytoalexin Biosynthesis for
Agriculture and Human Health. Phytochemistry Reviews. DOI:
10.1007/s11101-020-09691-821) Jahan Md A*, Harris B*, Lowery M*, Infante AM, Percifield RJ, Ammer
AG, Kovinich N (2020). Glyceollin Transcription Factor
GmMYB29A2 Regulates Soybean Resistance to Phytophthorasojae. Plant Physiology, 183(2), pp.530-546.
20) Dabeek WM, Kovinich N, Walsh C, Marra VM (2019). Characterization
and Quantification of Major Flavonol Glycosides in Ramps (Allium
tricoccum). Molecules 24(18), 3281.
19) Kovinich N (2019). Combining Biocatalysts and Semi-Synthesis to(Bio)Synthesize Recalcitrant Pharmaceuticals. Archives inBiomedical Engineering & Biotechnology. Accepted May 2019.
18) Jahan Md A*, Harris B*, Lowery M*, Coburn K*, Infante AM, Percifield
RJ, Ammer AG, Kovinich N (2019). The NAC Transcription Factor
GmNAC42-1 Regulates Glyceollin Phytoalexin Biosynthesis in
Soybean. BMC Genomics 20:149.
17) Jahan Md A*, Kovinich N (2019). Acidity stress for the systemic
elicitation of glyceollin phytoalexins in soybean plants. Plant
Signaling & Behavior.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2019.1604018.
16) Hohenstein J, Studham ME, Klein A, Kovinich N, Barry K, Lee Y-J,
MacIntosh GC (2018). Transcriptional and chemical changes in

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Nik Kovinichsoybean leaves in response to long-term aphid colonization.
Frontiers in Plant Science 10, 310.
15) Kovinich N, Durkin P* (2018). Hormone deficient mutants have distinct
flavonoid proportion fingerprints in response to abiotic stress. Plant
Signaling & Behavior. DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2018.1542241.
14) Kovinich N, Wang Y*, Adegboye J*, Chanoca A, Otegui M, Durkin P*
and Grotewold E (2018). Arabidopsis MATE45 Antagonizes Local
Abscisic Acid Signaling to Mediate Development and Abiotic StressResponses. Plant Direct 2018: 1-17.
12) Gary S*, Adegboye J*, Popp B, Cocuron JC, Woodrum B*, Kovinich N(2018). Combining semi-synthesis with plant and microbial
biocatalysis: new frontiers in producing a chemical arsenal against
cancer. RSC Advances 8: 21332-21339.
11) Farrell KC*, Jahan Md A*, Kovinich N (2017). Distinct Mechanisms of
Biotic and Chemical Elicitors enable Additive Elicitation of the
Anticancer Phytoalexin Glyceollin I. Molecules 22: 1261-1247.
10) Chanoca A, Burkel B, Kovinich N, Grotewold E, Eliceiri K, Otegui M(2016). Using Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy to Study
Subcellular Localization. Plant Journal doi: 10.1111/tpj.13297.
9) Chanoca A, Kovinich N, Grotewold E, Otegui M. (2015). Anthocyanin
Vacuolar Inclusions Form by a Microautophagy Mechanism. The
Plant Cell. DOI: tpc.15.00589. (Cover article for The Plant Cell,and highlighted in Nature).
8) Kovinich N, Kayanja G*, Chanoca A, Otegui M, Grotewold E (2015).
Abiotic stresses induce different localizations of anthocyanins in
Arabidopsis.
Plant
Signaling&
Behavior
DOI
10.1080/15592324.2015.1027850.
7) Kovinich N, Kayanja G*, Chanoca A, Riedl K, Otegui M, Grotewold E(2014). Not all anthocyanins are born equal: Distinct patterns
induced by stress in Arabidopsis. Planta DOI 10.1007/s00425-0142079-1.
6) Kovinich N, Saleem A, Arnason JT, and Miki B. (2012a). Coloring
genetically modified soybean grains with anthocyanins bysuppression of the proanthocyanidin genes ANR1 and ANR2.
Transgenic research DOI: 10.1007/s11248-011-9566-y.
5) Kovinich N, Saleem A, Arnason JT, Miki B. (2012b). Identification of
two anthocyanidin reductase genes and three red-brown soybean
accessions with reduced anthocyanidin reductase 1 mRNA,
activity, and seed coat proanthocyanidin amounts. Journal of
agricultural and food chemistry 60: 574-84.
4) Schnell S, Labbé H, Kovinich N, Manabe Y, Miki B. (2012c).
Comparability of imazapyr-resistant Arabidopsis created bytransgenesis and mutagenesis. Transgenic research
DOI: 10.1007/s11248-012-9597-z.
3) Kovinich N, Saleem A, Arnason JT, Miki B (2011a) Combined analysisof transcriptome and metabolite data reveals extensive differences
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Nik Kovinich
between black and brown nearly-isogenic soybean (Glycine max)
seed coats enabling the identification of pigment isogenes. BMC
Genomics 12: 381.
2) Kovinich N, Arnason JT, DeLuca V, Miki B (2011b) Coloring Soybeans
with Anthocyanins? In DR Gang, ed, Recent Advances in
Phytochemistry, Vol 41. Springer, pp 47-57. ISBN: 978-1-44196961-3.
1) Kovinich N, Saleem A, Arnason JT, Miki B (2010) Functional
characterization of a UDP-glucose:flavonoid 3-Oglucosyltransferase from the seed coat of black soybean (Glycinemax (L.) Merr.). Phytochemistry 71: 1253-1263.

