Faces of PharmSci: Angela Pollinzi

What is your academic background and why is your current area of research important?

Before starting my MSc at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, I completed my undergraduate degree in Integrated Science at McMaster University. As a research-based program, I had the opportunity to learn about methods used in all scientific disciplines, which inspired me to pursue graduate school. Currently, I work in the Piquette-Miller lab examining how inflammatory conditions, such as preeclampsia and lupus, affect the placental proteome. As the main protective barrier for the fetus, the integrity and function of the placenta is critical to ensuring the health of the baby. There is ample research suggesting that damage to the organ can result in poor pregnancy outcomes, which can be devastating for families. My research can help us understand how disease affects the placenta and identify ways to improve maternal and fetal health.

What led you to your current Supervisor’s research group?

One of the key reasons why I wanted to join the Piquette-Miller lab is the group’s focus on maternal-fetal health. It’s an extremely understudied area, particularly in pharmaceutical sciences. Having the opportunity to contribute to this field has been so rewarding and has taught me a lot about how far we’ve come, and where we still have to go. Additionally, I love the translational aspect of Dr. Piquette-Miller’s work; getting to work with patient samples and be acquainted with some of the hospital systems here in Toronto is one of my favourite parts of this research!

What are some of the challenges you had to overcome while pursuing your research?

One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced in my research, and graduate school in general, is dealing with the non-linearity of scientific discovery. It’s very easy to get discouraged when an experiment that you’ve been planning for weeks doesn’t work, or your results aren’t what you expected. Learning to pivot and take pride in the small wins (like not breaking a million-dollar piece of equipment) has been crucial to finding success.

I also perform a lot of proteomics, which is an area my lab previously had no experience in. Navigating a completely new technique has been a major challenge, but it has helped me expand my network by connecting me with other students that work in the area, which has been super rewarding.

How do you see your current research playing a role in your career?

While I don’t see myself staying bench side for the long-term, the translational aspects of my research will play an integral role in my future career. I hope to find work in the area of women’s health, whether that be advocating for research, informing policy, or helping to design programs that prioritize these patients. The general knowledge, critical thinking skills, and connections I’ve made will be helpful as I grow in the field.

What do you like to do when you are not working on research?

In the faculty, I’ve enjoyed being part of various extracurricular groups such as the GRIP planning committee or PSGSA. Last year, I served as one of PSGSA’s co-presidents, which was an amazing way to meet new people and foster a sense of community for my peers.

Outside of the lab, I love to read, write, and play with my pug, Ernie. I’m also a huge fan of music, so you’ll often find me at a concert with friends or making a very niche Spotify playlist!