2025 Recipients

Aleah Everding

2025 Western Gold Medal Recipient
Major in Microbiology & Immunology

It is our great pleasure to announce that Aleah Everding is the recipient of the 2025 Western Gold Medal for the Major in Microbiology and Immunology.
Aleah’s academic journey began with a visit to Western’s campus, where the vibrant atmosphere and strong Medical Sciences program left a lasting impression. Drawn to the flexibility of the program and the wide array of scientific disciplines available to explore in the first two years, Aleah embraced the opportunity to keep her options open while discovering where her interests lay. It wasn’t until she took Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B that her path became clear. The course, which covered bacterial pathogens, immune cells, and immune modulators, ignited her fascination with both infectious microbes and the immune system’s role in health and disease.

From an early interest in the workings of the human body, Aleah’s understanding of immunology expanded into a deep appreciation for its complexity and its interconnectedness with other biological systems. She was particularly intrigued by the immune system’s role in maintaining homeostasis and its involvement in a broad range of disease mechanisms. This intellectual curiosity led her to pursue a Major in Microbiology and Immunology, allowing her to examine these concepts in greater depth while also exploring her passion for human health.

Aleah’s academic experiences at Western were enriched by her ability to combine two areas of study in a double major, which gave her the freedom to pursue diverse interests, including environmental pathology and microbial applications. Her favourite course, Immunology 3300B, gave her a strong foundation in immune function—from the development of immune cells to the immunological basis of autoimmune diseases and transplantation. The critical thinking and scientific literacy skills she developed during her studies have helped her approach complex health-related topics with nuance and clarity—skills she plans to apply in her future career.

In September, Aleah will begin the Respiratory Therapy program at Conestoga College. Her interest in asthma, respiratory pathogens, and immunology inspired her to pursue a clinical career where she could make a direct impact on patient care. She looks forward to combining her academic background in medical sciences with hands-on practice as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, and she is committed to lifelong learning in this evolving field.

Aleah’s university experience was shaped not only by her academic success, but also by meaningful extracurricular involvement. She played intramural basketball as a way to stay active and build community and often spent time walking the trails along the Thames River to recharge. She also credits her peer relationships for helping her succeed in the program. Studying with friends, sharing ideas, and supporting one another made the challenging coursework more manageable and rewarding.
Reflecting on her time at Western, Aleah says the most important thing she learned is that she’s more capable than she realized. Even when she felt uncertain or unprepared, she showed up, put in the work, and pushed through. That perseverance revealed a resilience she now carries with confidence into the next phase of her journey.

We are thrilled to recognize Aleah’s achievements and wish her continued success as she pursues her passion in respiratory care. Congratulations, Aleah, on this well-deserved honour.

Grace McLinton

2025 Western Gold Medal Recipient 
Honours Specialization in Microbiology & Immunology

It is our great pleasure to announce that Grace McLinton is the recipient of the 2025 Western Gold Medal for the Honours Specialization in Microbiology and Immunology.

Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Grace chose Western University for its strong academic reputation and vibrant student community. A campus tour with her family left a lasting impression—the beauty of the campus, the structure of the Bachelor of Medical Sciences program, and the opportunity to pursue a fourth-year research project made Western an ideal fit. While she initially considered a specialization in Biochemistry, everything changed when she enrolled in Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B. A single course—and specifically, the virology lectures by Dr. Dikeakos—completely shifted the trajectory of her academic career. Grace was captivated by the diversity of viruses and their remarkably sophisticated interactions with the immune system, and from that point forward, she knew she wanted to explore virology more deeply.

Grace completed her fourth-year thesis project in the lab of Dr. Ryan Troyer, where she had also volunteered and held a DUROP-funded research position. Her thesis, titled “Development of a pseudovirus-based system to safely evaluate the zoonotic cell entry potential of native and recombinant bat coronavirus spikes,” focused on developing experimental tools to study how genetic recombination in coronavirus spike proteins may impact cross-species transmission. Using a pseudovirus system, Grace contributed to a framework that will help researchers better understand how changes in viral spike proteins influence their ability to infect new hosts, including humans. Her work is particularly timely given the recent history of coronavirus pandemics, and it represents a meaningful contribution to the field of emerging infectious diseases.
Her thesis project also earned her recognition beyond the lab. Grace presented her research at both the Infection and Immunity Research Forum—where she was awarded Best Undergraduate Poster—and the Western University Health & Research Conference. These experiences helped her grow as a communicator and affirmed her desire to pursue a career in research.

Grace’s time at Western was shaped not only by her academic pursuits but also by her dedication to mentorship and community. As an Academic Director for the Microbiology and Immunology Student Association, she coordinated review sessions to support and guide younger students. She also credits her early volunteer experience in the Troyer lab as pivotal in discovering her passion for research. Outside the lab, Grace found creative balance through the Western Paper Art Club, a space where she could relax, meet new friends, and manage the demands of university life.

This fall, Grace will begin a Master of Science in Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto. Her research will continue to focus on viral pathogenesis, with particular interest in host-virus interactions, immune evasion, and cross-species transmission. She aspires to build a long-term career in scientific research and discovery.

Congratulations, Grace, on this well-deserved honour. We look forward to the incredible contributions you will make to the field of virology and beyond.

Katelyn Reid

2025 Western Gold Medal Recipient
Honours Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity

It is our great pleasure to announce that Katelyn Reid is the recipient of the 2025 Western Gold Medal for the Honours Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity.

Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Katelyn chose to attend Western after touring the campus and being drawn to the structure of the Medical Sciences program. She was particularly excited by the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through a fourth-year thesis project. As she progressed through her undergraduate degree, Katelyn developed a strong interest in both biochemistry and immunology—fields that complemented one another and inspired her to pursue the interdisciplinary Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity module.

Katelyn completed her fourth-year thesis project under the supervision of Dr. Mansour Haeryfar, where she investigated the properties of mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in the context of acute liver injury. This experience allowed her to contribute to meaningful research that may be part of a future scientific publication. Through this work, she gained valuable technical skills in flow cytometry and histological analysis, as well as practical experience in scientific communication and critical analysis. The project was a highlight of her undergraduate career, deepening her interest in immunology and reaffirming her dedication to laboratory science.

Throughout her time at Western, Katelyn appreciated the opportunity to learn alongside peers who shared her academic interests. The collaborative nature of her lab and coursework allowed her to build connections and feel part of a supportive learning community. She reflects on these group experiences in her biochemistry, microbiology, and immunology courses as especially meaningful and motivating.

Katelyn’s accomplishments extend beyond her coursework. She is known among instructors and her peers for her thoughtful approach to learning, quiet confidence, and strong work ethic. Her advice to incoming students reflects these values: stay organized, review your course syllabi early, and manage your time carefully—especially during high-stress periods. More personally, Katelyn shared that one of the most important lessons she learned during her time at Western was to trust herself. There were moments of doubt, but through perseverance and self-belief, she learned that she is capable of achieving great things when she doesn’t lose sight of her own strengths.

Next fall, Katelyn will be moving to Toronto to begin the Medical Laboratory Sciences program at the Michener Institute. After completing her certification, she plans to pursue a career as a medical laboratory technologist. She hopes to apply her undergraduate research experience and strong foundation in immunology and biochemistry in a clinical setting, where her skills can directly contribute to patient care.

We are proud to celebrate Katelyn’s academic excellence and wish her the very best as she embarks on this next chapter of her journey. Congratulations, Katelyn, on this well-deserved honour.