Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Landon J. Getz, PhD

landon.getz@dal.ca

Executive Summary

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Dr. Landon J. Getz (He/Him, PhD) is a Gay/Queer man and a molecular bacteriologist specializing in Vibrio genetics and phage-host Interactions in marine opportunistic pathogens. Dr. Getz is a CIHR Postdoctoral Fellow and the recipient of the inaugural GSK-EPIC Convergence Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto. Landon is an LGBTQ+ advocate and has worked to enhance the equity, diversity, and inclusion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through the founding of two community-building, advocacy organizations, Queer Atlantic Canadian STEM and more recently Pride in Microbiology. Landon is an alumnus of the inaugural Youth Council of the Chief Science Advisor of Canada.

Affiliations

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Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

• Studying Phage-Vibrio interactions in the laboratory of Dr. Karen Maxwell
• 2023 CIHR Postdoctoral Fellow and 2023 GSK-EPIC Convergence Postdoctoral Fellow

Education

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Ph.D Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University

• Completed August 31st/2022
• 2019 Vanier Scholar and 2019 Killam Laureate
• Thesis title: Genome-Wide Investigation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Type III Secretion System-1 Regulation and Chitin Metabolism

B.Sc. First Class Honours in Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University

• Graduated June 2017
• Microbiology and Immunology Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Honours Research

Certificate in Genetics, Dalhousie University

• Received June 2017

Publications

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Papers:

^*Authors contributed equally to the work, ^#Corresponding Author.

1. Getz, L.J., Maxwell, K.L.^# (2024). Diverse anti-phage defences are widespread among prophages and mobile genetic elements. Annual Reviews of Virology DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-100422-125123.
2. Patel, P.H., Taylor, V.L., Zhang, C., Getz, L.J, Fitzpatrick, A.D., Davidson, A.R., Maxwell, K.L.^# (2024). Anti-phage defence through inhibition of virion assembly. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45892
3. Getz, L.J., Brown, J.M., Sobot, L., Chow, A., Mahendrarajah, J., Thomas, N.A.^# (2023). Attenuation of a DNA Cruciform by a Conserved Regulator Directs T3SS-1 mediated virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Nucleic Acids Research DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad370.
4. Kratzer, K.*, Getz, L.J.*, Peterlini, T, Masson^#, J-Y, Dellaire, G^#. (2021) “Addressing the dark matter of gene therapy: technical and ethical barriers to clinical application.” Human Genetics. DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02272-5
5. Getz, L.J., Dellaire, G.^# (2020). “Back to Basics: Application of the 4-principle approach to bioethics to heritable genome editing.” Science and Engineering Ethics. DOI: 10.1007/s11948-020-00226-0.
6. Getz, L. J., Runté, C., Rainey, J., Thomas, N.A.^# (2019). “Tyrosine phosphorylation as a widespread regulatory mechanism in prokaryotes.” Journal of Bacteriology. DOI: 10.1128/JB.00205-19
7. Thornbury, M.*, Sicheri, J.*, Slaine, P.D., Getz, L. J., Finlayson-Trick, E.C.L., Cook, J., Guinard, C., Boudreau, N., Jakeman, D., Rohde, J.R., McCormick, C.^# (2018). “Characterization of novel lignocellulose-degrading enzymes from the porcupine microbiome using synthetic metagenomics” PLoS One. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209221.
8. Getz, L.J.^#, Dellaire, G.^# (2018). “Angels and Devils: Dual-Use in Biotechnology.” Trends in Biotechnology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.07.016.
9. Runté, C., Jain, U., Getz, L.J., Secord, S., Kuwae, A., Abe, A., Leblanc, J., Stadnyk, A.W., Kaper, J.B., Hansen, A.M., Thomas, N.A.^# (2018). “Tandem tyrosine phosphosites in the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli chaperone CesT are required for differential type III effector translocation and virulence.” Molecular Microbiology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mmi.13948.
10. Getz, L.J., Thomas, N.A.#^#(2018) “The Transcriptional Regulator HlyU is a Positive Regulator for Expression of exsA Leading to Type III Secretion System-1 Activation in Vibrio parahaemolyticus” Journal of Bacteriology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00653-17.
11. Getz, L.J.*, Finlayson-Trick, E.C.L.*, Slaine, P.D.*, Thornbury, M., Lamourerux, E., Cook, J., Langille, M.G.I., Murray, L.E., McCormick, C., Rohde, J.R., Cheng, Z.^# (2017). “Taxonomic differences of gut microbiomes drive cellulolytic enzymatic potential within hind-gut fermenting mammals.” PLoS One. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189404.

