Haley Zubyk Named 2019 Michael Kiley Scholarship in Antibiotic Resistance Recipient
It is with great excitement that the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research announces PhD candidate Haley Zubyk as the 2019 recipient of the Michael Kiley Scholarship in Antibiotic Resistance.
Within Dr. Gerry Wright’s Lab at McMaster University, Haley studies an old antibiotic called edeine to try and discover how it is made by bacteria and how it works. Edeine has never been used as an antibiotic in the clinic because it is toxic to humans; however, Haley plans to gain the understanding necessary to strategically re-design edeine into an antibiotic that is safe for humans and effective against pathogens.
Before joining the Wright lab, Haley completed her undergraduate degree in the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization program at McMaster University. Throughout her third-year, she undertook a drug discovery research project that was partially led by Dr. Gerry Wright. This experience, in combination with her volunteer work at Juravinski Hospital, inspired her to study antimicrobial resistance. She believes that through this work, she can help to improve the quality of life for others by advancing the healthcare system at the level of research and discovery.
In the future, Haley hopes to make meaningful contributions to the fields of antimicrobial research and discovery by following the career path of becoming a principal investigator, where she can further share her knowledge with emerging scientists. Receiving the Michael Kiley Scholarship in Antibiotic Resistance on behalf of the family and friends of the late Michael Kiley will allow Haley to move closer to her dreams of one day opening her own laboratory that focuses on understanding bacterial resistance and developing novel therapeutic strategies.
“As a young scientist, it means so much to receive support from the community and recognition for my dedication to the field of antimicrobial resistance and drug-resistant infection research. The Kiley family is enabling me to take my research to the next level as I continue to learn and develop my skills. I feel honored to be a part of Michael’s legacy of teaching and inspiring youth, and this scholarship will resonate with me for years to come.”
As the recipient of this year’s award, Haley will receive an award amount of $1,000 and has been invited to present her research at this year’s annual IIDR Trainee Day symposium on October 4th, 2019.
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