My name is Kendal Giesbrecht. I was born and raised right here in Brandon, Manitoba. I graduated this past spring with a BSc honours degree in chemistry with co-op, and I’m honoured to have served as the valedictorian for the Faculty of Science class of 2026. I didn’t come to BU with a dream of doing research, but I’m so thankful for where my academic journey has taken me. I joined Dr. Chen’s proteomics lab where through my honours thesis I developed instrumental methods to study brain cancer mechanisms. Through the experience and skills I built at BU, I was fortunate enough to receive the prestigious opportunity to participate in international research, heading overseas to Dresden, Germany where I researched selenium enrichment in the beer brewing process.
My BU Experience
In my time at BU, I made sure to pursue as many opportunities of involvement as I could. Throughout my degree, I supported different avenues of community involvement, including volunteering with Let’s Talk Science, where I facilitated hands-on STEM activities for school children across the Westman region. It was such a fun and rewarding experience to share my love of STEM with young students, and later I got to help lead the program as one of the site coordinators. I also got involved with the Chemistry Club at BU early in my degree, and served as various executive positions, working my way up to club president. It gave me an avenue to connect with peers to more easily make friends and find people to commiserate with on long nights. I also got the opportunity to build my leadership skills through organizing various fundraisers as well as outreach events for new students.
I also became involved with the Co-op program, which allowed me to earn school credit while working a full-time summer job and gain valuable work experience. Through the co-op program, I was able to work as a summer student at Pfizer in Brandon for two consecutive summers. There, I gained industry-relevant experience in a pharmaceutical lab and built on my hands-on lab skills. The co-op program was also how I was able to learn about applications for international research opportunities in Germany, and I was fortunate enough to earn one of those internships for my last summer work experience.
Getting involved with research was one of the most rewarding things I pursued. I never had dreams or plans of getting involved in research labs, but I took a chance and asked Dr. Chen if there was space in his lab to work with him. Through his proteomics lab, I was able to explore and develop instrumental and analytical methods to study the mechanisms of brain cancer and gain a better understanding of instrumental analysis in chemistry. I found my love of hands-on lab work and analysis, as well as gained valuable experience that will serve me in my future career. Beyond the lab at BU, I got to spend a summer living in Dresden, Germany researching at the Technical University of Dresden in their department of food science to see if beer could be enriched with selenium in the brewing process. This opportunity gave me a chance to explore a different field of chemistry, as well as the world as I traveled around Europe. I was able to learn new skills and methods and bring home incredible memories.
Learning at BU
Through my academic journey at BU, I learned a lot about myself and my aspirations. I came to BU thinking I would be applying into a pharmacy program within a few years, but instead found a love for hands-on lab work that pivoted my vision for my career. My experiences have led me to pursue work environments where I am always learning, actively analyzing, utilizing the skills I’ve built, and still contributing to healthcare. Before I walked the stage at graduation, I had a job lined up back at Pfizer in Brandon as a lab analyst, marking my transition from student to professional.
I am incredibly thankful for the people I have met through Brandon University; classmates, professors, and friends who have supported me, challenged me, and helped shape my academic experience. Looking back, I’m glad my path didn’t go exactly the way I expected it. The door will be open for me to jump back into the field of research in the future, but for now, I am excited as I take these steps into my career as a lab analyst.
Favourite Courses
- Instrumental Analysis
- Analytical Chemistry
- Topics in Chemistry
- Drugs and Behaviour
- Environmental Chemistry
Extracurricular
Let’s Talk Science: Through volunteering with this organization I have been able to share my love of STEM with school-aged children and give back to the community.
President – BU Chemistry Club: Built community with fellow chemistry students, fostering a supportive environment to study, make friends, as well as plan school and career paths.
Chemistry Lab Demonstrator: Allowed me to connect with incoming students and pass along tips and skills I had learned.
Awards and Accolades
I have received different awards and scholarships throughout my time at BU, including a Board of Governors entrance scholarship and the Dr. N. Demchuk Memorial Scholarship in Chemistry. These awards positively impacted my education as with the scholarships I earned, I was able to direct more focus and dedication into my studies, with less stress over finances.