Commentaries and Correspondance:

1. Getz, L.J^#., de Oliveira, B.F.R. & Pérez-López, E. (2023) We need a Pride in Microbiology Network. Nat Microbiol. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01394-y
2. Qaiser, F., Laventure, A., Rilling, M., King, M., Johnson, C., Jakac-Sinclair, N., Getz, L.J., Cartile, A., Boulanger, M-E., Ammendolia, J. (2023). When youth voices are heard, science shines brighter. University Affairs
3. Baylis, F., Getz, L.J. (2021). Challenge studies for COVID-19: Now is still not the timeJME Blog
4. Getz, L.J.,, Baylis, F. (2021). Challenge studies for COVID-19: Now is not the time.JME Blog
5. Getz, L.J., Baylis, F. (2020). Canada should reject the idea of deliberately infecting vaccine volunteers. PolicyOptions.ca
6. Baylis, F., Getz, L.J. (2020). Why federal government should reject human challenge trials for COVID-19 vaccine. CBC Opinion.
7. Qaiser, F., Morriseau, T., Rilling, M., Cartile, A., Sung, M., Getz, L.J., Boulanger, M-E. (2020). Envisioning A Post-Pandemic Future in the Canadian Science Community: A Youth Perspective. Canadian Science Policy Conference 2020
8. Baylis, F., Getz, L.J. (2020). Rush to risky chellenge trials is unethical, HealthyDebate.ca.
9. Getz, L.J. (2020). Rushing coronavirus vaccines and treatments could do more harm than good, TheConversation.ca, Republished in Everything Zoomer, and Dal News.
10. Kofler, N., Getz, L.J., Baylis, F., Dellaire, G. (2019). Genetically modifying mosquitoes to control the spread of disease carries unknown risks, TheConversation.ca, republished in Salon, HalifaxToday.ca, SaltWire Newspapers, and Gannett Newspapers.
11. Getz, L.J., Dellaire, G. (2019). Moratorium on Human Genome Editing: Time to Get It Right, The Hastings Center Forum Blog.
12. Getz, L.J., Dellaire, G. (2019). CRISPR gene editing: Why we need Slow Science, The Conversation: Canada Edition.
13. Getz, L.J. (2019).The “Value” of Consumer DNA Sequencing., Impact Ethics, Novel Tech Ethics, Halifax, NS.
14. Getz, L.J., Dellaire, G., Baylis, F. (2018). “Jiankui He: A Sorry Tale of High-Stakes Science”, The Hastings Center Forum Blog.
15. Baylis, F., Dellaire, G., Getz, L.J. (2018). “Why we are not ready for genetically designed babies”, The Conversation: Canada Edition. Reprinted in: The National Post and the Halifax Chronicle Herald.
16. Getz, L.J. (2018). “Thicker Than Water: Slow Movement on Blood Policy”, Impact Ethics, Novel Tech Ethics, Halifax, NS.
17. Getz, L.J. (2018). “The Privacy Implications of Human DNA Sequencing”, Impact Ethics, Novel Tech Ethics, Halifax, NS.
18. Getz, L.J. (2017). “A Reflection on Blood Donation Policy in Canada”, Impact Ethics, Novel Tech Ethics, Halifax, NS.

Pre-Prints:

1. Getz, L.J.^*, Robinson, O.^*, Thomas, N.A.^# (2024). Functional Genomics of chtiin degradation by Vibrio parahaemolyticus reveals finely integrated metabolic contributions to support environmental fitness. BioRxiv.
2. Getz, L.J., Brown, J.M., Sobot, L., Chow, A., Mahendrarajah, J., Thomas, N.A.^# (2022). Attenuation of a DNA Cruciform by a Conserved Regulator Directs T3SS-1 mediated virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. BioRxiv.
3. *Thornbury, M., *Sicheri, J., Guinard, C,. Mahoney, D., Routledge, F,. Curry, M., Elaghil, M., Boudreau, N., Tsai, A., Slaine P., Finlayson-Trick, E.C.L., Getz, L.J., Cook, J., Rohde, J.R., McCormick, C. “Discovery and Characterization of Novel Lignocellulose-Degrading Enzymes from the Porcupine Microbiome.” BioRxiv.
4. Runté, C., Jain, U., Getz, L.J., Secord, S., Kuwae, A., Abe, A., Leblanc, J., Stadnyk, A.W., Kaper, J.B., Hansen, A.M., Thomas, N.A. (2018) “Tandem tyrosine residues in the EPEC multicargo chaperone CesT support differential type III effector translocation and early host colonization.” BioRxiv.

