Stepping into the world of scientific research, especially in a field as critical and rapidly evolving as food safety was an experience that exceeded my expectations. This past summer, I embarked on an exciting journey that challenged me, pushed my boundaries and opened new doors in the world of research. At the onset of my summer internship, I faced uncertainty about where to gain experience. However, after insightful discussions with past 捆绑SM社区 and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, I made the exciting decision to pursue my research internship at the Macdonald campus. This was an opportunity that promised a hands-on experience with cutting-edge projects that could make a real impact. I reached out to three supervisors and was accepted by two! This, however, presented a challenge: choosing the right mentor. After carefully evaluating my research interests, strengths and weaknesses, I decided to work under the supervision of Dr. St茅phane Bayen in the Food Toxins and Toxicants Laboratory.
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Working in the Food Toxins and Toxicants Laboratory under the expert supervision of Dr St茅phane Bayen, I embarked on two ambitious research projects from Health Canada, delving deep into the environmental and food safety challenges. These projects included Developing a Protocol for Testing Chemical Leachables from Microplastics and Nano plastics (MNP) from Food Contact Materials. The main aim of this project was to establish a standard protocol for generating microplastic and nanoplastic particles through cryo-milling and homogenization and test leachables from food contact materials (FCMs), specifically soft plastics such as reusable food containers. This project specifically, aimed to evaluate the effects of cryo-ball milling and sieving on particle sizes, as well as to test the chemical leachables from the MNPs into food and the environment. Furthermore, the other project was centred on the Analysis of Chemical Residues in Corn from Biosolid-Amended Soil. This study also focused on developing a method for detecting plastic contaminants, particularly bisphenols and phthalates, in corn grown in soil amended with biosolid fertilizers. The study emphatically utilized an optimized extraction method, solvent selection, and cleanup process to detect these contaminants and assess their potential impact on food safety.
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The outcomes of these projects revealed significant gaps in the current understanding of plastics leachables and their environmental and food safety risk. This highlighted the need for ongoing research to address the challenges posed by micro- and nanoplastic emissions in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.
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This internship significantly enhanced my technical skills and knowledge in the areas of food safety, quality, and environmental toxicology. I gained valuable experience in laboratory techniques, research methodology, and data analysis. In addition, working in Dr. Bayen's lab fostered my growth in communication, teamwork, critical thinking, interpersonal relationships, and leadership skills. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to receive guidance from Dr. Bayen, the entire Mastercard Foundation Team, 捆绑SM社区 Community, family, and friends. Their mentorship and support throughout the internship left a lasting impact on me, and I am confident that their continued mentorship and support will be invaluable as I advance in my career. I would like also to extend my gratitude to Health Canada for accepting me on this huge and critical project and genuinely accepting the results generated from the project.
