Welcome to the 19th edition of MoGeNews!

We are excited to welcome a total of 120 students into our department this year. This includes 75 MSc/PhD graduate students, 23 MHSc Medical Genomics students, 6 MSc Genetic Counselling students, and 16 third-year undergraduate genetics specialists.

To get things started for the new academic year, we have several activities planned. They include the departmental retreat in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Barbara Vivash Award recipient talks on September 21, and a series of enriching MoGen Seminars.

Over the Summer, we held the 8th Annual Career Development Symposium and launched our newest partnership initiative, MoGen Grad Talk Sessions. Read about the key moments from these events below and see how they contributed to our department's growth by creating new networking and mentorship opportunities.

In this issue, we are also excited to present a collection of stories that showcase the accomplishments of our Department of Molecular Genetics. Our research covers various topics, from studying viral defence mechanisms to analyzing COVID-19 antibody rates in Canada. We also feature Alex Margaritescu in our Student Spotlight, highlighting her transformative experience gained through the Capstone practicum. Furthermore, we interviewed our Learning Strategist, Kyle Turner, about how he plans to guide our graduate students toward success.

We wanted to take a moment to thank the contributors to this issue: Megan Fleming, Anika Hazra, Teresa Brooke-Lynn Coe, Alyssa Choi, Zoe Clarke, Martina Steiner, and Marcia Iglesias.

Stay connected with the latest in Molecular Genetics. Contact mogen.news@utoronto.ca to submit stories about events, awards, and research updates.

Warm regards,

The Editorial Team

Five Questions with Kyle Turner: MoGen's New Learning Strategist

As part of our efforts to improve the academic journey of our graduate students, we are excited to introduce Kyle Turner as our new Learning Strategist.

We asked him about his role and vision for enhancing the graduate student experience within the Department. Below are some key quotes:

What is a Learning Strategist?
"A Learning Strategist helps students develop and use academic skills. In a graduate context, these skills might involve time management, organization, goal setting, and proficiency in reading, writing, and presentation."

Who should come to talk to you? What can you help with?
"I'm here for all graduate students in our department, whether you've just started or you're nearing graduation. I'm here to support students who feel like they're having trouble overcoming challenges or students who simply want to try some new strategies."

What are you hoping to achieve at MoGen?
"My overarching goal is to ensure that students always feel like there's someone they can reach out to. We have a great ecosystem of support here, and I want students to feel empowered to tap into what they need to be successful and happy during their time here."

What is your background?
"My background is originally in biology, though with a slightly different flavour: my undergrad and MSc were in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. I worked for several years as a tech and lab manager at U of T and Harvard, and I found that what I enjoyed most about those roles were the opportunities to work with grad students and support them through the inevitable ups and downs of their degrees. So I was thrilled when Molecular Genetics created this role."

What else do you want us to know?
"I'm not here to judge. I'm also not here to tell students what their goals should be or to steer them towards a particular career path. Working with me is a collaboration: We identify what you want to achieve and figure out what you could do to get there."

We are excited to have Kyle on our team. His dedication to supporting students and his collaborative approach make him an asset to the Department of Molecular Genetics. If you ever find yourself in need of guidance or simply want to chat, don't hesitate to reach out to Kyle at mogen.learning@utoronto.ca Read the full answers here,

Creating a 'Google Map' of the Human Body

U of T researchers, including Dr. Gary Bader from the Department of Molecular Genetics, are part of a global initiative to create a "Google Map" of the human body, specifically as co-coordinators for the liver map.

From Capstone Practicum to Thriving Career: Alex Margaritescu's Success Story

Alex Margaritescu, a recent graduate of the M.H.Sc. in Medical Genomics program, highlights the transformative impact of a Capstone practicum. With her H.B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Toronto, Alex discovered the Medical Genomics program's potential for real-world application. Interested in variant interpretation, she completed a practicum with Geneseeq Technology Incorporated, sharpening her skills and collaborating globally with other researchers. Her journey highlights the program's ability to shape careers and drive professional growth. Learn how Alex's story highlights the Medical Genomics program's impact and her bright future at Geneseeq.

MoGen Career Development Symposium 2023

The MoGen Career Development Symposium at Hart House was a huge hit, with 132 attendees participating in mentorship, networking, discussions, and 57 roundtable sessions. Dr. Erin Styles and Dr. Helen Sarantis gave keynote speeches and a diverse expert panel. Read more.