Academic Background[edit | edit source]
I am currently studying in my 4th year at Western University in the Bachelor of Medical Science program, with an honors specialization in Microbiology and Immunology. I am currently completing my honors thesis project at Dr. Carole Creuzenet's lab in the department of Microbiology and Immunology, which primarily focuses on studying two Gram negative bacteria, Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori. My work is primarily enzymology, where I am studying a biosynthetic pathway used by C. jejuni in the synthesis of a component of its polysaccharide capsule (a jelly-like layer that surrounds the bacterium and contributes to its infectious ability in humans).
I completed my Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) at David Suzuki Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario, where I achieved honors throughout all four years. Upon starting my undergraduate career in 2020, I was presented with The Western Scholarship of Distinction for entering with a Grade 12 average of greater than 90%. In 2022, I was awarded the Harold and Margaret Rice 125th Anniversary Alumni Award for my academic achievement in my undergraduate courses up till that point. Most recently, I was awarded an Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (USRI) award for summer 2023 that helped fund my summer work at the Creuzenet lab, which is what I am continuing as my thesis project.
Research Areas and Next Steps[edit | edit source]
As part of my USRI scholarship and 4th year thesis project, my work has focused on the biosynthesis and purification of GDP-d-glycero-α-d-manno-heptose (a seven-carbon sugar). This heptose sugar is the starting point of various pathways in nature, including two pathways used by a bacterium called Campylobacter jejuni to produce a modified heptose sugar that has been shown to be critical in the initiation of human infection. C. jejuni is the leading cause of bacterial foodborne illness globally. GDP-d-glycero-α-d-manno-heptose is currently not commercially available, hence we had to synthesize it from a sugar that is available, called sedoheptulose-7-P. The current synthesis model proved to be ineffective when tested at the Creuzenet lab, hence a modified approach was needed. I was able to successfully synthesize and purify the sugar, which will help fuel future work done in the lab.
In Addition to my thesis work, I am looking to join Western University's Free Appropriate Sustainability Technology (FAST) Research Group, run by Dr. Joshua Pearce, as a work-study student. My work at FAST will be looking to see if mycoprotein, a fungal-based protein that is alternative to meat-based and plant-based sources, can be produced from potential waste products. I am hoping to use my microbiology knowledge to design and conduct experiments exploring the possibility and potentially setting up the ground work for a way to produce a sustainable protein source.
Interests[edit | edit source]
Outside of research, I find interest in simple things. I enjoy being able to help out others in any way possible, whether small or big. Hanging out with friends, playing video games, and drinking bubble tea all sound like a great time to me. I will be entering teacher's college in September 2024 and will be working towards becoming a high school biology and chemistry teacher.
Other Activities and Work[edit | edit source]
Biochemistry Mentor (Western Biochemistry Club)[edit | edit source]
Outside of school work, I am also a mentor for the second year biochemistry course (biochemistry 2280A) at Western University for the Western Biochemistry Club (WBC). As a mentor, I help put together review lectures to help students go over key concepts, make questions as part of a "mock exam" that is intended to provide students an opportunity to practice writing the midterm and final exams for the course, and I have also assisted in the creation of a short and fun video on a biochemistry topic for the WBC social media.
Infection and Immunity Research Forum (IIRF) 2023[edit | edit source]
I presented a poster on my work at the Creuzenet lab during the IIRF event in November 2023. It is a research conference that happens annually where various medical science researchers have the chance to present their work and listen to globally recognized speakers.
Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (USRI) Conference 2023[edit | edit source]
I presented a poster on my work at the Creuzenet lab during the virtual USRI conference in August 2023.
Proteus Innovation Competition 2023[edit | edit source]
I took part in the Proteus Innovation Competition to pitch an affordable vitamin D screening method that would be easily accessible to the general population.
Research Assistant[edit | edit source]
Before joining the Creuzenet lab as an undergraduate researcher, I was a work study student where I took on the role of research assistant. I helped prepare media for bacterial growth, chemical solutions for experiments, assisted graduate students with experiments, and had several other roles that helped the lab function effectively.
COVID-19 Screener at William Osler Health System's Peel Memorial Center (Brampton)[edit | edit source]
In the summer of 2021, I volunteered at the local hospital at a time where there was a great strain on the healthcare system amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. My responsibilities were to screen and aid patients entering the hospital.
Language Instructor (Western Sikh Students Association)[edit | edit source]
During the 2020-2021 academic year, I was a Punjabi language instructor where I taught basics of the Punjabi language to a small group of about 10 students via Zoom (online due to pandemic).