"Grateful. Fulfilling. Unexpected": Shwetha Gopinath’s summer studentship in the Hobman Lab
1 October 2026
'Grateful', 'Fulfilling' and 'Unexpected' are the words Shwetha attributes to her studentship research.
Introduce yourself! What’s your name, program year and what did you do this summer?
Hi, I'm Shwetha (sh-WAY-tha), a fourth and final year Medical Laboratory Science student at the University of Alberta. This summer, alongside a few trips here and there, I also got to do virology research co-supervised by Dr. Tom Hobman and Dr. Vanessa Meier-Stephenson.
What research were you doing with the team at the Hobman Lab?
My project focused on developing a Dried blood spot (DBS) protocol for remote and rural area collection for viral serosurveillance. I worked with California Serogroup viruses which are mosquito-borne viruses endemic to Canada. They pose an increasing public health threat as climate change expands mosquito populations and geographic range into previously unexposed regions such as rural communities where there is limited laboratory access. DBS sampling offers a practical alternative to this issue, enabling decentralized surveillance without any complex requirements.
What led you to this studentship?
The SPP-ARC studentship funds research in pandemic preparedness and infectious disease surveillance which aligns naturally with my project on California Serogroup viruses.
What would you say were your biggest lessons (personal or professional) from this experience?
Patience and mindset matters more than I expected. Every time an experiment failed, I would laugh it off and go dig through articles to troubleshoot, and I think that lightness is what made the experience enjoyable rather than defeating. Science is slow and unpredictable, and a good attitude isn't just a nice-to-have, it's what carries you through. So that when the experiment finally works, you will be over the moon (at least I was). You will be kicking your feet with a huge smile on your face, looking back and feeling genuinely proud of how far you have come with the project. At the end of the day, that's the whole point; having fun, doing things that keep you going, and making the journey worth it.
What advice do you have to students like you who want to explore something like this?
Go on side quests! (haha). Use your time in university to explore different fields related to your area of study. Every time you try something new, another door opens, and you never know where it is going to take you unless you actually pursue it.
Even though my program has a more clinical background, knowing that the U of A is a research university where incredible work is being done by some of the nicest people I have met, I wanted to take advantage of that. Cold email, and reach out to potential PIs who interest you early, don’t wait!
What are you looking forward to most for this new school year?
This school year, I am taking courses that are more discussion and critical thinking based rather than traditional didactic lectures. We explore current issues and relevant topics within the Canadian healthcare system, which has been really refreshing. I am also looking forward to continuing in the Hobman Lab for my 491 project!
In partnership with the Alberta Innovates Summer Studentships Program, SPP-ARC supports three undergraduate students each year to complete research projects in SPP-ARC member laboratories.