Michelle Harwood, Molecular Genetics
Michelle Harwood is a 4th year PhD candidate in the Department of Molecular Genetics, working under the supervision of Dr. Philip Awadalla. Her research is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Postgraduate Scholarship, where she investigates differences in allelic expression across human populations based on ancestry and environment, and during healthy aging in blood cells.
Throughout her graduate experience, Michelle has been actively involved in the department and graduate student association (GSA). In 2020 when Michelle was the Vice President Student Life of the GSA, she created an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee within the Department. This committee has implemented numerous EDI initiatives, including incorporating land acknowledgements at departmental seminars, increasing diversity in invited speakers, and creating a book club to discuss various topics in EDI. Since 2020 when Michelle generated the committee, it continues to be run by the VP Student Life on the GSA, Mallory Wiggans in 2021 and Ido Nofech-Mozes in 2022, who has helped shape an “EDI in STEM and Beyond” seminar series, focusing on EDI-related shortcomings in STEM practices.
In addition to EDI related concerns, Michelle also recognized challenges in graduate students’ mental health. With the help of Laura Hergott and Premy Shanthamoorthy, the team was successfully granted the GLSE’s Graduate Student Wellness Grant for their initiative titled “Crushing Impostor Phenomenon in Science”. Since September 2020, they have run quarterly seminar and workshops lead by individuals who identify as a member of a minority group in regards to their race, physical ability, social-economic background, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity. Speakers have shared their experiences as minority in their field of research and provided tips for students facing impostor phenomenon. With the help of other team members Zoe Clarke, Mallory Wiggans, and Foram Vyas, their most recent event was a half-day mental health and wellness conference in April 2022 called “You Belong”.
In 2021, Michelle was co-president on the Molecular Genetics GSA, alongside Nikki Case. Michelle and Nikki helped students navigate the transition from virtual to in-person events and learning, as well as advocated for various aspects of student concerns, including shortening time to completion in the department, mental health concerns with the pandemic, and continual discussions on health benefits and stipends. Michelle has greatly enjoyed her time on the GSA and she appreciates being the voice on behalf of her fellow graduate students. She has valued her close discussions and connections with faculty and staff in the department, whose support and guidance has helped with the success of the GSA. Michelle is a current presidential advisor for the GSA, alongside Nikki, and enjoys seeing where the new and future leaders take these initiatives.