Developing, optimizing, and manipulating co-culture models in order to understand cellular mechanisms behind excess iron deposition within the pathology of MS. Furthermore, using these co-culture models to target potential therapeutics for decreasing excess iron deposition.

Provide Research, Educational, Clinical and Administrative support:-run the Alberta MS Center as it’s administrator – develop annual Symposium (100-150 attendees, poster sessions, Q&A panel)-coordinate research-related activities of the principal investigator to ensure strict timelines are met for peer review of papers, grants, and reporting-develop manuscripts for publication (from raw form, requiring highly detailed and specific formats that vary with each journal) and coordinates with co-authors to incorporate all revisions-maintain and reconcile research and grant accounts, identifying and correcting discrepancies-coordinate filing of new patents with US Patent Office-manage Team Grant funds; sub-granting and monitoring of balances -monitor Ethics Approval Protocols and maintain up-to-date and approved status for Human and Animal Ethics-maintain grants and subgrants through amendments negotiated with Research Services Office, organize reports and budgets for funding agencies-coordinate Team meetings for Team Grants across the country -coordinate hiring of all new members of the lab including Graduate Students, Post-doctoral fellows, and Lab technicians through HR contract negotiation-organize monthly neuroinflammation rounds with Alberta MS Network, organize regular MS Center Meetings, maintenance of the MS Center website, updated brochure, media relations, and finding donors-handle all patient inquiries, booking patient appointments and tests, as well as referral appointments-provide Neuropsychological testing for patients-book medical transportation for patients travelling from outside the city-track tests booked, reports completed, and lab values-coordinate Telehealth Clinics through AHS, KEC, and UCalgary, and Clinics in another city (Calgary)-monitor Special Authorization Requests for monitored medications -track insurance plans for patients and works with Alberta Blue Cross, Manulife, Great-West Life etc.

I worked in a lab as part of a team including both other researchers as well as clinicians. The focus was to understand the cellular mechanisms behind the abnormal iron deposition that often accompanies the disease progression in MS. I obtained many basic laboratory skills as well as specific skills unique to the field of research using cell cultures. These skills include:- Cell Culture Models - both primary, as well as immortalized cell lines-Protein Quantification - ELISAs and Western Blots-Microscopy - Confocal, Two-Photon Confocal, and Epifluorescent-Basic Animal Handling and Animal Surgical Skills-Immunohistochemistry and Immunocytochemistry-Scientific Writing and Editing skills - Grant, Paper, and Poster experience