Megan Roberts is embarking on an exciting new chapter as an assistant professor at Western University in Ontario, Canada. Her path to an independent research career has been shaped by a deep curiosity for biobased materials, a commitment to mentorship, and a passion for sustainable innovation. After earning her PhD in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Toronto in 2021, she continued her research at UBC as a postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Emily Cranston. Now, as she steps into her new role, she reflects on the experiences, challenges, and inspirations that have guided her from graduate student to faculty member.
" I was first exposed to cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a PhD student where I used them as a material platform to investigate how changing polymer surface chemistry affects nanoparticle interactions with cancer tissue. Because CNCs are covered with hydroxyl groups, I thought the options for organic transformations were endless. However, I quickly learned that the chemical reactions I was used to never directly translated to CNCs and, on top of that, they can be a pain to characterize. I got stumped; that is until, some giants in the CNC community published a review called “Current characterization methods for cellulose nanomaterials” in 2018 and I read the explanatory note: The authors started this review through conversations…at the 2016 International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials. And I thought to myself “…that’s where I need to go to!”
So, I packed my poster and traveled to Japan for the 2019 version of this conference where I felt welcomed by the nanocellulose community and was exposed to many inspiring “bioproducts” for the first time. It was also at this conference where I met and got to know Emily Cranston. Before this, I knew Emily by reputation alone as a leader in the nanocellulose field as well as an exceptional mentor. In this instance, I felt lucky to see how she encouraged and educated critical thinking for her students at the conference. She balanced hard work with integrous science and supportive community, and I have strived to emulate this philosophy since.
Fast forwarding now to having solved my CNC characterization issues and completed my PhD, I found a contract job as a sabbatical replacement and lecturer at a small university called Mount Allison in New Brunswick. In this role I had the incredible opportunity to lead three undergraduate students through an independent study research course in polymer chemistry. Through this experience I watched first-hand as students under my supervision thrived while learning to manage projects, interpret their positive results and reconcile their small failures. From this, I was motivated to become a professor and decided I wanted to pursue postdoctoral research. Emily and I had stayed in touch (she also served as the opponent on my PhD defence), and it turned out she was looking at the same time to hire a postdoc with a strong polymer chemistry background. Knowing that I wanted to establish a research program where I would utilize biopolymers for applications in medicine, there was no better place for me to go than UBC and the BPI!
I came into my own as a scientist at UBC. I learned to view development of novel materials through a lens of sustainability, and felt my collaborations were fostered in this environment so our discovery was accelerated. Now, I feel prepared for my independent research career.
At Western, my group will work to understand how the chemical identity of biomacromolecules links to their assembly so that eventually we can predict their supramolecular behaviour and build new classes of biomaterials for healthcare that will not only coexist but fully integrate with living systems. Who I am is the result of the communities that have accepted and prepared me for the opportunities and challenges I face on this career path. I am grateful for the influence of my many mentors at UBC and beyond, and I hope to make the BPI as proud to have me as an alum as I am to have worked there! "
As Megan takes on this next stage in her career, we at BPI extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes. We are proud to count her among our alumni and look forward to seeing the impact of her research in the years to come!
