I’ve been working in the BTRC since 1999 and my current role is Research Operations Manager. I am also a published author, currently working on a novel and a screenplay. My professional life in the sciences began at the University of Guelph, where I studied molecular biology and genetics for my undergraduate degree. I initially aspired to become a veterinarian, but after working in a molecular biology lab one summer, I discovered a passion for research. I worked as a Research Technician at McMaster and at SickKids for seven years before enrolling at the University of Toronto to do my graduate work, where I received a PhD from the Department of Medical Biophysics in 2006.

I love how science constantly evolves, exposing new avenues of research and scientific investigation. While we might use similar techniques in our day-to-day experiments, the overarching research questions change over time. When we make discoveries and find answers, it only reveals a whole set of new questions. Science rewards curiosity and innovation, and the thrill of discovering something that has never been shown before is exciting and gratifying.

Rarely in one’s scientific career can you see ground-breaking progress first-hand. After working in the BTRC for over twenty years, I have witnessed pivotal discoveries and paradigm shifts that have had a remarkable impact on patient care. I can’t think of anything more rewarding than that.

Start early! Volunteer or work in a lab during the summer to find out if a career in research is for you. If you enjoy the experience, then be sure you are passionate about your project. Read widely and avoid tunnel vision while working on your research projects. Some of the best experimental ideas come from reading articles published in parallel scientific fields.

I love books, writing, and running outdoors. In 2015, I returned to university studies while working full-time and completed a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction. The program ignited a passion that had long been smouldering below the surface, and in 2020, I published my first book, “The Scientist and the Psychic: A Son’s Exploration of His Mother’s Gift,” with Penguin Random House Canada. In 2024, I also co-edited and published “Bad Artist: Creating in a Productivity-Obsessed World,” a collection of essays exploring creativity in a culture fixated on productivity. I am currently working on a novel and a screenplay. Outside of work and writing, I enjoy running outdoors as a way to clear my mind and recharge. Follow along on the journey through my website/blog: scientistandthepsychic.com