We're back!!!

The summer semester is well underway and lots of exciting work is happening in the lab. Two summer students, Shawnice and Julia, have joined the team as undergraduate thesis students and are set up in our new lab at Trent. With the new team settled in, we will be reviving the blog! The team is currently working on several diverse research projects including:

• Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in correctional facilities

• The presentation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine evidence in court

• The exploration of equine biosecurity measures

• The investigation of Equine Herpesvirus-1 transmission dynamics

• The influence of environmental and ecological factors on outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

• And much much more!!!

With the team being divided between Peterborough and Guelph, we are eagerly awaiting the installation of our conference screen, which will make our virtual conferences easier and more accessible. We are also excited to announce that Gabrielle is preparing for her PhD defence for her research regarding equine biosecurity measures, which the team is thrilled to attend next month in Guelph. Stay tuned for more posts with further details regarding our projects!

We have arrived!

We are busy settling into our new spaces at Trent University. My office is starting to feel more familiar (and I really can’t argue with the huge window, natural light, and views that are not the rooftop technical ventilation system like at OVC). I will miss the sound of the horses downstairs.

I am working to get our lab space set up. It’s a great space with large windows, a private postdoc office, and lots of space for storing our equipment and also for setting up our computer hardware to ensure that everyone in the team has dedicated, protected workspace with computer monitors and docking stations (to make coding much less painful).

We can also hold our lab meetings in our new space without having to book a room. These are some photos from today. It needs some attention but the “bones” are amazing and we will get it into shape this winter.