I am a second year PhD student in the Human Health and Nutritional Sciences Department at the University of Guelph. The objective of my research is to investigate the effect of reduced delta-6 desaturase activity (an enzyme involved in omega-3 conversion) on glucose and fat metabolism in skeletal muscle. As part of the S2BN network at Guelph, I am excited to help graduate students establish networks in industry and inform them about career paths available to them outside of academia. 

Barbora Hucik

I am currently a PhD candidate studying bone cancer in dogs.  My research focuses on how the environment that surrounds cancer cells can foster its growth and cancer progression.  I was interested in joining the S2BN because I think it is a great opportunity for students to learn about various career options outside of academia.  After my PhD, I hope to translate my scientific knowledge to advance the health industry.

Anita Luu

I am a first year MSc student in the Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph. As I believe that true collaboration and innovation stems from the bridges built between academia and businesses, I am both excited and passionate about actively contributing to the Guelph S2BN Chapter.  I aim to help organize valuable networking events and initiatives for graduate students to ease their transition to becoming industry leaders.  In the future, my goal is to obtain a position in the public health sector, with a focus on knowledge translation and scientific communication.

Jade Marrow

I received my Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and I am currently in the third year of my PhD program at the University of Guelph.  My project focuses on cardiac self-repair in the leopard gecko.  I joined S2BN because of the limited resources and information that is available for graduate students that want to pursue careers outside of academia.  I am excited to continue developing and fostering transferable skills during my PhD program that will assist in my current long-term goal of becoming a medical science liaison.

Kathy Jacyniak

I am a first-year MSc. student in the department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph.  The focus of my research is to further our understanding of how spleen physiology contributes to homeostatic cardiovascular function.  I look forward to connecting with professionals working in industry as well as other graduate students who also share a passion for health research through my experiences with the S2BN.

Leslie Ogilvie

I am a third year PhD candidate at the University of Guelph.  My project focuses on characterizing the mouse gut microbiome and developing an “in vitro” model of the mouse colon, which mimics the mouse colonic environment.  By doing so, I aim to create a mouse gut microbiome standard for mouse lines used in gastrointestinal studies.  I am excited to be a part of S2BN and to be able to develop my professional skill sets with like-minded professionals. I hope these skills assist other graduate students in building their careers in industry.

Caroline Ganobis

Simone Renwick

I am pursuing my PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology in the Allen-Vercoe lab at the University of Guelph. My research investigates the impact of the gut microbiome on the development of type 1 diabetes in infants with a genetic predisposition to the disease. I joined S2BN to help graduate students learn more about career opportunities outside of academia while expanding my own knowledge of the health care industry. I hope to build meaningful connections with individuals on a similar path and to bring my creative passion to S2BN as the media coordinator

Amira Rghei

I am a first year Master's student at the University of Guelph, working in the department of Pathobiology.  My work focuses on using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors expressing monoclonal-antibodies as an immunoprophylaxis against filoviruses. The S2BN is an amazing opportunity to help many students, such as myself, connect their love for science to their passion for business.  My goal in working with the S2BN is to empower students to reach beyond their workbenches in the lab, to #bridgethegap between science and business.

Alessia Roma

 I am a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Food Science at the University of Guelph.  I am currently studying various nutraceuticals for their ability to target aberrant metabolism in leukemia to provide a therapeutic effect.  I have a strong belief in advocating for the value of graduate students in industry. As a member of the S2BN Guelph Chapter, I look forward to being involved with initiatives that will help graduate students develop themselves into attractive candidates in industry.

I received my B.Sc Hon in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Guelph in 2012, and my PhD in Cardiovascular Physiology in the Human Health and Nutritional Sciences Department in 2019.  I have a strong passion for bridging scientific discovery and industry, which led me to find the Science to Business Network (S2BN) in early 2018.  I brought this network to Guelph to help support graduate students, showcasing a variety of viable career paths and supplementing skill development training for graduate students interested in transitioning out of academia and into industry.