Info for
Quick links
Download our Mobile app
Icon for Apple. App Store Icon for Android. Google Play

Looking through the microscope with Biotechnology

Student spotlight – Kapri Nolan

After graduating from high school, Oshawa’s Kapri Nolan focused on raising her family. Once her kids were old enough, she started to consider a return to formal education, and remembered the passion she had always held for science.

After considering her options, she enrolled at Durham College (DC) in the Biotechnology – Advanced program. Now in her final semester, she’s excited for what the future holds, including a potential transfer to Ontario Tech University for further study.

In recognition of International Day for Women and Girls in Science on February 11, she spoke to us about her role models in science, her DC experience, career goals and more.

Why did you decide to study Biotechnology?

I started to think about what I really like, and science has always interested me. When COVID-19 was happening, I thought it would be really cool to be the person who made that vaccine. I started looking at programs that were science related, and saw that DC offered this one, and it actually tied into what I liked about vaccine development.

What is it about Biotechnology that fascinates you?

The things that I’m learning feel like something out of a movie. The idea of extracting DNA, like in Jurassic Park, is close to real science, and that amazes me. Biotechnology offers so many opportunities. You have a lot of tools, and you can do a lot with them. It’s always changing and growing.

Has the program met your expectations?

It has exceeded them! My first class was an introduction to biotechnology, and that’s where I learned that it’s more than I expected. My placement in the microbiology lab has grown my love for it as well. As time has gone by, I’ve gotten more excited about it, and I try to share my knowledge with everyone about it.

Have you had any influential role models in science?

My professors at Durham College – Jenny Cortez-Cordova, Bruce and Nadia Trieselmann – are absolutely amazing. They have so much passion and excitement in their classes.

What has been the best part of your time at Durham College?

I’ve loved learning, and the support from my teachers. And it’s been nice to get out of my comfort zone. When I was younger, I wasn’t social at all, but I forced myself into this situation where I have to be, and that’s made me enjoy it more.

Have any experiments or assignments stood out as particularly memorable?

One of my favorites was identifying unknown microbes in microbiology class. We had six to seven weeks of doing testing on them, and then we had to narrow it down out of a select number of species, and I ended up getting them right, so it was really nice.

Has studying biotechnology changed how you see the world?

I feel like everything I do now, I’m always blaming bacteria! When I see sicknesses, I can narrow it down a bit and look at the root cause more. When you grow up everyone is like, ‘you need medicine,’ but I’m seeing that there are natural things to defend yourself with that are actually more effective. It’s changed my thoughts on healthcare.

What do you want to do in science?

I’m hoping to do some kind of cloning – anything to do with DNA. They’re getting to the point where you can clone your own DNA, and they’re printing organs, so that’s something that interests me as well. I want to do something that’s beneficial to science, and the longevity of people’s health.

Why is DC a great place for women to study science?

It’s a really good school for science. I’ve never felt out of place or been treated differently. It’s a welcoming environment, and everyone works together as one big biotech family.

What advice do you have for women and girls who are interested in science?

Even if something seems intimidating or hard, the more you try, the easier it gets. The more time and passion you put into it, the easier it is to love it, and to learn it. It’s overwhelming at first, but once you get into it, it just becomes second nature.

Teaching the next generation of scientists

Faculty profile – Sanja Lukic

At Durham College, students learn from accomplished professors who bring their extensive, real-world experience to the classroom. In this series, we put the spotlight on our passionate faculty members who are committed to helping students lead the way.

Sanja Lukic’s journey in science and teaching has taken her all the way from Serbia to our Durham College (DC) campus. With a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Belgrade, she worked in both government and private laboratories before the desire to share her knowledge led her to a career in teaching.

To mark International Day for Women and Girls in Science on February 11, she spoke to us about her love for science, her passion for teaching, and more.

What is your role at DC?

I am a professor in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Information Technology, in the Environmental Technology and Chemical Laboratory Technician programs. I teach a number of courses, including Environmental Regulations, Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Chemical Lab Technician, Sample Management, General Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry labs.

When did you discover your love for science?

As a five-year old, I got to hold a snake when a family friend found it by the nearby river. This sparked my interest in biology and soon evolved into my passion for science.

Why is equality in science so important?

