Home Town: Lanark, ON
Program: Microbiology and Immunology, Co-op and Honours
Current Year: 4^th year
Why I chose Microbiology at Dal:
I chose to go into Microbiology mainly due to my love of pursuing knowledge and captivation with pathogens that started when I was young. Growing up in a rural Ontario, schools were small and didn’t offer more than what was required by the curriculum. As a consequence, my interest in biology and pursuit of knowledge was largely shaped by my mom, a surveyor with a fierce love of reading. When I was 12 years old she introduced me to ‘The Hot Zone’; a book about the origins of filoviruses like Ebola virus. From that moment on, I was hooked. Throughout high school I took all the biology classes that were offered and spoke to my teachers about possible job opportunities in the field.

I applied for Microbiology programs at three different schools but ultimately chose Dalhousie because they had a co-op program where I could get hands-on experience.

Extracurricular Involvement:
Throughout my degree I have held several roles within the Society of Immunology and Microbiology Students (SIMS), as well as in Dalhousie Urban Garden Society, Vaudeville Fashion Society, Dalhousie iGEM, and was a head leader in Dalhousie Orientation Week. These various roles on campus have allowed me to develop a diverse skill set and gain valuable additional experience.

Favourite Part of being in Microbiology at Dal:
My favourite part of being in Microbiology at Dal is the close-knit environment within the Department. Being a smaller department, it is easy to meet most of the faculty and grad students through classes, research opportunities and SIMS events. This gives students a priceless opportunity to talk to and learn from experts in their field of interest. Graduate students are also an amazing resource, especially when deciding possible career paths. Being the President of SIMS this year has given me a unique perspective of working with the department to try and enrich the undergraduate experience. This was only possible because of the friendly environment that allowed easy conversation between undergraduate students and the Department of Microbiology.

Favourite Part of being in Halifax:
My favourite part of Halifax is the community. Since my second year I have been heavily involved with the Dalhousie Urban Garden Society. Through my friends there, I met many like-minded people in Halifax that shared the same passion for food justice, urban gardening and sustainable living. Being part of this group has made me feel at home in Halifax, a very welcome feeling when your 3 provinces away from family.

Future Goals:
I would like to pursue further education in a Masters program. Ideally, I want to continue in virology. During my three co-op terms I worked in two separate labs in the Microbiology and Immunology Department. These work experiences introduced me to research and I caught the bug. My Honour’s project in a virology lab cemented my future goals and narrowed the scope of research I want to focus on.

Home Town: Vancouver, BC
Program: Honours in Microbiology and Immunology, Minor in History, and a Certificate in Genetics
Current Year: 4^th year
Why I chose Microbiology at Dal:
I came to Dalhousie to be part of the first-year Dalhousie Integrated Science Program (DISP) because despite knowing that I liked science, I had not yet decided which subject to study. My decision to pursue microbiology and immunology was ultimately shaped by an amazing teaching assistant from the Microbiology Department. In second year I took the introductory microbiology and immunology course and I have been captivated by the subject ever since.

Extracurricular Involvement:
As I am not from Halifax, I originally began volunteering around the city in order to get a sense of the community, but now I do it for fun and to balance my academic life. At Dalhousie, I volunteer as a medical first responder with the Dalhousie Medical Campus Response Team, and I lead the Dalhousie International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team. I also work as a first-year chemistry teaching assistant. Outside Dalhousie, I volunteer with the IWK and Autism Arts, and I dance with the RCMP Highland Dance Troupe.

Favourite Part of being in Microbiology at Dal:
After the second-year introductory microbiology course I was eager to begin working in a lab, and thus I asked around the department. By the start of winter semester, I was cloning genes to produce fluorescent fusion proteins. The Department is filled with opportunity to explore microbiology and immunology outside the confines of a classroom. One of my favorite parts of being in the Microbiology Department has been as one of the founding team members of Dalhousie iGEM. While the team is cross-disciplinary, the Microbiology Department has been at the heart of the team’s development by providing invaluable financial and professional support.

Favourite Part of being in Halifax:
My favourite part of being in Halifax has been getting to know the city over the years. In first year I was desperate to get back to the comforts of Vancouver, but as I became more involved in the community, Halifax began to feel more like home. Moreover, I enjoy exploring the rich history of Halifax which can be observed by walking through the city streets.

Future Goals:
After taking a clinical microbiology course, I have been determined to become a clinical microbiologist. There are many aspects of clinical microbiology that I find particularly fascinating such as: virulence factors, clinical presentation, identification methods, treatment options, and antibiotic resistance. After graduating, I will continue studying at Dalhousie University to obtain my master’s degree. Upon receiving my graduate degree, I am uncertain whether I will pursue a PhD or an MD, but in either case I will then study to become a Fellow of the Canadian College of Microbiologist (FCCM).