Diversity, Inclusion and Mentorship
First, on the land:
We acknowledge that we are living and working on aboriginal land that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning of times. We thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land - for thousands of years. In particular, we acknowledge that Ottawa is the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people. We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place. We also recognize the contributions of Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province and country as a whole. This recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities, and in particular to bring justice for murdered and missing indigenous women and girls across our country.
More on territorial acknowledgement here.
Lab phylosophy
Our lab philosophy, inspired by Sammy Katta:
Teaching and mentorship phylosophy
I aim to employ innovative teaching techniques for the instruction of students in the department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) as an Assistant Professor, both in class and in the laboratory as I mentor students through their graduate thesis work. I am a passionate teacher and wish to mentor trainees in the lab in a style that is highly individualized for their own particular needs, preparing them for a brilliant scientific or clinical career. I am also committed to increasing diversity in science and to promote a healthy and inclusive environment both in my research group and in the classroom. I hope that my laboratory will train the next generation of scientists that are capable of using advanced genetics and multi-omics approaches to open new fields of research with the upmost ethical standards, scientific rigor, and enthusiasm.
Diversity is good for science - we cherish the creativity and values stemming from having diverse lab members!
"Being inclusive gives research groups a competitive edge. It also happens to be the right thing to do." -- read https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05316-5
We work in a hospital and institute that also believes diversity is key. See more here: https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/about-us/equity-diversity-inclusion-and-indigeneity.aspx