Brenda Magajna
Brenda Magajna is highly educated. She has a teaching degree, a bachelor's in math, a year in urban studies, and credentials in urban geography. But she always really wanted to study biology. At Lakehead, she's been able to pursue this dream...all the way up to the doctoral level.
A PhD candidate in biotechnology with a passion for molecular science, Magajna opted to research the survival strategies of the leading cause of food poisoning in Canada and the developing world: Campylobacter jejuni.
Magajna explains that a great enigma pertaining to this particular micro-villain is that while it's terribly difficult to grow, it can prove quite resilient in the right conditions - which happen to be in your refrigerator.
In fact, Magajna has discovered that C. jejuni can survive for up to 70 days in a fridge... without food. She's currently observing its progression and trying to determine what is prompting its persistence.
Magajna particularly enjoys the hands-on element of her program, especially as Lakehead science students are granted regular access to lab facilities and equipment.
"There's a lot of equipment students are privy to here that they wouldn't be allowed to touch at larger universities." And this access has facilitated some pretty impressive research.
Magajna was 1 of 12 students across the country selected to present at the Canadian Society for Microbiology Conference in Montreal. She also had the opportunity to attend the 16th International Workshop on Campylobacter, Helicobacter, and Related Organisms in Vancouver. Magajna appreciated these opportunities to network and learn from others and relished the chance to hear lectures by "famous elderly scholars", finding their achievements and drive to be highly motivating.
What's next after she adds a Dr. to her name?
"I wish my PhD would never end, I get to do it all here: lab work, reading, research, I love it."
More than content with her lifestyle at present, she hopes to continue to research in an academic setting, perhaps as a professor, which would be her "dream job".
"I enjoy teaching and I'd be able to do my research forever. It would be a complete win-win."