Team Members
We recognize that diverse teams strengthen science and are committed to collectively creating an inclusive, welcoming and kind group culture.
Western University
PI: Dr. Megan Roberts
Megan’s philosophy for mentorship is centred on her goal to maximize a student’s ability to think critically by promoting learning through inquiry and instilling ownership of scientific research. She strives to bring enthusiasm, empathy, and a high degree of clarity to her training and aims to meet students with optimism at every interaction.
Megan acknowledges that the success in her career is indebted to her many mentors and is strongly committed to training the next generation of diverse scientists needed to confront the intense challenges facing our society. Ultimately, Dr. Roberts views training and mentorship as central to her academic pursuits.
Click the button below to Learn More about Megan’s career and research interests.
email: megan.roberts@uwo.ca
Our Team
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Brendan Churchill
Undergraduate ResearcherBrendan is entering his third year in an Honours Chemistry and Ivey Business dual degree at Western. This summer, he will be researching the self-assembly of CNCs at the squalene oil–water interface to develop Pickering emulsion-based vaccine formulations. Outside the lab, he enjoys running, watching hockey and baseball, and playing chess and the guitar.
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Anjali Anil Kumar
Undergraduate ResearcherAnjali is entering her third year of her BESc Chemical Engineering degree, where she aims to utilize her programming skills to improve chemical processes. In The Roberts Lab, Anjali’s research will contribute to the production and characterization of cellulose oligomers via extraction from cotton and microcrystalline cellulose, with the purpose of investigating the self-assembly process of prepared cellulose oligomers. Outside of academia, Anjali is an avid reader of fantasy novels, enjoys an active lifestyle, and has passions in climate sustainability.
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Alexandra McCready (she/her)
Undergraduate ResearcherAlexandra is entering her third year of a BESc in both Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. Her research project involves producing sulphated and phosphated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) via extraction from cotton and characterizing CNC surface charge using conductimetric titration and morphology using light scattering/imaging. Outside of the lab, Alexandra enjoys reading, camping, playing piano, and listening to true crime podcasts.
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Robin Henshaw
Undergraduate Researcher
Robin is entering the last year of her Chemistry degree. As an undergraduate researcher in The Roberts Lab, Robin works to modify the surface chemistry of sulfated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). She aims to functionalize CNC surfaces with polymer grafting methods and work to better understand the potential for stealth drug delivery nanotechnologies. Outside of research, Robin enjoys knitting, playing volleyball, and working as a ceramic artist.
Contact Robin via email or LinkedIn.
Group Structure
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The Roberts Lab has group meetings once every other week, where one graduate student presents a research update, scientific paper review, lesson on a concept relevant to our group work, or literature on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
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Students meet with Dr. Roberts once weekly to discuss experimental progress, confusing results, and next steps. As degrees progress, the frequency of these meetings likely will shift.
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Student’s must maintain a lab notebook where they log daily experiments. Everyone’s notebook and protocols will be regularly uploaded to a shared server for ease of access.
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Students will be expected to complete independent development plans (IDPs) on a semesterly basis. These IDPs will guide feedback and reflection meetings that also take place once per semester. Such opportunities provide assistance for career and personal development.
Our Values
Absolute Safety.
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We are dedicated to maintaining an environment free from all forms of bullying and discrimination, including microaggressions, as well as gender-based violence, and sexual harassment. Respect for the privacy and personal boundaries of others is a fundamental expectation within our community.
Physical safety in a chemistry lab is also extremely important. Thus, we commit to staying current with laboratory training and consistently following safe practices to ensure a secure working environment for all.
Respect and Empowerment.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that welcomes and supports individuals of all backgrounds and identities. This includes respecting chosen names and pronouns, and actively working to identify and remove barriers to accessibility. Every member of our community, regardless of role or seniority, is expected to be treated with equal courtesy, kindness, professionalism, and respect. Feedback will always be approached with care and compassion - giving it respectfully and receiving it with openness as well as thoughtfulness. We continually strive to maintain a space where individuals feel empowered to engage in challenging, constructive, and critical dialogue in a respectful and supportive manner.
Professionalism.
We prioritize open, regular, and collaborative communication to clearly establish mutual expectations around performance, responsibilities, and behavior within our community and beyond. We ensure that all members receive equal support and have fair access to opportunities. We also take ownership of our mistakes and actively work to correct them. Respect for one another’s time is shown through punctuality and preparedness, while care for our shared spaces is reflected in our efforts to keep them clean and organized.
In our research efforts, we uphold the principles of scientific integrity and follow best practices for responsible data management. We also strive to promote open access science in the dissemination of our research.
Group Alumni
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Watch this space
Want to Join?
Due to the high volume of email inquiries, Megan isn’t able to respond to all emails! Apologies!
Megan will accept 1-3 graduate students every year (masters/PhD), and all interested students must apply to the Department of Chemistry at Western.
Postdoctoral Scholars.
Prospective postdoctoral scholars should email Megan with a 1-page cover letter, CV, and a 5-slide presentation that summarizes your previous research accomplishments. Also, include contact information for three references. I expect to see evidence of scientific excellence, mentorship, and leadership explicitly in your cover letter and CV. Refer to the Royal Society resume template, specifically modules 1-4, for detailed ideas.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
In the subject line of the email, include “[Full postdoc application for Western Roberts Bio(-)Polymer Assembly Lab]”
Graduate Students.
Admitted graduate students to Western University should directly email Megan. Prospective graduate students should apply to the Department of Chemistry at Western.
Inquiries by email must include “[Prospective PhD/Masters for Western Roberts Bio(-)Polymer Assembly Lab]” in the subject line to be reviewed.
Undergraduate Reseachers.
Undergraduate students at Western seeking research in a supportive and dynamic environment should email Megan with a statement of interest and CV.