Coursework in global health, research methods, epidemiology and biostatistics, noncommunicable diseases and global surgery

Coursework in neuroscience techniques, and human behaviors at the cellular level

Study Abroad: Christchurch, New Zealand, Winter 2016

• Project Title: Effects of Caffeine and Cafestol on the induction of heat shock proteins HSPA6 (HSP70B’) and HSPA1A (HSP70-1) in Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. National Funding: Canada Research Chair (CRC) and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program ($17,000 CAD; Sept 2018-August 2019).
• I was the primary research student on this project, as it was my thesis. I planned and conducted experiments on human neuroblastoma cells which involved cell line maintenance, viability, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy and western blots, developed the literature review, and led the writing of the thesis and related publication.

• Project Title: Understanding mechanisms of spasticity: Effect of down regulation of the potassium chloride co-transporter on the strength of inhibitory synapses located on the dendrites of spinal motoneuron.
• I was the primary research student on the project and worked closely under Dr. Ken Rose’s guidance. I was responsible for creating my research question and designing the computational experiments. Using computational models, I studied the direct consequence of reduced KCC2 seen post spinal cord injury on the inhibitory synaptic strength on motoneuron dendrites.

• Under the tutelage of Dr. John Ramsden, I contributed in various ways to four different clinical studies. One focused on epidural usage and patient satisfaction in Vancouver; I wrote the literature review for this study. The second was a cardiac study where I analyzed previously collected data. The third was an electroconvulsive shock therapy study where my responsibilities included piloting a new anesthesia monitoring machine that censored the depth of patient’s sedation who were receiving electric shock therapy. Lastly, I started a colonoscopy and anesthesia study by contacting patients and conducting satisfaction questionnaires that I designed using REDCap.

• I submitted an abstract titled “Effects of Caffeine and Cafestol on the induction of heat shock proteins HSPA6 (HSP70B’) and HSPA1A (HSP70-1) in Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells” for peer review which was selected for poster presentation at the annual southern Ontario Neuroscience Association Conference.

• My role involves contributing to analysis and writing of current papers, submission of papers, literature reviews, peer-reviewing papers, evaluation of a survey tool, and thesis project development.

• In the biological science department, I was a teaching assistant for Human Biology: Development and Anatomy, Animal Physiology Lab, and Microbiology. I was responsible for running weekly 2-hour lab sections, which involved fetal pig, worm and frog dissections, electrophysiology, urine and blood analysis, crayfish handling, creating and marking quizzes and exams.

• My sister and I operate our own business teaching swimming lessons in our backyard pool to more than 100 clients. This commitment has furthered my professional development particularly my leadership and management skills through co-teaching, growing the business, and learning how to effectively teach each child. Furthermore, this job has taught me how to engage with a variety of people and to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• As part of my responsibilities I had to attain and regularly recertify the top national qualification in lifeguarding and swim instruction, as well as CRP-C and AED training.

• I partook in an exchange program, where I completed a full course load of credits at an international school. I was academically focus, and non-academically involved, joining outdoor clubs, volleyball, intramurals and meeting many students from different countries.

• We performed manual labor to build a school. We also performed daily tasks such as water collection, learned hunting strategies, were shown local health care options and volunteered in the local school yard.