Chanele Polenz and Dakota Gustafson, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology

Supervisors: Dr. Myron Cybulsky and Dr. Jason Fish
Chanele Polenz and Dakota Gustafson are both Ph.D. students in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology. Throughout the last four years they have served numerous roles within the Confederation of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology Students (CLAMPS), the student body representing all graduate students within the department, as well as leadership positions in other academic and community groups.

As Co-Presidents of CLAMPS they instituted and launched a new ambassador program for incoming students. In this program, students are matched with an experienced, upper-level LMP graduate student to help guide them through all aspects of their graduate career: academic milestones, navigating a new project or research environment, or finding time for wellbeing. Programs such as this one embody their leadership philosophy of empowering students to reach their innate potential, allowing individual strengths to flourish, and creating an inclusive and well-balanced environment.

They believe that an important part of student advocacy and leadership is to encourage others to make decisions and participate in crafting the student experience. In the last year, their role in organising events such as departmental roundtables and student-led conferences, supporting new wellness initiatives, and introducing mentorship programs has helped create a more inclusive and healthy graduate experience. Although they will be leaving their role in CLAMPS at the end of this summer, they will continue to advocate for students through the ongoing involvement in university affairs, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed.