Research Program Officer

• Sep 2022 - Present

PhD Student

• Sep 2017 - Apr 2023

My research focuses on using multi-omics methods, to link changes in diet to changes in gut microbes and metabolites. I am focused on linking how different changes in the microbiota are associated with functional changes in the metabolite pool and gene expression in order to better understand which specific microbes and metabolites may shape host responses in the complex gut environment.Activities: Designed metabolomic analysis workflow for lab group and taught analysis techniques to other students.Collaborated to perform metabolomic analysis for other projects. Microbiota and metabolite analysis for industry collaborators. Conceptualized, pitched, and performed new research project focused on examining protein fermentation by gut microbes to address knowledge gaps in the role of fibre and protein in animal health. Show less

Sessional Instructor

• 2018 - 2018

Awarded 'ALES Teacher of the Year' award for excellence in teaching as assessed by student evaluations.Redesigned course curriculum and all course materials for introductory animal science course. Gave lectures, set assignments and exams, graded and provided feedback to students.

Research Project Coordinator

• 2015 - 2018

Coordinator for a province-wide animal welfare and epidemiology research initiative. Interpreted legislation and worked with federal regulatory department to design novel methodology and benchmark industry compliance. Oversaw data collection and database management, performed regular checks of data collection reproducibility and adherence to methodology. Recruited participant facilities throughout Alberta. Provided progress reports to funders. Assisted with project budgeting and ongoing financial reporting. Extensive stakeholder communications throughout duration of the project as point of contact for all concerns and individual facility benchmarking reports. Creation of knowledge translation resources in a variety of formats for both technical and public audiences including presentations, articles, evaluation guides and infographics. Conceptualized and supervised adjacent project to address knowledge gap identified in primary findings. Show less

Research Project Manager/ Knowledge Translator

• Apr 2014 - Aug 2015

Managed a contract research project evaluating product efficacy and dose timing for a multi-national animal health company. Including research protocol design, trial scheduling, summer student training and supervision, and data analysis and reporting. Coordinated data collection and management for a research trial examining predictors of vaccine response with multiple principle investigators and diverse research goals. Knowledge translation of ongoing research through writing articles and designing tradeshow materials. Identified new leads and pitched article series resulting in four articles in prominent industry magazine. Public speaking at events and trade shows. Editing research papers in preparation for publication. Show less

Teaching Assistant

• Dec 2011 - May 2014

Teaching Assistant for two courses, Reproductive Physiology of Domestic Animals (AN SC 312) and Integrative Problem Solving in Animal Science/Animal Health (AN SC 479/499) Prepared and presented lectures on various physiological concepts Prepared and presented professional writing lectures Led students through guided dissections and goal based labs Set and graded student assignments and lab exam Primary contact person for student questions and concerns regarding the lab component of the course Coordinated, collected and prepared samples for the lab periods from various sources in central AB Show less

Undergraduate Research Assistant

• Apr 2010 - Aug 2011

Set-up, catalogued, and maintained a biobank of thousands of samples for large scale research project Literature review, candidate gene identification, and primer design Completed molecular biology benchwork for studies focused on embryonic development and epigenetic regulation Set-up, catalogued, and maintained a biobank of thousands of samples for large scale research project Literature review, candidate gene identification, and primer design Completed molecular biology benchwork for studies focused on embryonic development and epigenetic regulation