Katrina Watson (Technician)
Kaitlyn Simpson (PhD Candidate)
Garret Conquer-Van Heumen (MSc Candidate)
Majesta Roth (Summer student)
I am an undergraduate student entering my final year of my Bachelor of Science majoring in Bio-Medical Sciences here at the University of Guelph. This is my second year working in the Moorehead lab, and I plan on continuing my research with a fourth-year research project. My past project in the lab involved assessing the impact of knocking out the miR-200 family from a cell line of epithelial-phenotype in which miR-200 is stably expressed. I am currently developing a 3D cell culture system to help bridge the gap between 2D in vitro studies and in vivo experimentation. My aim is to create a model system that better represents the 3D tumour architecture and microenvironment at a lower monetary and ethical cost than in vivo studies. Alongside that project, I am working towards a review paper that summarizes the current literature on the impact of the miR-200 family on normal mammary development. I was drawn to research from my interest in applying what I’ve learned in lecture to experiential applications. Research has given me the “how” and “why” that I was missing from lecture-based learning and has motivated my learning significantly. Research has taught me so much about the scientific process, critical thinking, problem-solving, patience, perseverance, and collaboration in a format that is both enjoyable and rewarding!
Courtney Martin (Summer student)
I am currently finishing up my Bachelor of Science (Hons.) majoring in Life Science at Queen’s University. This is my second summer researching in the Moorehead lab at the University of Guelph and have enjoyed learning and contributing to the research occurring in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, specifically pertaining to breast cancer. Currently I am working on a literature review of the role the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), an epigenetic gene regulator, plays in the progression of breast cancer. Later this summer I hope to follow-up on previous research conducted in this lab by Rebecca Jagroop relating to the glycoprotein, Nidogen-1, within Claudin-low breast cancer. This position has given me a great opportunity to explore the field of research both within our lab and within the University of Guelph, and has sparked interest in pursuing further education related to research.