Patents
Summary••

2 provisional patents with the United States Patent & Trademark Office
Focus: technologies that enhance the biosynthesis of anticancer andantipathogen metabolites in soybean

Provisional Patents
2) 02-MAR-2018 Transcription factors that positively regulate the biosynthesis ofglyceollins (Provisional - EFS ID: 31943042)
1) 15-FEB-2018
Abiotic Stresses for the Elicitation of Glyceollin Phytoalexins in Soybean Plants(Provisional - EFS ID: 31799871).
Presentations
Summary•••

7 invited presentations including at Tokyo University of Science, Japan
Total of 13 seminar presentations
2 invited public lectures

Invited Presentations
8) 2022 – PSNA Annual Meeting 2022. Virginia Tech, USA. Title: GmJAZ1
proteins bind GmNAC42s and suppress the activation of glyceollin
phytoalexin biosynthesis in soybean.
7) 2019 – Bioinformatics Workshop – Medical Section. Tokyo University of
Science, Japan. Title: Unlocking the regulation of phytoalexin biosynthesis forhuman health.
6) 2019 – Bioinformatics Workshop – Agriculture Section. Tokyo Universityof Science, Japan. Title: Glyceollin transcription factor GmMYB2 is aregulator of soybean resistance to Phytophthora sojae.
5) 2019 - York University Biology Department. Toronto, Canada. Title:
Unlocking the Regulation of Phytoalexin Biosynthesis for Human Health andAgriculture.
4) 2018 – The 6th Edition of International Conference on Pharmacognosy and
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Medicinal Plants. Amsterdam, Netherlands. Title: Enhancing the regulation ofphytoalexin biosynthesis in plants.
3) 2015 - Department of Horticulture and Crop Science Seminar Series,
The Ohio State University. Ohio, USA. Title: Metabolite Transporters as
Central Mediators of Stress Responses.
2) 2014 – Center for Applied Plant Sciences Seminar Series. Ohio, USA.
Title: MATE45 Functions at the Convergence of ABA and Auxin Hormone
Signaling Pathways to Arrest Development during Stress.
1) 2013 – Pelotonia Fellowship Symposium. Ohio, USA. Title: New
Frontiers in the Chemical Arsenal Against Cancer: Combining Modules of
Semi-Synthesis and Synthetic Biology.
Accepted Presentations
6) 2019 – 10th Annual Nano Ontario Conference. Toronto, Canada. Title:
Genetic Transformation of the Pharmaceutical Plant Cannabis sativa using
Cationic Polymer-modified Silica Coated Gold Nanoparticles.
5) 2019 – Phytochemical Society of North America. Tennessee, USA. Title:
Glyceollin Transcription Factor GmMYB2 is a Regulator of Soybean
Resistance to Phytophthora sojae.
4) 2019 – Q-Bio. Hawaii, USA. Title: Contrasting Abiotic Stresses Reveals a
Conserved Regulator of Phytoalexin Biosynthesis.
3) 2012 – Banff Conference on Plant Metabolism. Alberta, Canada. Title:
Phytochemical transport: anthocyanins in Arabidopsis.
2) 2010 - 12th International Association for Plant Biotechnology (IAPB)
Congress. St Louis, USA. Title: Engineering Colored Soybeans to Enable
Monitoring of Transgenic Grains.
1) 2009 - Phytochemical Society of North America. Maryland, USA. Title:
Identification of a UDP-glucose:flavonoid glycosyltransferase for anthocyanin
biosynthesis from the seed coat of black soybean.
Invited Course Lectures
2020 - Current Topics in Biological Research (BIOL 3100)
Course Director: Sandra Rehan
2019 - Current Topics in Biological Research (BIOL 3100)
Course Director: Tamara Kelly
2017, 2018 - Orientation to Biochemistry (AGBI 199, West Virginia University)
Course Director: Kimberly Barnes
Invited Public Lectures
2) 2019 – Master Gardeners Association Annual Meeting. West Virginia,
USA. Title: Biostimulants.
1) 2016 – Master Gardeners Association Annual Meeting. West Virginia,
USA. Title: Plant Transformation and Genetic Engineering.
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Training and Mentorship
Summary••

