Kate Love

Kate Love is completing her final year of her BSc in Marine Biology and will be writing her honours thesis in the Gunawardena Lab during the 2021/22 school year. She is focused on understanding more about the ecology of Madagascar Lace and will be striving to determine the best method of growing this aquatic plant in aquarium conditions. The main purpose of her research is to induce inflorescence in captivity and to analyze the functionality of the lace plant’s perforated leaf structure, specifically if there is a relationship between leaf perforation and water turbulence. Kate has years of experience in the aquarium hobby and, is excited to be working with Dr. Gunawardena and her team.

In her spare time Kate enjoys exploring Nova Scotia’s coastline. When the weather is nice, she spends time hiking, snorkeling and surfing, and when inside she is usually reading a good book. Kate currently works at a local aquarium shop and as a Teaching Assistant in Dalhousie’s Biology department. In the future, she wishes to be an environmental advocate and work within a field that focuses on environmental preservation and restoration.

Cassandra Hirte

I recently completed my BSc in Neuroscience and Biology. Dr. Arunika Gunawardena’s research was initially introduced to me in second year during her portion of the Diversity of Life course. Having interests in biomedical research, I was delighted to begin volunteering in her lab. Eventually, I progressed do my experiential learning with her where I helped investigate the effects of anthocyanin biosynthesis modulators on lace plant PCD. I was fortunate enough to continue these experiments for my special topics independent research all while taking Arunika’s plant cell biology class to further my knowledge on the topic. I have since shifted my focus to the relationship between sucrose and anthocyanin abundance to expand on my research for a potential manuscript.

In addition to volunteering in the lab, I was the VP of Event Coordination for the Psychology student society (DAPS) as well as a volunteer for the QEII Hospital. Since graduating, I have started full-time work as a physiotherapist assistant (PTA). My hope to eventually pursue graduate studies in rehabilitation sciences where I can continue to conduct and eventually apply research in the biomedical industry. Outside of work and academia, I really enjoy running, traveling, and painting.