2024 Recipients

Stanley Tieu

2024 Western Gold Medal Recipient
Major in Microbiology & Immunology

It is our great pleasure to announce that Stanley Tieu has received the 2024 Western Gold Medal for the Major Microbiology and Immunology.

Stanley’s journey at Western University began with a strong desire to study human health and disease. This interest deepened during his second year, when he enrolled in Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B. The complexity of the immune system, with its intricate network of cells, tissues, and organs working in harmony to protect against pathogens, fascinated him, and led him to specialize in this dynamic field.

Stanley’s academic success has been complemented by a diverse range of experiences outside the classroom. A key highlight of his undergraduate journey was his internship with Environment and Climate Change Canada. This opportunity provided him with invaluable insights into quality management, particularly in the Northern Contaminants Program, which focuses on reducing harmful contaminants in the traditional diets of northern Indigenous communities. His time there ignited a passion for working on initiatives that prioritize both community well-being and sustainable solutions for the environment. Stanley hopes to apply these lessons to healthcare, designing better systems that enhance patient care and safety.

Looking ahead, Stanley is preparing to apply to professional school, aiming to become a dedicated healthcare professional. He hopes to leverage the knowledge, skills, and experiences he gained during his undergraduate degree to make a meaningful impact in his future career.

When reflecting on his time at Western, Stanley cherishes the friendships and connections he has made, and he is grateful for the resources and support that helped him thrive academically. He offers advice to incoming students: don’t be afraid to explore new interests and step outside of your comfort zone. Engaging with different courses and activities can broaden your skill set and help you discover what truly excites you.

Congratulations, Stanley, on your outstanding achievement! We look forward to seeing all you will accomplish in the future.

Britney Ding

2024 Western Gold Medal Recipient 
Honours Specialization in Microbiology & Immunology

It is our great pleasure to announce that Britney Ding is the recipient of the 2024 Western Gold Medal for the Honours Specialization in Microbiology and Immunology.

Britney's academic path reflects both curiosity and determination. After hearing positive feedback about Western University, she decided to join us and spent her first two years exploring different fields. It was in her second year, after taking Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B, that Britney discovered her passion for immunology. The complexity and breadth of the immune system captured her interest, and by her third year, she knew she had found her calling in the Honours Specialization Microbiology and Immunology module.

Britney's fourth-year research project, supervised by Dr. Mansour Haeryfar, focused on investigating the upregulation of MR1, an antigen-presenting molecule, in response to influenza type A vaccination. Her work involved conducting critical experiments with mice, including flow cytometry to quantify MR1 expression levels. Throughout this project, Britney found herself part of an energetic and supportive lab team, and she credits her success to the guidance of her immediate supervisor, Bella, and the collaborative spirit of the lab.

Inspired by her thesis work and coursework in immunology, Britney has decided to continue her research in graduate school. Her experiences have fueled her desire to deepen her understanding of immunology and contribute further to this important field.

Outside the lab, Britney always appreciated the warm and supportive community at Western. Whether it was a classmate, professor, or TA, she always found help when she needed it, making her time here both meaningful and fulfilling.

Her advice to incoming students is simple but powerful: "Enjoy your time here, take breaks when you need to, life is not all about transcripts and grades." It's a reminder to strike a balance between academic pursuits and self-care, something Britney has learned to value during her time at Western.

We are confident that Britney's future in immunology will be bright, and we are incredibly proud to recognize her achievements with this Gold Medal Award. Congratulations, Britney!

Victoria Labuda

It is our great pleasure to announce that Victoria Labuda is the recipient of the 2024 Western Gold Medal for the Honours Specialization in Microbiology and Immunology with Pathology.

Victoria's journey at Western University has been defined by a deep curiosity for science and a commitment to making a difference. From an early age, she was drawn to the sciences, and it was during her second year, in Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B, that she found her passion for microbiology and immunology. She was fascinated by the complexity of host-microbe interactions and how immune system dysregulation plays a role in diseases.

Victoria's fourth-year project, under the supervision of Dr. Aleksandra Leligdowicz, focused on sepsis—a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated immune response to infection. Through her research, analyzing blood samples from critically ill patients using flow cytometry, Victoria contributed to vital work with real-world clinical implications. This experience not only deepened her love for research but also highlighted the importance of teamwork in addressing complex medical challenges.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Victoria made a lasting impact through her extracurricular activities. As Vice President of Advocacy with the Women’s Health Network Western, she championed awareness of women’s health disparities, organizing advocacy events and educational projects. Furthermore, her dedication to teaching and mentorship shone through her involvement with the Biology Mentorship Program and the Microbiology and Immunology Student’s Association, where she guided younger students and shared her love of science.

Victoria also gave back to the broader London community through her work with Health Buddy, an organization supporting senior patients. Her efforts to enhance the quality of life for socially isolated seniors were incredibly fulfilling. Even with her numerous commitments, Victoria found time to participate in intramural soccer and futsal, activities that provided her with balance during her studies.

Her advice to incoming students is to face challenges head-on: "Don’t be afraid of the challenges ahead. If you’re scared, do it scared, and lean on your support system." Victoria credits her success to her family, especially her parents who immigrated from Poland, and to her mentors and friends, including Dr. Leligdowicz and Masi Sundara, for their unwavering support.

As Victoria continues her studies at Western, pursuing a Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology, we are confident that her contributions to sepsis research and beyond will be remarkable.

Ken Huang

2024 Western Gold Medal Recipient
Honours Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity

It is our great pleasure to announce that Ken Huang is the recipient of the 2024 Western Gold Medal for the Honours Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity.

Ken's journey at Western University began during the height of the pandemic, which ultimately shaped his academic and research interests. Inspired by the fields of virology and immunology, Ken sought hands-on research experience and was fortunate to join Dr. Ryan Troyer's lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. It was this formative experience that ignited his interest for studying the molecular biology of viruses and the immune system's response to infection, setting him on a path toward specializing in the Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity module.

Ken's fourth-year project, conducted in Dr. Eric Arts' lab, focused on understanding the mechanisms of HIV-1 drug resistance. He thrived in this environment, applying his previous research skills while also developing new techniques alongside a supportive and talented team of researchers. His dedication and enthusiasm for the project solidified his desire to pursue a career that balances research and medicine.

Looking ahead, Ken will be continuing his academic journey at Queen's University, where he has been accepted into the prestigious MD/PhD program. He hopes to focus on cancer immunotherapy, an exciting field that builds on the foundational skills he developed during his time at Western. Ken is eager to contribute to the advancement of both medicine and science as a future physician-scientist.

Throughout his time at Western, Ken cherished the relationships he built. He fondly recalls the friendships and experiences he shared with his peers as some of the most rewarding aspects of his university experience. His involvement in extracurricular activities, particularly as a Science Soph, allowed him to guide first-year students and form some of his closest friendships. These experiences, along with his research, have left an indelible mark on his time at Western.

Ken's advice for incoming students is simple: take chances. His own university experience was shaped by seizing opportunities, even when they seemed out of reach. His journey began with a leap of faith when, as a high school student with no formal qualifications, he applied to research labs and was generously given an opportunity. That experience became a cornerstone of his academic and personal growth at Western.

We are excited to see all that Ken will accomplish as he embarks on this next chapter of his journey. Congratulations, Ken, on your well-deserved recognition!