Mentoring
Mechanisms

York University
NSERC USRA and York University DURA Summer Research Assistantships
Biology Honors Thesis – BIOL 4000
Mitacs Globalink Research Internship
Volunteering

Mentored 29 undergraduate students for one or more semesters
18 students mentored by Kovinich (co)authored 12 papers

West Virginia University
Honors Investigation and Thesis – BIOL 486 (Biology)
Independent Research – AGBI 386 (Biochemistry)
Independent Research – BIOL 386 (Biology)
Teaching Practicum – GEN 790 (Genetics)
Teaching Practicum – GEN 490 (Genetics)
Research – AGBI 497 (Biochemistry)
Research – GEN 497 (Genetics)
Supervision ofStudents

Notes:*Denotes student authored one or more publications in my lab

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York University
PhD

MSc

7) Ivan Monsalvo (September 2022 – present)
6) Jie Lin (January 2020 – present)5) Sajjad Ahmed (October 2019 – Fall 2021)
4) Sarah Pullano (May 2023 – present)

3) Melissa Ly (September 2022 – present)
2) Israt Jahan (September 2021 – September 2022)
West Virginia University
PhD1) Md. Asraful Jahan* (2015- graduated 2019, currently AssistantProfessor at University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh)

York University
Undergraduate Students38) Vida Razmjou (NSERC Undergraduate Student
Research Award Holder, Summer 2022 – Biology)37) Ji-soo Chai (Undergraduate Volunteer, Summer 2022 –Biomedical Sciences)36) María Fernanda Rosales De la Cruz (Mitacs Globalink
Research Intern, Summer 2022 – Biology)35) Dasol Wi* (Dean's Undergraduate Student ResearchAward Holder, Honors Thesis Summer 2022 – Biology)34) Izabella Martirosyan* (Undergraduate Volunteer,
Honors Research, Summer 2022 – Biology)33) Dalena Nguyen (Undergraduate Volunteer, Summer
2022 – Biomedical Sciences)32) Hyejung Kwon (Undergraduate Volunteer, Summer
2022 – Biomedical Sciences)31) Ivan Monsalvo* (Honors Student, Fall 2021 to Winter2022 – Biology)30) Hetal Patil (Honors Student, Fall 2021 to Winter 2022 –Biology)29) Eric Thomson (Undergraduate Volunteer, Winter 2020 –Biomedical Sciences)
28) Amanda Gorgees (Research Practicum, Winter 2020 –Biology)27) Hooriya Sher (Research Practicum, Winter 2020 – Biomedical
Sciences)
26) Dylan Martinez (YSSA Student, Summer 2020 – Biomedical
Sciences)
West Virginia University (2015-2019)
Undergraduate Students
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25) Brianna Harris* (Undergraduate – Biochemistry)24) Maxwell Adams* (Undergraduate – Biochemistry)23) Kiersten Jacobs (Undergraduate – Biology)22) Najela Vallarta (Undergraduate – Biology)21) Matthew Lowery* (Undergraduate – Biochemistry)20) Samuel Gary* (Honors Thesis – Biochemistry, subsequently at
Kentucky University School of Medicinal Chemistry, USA)