Abstracts:

1. Robinson, O., Getz, L.J., Thomas, N.A. {2023}. Transposon Sequencing Identifies a Genetic Paradigm for Chitin Utilization in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. 72nd Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Halifax, NS.
2. Getz, L.J., Maxwell, K.L. (2023). Understanding the Global Antiphage Defence Arsenal of a Pandemic Foodborne Pathogen. 72nd Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Halifax NS.
3. Getz, L.J., Maxwell, K.L.(2022). The Best Defence is a Good Offence: Understanding Antiphage Defence in V. parahaemolyticus for more Effective Phage Therapy. 2022 QAtCanSTEM Colloquium, Halifax, NS.
4. Getz, L.J., Brown, J.M., Sobot, L., Chow, A., Mahendrarajah, J., Thomas, N.A. (2021). DNA Cruciforms Regulate Virulence in Pathogenic Vibrio Species. 70th Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Remote.
5. Getz, L.J., Thomas. N.A. (2020). Functional genomics of \textit{Vibrio} pathogenesis and environmental persistence. 2020 Canadian Student Health Research Forum, Remote.
6. Getz, L.J., Brown, J., Thomas, N.A. (2019). Type III Secretion System Gene Expression and Virulence is Regulated by a DNA Cruciform Structure at the exsA promoter in Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Genomes to Biology: the 8th International Conference on the Biology of Vibrios, McGill University, Montreal, QC.
7. Getz, L.J., Brown, J., Thomas, N.A. (2019). A DNA junction superstructure regulates Type III Secretion System gene expression and virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus, The 69th Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC.
8. Getz, L.J., Thomas, N.A. (2018). Flipping the Switch on Bacterial Pathogenesis: How the Leading Cause of Seafood-borne Gastroenteritis - Vibrio parahaemolyticus - Regulates Virulence, LGBTSTEMinar 2019, Institute of Physics, London, UK.
9. Getz, L.J., Comeau, A., Langille, M.G.I., Thomas, N.A. (2018). Linking Phenotype and Pathogen Genomics: Tn-Seq and Next Generation DNA Sequencing, PREP Graduate Student Research Day, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
10. Getz, L.J., Comeau, A., Langille, M.G.I., Thomas, N.A. (2018). Linking Phenotype and Pathogen Genomics: Tn-Seq and Next Generation DNA Sequencing, 23rd Annual Infectious Disesase Research Day, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
11. Getz, L.J., Thomas, N.A. (2017). HlyU and H-NS Act as a Genetic Switch for Transcriptional Control of the Type III Secretion System-I Master Regulator exsA, ASM Vibrio2017: The Biology of Vibrios, Chicago, IL.
12. Getz, L.J., Thomas, N.A. (2017). Discovery of a Genetic Switch in Vibrio parahaemolyticus That Contributes to Host Cell Death During Infection, 22nd Annual Infectious Disease Research Day, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
13. Getz, L.J., Finlayson-Trick, E.C.L.*, Mostafa Hagar*, Slaine, P.D., Thornbury, M., Lamourerux, E., Cook, J., Langille, M.G.I., Murray, L.E., McCormick, C., Rohde, J.R., Cheng, Z.A ‘spike’ in biofuel production: mining the porcupine microbiome to engineer a softwood feedstock platform, Giant Jamboree Abstract Guide, iGEM Giant Jamboree, Boston, MA.

Invited Talks

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2nd Annual Antimicrobial Resistance Symposium, Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium, Toronto, ON - November 2023

• Title: Phage Therapy: Solutions in a Post-Antibiotic Era
• Description: High level overview of the history and current knowledge surrounding phage therapy in Canada, to a broad audience of academics and clinician scientists.

2023 Connell Award for Best All Round Post Doctoral Fellow Award Lecture, 2023 Annual Biochemsitry Retreat, Toronto, ON - October 2023

• Description: Overview of the work I have been conducting under Dr. Karen Maxwell’s supervision in the first year of my postdoc.

2022 Armand-Frappier Outstanding Graduate Student Award Lecture, 71st Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Guelph, ON - June 2022

• Title: Attenuation of DNA Cruciform Structures by a Conserved Regulator Directs Virulence Gene Expression in Pandemic Vibrio

2022 Al Downe Memorial Lecture, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON - March 2022

• Title: Editing Nature: Genetically Modified Mosquitoes and a Case for Slow Science
• Description: Mosquito-borne diseases - malaria, dengue fever, zika, and others - are a significant burden on global health and economies. As such, a variety of interventions that target and reduce mosquito populations have been developed and used to manage disease transmission and its consequences. The advent of new genetic technologies, like CRISPR/Cas9, provide innovative solutions to mosquito control and have shown significant promise in reducing mosquito populations. However, these interventions require the release of genetically-modified mosquitoes into shared spaces and carry significant uncertainty and risk. The promise and peril of these interventions make them an excellent case study for how we do science, and how we ought to do science. Taking a “Slow Science” approach to editing nature can help ensure that it is done safely, ethically, and with the support of the communities involved.

Genomics in Medicine - Emerging Technologies and Bioinformatic Challenges, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. - December 2019

• Title: Transposon Sequencing: Functional Genomics for Probing Bacterial Pathogenesis
• Description: Transposon Sequencing is an emerging technique for discovering the functional outputs of different genomic regions within an organism’s genome. In this talk, I outlined breifly what Transposon Sequencing is, how we use it in bacteria, and what we can learn from this technique, with a special focus on antibiotic resistance phenotypes and their associated liabilities in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus.

