Inderpreet-Kaur Virk

Hi! I'm Inderpreet-Kaur Virk, a second-year anatomy and cell biology student at McGill University. I'm passionate about neurodegenerative disease research, with a particular interest in uncovering early pathogenic mechanisms and advancing therapeutic development.

My journey in research began after competing in neuroscience competitions, which sparked my love for the brain and its infinite complexities. This led to a summer internship at the Sjöström laboratory at McGill, where I worked on 3D reconstruction of astrocytes and gained hands-on experience with patch-clamp electrophysiology, becoming the lab's youngest neuron patcher. I've channeled my passion into advocacy as president of three student organizations, leading initiatives that bridge scientific understanding with community action for neurodegenerative and other medical causes.

Service is at the heart of how I show up. Whether volunteering at a soup kitchen with Missionnaires de la Charité or tutoring children and individuals with diverse learning needs, I believe science is strongest when rooted in empathy and accessibility. My commitment to community engagement has been recognized with an Excellence in Student Leadership Award. When I'm not in the lab or leading initiatives, you'll find me learning a new language, dancing or baking.

This summer, I am honored to join Dr. Rachel Harding’s lab at the University of Toronto as an Amgen Scholar, where I will investigate MED15 in Huntington’s disease. I look forward to contributing to this work and continuing to grow as a scientist alongside a community of dedicated researchers.