Trainee Profile: Jessica Garden
Jessica Garden is a second year Masters student under the co-supervision of Dr Richard Brown and Dr Ian Weaver. Her research investigates associative learning, and she is looking at transgenic mouse models of autism. She is interested in investigating both the cellular and epigenetic mechanisms of short- and long-term memory in these models of neurodevelopmental disorders. She says it’s a unique take on the complex interplay between behaviour, synaptic properties, and epigenetics.
“My research employs olfactory learning to help clarify the nature of memory processes that are often impaired in autism. We are investigating this unique angle of memory and its associations with molecular factors, including chromatin remodeling proteins, and dopaminergic signaling”.
“I'm excited for this year. I have all my classes kind of put behind me. Finished all that last year. So I'm really able to just focus on my research this year and finish up my degree. So I'm excited about that.”
Hailing from Stoney Creek, ON. Jessica did her undergrad at the University of Ottawa and a degree in biomedical science, with a minor in psychology. She and her Submariner husband love to go hiking with their one year old puppy- a flat coated retriever. And Jessica loves to paint - water colours.
Jessica volunteers too – weekly at a vet hospital, which she finds very interesting. She also holds a trainee position on the Knowledge Translation Committee for the Canadian Epigenetics Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC). Her work here focusses on translating scientific information to a variety of different sectors eg industry, other researchers and the public, and sharing it via websites and podcasts.
Jessica feels strongly about being involved in the Women in STEM field. It is something that she has been involved with since her undergrad, when she was part of a Women in Science and Engineering club. At Dalhousie, she is currently a mentor for a similar society.
Jessica isn’t sure yet whether she will stay in academia or explore industry, but she says: “No matter where I end up, I want to leverage that kind of mentorship (Women in STEM) and support other women in this field for the rest of my career.”