Graduate Student Research Day Excellence in Research Keynote, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. - May 2019

• Title: Vibrio parahaemolyticus and infection: A complex relationship between environment and host
• Description: Vibrio is able to live in the environment and proliferate as free-living or symbiotic organisms with a variety of hosts, but can also cause human infections. The links between this environmental survival and human infection in Vibrio parahaemolyticus still remain unclear. This talk described my work in the Thomas Lab with TnSeq and how we are looking at the question of how this organism can live as both an environmental organism and a human pathogen.

Natural History Museum Life Science Seminar Series - London, UK - January 2019

• Title: The Multimodal Lifestyle of Marine Vibrios
• Description: Vibrio is a genus of marine bacteria which is able to survive and proliferate in a variety of niches, including as a human pathogen. My research aims to better understand these interactions by studying Vibrio environmental survival, as well as their host-pathogen interactions.

Conference and Seminar Presentations

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For Posters: *Presenting Author

1. Vibrio2024: The International Meeting on the Biology of Vibrios, Lima, Peru - October 2024
   • Type: Oral Presentation
   • Title: Vibrio parahaemolyticus integrons encode novel antiphage defence
2. 73rd Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Western University, London, ON - June 2024
   • Authors: Getz, L.J.*, Fairburn, S., Liu, V., Qian, A.Y., Maxwell, K.L.
   • Type: Poster Presentation
   • Title: Identification of a Novel Phage Defence Hotspot in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
3. 73rd Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Western University, London, ON - June 2024
   • Authors: Qian, L.A.*, Getz, L.J., Maxwell, K.L.
   • Type: Poster Presentation Title: Novel DNA glycosylase-based enzyme restricts phage replication in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
4. 72nd Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Halifax, NS - June 2023.
   • Authors: Robinson, O.*, Getz, L.J., Thomas, N.A.
   • Type: Poster Presentation
   • Title: Transposon Sequencing Identifies a Genetic Paradigm for Chitin Utilization in Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
5. 72nd Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Halifax, NS - June 2023.
   • Authors: Getz, L.J.*, Maxwell, K.L.
   • Type: Poster Presentation
   • Title:Understanding the Global Antiphage Defence Arsenal of a Pandemic Foodborne Pathogen.
6. 2022 QAtCanSTEM Colloquium, Halifax, NS - October 2022.
   • Authors: Getz, L.J.*, Maxwell, K.L.
   • Type: Poster Presentation
   • Title: The Best Defence is a Good Offence: Understanding Antiphage Defence in V. parahaemolyticus for more Effective Phage Therapy.
7. 70th Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON - June 2021
   • Type: Oral Presentation
   • Title: DNA Cruciforms Regulate Virulence Gene Expression in Pathogenic Vibrio Species.
   • Awarded the 2021 Canadian College of Microbiologists Symposium Award.
8. Canadian Science Policy Conference, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, QC - October 2020.
   • Type: Oral Presentation and Roundtable
   • Title: Build Back Better: The Chief Science Advisor’s Youth Council’s Roundtables to Envision a Post-Pandemix Future in the Canadian Science Community.
9. Canadian Student Health Research Forum, University of Manitoba, Regina, MB - August 2020.
   • Type: Oral Presentation
   • Title: Functional genomics of Vibrio pathogenesis and environmental persistence.
   • Awarded a CIHR Silver Award
10. 70th Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Remote- June 2020
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: A DNA Cruciform Structure Regulates Virulence Gene Expression in Human Pathogenic Vibrio species.
11. Professional Research and Education Program Graduate Student Research Day, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS - May 2020
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: A Regulator of Sugar Metabolism Implicated in the Secretion and Virulence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
12. Genomes to Biology: The 8th International Conference on the Biology of Vibrios, McGill University, Montreal, QC - November 2019
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: Type III Secretion System Gene Expression and Virulence is Regulated by a DNA Cruciform Structure at the exsA promoter in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
    • Awarded a People’s Choice Award by the Canadian Society of Microbiologists.
13. Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics Research Retreat, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS - November 2019
    • Authors: Landon J. Getz*, Justin Brown, Nikhil Thomas
    • Type: Poster Presentation
    • Title:Type III Secretion System Gene Expression and Virulence is Regulated by a DNA Cruciform Structure at the exsA promoter in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
14. 69th Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Université de Sherbrooke, Montreal, QC - June 2019
    • Authors: Landon J. Getz, Justin Brown, Nikhil Thomas*
    • Type: Poster Presentation
    • Title: A DNA junction superstructure regulates Type III Secretion System gene expression and virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
15. Professional Research and Education Program Graduate Student Research Day, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. - May 2019
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: A Regulator of Sugar Metabolism Implicated in the Secretion and Virulence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus
16. Dalhousie Conference on University Teaching and Learning, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. - May 2019
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: Creating LGBTQ+ Inclusive Spaces for Equitable Active Learning
17. Microbiology and Immunology Seminar Series, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. - January 2019
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: The Multimodal Lifestyle of Marine Vibrios
18. LGBTSTEMinar 2019, Institue of Physics, London, UK - January 2019
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: Flipping the Switch on Bacterial Pathogenesis: How the Leading Cause of Seafood-borne Gastroenteritis - Vibrio parahaemolyticus - Regulates Virulence
19. PREP Graduate Student Research Day, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS - May 2018
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: Linking Phenotype and Pathogen Genomics: TnSeq and Next Generation DNA Sequencing
20. 23rd Annual Infectious Disease Research Day, Centre for Vaccinology, Halifax, NS - April 2018
    • Authors: Landon J. Getz*, André Comeau, Morgan G. I. Langille, Nikhil Thomas
    • Type: Poster Presentation
    • Title: Linking Phenotype and Pathogen Genomics: TnSeq and Next Generation DNA Sequencing.
21. Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Student Seminar, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS - February 2018
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: Vibrio parahaemolyticus: A Versatile Pathogen Living a Dual-Lifestyle
22. ASM Vibrio2017, American Society of Microbiology, Chicago, IL - November 2017
    • Authors: Landon J. Getz*, Nikhil Thomas
    • Type: Poster Presentation
    • Title: HlyU and H-NS act as a Genetic Switch for Transcriptional Control of the Type-III Secretion System I Master Regulator exsA
23. 22rd Annual Infectious Disease Research Day, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS - April, 2017
    • Authors: Landon J. Getz*, Nikhil Thomas
    • Type: Poster Presentation
    • Title: Discovery of a Genetic Switch in Vibrio parahaemolyticus that Contributes to Host Cell Death during Infection.
24. 2016 iGEM Giant Jamboree, iGEM, Boston, MA - October 2016
    • Authors: Getz, L.J.*, Finlayson-Trick, E.C.L.*, Mostafa Hagar*, Slaine, P.D., Thornbury, M., Lamourerux, E., Cook, J., Langille, M.G.I., Murray, L.E., McCormick, C., Rohde, J.R., Cheng, Z.
    • Type: Poster Presentation
    • Title: Biofuel Production set to Spike: Identification of Biofuel Producing Enzymes in the Porcupine Microbiome
25. 2016 iGEM Giant Jamboree, iGEM, Boston, MA - October, 2016
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: Biofuel Production set to Spike: Identification of Biofuel Producing Enzymes in the Porcupine Microbiome
26. Microbiology and Immunology Seminar Series, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS - September 2016
    • Type: Oral Presentation
    • Title: State of the Union: iGEM Introduction