19) Angela Mancini (Undergraduate – Biology)18) Molly Raque (Undergraduate – Animal Sciences,subsequently PhD student at OSU Veterinary Medicine)17) Kelli Farrell* (Undergraduate - Biology, subsequently
Physician's Assistant School in PA)

16) Paige Durkin* (Honors Thesis, Capstone – Biology,
subsequently at WVU Dental School, USA)

15) Holland Matlock (Undergraduate – Biochemistry, subsequently
at WVSOM Medical School)

14) Paige Palumbo (Undergraduate – Biology, subsequently at
WVU Medical School, USA)
13) Maisha Huq (Undergraduate – Biochemistry)12) Kaitlyn Williams (Capstone – Biochemistry)
11) Brooklyn Woodrum* (Undergraduate – Biochemistry)10) Katie Coburn* (Undergraduate – Biochemistry)

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9) Hannah Hypes (Undergraduate – Biochemistry)8) Caroline Cavender (Undergraduate – Animal Sciences)
7) Mariana Shank (Undergraduate – Biology)
The Ohio State University (as Postdoctoral Fellow, 2011-2015)6) Janet A. Adegboye* (Undergraduate, subsequently at Case
Western Reserve University Medical School)5) Gilbert Kayanja* (Pre-Graduate Student, subsequently PhD

student at Purdue)
4) Daniela Carolina Pinto e Lício (Visiting Scholar from Brazil)
3) Yiqun Wang* (Undergraduate, subsequently PhD student at
Harvard University)
2) Donald Thomas (Undergraduate, subsequently at Ohio State
University Medical School)
1) Anna Zakas (Undergraduate, subsequently Oncology Genetic
Counselor at University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics)
Nominations and Awards
Summary••

Nominations

12) Faculty Award for Distinction in Mentoring of Undergraduates in
Research
West Virginia University
2018 March (Nominated)

2 nominations for outstanding undergraduate research mentor
10 awards or nominations in total as Faculty, Postdoc, and Student11) Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor
Undergraduate Research Office and URO’s Student Advisory Committee,
The Ohio State University
2014 February (Nominated, Declined Award - Not Faculty)Awards10) PSNA Arthur Neish Young Investigator Award
Phytochemical Society of North America
2022 July9) Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories NSERC
Postdoctoral Fellowship2013 June (Declined Award - Pelotonia did not Permit Simultaneously Holding
two Fellowships)
8) Postdoctoral Pelotonia Fellowship2012 November – 2014 NovemberAwards as aStudent7) Ontario Graduate Scholarship2011 September, Declined (moved to U.S. to begin Postdoc)
6) Dean Grad. Stud. Acad. Excellence2010 September - 2011 August5) International Association for Plant Biotechnology – Canadian Scholarship
December 20094) Dean Grad. Stud. Acad. Excellence

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3) Phytochemical Society of North America – Best Presentation
August 2009
2) Carleton University Graduate Scholarship2008 September - 2008 December
1) University of Ottawa – Dean’s Honor
2006-2007

