Meet our Team: Lead Lab Technician, Melissa Ricard
BDx ENVIRO would be nothing without the incredible people we have working in our labs. This blog gives us the opportunity to invite you into our labs to get to know the brilliant minds running the tests you rely on. In this interview-style blog we’ll introduce you to our Lead Lab Technician, Melissa Ricard.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am the Lead Technician at BDx ENVRIO. I grew up on a beef and grain farm in southwestern Manitoba. My mom and both of my grandparents had large gardens and flower beds, so I grew up loving to garden and care for plants. I love reading science fiction/fantasy, watching science/science fiction/fantasy shows, and playing Stardew Valley and Minecraft. When I was a teenager, I used to dance to country folk music (polka, old time waltz, foxtrot, etc.), then in university I started dancing to swing jazz and blues music (jive, lindy hop, Charleston, balboa, and blues dancing).
What made you interested in pursuing an education and career in science?
My mom is a pharmacist and I used to go there after school when I was younger so I practically grew up in the medical/pharmaceutical field. Also, my dad always was watching History, Discovery Channel (lots of MythBusters), or National Geographic so I was exposed to science from a very young age. By my teenage years, I loved reading science fiction and watching shows like Mystery Diagnosis, MythBusters, Never, Ever Do This at Home, Inventions That Shook the World, Bones, and any other fascinating medical mystery documentary (Like Tree Man, Bubble Man, documentaries on different cultures, etc.). Leaving high school, I wanted to become a family doctor, but once I took Microbiology, I realized that I’d rather focus on infections and diseases from a biological level instead of through patient care.
Tell us about your education and credentials:
I completed an Honours in Microbiology at the University of Manitoba, with Co-op designation. Through Co-op, I got experience doing RNA/DNA extractions and Real-Time PCR (qPCR). After University I worked in the agriculture industry focusing on both nitrogen fixing inoculants and phosphorus solubilizing inoculants for crops. I came to this company in January 2022 to help with the COVID-19 samples they had taken on from the government contract. Since then, I have transitioned from focusing on COVID-19 to animal diagnostics, where I now test for PEDV, TGEV, PDCoV, PRRSV, SIV, and M. hyo.
What are your major responsibilities at BDx ENVIRO?
My primary focus is working on samples for the animal health division of BDx ENVIRO. For PCR testing that includes: accessioning the samples, preparing the samples and extracting their DNA/RNA, running qPCR on the DNA/RNA, resulting the data, and reporting the final results of these tests. For ELISA tests this includes: accessioning, incubating and running the samples on the ELISA, resulting the samples via the plate reading, and reporting the results. I am also responsible for inventory, lab cleanliness, and general running of the lab. I am the Health and Safety Representative for BDx Enviro. I also run the micro tests for the water samples, and I’m learning the rest of the tests for both water and soil testing.
What part of your work do you enjoy the most?
I like keeping busy and doing a variety of tasks. I like a basic routine but with options to modify/add things to it so it’s not the same every day.
Do you have any advice for someone pursuing a career in science?
Explore your options, look at what job opportunities are available in different industries before selecting a program/degree. Try to get a variety of experience in different industries/positions within your chosen career, whether it is working or volunteering. Getting experience not only helps you get jobs down the line; it helps you develop connections and determine what you actually like/are good at.