Teaching and Mentoring

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A Complete Teaching Dossier can be found here.

• Part-Time Academic, BIOL3037: Life Rewritten, Dalhousie University
  • January 2022 to May 2022
  • Lecturing for the ethics portion of BIOL3037, as well as contributing to worksheet and exam questions, and coordinating guest speakers and the gene drive simulation from Harvard’s Scientific Citizenship Initiative with Dr. Natalie Kofler
  • More information on the class can be found below
• Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, BIOL3037: Life Rewritten, Dalhousie University
  • January 2020 to May 2021
  • Teaching Assistant and Lecturer for an innovative new class which primarily involves small group work and departs from solely using traditonal lecture teaching. The class focuses on both the ethics and science of new gene editing technologies and synthetic biology.
  • Duties include: Marking, Preparing and organizing peer feedback (using Excel, mail merge, and Microsoft Forms), develop course material as it pertains to the ethics of gene editing and gene editing technology, give integrative and discussion based lectures broadly focused on ethics foundations.
• Part Time Academic, Dalhousie University
  • September 2018 to May 2019
  • Instructor for CHEM 1011/1021 and CHEM 1012/1022 at Dalhousie University and First Year Chemistry Resource Centre Coordinator
  • Duties include: Organize TAs, lecture once a week, respond to student e-mails, prepare course material, mark quizzes and exams.
• Graduate Student Mentor, Dalhousie University
  • January 2018 to January 2019
  • Wetlab mentor for Dalhousie iGEM 2018. I ensure the safety of the students, teach them the appropraite molecular biology skills, and lead them through the Summer project.
  • Prepared a three-day molecular biology bootcamp, where each student cloned a piece of DNA into the pSB1C3 iGEM Biobrick Shipping Vector.
• Senior Chemistry Resource Center Assistant, Dalhousie University
  • January 2017 to September 2018.
  • Create TA’s assignment and meeting schedule, be available throughout the week to answer questions about First Year Chemistry assignments and lecture material.
• Microbiology and Immunology Introductory Class (MICI 2100) Teaching Assistant, Dalhousie University
  • September 2017 to January 2018.
  • Respond to student emails and Brightspace messages, be available for face-to-face conversations, and mark exams.
• Bioinformatics and Web Design Mentor, Dalhousie IGEM 2017
  • January 2017 to January 2018.
  • Be a graduate student resource for the Bioinformatics and Web Design teams.
  • Current Dalhousie iGEM 2017 Website can be found here.
• Chemistry Resource Center Assistant, Dalhousie University
  • September 2015 to December 2016.
  • Be available throughout the week to answer questions about First Year Chemistry assignments and lecture material.
  • Attend weekly meetings with prepared assignment completed to answer other TA’s questions and prepare for the coming week.
• Community Assistant, Dalhousie Student Life
  • September 2014 to May 2015
  • Help off-campus students by providing an on-campus liaison, location and support system similar to programs in place for on-campus students.
  • Plan events to integrate the Halifax community with the Dalhousie Community, and be a point of contact for communication between the Halifax Community and the University community.

