Huan Lab Metabolomics and Exposomics at UBC

High-resolution mass spectrometry · AI-enabled metabolomics · Exposomics

Decoding the small-molecule chemistry of life, health, and environment

The Huan Lab develops next-generation analytical chemistry and computational methods to detect, quantify, and interpret thousands of metabolites, lipids, and environmental chemicals from complex biological and environmental systems.

Explore research Meet the team
Analytical chemistry Computational biology Untargeted metabolomics Chemical exposome
Mass spectrometryHigh-resolution, high-sensitivity, high-throughput, and high-accuracy chemical measurement
Machine learning and statisticsPowerful solutions to the challenges in big data analytics
Activity metabolomicsMetabolomics-guided interrogation of biological mechanisms
Chemical exposomicsThe study of the full range of chemical exposures encountered by an individual throughout their lifetime.

Research engine

Turning complex spectra into chemical and biological meaning

Our research connects analytical chemistry, machine learning, and systems biology to push metabolomics beyond measurement and toward confident molecular interpretation.

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Next-Generation Mass Spectrometry

Improving LC-MS/MS acquisition, sensitivity, throughput, and quantitative confidence for omics-scale small-molecule analysis.

AI-Assisted Data Processing

Developing computational tools to extract reliable signals from noisy, high-dimensional LC-MS datasets.

Molecular Annotation and Discovery

Using spectral evidence, chemical knowledge, and machine learning to understand chemical fragmentation and prioritize unknown metabolites and environmental chemicals.

Biological and Environmental Applications

Applying metabolomics and exposomics to questions in disease biology, environmental health, microbiome research, and chemical exposure.

A Full-Stack Platform for Chemical Discovery

We build the complete metabolomics workflow: from sample extraction and LC-MS acquisition to AI-assisted data interpretation and biological insight.

01

Precision Sample Preparation

Robust extraction workflows designed to preserve chemical coverage across metabolites, lipids, and exposure-related compounds.

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02

High-Performance LC-MS

Instrument methods and quality-control strategies for reproducible, high-throughput chemical measurement.

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03

Computational Metabolomics

Algorithms for feature detection, normalization, annotation, and quantitative reliability in large-scale LC-MS studies.

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04

Collaborative Translation

Applications in health, disease, environmental exposure, and systems biology through interdisciplinary partnerships.

Meet the team

Precision mass spectrometry for high-quality molecular measurement

The Huan Lab's state-of-the-art MS platforms enable targeted and untargeted metabolomics, lipidomics, exposomics, and quantitative small-molecule analysis to measure thousands of high-quality metabolites across complex biological and environmental samples.

Bruker timsTOF mass spectrometer
Ion mobility QTOF

Bruker timsTOF HT

High-throughput trapped ion mobility QTOF for deep LC-MS/MS molecular profiling.

Details

Supports CCS-enabled characterization and high dynamic range acquisition for large-scale metabolomics, lipidomics, and related omics workflows.

SCIEX mass spectrometry system
Acoustic ejection MS

SCIEX Echo MS+ system with ZenoTOF 7600

Plate-based acoustic ejection MS for rapid high-throughput screening.

Details

Combines contactless sample introduction with high-resolution ZenoTOF readouts for scalable qualitative and quantitative small-molecule workflows.

Bruker impact mass spectrometer
High-resolution QTOF

Bruker impact II VIP QTOF

Ultra-high-resolution accurate-mass QTOF for untargeted discovery.

Details

Designed for trace analysis in complex matrices, metabolite identification, MS/MS characterization, and method development across LC-MS workflows.

Thermo Scientific TSQ Quantis mass spectrometer SCIEX QTRAP 5500 LC-MS/MS system
Targeted quantitation

Thermo Scientific TSQ Quantis Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer and SCIEX QTRAP 5500 LC-MS/MS System

Triple-quadrupole and QTRAP systems for targeted LC-MS/MS quantitation.

Details

Used for sensitive measurement, confirmation, and validation of metabolites, lipids, biomarkers, and exposure-related compounds in complex samples.

Team science

Training scientists who move fluently between instruments, code, chemistry, and biology

Our group brings together analytical chemists, computational scientists, environmental scientists, biologists, and trainees who are building the next generation of metabolomics technology.

Current members Alumni
Postdoctoral Fellows Independent research leaders Graduate Students Discovery and method builders Undergraduates Hands-on lab training Lab Manager Operations and coordination Alumni Careers beyond the lab Lab Life Community and culture

Research output

Methods and applications advancing modern metabolomics

Our publications span analytical chemistry, machine learning, exposomics, lipidomics, environmental health, and collaborative biological discovery.

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Selected Recent Work

The Multifaceted Challenge of Normalizing Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics Data Analytical Chemistry, accepted Disinfection Byproducts in the Long-Tail Exposome: Unmet Challenges for Water Quality and Human Health Environmental Science & Technology, accepted Practical Guidance for Training Machine Learning Models in Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Research Analytical Chemistry, 2025

Join us in building a better world through analytical chemistry

We welcome outstanding graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars interested in analytical mass spectrometry, metabolomics, exposomics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and systems biology.

Prospective trainees Apply to join