Project Student (2024-2025)
Honours Neuroscience
2024: NSERC USRA Recipient
Courses: NEUROSCI 2BB3 (W24), NEUROSCI 3BB6 A/B (F24-W25)
Thesis student (2023-2024)
(Co-supervised by Dr. Emily Choy)
Molecular Biology & Genetics Co-op
McMaster University
maccom1@mcmaster.ca
Hello! I’m a thesis student in Level IV Molecular Biology & Genetics – Co-op currently being co-supervised by Dr. Doyle and Dr. Choy. I’m using a metagenomic approach to study the prevalence and diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) gut microbiomes. Since joining the SyM3 lab, I have had the joy of learning and refining DNA extraction methods, creating a pipeline for AMR analysis using bash script and the McMaster Infoserver. The SyM3 lab is all about symbiosis which is well modeled in the lab as everyone fosters a co-operative environment to ensure the most accurate results. After my undergrad, I plan to go into genetic counselling or another healthcare related field to further my studies.
Thesis student (2023-2024)
(Supervised by Dr. Emily Choy)
Molecular Biology & Genetics Co-op
McMaster University
mccutk3@mcmaster.ca
I am in Level IV of the Molecular Biology & Genetics program and am a thesis student in the SyM3 lab and co-supervised by the Choy lab. The SyM3 lab fosters collaboration and connection. I joined the SyM3 lab as I am fascinated by the intricate relationships and communities microbes can form with each other and their host, but I have thrived here because of the SyM3 lab community I have become a part of. Since joining the lab, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Miranda in testing and refining DNA extraction methods to develop an optimized protocol for DNA extraction from tree swallow (Tachicyneta bicolor) fecal samples. My research focuses on the microbiome composition of tree swallow nestling fecal samples collected near a wastewater treatment plant and on characterizing the fecal microbiome of tree swallows as an indicator of host health.
Thesis student (2023-2024)
Honours Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour
McMaster University
vaillas@mcmaster.ca
Hello everyone! My name is Sierra and I’m in Level IV of the Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behaviour program. I’ve been fortunate to be involved in the Sym3 lab through an NSERC USRA in the summer of 2023 and as an undergraduate thesis student during the 2023-2024 school year. My work has focused on equipping the lab with phages and developing protocols to use them to tackle evolutionary and ecological questions. My thesis involves examining the population dynamics of a self–sacrificial phage defense mechanism that was characterized by Leah Sather of the Finan Lab. I’m looking for evidence of positive frequency-dependent selection on the gene conferring this trait in the agriculturally relevant bacterial species, S. meliloti. I think it’s quite poetic that the Sym3 lab uses viruses and bacteria — some of the smallest biological entities — to answer large-scale evolutionary questions, and I’m so grateful to be involved.
Project Student (W24)
Honours Biology, Course: BIOL 3IR3
McMaster University
goberdhj@mcmaster.ca
I am an independent research project student in the SyM^3 lab for the Winter 2024 term. I am in the Honours Core Biology Program and have a particular interest in plant biology and microbiology. I am in my third year of study and have decided to join the SyM^3 lab to gain practical experience in working with plants and bacteria and to also develop my research skills in preparation for graduate school. My goal is to become an established plant biologist and to focus on plant immunity against pests and diseases. My research in particular involves the competition between bacteria observed in the root nodules of a leguminous clover plant. It will involve the development of growth curves and the mapping of DNA fragments to the bacteria’s sequenced genome. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this project and if you have any questions, feel free to send me an email!
Placement Student (S24)
Biology Research Specialization
Course: Biology 3EP3
McMaster University
kimk72@mcmaster.ca
I am in my third year of the Biology Research specialization program. I joined the SyM3 lab because I was fascinated by the invisible world of symbiotic microbiomes and how microbiology is multidisciplinary to biomedical innovation and ventures, in plants and even laboratory animals! I am currently a placement student under Dr. Timothy Ryan, McMaster’s clinical veterinarian with Dr. Batstone Doyle as my academic supervisor. The work I am doing involves animal welfare practices in biomedical research settings where I am acquiring knowledge in techniques in veterinary medicine, providing good animal welfare, and microbiological aspects in laboratory animals. Good animal care is concurrent with good research that is replicable and reliable! I am excited to share my findings and work experience to the Sym3 lab!