Knowledge Translation

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• The National Post - Breakthrough or a threat? Research on genetics of same-sex behaviour ignites ethical debate

• CBC Nova Scotia’s Information Morning Radio Show - On the Moratorium on Germline Genome Editing with Portia Clarke, live in studio.

• Discussed the 2019 call for moratorium on germline genome editing and the need for Slow CRISPR Science

• Science Slam Halifax Participant
  • Discussed a subset of my work, marine nutrient cycles, to a lay audience at a Grade 8 education level
  • Platform was a 5 minute talk, no powerpoint slides.
• “Ask a Scientist” Campaign, Dalhousie Faculty of Science
  • Discussed LGBTQ+ Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths Day at Halifax Pride along with other LGBTQ+ Scientists at Dalhousie
  • Discussed Environmental Microbiology and Bacteriology to the community crowd.
• LGBTQ+ Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths Day Discussion on Information Morning with Portia Clark
  • Information Morning is the public broadcasters (CBC) local morning radio show in Nova Scotia
  • Discussed the importance of inclusion and diversity in STEM, along with LGBTQ+ STEM Day.

Awards:

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• 2024 Senior Gray-Doolittle Award for Research Excellence - Institute for Comparative Genomics, Dalhousie University - $300 Award
• 2023 Connell Award for Best All Round Post Doctoral Fellow - Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto - $500 Award
• 2023 GSK EPIC Convergence Postdoctoral Fellowship in Antimicrobial Resistance (2 Years) - EPIC - $120,000 CAD Award
• 2023 CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship (3 Years) - Canadian Institutes of Health Research - $120,000 CAD Award
• 2022 Design2Learn (D2L) Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning - STLHE - $3000 CAD Award to Team
• 2022 Armand-Frappier Outstanding Graduate Student Award - Canadian Society of Microbiologists - $500 CAD Award
• 2021 CSM Student Symposium Award - Sponsored by the Canadian College of Microbiologists - $500 CAD Award
• 2021 Educational Leadership Award for Collaborative Teaching
• 2020 CIHR Silver Award at Canadian Student Health Research Forum Poster Presentation Awards - $250 CAD Award
• Nominated for: Dalhousie Impact Awards 2020: Outstanding Student of Distinction - Not Awarded
• Nominated for: 2020 Dalhousie’s Board of Governors Award - Not Awarded
• People’s Choice Award for the Canadian Society of Microbiologists Student Oral Presentation Competition at the 8th Internation Conference on the Biology of Vibrios - $200 CAD Award
• 2019 President’s Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Award - $500 CAD Award
• 2019 Professional Research and Education Program (PREP) Graduate Student Research Day Platform Presentation Award - $200 CAD Award
• 2019 Faculty of Medicine Excellence in Research Award - $1000 CAD Award
• 2018/2019 Vanier Canadian Graduate Scholarship by Dalhousie University - $150,000 CAD Award, 3 Year Tenure
• 2019 Killam Graduate Scholarship - $90,000 CAD Award, 3 Year Tenure
• 2019 Dalhouise University Faculty of Medicine Excellence in Research Award - $1,000 CAD Prize
• 2019 Alexander Graham Bell Canadian Graduate Scholarship - Honourary Doctoral Recipient - $35,000 CAD Award
• HHMI Tuition Scholarship, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories Advanced Bacterial Genetics - $1500 USD Award
• 2018 Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation Scotia Scholars Award - $10,000 CAD Award
• 2018 Alexander Graham Bell Canadian Graduate Scholarship - Masters Recipient - $17,500 CAD Award
• 2018 Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship - $10,000 CAD Award
• 2017 Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Honours Research - $100 CAD Award
• 2017 Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship - $10,000 CAD Award
• 2017 Faculty of Science Undergraduate Research Prize
• 2017 Honours Student Prize
• 2016/2017 Academic Year – Faculty of Science Dean’s List
• 2016 Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada University Summer Research Award - $4,500 CAD Award
• 2015/2016 Academic Year – Faculty of Science Dean’s List
• 2015 Dalhousie University In-Course Scholarship - $250 CAD Award
• 2014/2015 Academic Year – Faculty of Science Dean’s List
• 2013 Fall – Faculty of Science Dean’s List
• 2013 Dalhousie University Entrance Scholarship - $750 CAD Award
• 2013 Alexander Rutherford Scholarship - $2,500 CAD Award

