New Experiences Highlight Student’s Internship

Joining us from Kenya, Nicholas Nduti, has become somewhat of a fixture in Dr. Gregor Reid, professor, Microbiology & Immunology and Surgery's labs at Lawson Health Research Institute. Nduti, a PhD student, has taken a six-month placement as part of Student's for Development (SFD) internship program. With financial support from Canadian International Development Agency CIDA, SFD enables students from SFD-eligible countries to study in Canada for a term in a field relevant to their study and career goals.

The experience has been highlighted by the opportunity to work with new scientists and equipment and learn more about Canadian culture.

Nduti's research if focussed on finding a solution to aflatoxin B1 - a highly carcinogenic substance responsible for contamination and poisoning of livestock and humans in Eastern Kenya - by use of probiotic bacteria isolated in both Kenya and Canada.

Nduti, assisted by Mark Sumarah of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, has identified bacteria that can be used to bind aflatoxin B1 in the human digestive system. This binding action helps to remove the toxin through human waste. This research is the first of its kind in Eastern Kenya where aflatoxin poisoning is of great concern.

Nduti is grateful for the opportunity to work in Dr. Reid's lab. He explains, "I have been able to carry out several experiments regarding my project, which were difficult in Kenya due to lack of required equipment and resources. Availability of equipment has enabled me to carry out advanced experiments faster and more precisely in Dr. Reid's lab." He looks forward to taking his newly acquired skills and expertise back to Kenya.

Nduti's internship, which started in October 2012, will come in an end in April 2013. He has thoroughly enjoyed the experience - even the snow!