Team:Consort Alberta/team

From 2013hs.igem.org


Gerry Bourassa

Gerry Bourassa

Science has always been a passion of mine and I love learning about it and sharing that information with others. I learned about the iGEM competition and synthetic biology at our science teachers' conference and couldn’t wait to tell my students about it. The potential of this field of study is amazing! It is also a lot more difficult in practice than it is in theory. When I’m not in school I enjoy travelling, skiing and restoring my motorcycle.

Kara Strobel

Kara Strobel

I am a senior social studies and English teacher at Consort School, and a teacher supervisor for our iGEM team. I am also the bus driver for the team when we travel to the city for workshops. While originally from Toronto, I have lived in Alberta for nearly twenty years, and have relished every minute of it. In particular, I enjoy teaching at our school, for the students in my classes are of the highest calibre in terms of their abilities and their character. One of the many advantages of living and teaching in a small community is the fact that you have the opportunity to get to know your students, and to appreciate how truly special they are. I am delighted to be working with this terrific team as they explore the possibilities of genetic engineering, and look forward to the work that they will do this year and in years to come.
Spencer Degenstein

Spencer Degenstein

I'm currently in grade 11, going to Consort School. After high school, I'm planning on going to University, but am still unsure as to what I will be going into. I joined iGem after my teacher told me about it, and how it was an excellent opportunity to explore a new field, and to see if it might interest me, and possibly persuade me to pursue it in my future. I am already finding iGem to be very interesting and if indeed I do go into a career relating to this, I can use my role in iGem as experience. I am mainly working on the wet lab as well as designing our biobrick, and researching xylene, along with xylR. Also, having the chance to see these things in action really helps with learning the material we are going over in Biology 30. Some of my interests include: shooting, hunting, hanging out with friends and family, and iGem.

Kris Galsier

Kris Glasier

As of right now, I am 17 years old, just finishing the 11th grade in Consort School. After I graduate, I am planning on going to either University of Alberta or Saskatchewan for a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. The reason I joined iGEM is because it is a phenomenal opportunity for all individuals. Over these few months I have started to see how this branch of science may persuade me to a slightly different career path than previously expected but we shall see what the future brings. My interests include, but are not limited to, music (I play trumpet and piano), reading, learning new material, and playing various video games. I really enjoy being a part of our iGEM group, and hope we continue for years to come.

Taylor Fawcett

Taylor Fawcett

I am a grade eleven student currently attending Consort School. I became interested in iGEM when my biology teacher told me about it. I feel that it’s important to try out as many different things as you can in high school, so that you can become well rounded and enjoy a variety of different experiences. I’ve always liked science, so I decided that iGEM would be something exciting and new to try. After our first iGEM workshop I was hooked, and our team's work has helped me to understand biology even better. After I complete high school, I would like to go to either Edmonton or Calgary for university. I want to complete my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and from there go onto Medical School at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta or the University of Calgary. I think our high school iGEM team has a really unique story, since we are from such a small town. iGEM is also really good for our school, because it adds more diversity to the extracurricular programs offered.

Kali Sage Strobel

Kali Sage Strobel

I’m a grade eleven student at Consort School. High school is challenging and fun and, contrary to popular belief, life in a small town offers many opportunities. When I’m not working with the iGem team, I’m working with the other Grad Committee and Student Executive members in an effort to improve the day-to-day lives of the students in our school. I enjoy all my classes, however I’m particularly passionate about biology and English. My hobbies include writing, painting, horseback riding, badminton, volleyball, jogging and photography. However, my favorite activity of all is traveling, and I love any opportunity to see the world’s many cultures and landscapes. Although my plans for the future are still rather vague, I have things narrowed down to three potential paths: law school, research, or medical school. I see myself spending a lot of time in post-secondary education, which suits me just fine as I really enjoy learning. IGem is an excellent opportunity that will open doors for all of us who are involved in it, and I hope to participate again in my grade twelve year.

Mark Weichnik

Mark Wiechnik

I am sixteen years old and in grade eleven. I live on a ranch outside of Consort where I enjoy working. My interests include hockey, golf, volleyball and baseball. I am interested in IGem because biology interests me and it is an opportunity that I have never been presented before. IGem also allows me to meet new people. At this time, I am not sure what my future plans entail.

Josh Gramlich

Josh Gramlich

I am a 17-year old grade 12 student at Consort School. The sciences have always been an interest of mine, particularly biology. It seemed only fitting that I get involved in the iGem competition, and thanks to the hard work and dedication of our teacher, Mr Bourassa, that was possible. I was particularly excited for the lab work, but I've found that there is much more to synthetic biology than playing in a lab. In addition to the lab work, I am helping in the creation of our wiki, which plays into my future plans of taking Computing Science at the University of Alberta's Augustana Campus. I am grateful to our teacher for giving us an opportunity like iGem and I am excited to see what doors iGem might open for me in the future.

Frank Kim

Frank Kim

I’m currently in grade 12 at Consort School. Although I’m not planning on pursuing a career in the field of biology, I joined the iGem team to have a better understanding of synthetic biology, which is a unit in biology that I have most difficulties with. By joining the iGem team, my understandings and knowledge of synthetic biology have greatly increased. I’m planning to attend the University of Alberta next year for general science, and then take business or kinesiology for the second year. Aside from iGem, I like to play soccer, volleyball, badminton, and listen to Taylor Swift.


Justin Baldwin

Justin Baldwin

I'm in grade 11, and I currently attend Consort School. I first found out about iGem when my Biology teacher told our class about it. I was very interested in the idea and concept of synthetic biology, although I had almost no idea what it was. As the semester progressed, my team and I learned more about the subject, and became more and more interested in it. I am very interested in Biology, and I am enjoying my time on the team very much. After high school, I am planning to attend the University of Victoria to study Deep Sea Ichthyology, which is the study of deep sea fish. The ocean has always fascinated me, especially the parts and organisms that haven't yet been discovered. Besides iGem, my interests include drumming, bass, guitar, ukulele, video games, long boarding, and potentially becoming Ruler of the Universe.

Beckie Radefeldt

Beckie Radefeldt

I am a grade eleven student from Consort School. I have grown up in Consort my entire life and attended Consort school since kindergarten. I was first introduced to iGEM from my bio teacher and right away thought how interesting it was. I knew that iGEM would not only help me understand the bio course better but also give me a deeper understanding of it. My first impression of iGEM was how much of an amazing opportunity it would be and the kind of experience I would get out of it. My future plans are to hopefully go to Edmonton or Calgary to pursue a career in nursing.