Ashley Stegelmeier

Program

Pathobiology, PhD

Why I Chose Guelph… 

The main reason I chose U of G was because of my supervisors and project. I wanted to become an expert in oncolytic virotherapy to positively impact the lives of cancer patients. I also chose to complete my graduate studies at U of G because of the excellent facilities at the Ontario Veterinary College. The new Pathobiology building allowed me to conduct my research with state of the art equipment such as our flow cytometer and animal facilities.

About My Advisor… 

I was fortunate to have an excellent academic relationship with my advisors. I was co-supervised by Drs. Byram Bridle and Sarah Wootton. Both of them were supportive and had great research ideas. Under their joint mentorship I became a better scientist.

About Being a Grad Student at the University of Guelph… 

In my opinion, being a graduate is a rewarding and challenging experience. Every day you learn something new about oncology, virology and immunology. I enjoyed expanding my knowledge in a collaborative environment.

What makes U of G Unique… 

I enjoyed taking walks in the Arboretum on weekends. The campus is beautiful and worth exploring. I also enjoyed going to the Fifth with my labmates.

About the City of Guelph… 

I like being in a small city. There is always something going on downtown, and numerous great places to eat.

About Future Goals… 

I ultimately want to become a university professor. U of G helped me reach this goal by providing my with the ideal environment to gain research, analytical, and writing skills.

How Will Your Research Improve Life?

It is estimated that one in two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. My research aimed to expand the range of treatment options for cancer patients to increase survival rates and improve their quality of life.