Meet the new vice-dean research, biomedical sciences

Dr. Linda Chelico’s (PhD) love of science started in her Melfort high school and led her to study microbiology at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). This was followed by graduate and postdoctoral studies focused on fungus, biochemistry and biophysics, intrinsic immunity against HIV and cancer. In all these fields, the common thread was DNA damage and repair. 

“What fascinates me about nature is the dependence on DNA (or RNA for some viruses) for the genetic code—yet these molecules are inherently unstable and are damaged every day,” said Chelico. “Somehow, in the balance between damage and repair, there is a perfect balance between function and malfunction that allows for both life and adaptation.” 

Chelico operates a successful research program focused on the APOBEC family of enzymes and their impact on HIV replication and cancer cell mutations. Prior to this new role she was the head of the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and director of the Protein Characterization and Crystallization Facility (PCCF). 

She is one of two new vice-dean’s of research for the College of Medicine. These leaders will support both biomedical science and clinical, health services and population health research across the college.   

Chelico believes that supporting people and research communication are critical for translational science.   

“We need to establish an environment where everyone feels they can strive,” said Chelico. “Then we (scientists) need to be better communicators, to relay how the research we are doing helps prepare for future health needs.”  

We asked Chelico about her views on leadership, her research and plans as the first vice-dean research, biomedical sciences.  

When did you know you wanted to be a scientist and what sparked your interest in scientific leadership?  

I knew I wanted to be a scientist since Grade 11 when I completed a project about bioremediation—the use of bacteria to degrade environmental substances. I became fascinated with the world of microbiology and enrolled in a microbiology undergraduate program. After my third year of university and summer research experience, I decided to focus on becoming a research scientist. 

My interest in scientific leadership came gradually. Initially, I was focused on building my lab, but in my first years the Health Sciences D-wing was built, and research clusters were formed. I became the cluster leader for my lab group and then the faculty lead for the PCCF. I was able to get experience, on a small scale, on making systems level changes that improve the research environment for multiple people.  

As a scientist, I enjoy solving problems and leadership offered a new way to apply that skill.   

How have your experiences shaped your approach to leadership?  

I had a PhD mentor that was very hands-off in their training style. While this helped me learn resilience, grit, and how much I could accomplish on my own, it was difficult. I left my PhD with only one publication and felt lucky to get the postdoctoral position that I did. My postdoctoral mentor was able to take all that raw talent he saw, and that I had built, and helped shape me into the scientist I am today.  

This contrast in mentors was very pivotal from me and my leadership style. It also gave me the desire to set people off in their careers at a better place than I started. Some people are just missing the right environment for their research to take off, some people need more dedicated mentorship, or a combination of both.  

In leadership we need to make sure the environment is set for success by providing the right supports.  

What brings you joy in your work?  

I very much enjoy interacting with students in the lab. I enjoy practical training, seeing their excitement when they get good data, and when their projects lead to novel discoveries.  

I take mentorship very seriously and am still in contact with many previous students that have graduated from my lab.  

In the biomedical field, what new research or trends excite you the most? 

So many fields are now studying phenomena at the single cell level. This is opening new fields based on previously unknown diversity in tissues, microbial communities and disease within an individual and from person to person. This single cell analysis will be important to advancing treatments on many diseases that have no treatment or have drug resistance. 

Why is investing in science so important?  

We live in an age where new discoveries are so rapid and common that we have forgotten where they originated—in a lab through fundamental science.  Fundamental science is necessary to discover something new or novel that can be applied or translated to a product or treatment.  

The challenge is that the timeline from fundamental work to product is unknown.  

The benefits of past work must not be forgotten so that governments and the public keep investing in future discoveries. We need to remember this connection, and the importance of continuing to support the fundamental work that led to those discoveries. 

What are your goals for the future of biomedical research in the college?  

The most pressing need right now is research infrastructure. Biomedical research has become highly dependent on specialized infrastructure which requires resources to purchase and maintain the infrastructure, and expert users that can train others. For example, our research could benefit from the development of a large-scale instrument centre for biological sciences. 

We also need to do more community outreach. It is important to build awareness by telling our research stories and to relay the value and importance of community donor support. I’m looking forward to increasing our donor support and connecting researchers with the public.  

I’m also looking forward to seeing how we can collaborate with other colleges, not just the ones within the health sciences building, but those across our campus. Interdisciplinary research is the key to solving today’s health problems. The complexity of the issues we are facing cannot be solved by one perspective alone.