Neuroscience graduate student Laura Palmer wins the 2018 Jon Meddings Leadership Award!

What have you been involved in at Foothill’s?

I am particularly interested in enhancing student education and engagement on the Foothills Campus. I like to be a part of student-run events, programs and initiatives. By doing this, I am able to directly create the educational experience I want to have during graduate school. For example, I recently became the student co-chair of the Leaders in Medicine (LiM) program. As co-chair, I have input on all aspects of the program, from program structure to events and seminars. Within LiM, I am also leading the design of a new graduate course on preventative and precision medicine. I have the opportunity to work with students at all levels and the faculty leadership of the program. In addition to my work with Leaders in Medicine, I’ve also been involved with HBITO Education, the CSM Symposium, the Calgary Brain Bee, and the Department Head Selection Committee for Cell Biology and Anatomy. I am also very interested in knowledge translation and communicating research to the public, and am working to enhance this type of skill both in myself, and in students in LiM and the HBI.

How does your leadership impact the graduate community?

I believe that students who are engaged in their program will perform better in the lab and the classroom, conduct better research, and have higher satisfaction with their overall experience. Student engagement and excellence also increases program quality. This has a positive feedback effect, because students are more motivated to engage in rewarding and high quality programs. This makes for better scientists, attracts top students, and increases the positive impact of our graduates.

Why do you find this work interesting?

Leadership is incredibly important to me, because through leadership, I am able to fully engage in my own training as a graduate student. As a student leader, I am able to shape my social, educational, and research life on the Foothills Campus. I like collaborating with other people and learning new skills and perspectives that I can incorporate into my own training. This also provides variety from my day-to-day life in the lab, and helps me to develop skills that are different from the ones that I develop in the lab, but are no less important for my career.

What is your research work about?

In the lab, I am an electrophysiologist, and I am interested in the relationship between stroke and Alzheimer’s Disease. I have found that the Alzheimer’s protein, amyloid beta, can actually function as a cell protector during stroke. This is new and interesting, because amyloid beta is usually thought of as a toxic protein. This can give us new insight into how Alzheimer’s Disease can develop after stroke.

What do you like to do when not working on your research?

When not in the lab, I am with my husband, Jamie, and almost two-year-old son, Theo. I really enjoy cooking, playing the piano and singing, and reading. I also try to find time to stay fit and active!

The CFD would like to thank all applicants for applying for this award. You all have done amazing work here at Foothills campus to improve the graduate student experience. It was a great competition this year, and we look forward to next spring for our next competition!