 |
2014 Graduate Profiles Kelsey Spence ’10, B.Sc., Forensic Science and Biology, Toronto, ON
Kelsey Spence likes an intellectual challenge. Her Entrance and Full Tuition Scholarships prove it. Unlike many of us, however, she also likes infectious diseases -- more accurately, she likes to study their patterns and how they affect the population. To foster her growing interest in Biology, Kelsey switched to a joint major in the Forensic Science and Biology program during her second year at Trent, allowing her to gain exposure to many different subject areas. Kelsey attributes Trent’s intimate learning environment as a factor in her success. “I have learned more things about myself than I ever imagined,” said Kelsey. “The small class sizes make learning with peers easy, and the professors are invested in your success. The opportunities here are endless.” Kelsey is also grateful for the support provided by her thesis supervisor, Dr. Barry Saville. “He really allowed me to see my potential as a researcher and has given me the confidence to succeed after I leave Trent,” she said. Kelsey provided critical insight into ongoing Ph.D. projects at Dr. Saville’s laboratory and established new microscopic techniques for students; she will receive author credit on the papers of two Ph.D. students. She also co-authored two abstracts of work which will be presented internationally. Kelsey worked at the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) for three years and volunteered as a student ambassador and peer mentor. She also proudly represented the Forensic Science program during Open House events. Kelsey values her involvement in the Trent community. “Without these opportunities, I would never have become the person I am today,” she said. “Trent has provided a solid foundation for personal and academic growth by making it easy for students to get involved in the community.” Kelsey will continue her education with a Masters degree in Epidemiology at the University of Guelph, after which she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. Her future career goal is to work for an international health authority as an epidemiologist, focusing on the control of infectious diseases and outbreak prevention. Kelsey feels her Trent education was a vital stepping stone on her academic and career paths: “Because of Trent, I know I will become a better researcher and will be able to succeed in my future career.” Awards and Scholarships received at Trent University:
|