Dr. Kalan’s favorite part about her job is being able to work with everyone in the lab and having the ability to answer questions from multiple perspectives through computational methods and in the wet lab.

Dr. Kalan has always been interested in microbial interactions. During part of her PhD work she studied how antibiotics are made in the environment. She first got exposed to the field of microbiology as an undergraduate student at the University of Alberta in Canada. Dr. Kalan has always been interested in science but was unsure of what field she wanted to specialize in until she took a microbiology class and became fascinated with the subject.

Dr. Kalan’s advice to her younger self:

“Don’t worry too much about your future career, everything will work out in the end. As an undergraduate student, she worried about what to do next and as a result, tried many different things like working in a biotech company before graduate school to explore her interests and an internship with an individual to expose herself to different careers”.

Things Dr. Kalan would bring to a deserted island:

1. A fishing rod to catch food
2. Books to pass time
3. A water filter to stay hydrated

When Dr. Kalan is not working in the lab, she likes to travel and experience new cultures. One of her favorite places that she has been to is Indonesia. She enjoyed the positive and upbeat culture and how she could hike one-day and scuba dive the next day, she also liked exploring different restaurants in Indonesia. In her free time, she also likes to go on walks or runs for exercise and play with her kids.

Thy is a graduate student in the Microbiology Doctoral Training Program interested in microbial interactions. She grew up in Arkansas and received her BS in Biochemistry from the University of Texas – Dallas.

Rauf is interested in evolutionary inference of factors underlying microbial community dynamics and constituent interactions. Specifically, he uses genomics to study the diversity, evolutionary trends and spatial distribution of biosynthetic gene clusters of bacterial species commonly found in healthy skin microbiomes.

Owen’s favourite part of the job is the opportunity to explore new and exciting topics that are on the forefront of current research. Being able to look where no one has before in search of new ideas is not a chance everyone gets!

Owen became more and more interested in microbiology as he progressed through his undergraduate degree. He was impressed with how much of an effect microbes themselves and the compounds they produce have on almost every facet of our lives.

A piece of advice Owen would give his younger self:

Always seek new opportunities. It may seem scary, but trying something different can lead to some very fun and interesting experiences!

If brought to a deserted island, Owen would bring

1.  An e-reader loaded with as many books as it can fit.
2.  Flint and steel for lighting a fire.
3.  A Hawaiian sling and goggles for catching fish.

Outside of lab, Owen loves rock climbing, reading, and bookbinding!

Owen’s favourite part of his job is that he can work on multiple projects and learn various research techniques. The Kalan Lab has provided Owen with the mentorship and resources to continually grow his skills as an undergraduate student and now research assistant.

Owen was first introduced to microbiology in his undergraduate degree where he learned the importance of bacteria in human health and drug discovery research. During his undergraduate thesis project, Owen was able to study a variety of skin bacteria and gain hands-on experience in microbiological techniques, which deepened his interest in the field and solidified his passion for research.

A piece of advice Owen would give his younger self:

Allow your goals and plans to change by pursuing new academic or career opportunities
when they arise. Entering the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization
undergraduate program in 3rd year was the best decision I could have made. I love
what I have learned, the people I have met, and the opportunities that have come from
changing my academic path.

What 3 things would you bring to a stranded island? Why?

1. Fishing Gear
2. Cooking Supplies
3. Record Player

When not in the lab, Owen loves to barbecue. Owen also loves to spend time on the water, paddle-boarding or sailing. When he has a weekend to spare, Owen enjoys spending quality time with his family at the cottage.

Michelle’s favourite part about working in the lab is getting to constantly learn and apply her knowledge to help advance our understanding of the human microbiome. She loves the problem-solving aspect of research, especially when it involves discussing ideas and learning from fellow researchers.

Michelle was initially interested in studying microbiology from courses in her undergrad that taught her the important roles that microorganisms play in our everyday lives. She was fascinated by the applications of this field in improving quality of life. She developed a particular interest in bioinformatics from a research project she worked on in her fourth year.

A piece of advice Michelle would give her younger self:

Have faith in yourself and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You only truly fail when you give up. Keep working hard, and everything will turn out alright.

1. Swiss Army Knife: multi-use tool
2. Lighter: starts fires and still generates sparks when fuel runs out
3. Large net: good for fishing, sleeping, and storage

Emma’s favourite parts about working in the lab are getting the opportunity to develop her management skills, exploring the many aspects of microbiology from talented people with diverse backgrounds and specialties, and becoming acquainted with essential laboratory techniques.

Outside the lab, she enjoys skiing, competing in an acapella team, and learning new languages.