A University of Toronto PhD student in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (LMP) is being recognized by the Institute of Health Emergencies and Pandemics (IHEP) for her research and academic journey as a first-generation graduate student.
Dr. Kuganya Nirmalarajah, who recently completed her PhD in LMP at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, will become the first person in her family to earn both an undergraduate degree and a doctorate. Supported through an IHEP Graduate Studentship Award in 2023, her research focused on the genomic epidemiology and evolution of respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, examining how viral pathogens spread and evolve in the Greater Toronto Area.
During her PhD, Kuganya also contributed to the broader trainee community through leadership roles with groups including the Committee of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology Students (CLAMPS), the Emerging & Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC) and BioHubNet, while presenting her research nationally and internationally.
In a feature published by IHEP, Kuganya reflects on her experiences as a first-generation student, the importance of pandemic research and the support she received throughout her academic journey.