Advisor for Supervisory Committees & Thesis Defense Committees:
Summary•••

Advisor for 18 students in total
13 PhD, 5 MSc, and 3 Undergraduate honors thesis students
Research areas include Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering18) Kyra Dougherty. Genome and Phylogenetic Analysis of Pokeweed.
Supervisor: Katalin Hudak (Biology Department, York University).
17) Bakhtiyar Taghizada. PhD Candidate. Genomic and biochemical
characterization of ubiquitylated H2A.Z. 2022 – present.
Supervisor: Emanuel Rosonina (Biology Department, York
University).
16) Su Kyong Lee. PhD Candidate. Exploring roles of Ubp3 inregulating transcription and reinitiation genome-wide through a newproximity labelling assay in budding yeast. 2022 – present.
Supervisor: Emanuel Rosonina (Biology Department, York University).
15) Sehaj Raina. PhD Candidate. Characterization of the histone
variant H2A.Z in vivo to understand the biological roles of H2A.Z
ubiquitylation. 2022 – present. Supervisor: Peter Cheung (Biology
Department, York University).
14) Su Kyong Lee. PhD Candidate. The role of a deubiquitination enzyme
in regulating transcription globally and developing a transcription
reinitiation assay. 2021 – present. Supervisor: Emanuel Rosonina(Biology Department, York University).
13) Silvya Sidarous. Honors student. Does pokeweed antiviral protein
depurinate mRNAs? 2021 – present. Supervisor: Katalin Hudak (Biology
Department, York University).
12) Vijaya Adatrao. PhD Candidate. Regulation of primary modulators ofgene expression in Bacillus subtilis in response to cell envelope stress.
2020 – present. Supervisor: Dasantila Golemi-Kotra (Biology
Department, York University).
11) Ariana Fathi. Honors student. Are viruses alive? 2020 – present.
Supervisor: Dawn Bazely (Biology Department, York University).
10) Brittney Picinic. MSc Candidate. The effect of a blood meal in females
and hormonal regulation on the abundance and localization ofaquaporins. 2020 – present. Jean-Paul Paluzzi (Biology Department,
York University).
9) Kiana Rafiee Darmian. PhD Candidate. Reinforced mycelium based
biocomposites from wastes. 2020 – present. Supervisor: Satinder Kaur
Brar (Lassonde School of Engineering, York University).

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8) Evan McCoy. PhD Candidate. Quantitative resistance to defoliatinginsects in soybean. 2016 – present. Supervisor: Wayne Parrott (Instituteof Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics, University of Georgia).
7) Gur Sohal. Honors student. Towards a Novel Rapid Bioassay for
Determining the Toxicity of Small Quantities of Fungal Endophyte
Infected Grasses - Phase 3. 2020 – present. Supervisor: Dawn Bazely(Biology Department, York University).
6) Consuelo Perez. PhD Candidate. Chemical Profiling of Drugs andMetabolites from Complex Biological Matrices by Atmospheric Pressure
and Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry Techniques. 2020 – 2021.
Supervisor: Demian Ifa (Department of Chemistry, York University).
5) Wijdan Dabeek. MSc student. Characterization and Preliminary
Quantification of Major Flavonols in Ramps (Allium tricoccum). 2018 –15 | P a g e

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2019. Supervisor: Melissa Ventura-Marra (Nutrition and Food Science,West Virginia University).
4) Steven Knowlden. PhD Candidate. Synthesis of Allenes: Unlocking New
Reactivity of Ruthenium Vinylidene Complexes. 2019 – 2019.
Supervisor: Brian Popp (Department of Chemistry, West Virginia
University).
3) Matthew Maust. PhD Candidate. Investigation of the role of catabolic
products derived from nutrients as regulatory agents of secondary
metabolite production in Penicillium camemberti. 2017 – 2018.
Supervisor: (Plant & Soil Sciences, West Virginia University).
2) Samantha Fabian. MSc Candidate. Ergot alkaloid synthetic capacity ofPenicillium camemberti. 2016 – 2018. Supervisor: (Plant & Soil Sciences,
West Virginia University).
1) Paige Bragg. MSc Candidate. Expression of the Pharmaceutically
Important Ergot Alkaloid Dihydrolysergic Acid in the fungus Neosartorya
fumigate. 2015 – 2016. Supervisor: (Plant & Soil Sciences, West Virginia
University).

Student Training for International Competitions
Summary••

Advisor for Tokyo University of Science undergraduate student
team competing in iGEM
They achieved the silver medal in 20202018, 2019, 2020-

International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) worldwide
synthetic biology competition. Boston MA, USA.
Role: Student Advisor.
Supervisor: Kengo Morohashi (currently at Michigan State
University)

Reviewer for Journals
Summary••

Reviewer for 21 journals, including PNAS twice
Review Editor for 2 journals

Review Editor
202320192016Reviewer
202320232022, 202320222022, 2020,
2019, 201720212020, 20192020, 20182020-

