Lab Research Trainee
University of Calgary, Canada
My name is Kristine Du and I'm a graduate with a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology. I have continued with my clinical based research as a trainee in Dr. Michael D. Parkins Lab at the University of Calgary in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Disease. Currently, my main projects involve: (1) Understanding the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses (i.e. Influenza and RSV) using RT-qPCR in wastewater sampling throughout Calgary, Canada, (2) Studying the prevalence of high inoculum cefazolin resistance among Staphylococcus aureus in bloodstream infections and recurrent infections through susceptibility testing and strain typing isolates using PFGE. As well, how their phenotypes are associated with certain antibiotic resistance gene identified with whole-genome sequencing. I have also been involved in other studies, such as testing a novel approach for infection control in duodenoscopes used for endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) procedures for patients in Calgary, Alberta and Kingston, Ontario.