About Us
Communications Director
Madeline Mellett, PhD
Madeline is a 4th year PhD Candidate in Dr. Kathy McCoy’s lab where she is studying microbiome-immune interactions in the gastrointestinal tract. She joined SITC in 2025 as communication director, where she is responsible for engaging and informing trainees of all activities, events and initiatives being led by the SITC. Outside of the lab she enjoys baking, climbing and riding her bike.
If you have an idea for a trainee event or activity that you would like the SITC to participate in and promote, feel free to send Maddy (madeline.mellett@ucalgary.ca) a private message.
Education Co-Directors
Md Deen Islam, PhD & Kenzie Birse, PhD
As Education Co-Directors, Deen and Kenzie lead and organize a series of educational events throughout the year under the Snyder Institute banner, such as Summer Student Workshops, Summer Student Research Day, and Trainee Research Day. The Education Co-Directors are responsible for leading, organizing and implementing education opportunities for Snyder Institute trainees.
If you have an idea for an educational event or initiative that you would like to share or see happen this year, feel free to reach out to Deen (mddeen.islam@ucalgary.ca) or Kenzie(Kenzie.birse2@ucalgary.ca).
Social and Community Outreach Co-Directors
Amy Shupe, MSc & Liam Wilkinson, PhD
Amy is a MSc student, and her research focuses on the role of the microbiome in cancer immunotherapy. Amy has been one of the co-chairs of the Social and Community Outreach Committee of the SITC since January 2024. Her favourite part of the SITC is organizing and playing on their intramural sports teams! Outside of the lab and SITC, Amy loves to craft.
Liam has been involved with SITC for over two years now! He first joined as a general member and now serves as co-chair of the Social and Community Outreach sub-committee with Amy Shupe. Liam's hobbies include getting outside and moving his body or checking out live music throughout the city!
Together, Amy and Liam are responsible for leading, organizing and implementing social and community outreach activities for Snyder Institute trainees on a monthly and annual basis. They have partnered with community groups such as the Calgary Board of Education to foster relationships between trainees and the community through outreach activities.
If you have an idea for a social or outreach event or initiative that you would like to share or see happen this year, feel free to reach out to Liam (liam.wilkinson@ucalgary.ca) and Amy (amy.shupe@ucalgary.ca).
Postdoctoral Fellow & Research Associate Seminar Coordinator
Idaira Guerrero-Fonseca, PDF
If you require more information or would like to present at this year's PDF/RA seminar series, feel free to reach out to Idaira at idairamaria.guerrero@ucalgary.ca.
Contact the Snyder Institute Trainee Committee sitc@ucalgary.ca
Committee Members
Committee members will work with SITC Directors to generate ideas and initiatives for trainees within the Snyder Institute. They will assist with planning and organizing educational, social and community outreach events under the leadership of directors. They will assist with promoting and communicating activities for Snyder Trainees. They will represent the SITC and Snyder trainees in all their activities.
Spencer Abbott, PhD
Alexandria Bartlett, PhD
Grace Yoon, MSc
Cathy Le, MSc
Laura Godin, PhD