MDPI Plants
Archives in Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology
Frontiers of Plant Science
Nature Communications
Plant Biotechnology Journal
The Plant Journal
Plant Cell Reports
Frontiers of Plant Science
Scientific Reports
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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20202019, 2018, 201620202019201820182017, 20122016201520152015, 2014, 20232014, 2012, 20112013201320132011-

Plant and Cell Physiology
Genes
Agronomy
Molecules
Journal of Chemistry
PlantaPlant Cell Reports
Journal of Proteome Research
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
PLOS ONE
Plant Science
Arabian Journal of Chemistry
International Journal 4 Molecular Sciences
Protoplasma
BMC Plant Biology

Invited Reviewer for Grants
Summary••

Invited Reviewer for 3 federal grants
1 Internal grant2022201920192015-

National Science Foundation, Plant Genome
Research Program (USA)National Science Foundation, Plant Genome
Research Program (USA)Genome Canada, 2018 Large-Scale Applied Research
Project Competition: Genomics Solutions for Agriculture,
Agri-food, Fisheries and Aquaculture
USDA Hatch Proposal, internal reviewer for West
Virginia University

Conference Organization & Assistance
Summary•••

Chair of 1 international conference
Assisted in organizing an ASPB Midwest Section meeting
Judge for 8 science competitions including Graduate, Undergraduate,
and Aboriginal Elementary School Science competitions

Conference
Chair
2018Conference
Organizer
Assistant
2019Presentation
Judge
2019-

6th Edition of International Conference on
Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Amsterdam,
Netherlands. Organizer: Hari Shanker Sharma (Uppsala
University Sweden).
2019 Annual Meeting Midwestern Section American
Society of Plant Biologists
Chair: Kathrin Schrick (Kansas State University),
Organizer Michael Gutensohn (West Virginia
University)
2019 Annual Meeting Midwestern Section American
Society of Plant Biologists
Chair: Michael Gutensohn
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Nik Kovinich
Graduate student oral and poster presentationcompetition - Tokyo University of Science, Japan.
Chair: Kengo Morohashi (currently at Michigan State
University)

2020-

2017,2018,2019201820142011-

West Virginia University Undergraduate Spring
Symposium
Organizer: Kimberly Barnes (West Virginia University)
Davis College Research Day
Organizer: Gregory Dahle (West Virginia University)
The Ohio State University Denman Forum (AnUndergraduate Science Fair)
The Annual Akwesasne Mohawk Science Fair
(An Elementary School Science Fair)

Memberships in Professional Societies
Summary••

Currently a member of 2 professional societies
Was a member of 6 in total

2011-Present
2009-Present
2015-20192015-2019

American Society of Plant Biologists
Phytochemical Society of North America
West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science InstituteWest Virginia iDeA Network of Biomedical Research
Excellence (WV-INBRE)
International Association for Plant Biotechnology
Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists

2009-2015
2009-2011

Faculty Development Activities
Summary•

Participated in 12 development activities in total

2020

Course Design Intensive Workshop

2020

Enhanced Unconscious Bias/Affirmative Action Workshop

2020

CRISPR Detection & Validation Webinar

2018

Faculty Evaluation, Promotion, and Tenure Seminar

2018

Polishing the NIH Biosketch Seminar

2018

Online Teaching - An Instructor’s Perspective

2018

SBIR/STTR Grant Mechanisms and Panel Discussion

2015

NIH Grant Writing Workshop.

2015

Cancer Cell Biology (CCB) weekly journal club.
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Nik Kovinich
Organizer: Michael Ruppert (West Virginia University Cancer
Institute).
2015

Appreciative Advising Webinar.
West Virginia University.
Presenter: Jennifer Bloom (Florida Atlantic University).

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Nik Kovinich

2015
2015
C. TEACHING.
iClicker Workshop.
West Virginia University.
eCampus: Getting Started.
West Virginia University.

Courses
Summary•••

Courses

Notes: * Denotes new courses developed or substantially revised.
**Denotes course developed but not taught.

