Meet the Team

Meet our dedicated team of volunteers committed to making a difference in our organization and community!

Manuel Centeno Duque | BSc, 4th Year
President and Founder of the Microbiology Outreach Foundation
manuel@biologyoutreach.org

“After identifying a gap in microbiology education in rural communities across BC, the idea for an organization that focused on eliminating this gap seemed necessary. I aspire to lead and grow our organization to achieve excellence and prosperity for all.”

Board of Directors

Vice President

Emma Trotta
BSc, 4th Year
emma@biologyoutreach.org

What drew you to science?
Science is a broad and fascinating field that impacts everything and I have always been curious about the world around me, and how I can improve it.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I have grown to love microbiology and I enjoy teaching others what I have learned and show them how interesting and important science can be.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”

Vice President

Presley Kitamura
BSc, 3rd Year
presley@biologyoutreach.org

What drew you to science?
I have always been intrigued by understanding how things work in the world and am passionate about making a difference in people’s lives.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
To hopefully inspire the younger generation and to help show them the opportunities that are out there.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Never be afraid to challenge yourself.”

Secretary

Kate Verdurmen
BSc, 2nd Year
kate@biologyoutreach.org

What drew you to science?
Science makes me realize how much I don’t know yet.

Why did you want to join MOF?
MOF allowed me to broaden my horizons and network with new people.

Best advice you have ever received?
“True leadership is to always show up as your most authentic self.”

Treasurer

Nathan Price
BSc, 2nd Year
nathan@biologyoutreach.org

What drew you to science?
I have a passion for intellectual challenge, contribution to society, and a need to understand the world.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
Becoming involved in meaningful work that has a chance to make a difference in our community is important to me.

Best advice you have ever received?
“I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score.” It’s a reminder that I have to create opportunities in life, and that nothing is given.

Program Development

Coordinator

Emma Trotta | BSc, 4th Year

What drew you to science?
Science is a broad and fascinating field that impacts everything and I have always been curious about the world around me, and how I can improve it.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I have grown to love microbiology and I enjoy teaching others what I have learned and show them how interesting and important science can be.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”

Improvement Team

Camryn Filimek | BSc, 4th Year

What drew you to science?
I have always been interested in the complexity and diversity of life and the processes behind it.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I want to build more connections within the community and hopefully help inspire the future generations of scientists!

Best advice you have ever received?
“Better an ‘oops’ than a ‘what if’.”

Budget

Tallis Dixon | BSc, 4th Year

What drew you to science?
I’ve always loved learning about the world around me from microbes to mammals.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I love the idea of sharing knowledge and inspiring the next generation about microbiology.

Best advice you’ve ever received?
“Always chase new opportunities.”

Training Team

Aaron Okano | BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
The science field has benefited my curious nature, allowing me to ask questions and find answers.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I am involved with MOF with the hope of inspiring younger students the same way I was inspired as a kid.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Teach once, learn twice.”

Improvement Team

Kailey Wheeler | BSc, 4th Year

What drew you to science?
I enjoy the way science explains complex systems, such as human health, and the impact it has on improving lives and the planet.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I want to make a positive impact on young people by helping them spark interest in science. Where I grew up we didn’t have access to these kinds of opportunities and I know how helpful it would have been to have this experience before starting university. My goal is to help students learn and assist in opportunities they might not get otherwise, and to show them that science, especially microbiology, can be both interesting and fun.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Focus on the next step, not the finish line.”

Training Team

Hannah Goddard | BSc, 3rd Year

What drew you to science?
Getting to learn about the small systems that work together to make up the world we see.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
It allows me to help others experience the wonder of the small systems all around us and how they affect us every day.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Whoever has understanding and knowledge, keeps calm. Even a fool is considered wise when they hold their tongue.”

Indigenization

Anabelle Livingston | BSc, 1st Year

What drew you to science?
Science gives an explanation on how the world and everything within it works.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
MOF is a way for me to share my growing knowledge of Indigenous teachings and help provide equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups.

Best advice you’ve ever received?
“Be kind always, do what brings you joy, put your best effort into everything you do and the rest will fall into place.”

Communications

Coordinator

Presley Kitamura | BSc, 3rd Year

What drew you to science?
I have always been intrigued by understanding how things work in the world and am passionate about making a difference in people’s lives.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
To hopefully inspire the younger generation and to help show them the opportunities that are out there.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Never be afraid to challenge yourself.”

Marketing Team

Livia Hibberson | BSc, 1st Year

What drew you to science?
I have always been curious, and science is full of never-ending questions and answers for me to learn and find. My dream since I was a kid was to become a veterinarian, because I love helping animals and being close to nature. But even though medical sciences are my path, I still truly enjoy learning about every other facet of science.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I grew up in a rural town and I could tell that – while I benefited in some ways from learning in a tiny school – I also missed out on many cool opportunities. Also, I never had a positive role model who was into science! I want to inspire someone into following their curiosity, and to keep asking questions even if they are told to be quiet. I wish someone had told me that when I was a kid!

Best advice you have ever received?
“Don’t just find a job, but find a passion and follow it into a purpose.”

Photography

Deklan Pelland | BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
I love understanding how everything works; and seeing how what we experience and perceive can be explained.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I love teaching, and I hope to be able to instil a love for science within the future of my community, and elsewhere.

Best advice you’ve ever received?
“Work hard, but don’t be afraid to take a break when necessary.”

Marketing Team

Sophia D’Amore | BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
I enjoy learning about the processes of how things work, especially in the human body, and can see myself working in a science or medical related field post-grad. As well, some of the things I enjoy doing and are interested in, like sports or skincare formulation, have scientific aspects that I would like to know more about.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I love science, teaching and working with kids, so being able to do it all at once was really appealing. It also gives me a chance to do good for the community. Growing up I had many great experiences and opportunities to learn about science among much more, so being able to extend these opportunities to kids who otherwise might not have access to them to is amazing.