Equality in science is important because there are many young minds with a lot to offer to the field of science and they should all be given a fair opportunity to do so. It is in our best interest as scientists to welcome all people to provide their unique perspectives, opinions, and questions. The more we open the doors to this industry, the further it will advance and grow.

Why should young girls and women pursue a career in science?

The field of science is wide, with the nature of it being to explore and ask questions. When you open your mind to science, you are opening the door to many exciting and inspiring jobs in the fields of clean water, the chemistry of nutrition, food safety, sustainability, education, environmental and human health.

How is DC at the forefront of post-secondary science education?

Durham College is an excellent place for women and girls to study science. DC offers relevant science-based programs for in-demand areas of the industry. Our faculty is full of excellent educators who bring an abundance of industry knowledge and experience. Students get the opportunity to learn both in the classroom, and to gain hands-on skills in a laboratory setting. This combination is something that we are very proud to have at DC and I believe provides a unique learning experience. In addition, we offer a variety of events throughout the year to expose students to the real world, including: guest speaker classes, program-specific field trips, project collaboration with industry representatives, as well as volunteering opportunities in community events such as Empower Her, Science Rendezvous, and more.

Do you keep in touch with your students who have graduated?

I’ve actually created a LinkedIn group for my students, so I keep in touch with alumni as well as current students. It’s a platform that provides networking opportunities for them. I also invite alumni of the program to the classroom to share their stories about the successes they have achieved, and the current students get to hear about it all.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at DC?

I enjoy facilitating a learning environment that is accepting and that creates a sense of belonging. Being a lifelong learner, I strive to understand what it takes to create an environment conducive to student improvement in areas such as teamwork, ethics, and social commitment. In addition, my main goal as a teacher and an educator is to support students on their road to a successful career. As an educator, my proudest moments have been seeing my students learn and grow over the years. Seeing them have career-defining achievements and milestones brings me a great sense of pride.

Leading the way in engineering: How Grant Forgie set himself up for success with a DC education

Before finding his place at Durham College (DC), Grant Forgie was unsure which engineering discipline to study. He was driven by his passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects, and wanted a program that offered versatility. Thankfully, he discovered DC’s Electromechanical Engineering Technology (EMTY) program, one that checked all the boxes and provided Grant the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career that interested him.

Now, after almost a year since graduating, we caught up with Grant to hear about his experience in the EMTY program, transition into the engineering industry, and the pivotal role practical hands-on education played in helping him obtain his current position as a Research and Development Technologist at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).

What did you enjoy most about being a DC student?
I enjoyed the people at Durham College. My professors were passionate about the courses and this passion transferred to their students. They always took the time to ensure that the material given was easily digestible and provided real-world examples. My classmates were always willing to help and made my time at DC fun and memorable. I enjoyed the hands-on experience that the labs offered which allowed me to understand the material taught – I constantly apply the skills I learned at DC to my current role at CNL.

How did you land your current role at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories?
I first learned of CNL through one of my DC professors, Beau James, and applied as a graduate-level Research & Development Technologist. The hiring and recruitment process at CNL took almost 10 months but I was lucky enough to already be working in the industry, so the timeline wasn’t an issue. The hands-on experience I gained from the EMTY program at DC allowed me to competently discuss the technical aspects of the role and demonstrate my knowledge of complex tasks.

Can you describe the hands-on learning you received at DC?
The EMTY program provides hands-on, industry-relevant experience through lab sessions, projects, and practical exercises focused on programming and troubleshooting electromechanical systems, using industry-standard equipment and software. The hands-on experience included electrical installation and wiring inside of control panels, working in a manufacturing environment, experience using Fanuc industrial robot arms and conveyors inside of a work cell, SCADA software, and more.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?
I am with the Nuclear Safety Experiments Branch which carries out research and development projects on behalf of federal stakeholders, utility and vendors of the current reactor fleet and advanced reactor technologies. Typically, the work I perform would include the design, construction, operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of various experimental test apparatuses, instrumentation, equipment and facilities. I work with a team of Ph.D. researchers and technologists specializing in the field of advanced reactor safety experiments and analysis.

What would you say to someone considering taking the EMTY program?
EMTY is a great program that has allowed me the option to pursue a meaningful career that offers great potential for growth and learning. The EMTY program gives you the skills and knowledge that are applicable and sought out by many employers.