Instructed 4 courses in total
Developed 2 new courses and substantially revised 1
Subjects: Genetics, Plant Biology, Biotechnology, Writing

20202020, 2021-

York University4) Current Topics in Biological Research – SC/BIOL 3100
3) Plant Biology – SC/BIOL 201020182015-2018N/A-

WVU
2) *Genetic Engineering Technologies – GEN 440
1) *Principles in Genetics (Lecture and Lab) – GEN 371*, **Computational Genetics - GEN 290

Teaching Assistants
Summary•

25 Teaching Assistants

BIOL 2010 (2021)

Sajjad Ahmed
Shelby Gibson
Anthony Ayers
Jie Lin
Aman Basu
Jenna LeBlanc
Stephanie Haas

BIOL 3100 (2020)

Laura Newburn
Harpreet Saini
Mostafa Sedky
Cindy Tran
Kyra Fine
Jenna LeBlanc

BIOL 2010 (2019)

Tanushree Tiwari
Sajjad Ahmed
Chaminda Gunawardene
Jesse Huisken
Jenna LeBlanc
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Nik Kovinich
GEN 371 (2018)

Md. Asraful Jahan
Erin Hartzell

GEN 371 (2017)

Md. Asraful Jahan
Stanislav Tatsiy

GEN 371 (2016)

Md. Asraful Jahan
Audrey Biega

GEN 371 (2015)

Md. Asraful Jahan

D. SERVICE
Faculty-level Committees
Summary•

4 Faculty-level committees

York University
4) Strategic Plan Advisory Board
Role: Advisor
Lead Organizer: Rui Wang
Chair: Mary-Helen Armour
2020 – 2021
3) Faculty of Science Student Appeals Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Gerald Audette
April 2020 – Present
West Virginia University
2) Undergraduate Council and College Curriculum and Standards
Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Todd Petty
2018 – August 20191) Davis Undergraduate Curriculum Council
Role: Advisor
Chair: Todd Petty
2016 – August 2019
Department/Division-level Committees
Summary•

6 Department-level committees

York University6) Department of Biology Tenure & Promotion Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: K. Andrew White (York University)
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Nik Kovinich
January 2020 – December 2020
West Virginia University5) Graduate Student Compensation Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Matt Kasson (West Virginia University)
July 2018
4) Plant & Soil Sciences Seminar Committee
Role: Chair
Organizer: Matt Jenks (currently at Arizona State University)
2017 – 20193) Genetics & Developmental Biology (GDB) Program Advisory Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Matt Jenks (currently at Arizona State University)
2016 – 20172) Metabolomics Core Advisory Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Joseph McFadden (currently at Cornell University)
2016 – 2017
1) Plant & Soil Sciences Social Committee
Role: Chair
Contact: Matt Jenks (currently at Arizona State University)
2016 – 2017The Ohio State University Center for Applied Plant Sciences (CAPS)CAPS Plant Growth Facilities Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Gary Posey (The Ohio State University)
2013 – 2015

Faculty and Staff Recruitment Activities
Summary•

5 hiring committees

West Virginia University5) Shared Resource Manager Hiring Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Trina Wafle (West Virginia University)
20184) Teaching Assistant Professor Hiring Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Kimberly Barnes (West Virginia University)
20183) Greenhouse Facilities Manager Search Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Nicole Waterland (West Virginia University)
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Nik Kovinich
20172) Greenhouse Facilities Director Search Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Nicole Waterland (West Virginia University)
20161) Microbiology Search Committee
Role: Advisor
Chair: Daniel Panaccione (West Virginia University)
2015

Student Recruitment Activities
Summary•

3 Undergraduate recruitment events

York University
3) Biology Graduate Program Recruitment Event
Role: Participant
Chair: Robert Tsushima (York University)
20202) Biology Graduate Program Recruitment Event
Role: Participant
Chair: Robert Tsushima (York University)
2021
West Virginia University
1) Discover WVU Day
Role: Student Advisor
Organizer: Valerie Lastinger (West Virginia University)
2018

Other Service Activities
Summary•••

Student Advisor for Biochemistry Program
Department event organizer
YSSA event participantYork University
3) York Science Scholars Event
Role: Participant
Organizer: Michael Scheid (York University)
2020
West Virginia University
2) Undergraduate Biochemistry Students
Role: Student Advisor for Biochemistry Program
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Nik Kovinich
Chair: Kimberly Barnes (West Virginia University)
July 2018 – August 20191) Division of Plant & Soil Sciences Annual Picnic
Role: Assistant organizer
Organizer: Sven Verlinden (West Virginia University)
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