Analyzing and Drawing Conclusions

Volunteer Research Assistant – Winter 2022

Kicked off my research journey by volunteering with Master of Science student Joey Egeland. Plated and counted bacteria that were used for bioremediation. Followed various procedures and methods to characterize the bacterial cultures. Was able to collect data from the growth of these microbes to later be used in Joey’s project.

Directed Studies – Fall 2022

Collaborated with a fellow undergraduate student under Dr. Kinsgley Donkor and Dr. Naowarat Cheeptham to develop a method to determine uric acid concentrations in human saliva using capillary electrophoresis. Was able to apply the method to determine the concentrations of uric acid in saliva samples from patients in the local ICU. These results allow for the determination of uric acid in humans with ease to have downstream applications such as gout prevention.

NSERC USRA – Summer 2023

Worked under Dr. Eric Bottos to create microbial dispersal chambers to manipulate microbial community dispersal in soil samples. Learned to create and design 3D models of printable chambers using the TRU Makerspace. Used local forest and grassland soil samples and sequenced the community 16S gene after manipulation in the novel incubation chambers. 

Human Physiology II Research Project – Winter 2024

Determined the effects of dietary nitrate on oxygen consumption efficiency during exercise. The data from the study was recorded, analyzed, and presented orally. Dietary nitrate did not play a foundational role in increasing oxygen consumption efficiency. I was responsible for the data analysis and background information of the project.

NSERC USRA – Summer 2024

Worked under Dr. Mark Rakobowchuk to continue the analysis of existing data, continue testing on participants and begin the development of a published research paper. Our work determined the impacts of acute exercise on endothelial function in the arm following a high sodium diet. Developed the ability to use ultrasound imaging on the brachial arteries to quantify flow-mediated dilation.