Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
In the NeurdyPhagy Lab (Supervisor: Dr. Dale Martin) at the University of Waterloo. My research investigates the contributions of S-acylation to neurodegenerative diseases, including VCP-MSP (Multisystem Proteinopathy associated with Valosin Containing Protein) and ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). I have received the Uplifting Athletes Young Investigator Grant 2026 in this role to further the sequencing of genomes to identify genetic targets.
Project: Investigating the contributions of fatty acylation in neurodegenerative disease and target aberrant acylation of key proteins. Funded through Mitacs Accelerate with Circumvent Pharmaceuticals
I trained and organized volunteers. I coordinated classroom/community visits of volunteers with teachers and community members. I also organized and ran the Let's Talk Science Challenge each year.
Acted as a Teaching Assistant for the following undergraduate courses: 1) PSY100 - Introductory Psychology (Sept 2013, 2014, 2015) 2) PSY201 - Introductory Statistics (Sept 2013, 2015) 3) PSY290 - Physiological Psychology (Jan 2014, 2015) 4) PSY399 - Psychobiology Laboratory (Jan 2014, 2015, 2016) 5) PSY354 - Biopsychology of Sex (Summer 2014) 6) PSY341 - Abnormal Psychology: Children/Adolescent Disorders (Jan 2015) Duties for the lab course included developing course materials such as worksheets and lab handouts, as well as setting up for and cleaning up after the lab session, and helping students through the labs. Additional duties included grading tests and assignments, providing students with feedback regarding the tests/assignments, as well as answering any questions students might have with regards to course content via email or through in-person office hours.
I continued working on my undergraduate thesis project, which has resulted in a publication in the Journal of Neuroscience. I tested motor behaviours and harvested tissues through live dissections. I then processed tissue which involved initial cryostat sectioning, followed by immunohistochemical androgen receptor staining and thionin staining. I then statistically analysed the data using SPSS and Excel. In addition to this, I helped an undergraduate student organize her research project.
I helped library patrons find books, sign books out, organized and shelved books. I also troubleshooted the electronic bookshelves, printers, photocopiers, and various electronics. I further dealt with emergency situations in the library and helped maintain order by encouraging peace and quiet in the library.