Service

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Scientific Peer Review:

• Reviewer at Nature Reviews Genetics, Springer-Nature, 2023 - Completed 1 Co-review with Dr. Maxwell
• Reviewer at Microbiome, Springer-Nature, 2022 - Completed 1 Review
• Reviewer at Microbiome, Springer-Nature, 2020 - Completed 2 Reviews
• Reviewer at mSystems, Springer-Nature, 2020 - Completed 2 Reviews
• Reviewer at Microbiome, Springer-Nature, 2019 - Completed 1 Review

Grant Review

• 2023 Peer Review Committee - Catalyst Grant: Healthy Youth (202211HYI) - Youth Representative Reviewer

Pre-print review:

• PREreview of “Discovery of a prevalent picornavirus by visualizing zebrafish immune responses.” doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3678334
• PREreview of “Uncovering the hidden antibiotic potential of Cannabis” http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3678326
• PREreview of “Functional assessment of cell entry and receptor usage for lineage B β-coronaviruses, including 2019-nCoV” http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3678320
• PREreview of “In Vivo Dual RNA-Seq Analysis Reveals the Basis for Differential Tissue Tropism of Clinical Isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae” http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3702901
• PREreview of “Spreading of a virulence lipid into host membranes promotes mycobacterial pathogenesis” http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3718438
• PREreview of “Necrosignaling: Cell death triggers antibiotic survival pathways in bacterial swarms.” http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3756966
• PREreview of “A SARS-CoV-2-Human Protein-Protein Interaction Map Reveals Drug Targets and Potential Drug-Repurposing.” http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3756962

Conference Planning

• 2022 ID/CCfV Research Day
• 2022 QAtCanSTEM Colloquium
• 2021 Infectious Disease/Canadian Centre for Vaccinology (CCfV) Research Day
• 2021 QAtCanSTEM Colloquium and Research Showcase (Remote via Hopin)
• 2020 QAtCanSTEM Colloquium (In-Person), Dalhousie University

Governmental:

• Youth Council Mentor, Office of the Chief Science Advisor, Government of Canada.
  • September 2023 to Present
  • Act as an advisor to the 2nd Youth Council of the Chief Science Advisor
• Youth Council Member, Office of the Chief Science Advisor, Government of Canada.
  • February 2020 to February 2023
  • Act as a youth advisor to Canada’s Chief Science Advisor on issues pertaining to my areas of expertise and those that are important to the Atlantic region

Society:

• American Society of Microbiology: Young Ambassador to Canada
  • January 2022 - Present

Institutional:

• Founder, Pride in Microbiology Network.
• Founder, Queer Atlantic Canadian STEM.
  • July 2019 - September 2022
  • QAtCanSTEM functions for three main objectives:
    1. To build community for Queer folks in STEM across Atlantic Canada
    2. To profile Queer folks in STEM across Atlantic Canada as a means to identify mentors and aid visibility
    3. To run an annual QAtCanSTEM Colloquium, a STEM conference whose goal is to bring together Queer folks from Atlantic Canada and beyond.
• Member of the Board of Directors, Scientists of the Maritimes.
  • October 2019 to December 2021
• Graduate Student Representative, Undergraduate Studies Committee.<
  • Sept 2017 to Sept 2019
  • Act as a liason between graduate/undergraduate students and the committee
  • Provide feedback to the committee based on my experience as an undergraduate student at Dalhousie Univeristy
• External Coordinator, Dalhousie Urban Garden Society
  • May 2016 to May 2019
  • Act as a liaison between Dalhousie Urban Garden Society with community food initiatives and groups, prepare newsletters and social media posts and take charge of regular garden maintenance
• House Co-President, Howe Hall Residence Council
  • September 2013 to April 2014
  • Alongside the co-president, put together a house council and hold weekly house council meetings, attend monthly residence council meetings, plan house events, and support the rest of council in community initiatives.

Other:

• Front of House, Halifax Music Co-Op
  • September 2013 to March 2015
  • Take and sell tickets at the door, greet concert-goers, and sell merchandise/concessions.

