Michelle D’Alessandro’09, Honours Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peterborough, ON

“It was this experience that really solidified my passion for and interest in medicine.”

Ms. Michelle D’Alessandro is the recipient of the Governor General’s Silver Medal. It is awarded to the Honours student with the highest academic standing on graduation in the Bachelor’s degree program.

Michelle’s outstanding academic performance, extensive research experience and interest in the medical applications of chemistry and bio-chemistry, are directing her toward a career in medicine. Her interest in medicine was sparked in second year as she conducted drug-binding research. Now she will begin medical school at Queen’s University in the fall.

Whether shadowing anesthesiologists during surgical and clinical procedures, authoring a scientific paper or spending many summers working in research labs, Michelle flourished within the distinct undergraduate experience offered by Trent.

While at Trent, Michelle learned how to think critically and holistically.  She knows the value of persistence, hard work and has the ability to approach situations from multiple perspectives. All are valuable skills which Michelle will take with her into the medical profession.

Ms. D’Alessandro’s incredible academic career is laden with accolades recognizing her research capabilities and consistently high marks. The NSERC undergraduate student research award is among many other awards and scholarships that have enabled Michelle to fully focus on her education and research.

Michelle is very grateful for the dedicated Trent community that supported her along the way.

About Winning the Governor General’s Silver Medal:
I am very honoured to be receiving this award at convocation in recognition of how hard I have worked over the past four years.  Accomplishments like this really proves to me that hard work pays off and I look forward to carrying this sentiment with me as I continue in the next phase of my life.

How will you make a difference with your Trent degree? 
Ultimately, my goal is to become a doctor! Eventually, after medical school, I want to come back to Peterborough to start a practice.

What are you future goals?
I am starting medical school at Queen’s University in September 2013.

What did you get out of your Trent degree?
Trent’s size and the fact that it is primarily undergraduate, gave me the opportunity to explore many different areas very early on.  I had the opportunity to start volunteering in a lab during my first summer and then work as a research assistant in the summers following.

The research that I was involved in looked at competitive drug binding. This experience made it clear to me that my interest in chemistry and biochemistry was in their potential applications to human health.  With this realization I decided to take part in an internship program through Trent at the local hospital where I shadowed an anesthesiologist once a week for a semester.  It was this experience that really solidified my passion for and interest in medicine.

Have you changed since you came to Trent?
My experiences at Trent have taught me to think critically and holistically.  With all the research experience I have gained I have learned to become even more determined.   It has shown me that things don’t always work the first, second, or tenth time but if you remain persistent you will eventually get a positive outcome.

The support that I have had during my time here from faculty, teaching assistants and others has really motivated me to push myself to achieve very high levels of success.  Trent allowed me to become a better version of myself, someone who is even more determined and hard-working than the person that arrived here four years ago.

Can you give an example of how Trent professors had a special impact?
The incredibly close contact I have had with my professors is one of the best things about Trent University.  It builds a very supportive and motivating environment when you go to class and your teachers know you by name.

I think it says a lot about the type of professors at Trent.  They truly want us to succeed and will do whatever they can to help us do that.  The impact that Trent professors, especially of the chemistry department, have had on my experience at Trent is really indescribable, from giving me the opportunities to do research and publish scientific papers to giving me life and career advice.  The professors here are really one of a kind.

Whether conducting research with Professor Ellis for three years, sitting beside a mass spectrometer for hours with Professor March, or stopping by for a chat about life goals with Professor Thompson, the professors here have really helped shape who I am.

What is the best thing about studying at Trent?
The intimacy of the Trent campus demonstrated through class size and professor accessibility fosters a kind of learning which I believe is incomparable to other universities.  Due to the small size of Trent I have had the opportunity to do research here for three years. 

From this came first authorship in a scientific journal.  I was also able to participate in an internship program with the local hospital where I shadowed an anesthesiologist for a semester.  These opportunities are unique to an undergraduate at Trent. I believe that it was because of these opportunities that I have developed the skills necessary to go forward into a successful career in medicine.

Research Interests / Area of Study:
I came to Trent with an interest in chemistry and biology which quickly evolved into completing a biochemistry degree.  Throughout the courses I took at Trent I focussed in on the physiological applications of these fields which led me to realize that I wanted to pursue medicine as a career.

Extracurricular activities:
I had the opportunity to work at Trent as a research assistant in the chemistry department with Professor David Ellis for three years under NSERC USRA awards.  Aside from the obvious research experience that came with this, this research taught me how to think critically and problem solve, and how to collaborate and work successfully as part of a team. 

These skills will be of the highest value to me as I enter a career in the medical field as a doctor.  Secondly, I was fortunate to participate in an internship program developed between Trent and the Peterborough Regional Health Center.  It’s a one-of-a-kind program which provides rare opportunities for undergraduates.

Through this internship I worked with an anesthesiologist for a semester and had the opportunity to observe many surgeries and patient procedures.  Arguably, this is one of the best experiences I have had at Trent.

Not only did this program strengthen my excitement about the medical profession but it taught me about the importance of having perspective and being able to approach situations from multiple perspectives, not only in the medical field but also in life. 

Awards and Scholarships received at Trent University
Governor General’s Silver Medal (2013)

• NSERC undergraduate student research award (Summer 2011, 2012, 2013)
• Lady Eaton College Fellowship awards and Lady Eaton senior tutor award (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
• Canadian Society for Chemistry Silver Medal (2012)
• Robert Annett Scholarship (2012)
• Makhija prize in chemistry (2012)
• David Sutherland Irwin Prize (2012)
• Trent National Renewable Scholarship for free tuition (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
• CRC freshman chemistry award (2010)
• Joseph Earnest Goodhead Scholarship (2011)
• Graham Hartley Prize (2011)
• Department of Physics Prize (2010)
• Department of Biology Book Prize (2010)
• Dean’s and President’s Honour Roll (all years)