Best advice you have ever received?
“One day your life will flash before your eyes, so make sure it’s worth watching.”

Website and Blog

Sydney Fairlie | BJour, 3rd Year

What drew you to journalism?
After taking a high school course that turned our classroom into a fake news room, I immediately knew journalism was my calling. Writing articles, conducting interviews, and creating different forms of media became my new passion and something I wanted to pursue in future endeavours.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
After initially learning about the work MOF has and continues to accomplish, I knew I wanted to be apart of a team that is changing lives and providing valuable resources to those in need. I believe that education holds the utmost value that everyone should have access to.

Best advice you have ever received?
“You won’t go anywhere until you push yourself outside of your comfort zone.”

Marketing Team

Vanessa Shupenia | BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
I was immediately drawn to marine biology ever since i was three years old. something about how the oceans were a whole world of symbiotic relationships i had never seen before was really fascinating to me and since then i’ve only gotten more amazed by it.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
Until this year i was somewhat naive to what microbiology encompassed as a science and i don’t think it’s talked about enough to be able to fully appreciate it.

Best advice you have ever received?
“If you are not willing to learn no one can help you, if you’re determined to learn no one can stop you.”

Feedback

Brooke Wipplinger | BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
Learning all the details on how things work has always been my favourite part of science.

Why did you want to get involved in MOF?
I love science and I want everyone to have a chance to fall in love with it.

Best advice you have ever received?
“When things get tough, it is important to be your own cheerleader.”

Brand

Coordinator

Kate Verdurmen | BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
Science makes me realize how much I don’t know yet.

Why did you want to join MOF?
MOF allowed me to broaden my horizons and network with new people.

Best advice you have ever received?
“True leadership is to always show up as your most authentic self.”

Design Team

Florencia Santamaria Cisneros
BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
Wanting to know in depth how life and things work from such a tiny particle, such as an atom or cell.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I want to help the next generation of scientists to have more learning opportunities. I want them to understand that learning science is not just about reading books, but that you can also learn in more fun ways.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Do the things you have always wanted to do, because it is better to regret what you’ve already done than to regret what you haven’t and dwell on the ‘what if’…”

Social Media Team

Ava Ward | BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
The lab portion of science, mainly biology, and how hands-on science is.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
Throughout high school I never had presentations of any kind from science students and I want to change that for the younger generation and give them more opportunities.

Best advice you have ever received?
“You are in charge of your path.”

Design Team

Lena Heinen | BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
I enjoy taking part in discourse surrounding scientific innovation and hope that someday I get to lead these discussions.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?’
Getting the youth excited about science is very important as the future is becoming more technological. I am optimistic that younger generations can lead the future to success when resources are abundant.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Don’t procrastinate your assignments, priorities, family or friendship. This will make your life 10 times more difficult.”

Social Media Team

Dorthie Mehta | BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
Science has always been my favourite subject as far back as I can remember. I had a lot of questions and science seemed to have the best answers.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I want to ensure the younger students have more opportunities to experience the fun of interactive learning in science.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Don’t tell people your plans, show them your results.”

Operations and Finances

Coordinator

Nathan Price | BSc, 2nd Year

What drew you to science?
I have a passion for intellectual challenge, contribution to society, and a need to understand the world.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
Becoming involved in meaningful work that has a chance to make a difference in our community is important to me.

Best advice you have ever received?
“I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score.” It’s a reminder that I have to create opportunities in life, and that nothing is given.

Inventory

Katelyn McGillis | BSc, 1st Year

What drew you to science?
Science is essential to our everyday lives, constantly developing and enhancing our understanding of the world. It involves a variety of disciplines, including environmental studies, chemistry, physics, and medicine, each playing a crucial role in our societal development. These aspects are just a few of the reasons I am drawn to the field of science.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I wanted to be involved with this organization due to their deep involvement in the community and strong believes in educational rights, showcasing a commitment to teaching science related topics. They focus on delivering quality education and encouraging curiosity about science for everyone. This aligning with my own beliefs that everyone deserves access to a proper education.

Best advice you’ve ever received?
“Remain open to new experiences and always give your best efforts.”

Grants Team

Sarah Livingston | BCom, 4th Year

What drew you to communications?
I have always had an interest in writing and have wanted to pursue something in marketing or communications within a company where I can creatively contribute to promoting their brand.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
MOF was a chance to put my skills to the test and be apart of something that is truly benefiting the community and youth education.

Best advice you have ever received?
“Knowledge is power, never stop learning and growing.”

Grants Team

Helen Percy | BSc, 1st Year

What drew you to science?
The National Geographic “Weird but True” books, and dinosaurs definitely got me hooked at an early age. I loved memorizing facts and teaching them to others. I think I was drawn to the consistency of science. There’s always a pattern of how to discover, how to write, how to disprove, and how to question. I liked the fact that ideas change, but the process doesn’t. I also loved the fact that there is so much to read, and always something new being written.

Why did you want to get involved with MOF?
I saw MOF as an amazing networking opportunity and a way to make myself involved in the TRU community in a positive and meaningful way. I love volunteering and teaching and I think interactive science lessons are an incredibly valuable experience for every age of grade school. MOF is a great way to get kids engaged and excited to pursue science in places that maybe wouldn’t have a similar opportunity otherwise, and I want to contribute to their learning.

Best advice you have ever received?
“It’s okay to have no idea where you’re going. Explore, learn, ask questions, and always put your best foot forward. You become what you practice.”