Media

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• EPIC. Landon J. Getz receives inaugural GSK EPIC Convergence Postdoctoral Fellowship in Antimicrobial Resistance. June 15th, 2023.
• Dal News. Making science a better place: Student‑led group expands efforts to create community for LGBTQ+ in STEM. August 18th, 2021.
• Dal News. Excellence in education: Meet this year’s Dalhousie teaching award winners * Simcoe Reformer. Why deliberately infecting healthy young volunteers with COVID-19 virus can be done ethically. October 22, 2020.
• CBC News. How microbes could help clean up Nova Scotia’s abandoned mines. August 6th, 2020.
• 980 CKNW - The Jill Bennet Show. Live radio interivew, discussing recent commentary in the Conversation on cornonavirus vaccines and treatments. April 23rd, 2020
• 570 NEWS: Kitchener Today with Brian Bourke. Live radio interview, discussing recent commentary in the Conversation on cornonavirus vaccines and treatments. April 16th, 2020.
• Dal News. CREATING A DEEPER SENSE OF COMMUNITY FOR LGBTQ+ SCIENTISTS. January 30th, 2020.
• The Signal. Halifax event connects queer voices in STEM. January 20th, 2020.
• CBC Nova Scotia’s Information Morning Radio Show. QAtCanSTEM Colloquium: Being Queer in STEM. January 17th, 2020.
• Halifax’s The Coast. A first-of-its-kind queer STEM conference is in Halifax this weekend. January 16th, 2020.
• The National Post. Breakthrough or a threat? Research on genetics of same-sex behaviour ignites ethical debate. December 6th, 2019.
• HalifaxToday.ca. Halifax-based group building queer community in STEM fields. November 24th, 2019.
• The Sheldon McLeod Show. Live in studio, QAtCanSTEM and Being a Queer Scientist. November 22nd, 2019.
• Dal News. PRIDE IN STEM. July 25th, 2019.
• Dal News. TEACHERS WHO INSPIRE: MEET THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENTS OF DAL’S UNIVERSITY‑WIDE TEACHING AWARDS. June 20th, 2019.
• Current Exchange: A blog by CSHL Meetings and Courses. Visitor of the Week: Landon Getz. June 14th, 2019
• Dal News. GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SELECTS DAL PHDS AND POSTDOCS FOR ITS MOST ESTEEMED AWARDS. May 16th, 2019.
• CBC Nova Scotia’s Information Morning Radio Show. On the Call for a Moratorium on Germline Genome Editing with Portia Clarke, live in studio. Feburary 2019.
• The Dalhousie Gazette. Urban Garden is one of Dalhousie’s hidden gems by Lauren Hazlewood. September 27th, 2019.
• CBC Nova Scotia’s Information Morning Radio Show. LGBTSTEMDAY: Inclusion and Diversity in STEM with Portia Clarke, live in studio. July 2018.
• Halifax’s The Coast. 10 urban gardens you need to know by Victoria Walton. August 3rd, 2017

Previous Work Experience

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• NSERC USRA Research Assistant, Dalhousie University
  • May-September 2016, Thomas Lab
  • Ensured lab stocks and supplies were adequate, performed experiments at the discretion of the Primary Investigator
  • Skills learned: knockout strain construction, polymerase chain reaction, DNA extraction and purification, secreted protein purification, DNA gel electrophoresis, protein gel electrophoresis, buffer and reagent preparation.
• Groundskeeper, Mount Saint Vincent University
  • May-September 2016
  • Self-directed task-oriented work, ensure grounds of the University are maintained
  • Tasks: Mowing lawns, planting and maintaining flower beds, cleaning up garbage around campus, pruning trees and shrubs.
• Camp Counsellor, Dalhousie University - Dalplex
  • May-September 2015
  • Organize and Supervise activities for Camp children at Dalhousie University’s Dalplex Active Kids Summer Camp.
  • Be CPR C and First Aid Certified as well as hold current Water Safety Instructor and National Lifeguarding Service - Pool Option Certifications.
• Swim Instructor and Lifeguard, Dalhousie University - Dalplex
  • May 2014 - May 2015
  • Organize swim lessons for children aged 2 to 14 years of age, as well as hold Water Safety Instructor Certification.
  • Overlook operations of the pool and ensure patron safety during use of the facilities, as well as hold National Lifeguard Service - Pool Option certification.
• Lifeguard and Swim Instructor, City of Medicine Hat
  • May 2012 - May 2013
  • Organize swim lessons for children aged 2 to 14 years of age, as well as hold Water Safety Instructor Certification.
  • Overlook operations of the pool and ensure patron safety during use of the facilities, as well as hold National Lifeguard Service - Pool Option certification.
• Technology Associate, Staples Business Depot
  • December 2011 - May 2013
  • Relevant Skills: Communication, team-building and cooperation skills, technology and computer knowledge, teaching others, initiative.
  • As a member of the sales team, roles included assisting customers, selling computers, tablets and associated tech, and ensuring cleanliness and organization of the store
  • Assisted in Computer Setups, One-on-one technology learning lessons, screen protector installation and router setups.