2022 Doctoral Student Award
Project title: Establishing the molecular features promoting reovirus replication in intestinal and cell culture microenvironments
How would you describe your research project to someone without a scientific background?
I study how viruses adapt and change over time depending on what is found in their environment. Reovirus is very well adapted to infect the gut of all mammals but it has long been studied outside its natural environment. Using reovirus as a model, my project investigates the characteristics of viral adaptation from digestive tracts to laboratory settings.
What impact do you hope this project makes once completed?
Viruses are found everywhere in nature and a lot of our virology knowledge comes from studies using simplified models designed to answer specific scientific questions. With my project, I hope to help people appreciate how well viruses are adapted to their natural niches and how rapidly they can change in response to changes in their environment, which likely occurs when using different models.
How will the support from Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology help you?
The support of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology has made my graduate studies more enjoyable by fostering a community of like-minded individuals that meet regularly at seminars to discuss science.
What first attracted you to science?
When I was in elementary school, there were these extracurricular activities where they showed us science activities every week that were lots of fun. I remember building a rocket, making a volcano, and playing with magnets at these sessions. I wanted to understand what was really happening behind the scenes. From then on, I just continued being curious and asking questions about how our world works.
What three words describe your research experience?
Failure, troubleshooting, learning.
What is a weird pet peeve you have?
I hate it when a text has inconsistent fonts. I just find it distracting and that makes it hard to focus on the content.
What is one thing you cannot live without?
The Tim Hortons in the atrium of the Katz Centre for Health Research. It’s just so convenient and perfect for a little break from lab work.