Is there anything about your student experience that you’d like to share?
As a student who started during the pandemic, I struggled with the transition from secondary school to a post-secondary environment. My professors and classmates made this transition a lot easier. I’d advise anyone going into post-secondary to focus on building relationships and taking full advantage of the real-world knowledge your professors bring.

___

Do you love working with your hands and have a passion for STEM?

DC’s EMTY program will impress you. Here are some newsworthy highlights:

  • It’s part of the industry-leading Fanuc Robotics Certified Education Training program, which provides students with the opportunity to earn the globally recognized Fanuc Robotics Handling Tool Operations and Programming Level-1 Certification directly within their course of study.
  • It has been recognized by the Royal Canadian Navy and now qualifies for Canadian Armed Forces skill recognition.
  • DC’s partnership with Johnson Controls helps award annual entrance bursaries in September of each year to five students entering their first semester of studies in the EMTY program!

You belong at DC, learn more about this program online today.

Professor leading the way for women in science

Faculty spotlight – Christine Hand

At Durham College, students learn from accomplished professors who bring their extensive, real-world experience to the classroom. In this series, we put the spotlight on our passionate faculty members who are committed to helping students lead the way.

Christine Hand is an accomplished scientist with a PhD in Chemistry. After a successful career as a chemistry specialist, she pivoted to teaching at Durham College (DC). For the last nine years, she’s been sharing her expertise with students in the Faculty of Science, Engineering & Information Technology.

In recognition of International Day for Women and Girls in Science on February 11, she spoke to us about her passion for chemistry, teaching the next generation of scientists, the importance of equality and more.

What is your role at DC?

I’m the program coordinator for Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Science. When I first started, I was teaching chromatography, pharmaceutics and pharmacology. Then I shifted to basically just teaching analytical instrumentation chromatography, and showing how you can test compounds and solutions.

When did you discover your love for science?

I would say in high school, in Grade 11. I had a teacher, Mrs. Miller, and she taught chemistry. I was always really fascinated with chemistry, and trying to picture these molecules and what they’re doing and how they’re behaving. I’d even look up stuff and come in and ask her about it. Then in my first year of university, the course that I took in chemistry was very in depth and I just loved it. It was really interesting to me.

Why should young girls and women pursue a career in science?

Society will always need people who are curious and who want to investigate. Science doesn’t have to be a narrow lane. There are so many different pathways that you can take. And it gives you such an appreciation for how the world works. It unlocks all this magical mystery of what is happening in the world.

How is DC leading the way in science?

We have a lot of pathways to other post-secondary institutions. They are taking our programs and allowing students to transfer into bachelor’s programs, which means they recognize the quality. We have a lot of students who have gone on to do quite well in science, in government or industrial or commercial roles. They’ve gone on to get very good jobs. Our grads are typically well thought of.

Are women well represented in DC’s science programs?

I’m proud of the fact that DC has so many women in science. We have a lot of women in the science department who are role models and who put in the effort to encourage other women, and all students, to go into science. We’re definitely modeling strong female representation.

Why is equality in science so important?

When we have a monoculture, people tend to think the same way, and science is all about discovery. If you don’t have people challenging ideas, and you don’t have people being curious, then you’re never going to discover anything. We need to have diversity of all kinds in order to challenge those long held beliefs.  

Do you still see a gender gap in science?

We’ve made a lot of strides. There are so many more women in science now than when I started undergrad in 1997, but there are still some programs that have lower numbers of women. I was really lucky that my high school science teachers were women as well, so it never occurred to me that I couldn’t do it. I always had it modeled for me, so it never seemed out of reach. I think that’s important because if you don’t see it, you don’t know it’s achievable.

What is your advice for young women entering science?

In my experience, if you want to find supportive people, you’ll find them. Sometimes you have to look for them, and sometimes you have to cultivate them. But there are always people there who are willing to support you. It’s really just like life; pick your friends correctly, and the people who are going to drag you down, just don’t bother with them.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at DC?

I just try to share my experience and inspire everybody to be in science. I just want people to share my passion for science or to at least cause them to be curious or interested in something. When I hear students say that they got excited about something or they want more information for their personal knowledge, that’s one of the best things.