UNews - Abigail Giacchetta

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge iGEM pivots project, earns silver with prototype genome machine

trevor.kenney — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:40:19 +0000

Scientific discovery is rarely linear — as evidenced by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s iGEM team and their silver medal performance at the 2025 Grand Jamboree in Paris.

What started as a project designed to create an efficient and ethical method for hyaluronic acid production (utilized by the cosmetics industry), led the group down a path that resulted in the creation of a prototype DIY genome engineering machine for open-source use.

The ULethbridge iGEM group that travelled to Paris included, from left to right, Odin Schaefer, Abigail Giacchetta, Tarlan Goharian, Sonia Ahuja and Sabrina Werner.

Abby Giacchetta, a third-year neuroscience student and team member, says that as they progressed with their original project, a new focus emerged.

“We needed a way to make the hyaluronic acid, and we wanted to use E coli by mixing genes into its plasmid to spur the production of a hyaluronic acid biofilm,” she says. “To do that, we needed access to a multiplex automated genome engineering (MAGE) machine that is worth about $90,000 — and we didn’t have that kind of money.”

So, necessity being the mother of invention, they decided to make their own.

“Our solution was OSAGE, or open-source automated genome engineering, which was designed to use cheap and easily accessible parts online and 3D printed pieces, because most people have access to those these days,” adds Giacchetta.

They then learned, as the science competition season began, that trying to do both projects just wasn’t feasible. So, they put aside the quest for hyaluronic acid production and focused solely on refining their OSAGE machine. In true iGEM spirit, the group of 16 students plus supervisor Dr. Laura Keffer-Wilkes, built off previous work from the iGEM community in designing their prototype.

The 2025 iGEM team is already looking for team members to help the squad in 2026.

“One of the great things about iGEM is that it is open source, meaning everyone has access to all the great work that’s been done in previous years,” says Keffer-Wilkes. “They chose to build off of previous work to create a system that could then be utilized by future generations of iGEM students for their projects, as it basically allows you to create any kind of bacterial strain you want to engineer.”

Rather than cost $90,000, OSAGE can be constructed for just under $1,000. The judges at the World Jamboree were impressed with the concept, netting a silver medal award for the group. Many indicated they liked the idea of expanding on past projects and continuing the strong science done before them.

“They saw the vision we had and really liked the idea,” says Tarlan Goharian, a fourth-year neuroscience major and team member. “We had a couple judges who told us it’s tough to see groups work on a project for eight months, you get so far with it, show the judges and then it sits in the archives forever.”

That won’t happen with OSAGE, as the group vows to return in 2026 and take the machine to the next level.

“We’re hoping that in the next year we’ll actually get it working with a full prototype and then be able to go back and use it to make hyaluronic acid,” says Giacchetta.

They are also looking to add to their team with members from across fields of study.

“Going forward, it would be great to have students from many different disciplines as part of the team,” says Keffer-Wilkes. “Abby and Tarlan are both neuroscience majors, but they had the opportunity to get into synthetic biology with this project. We had people working on hardware and printing, writing code, creating business proposals and then there are marketing and social media campaigns. It’s valuable experience because when you get into the business world, you aren’t just working with people in your major.”

The team is currently taking applications for its 2026 cycle. Interested students should check the iGEM web page and contact kefferwilkesl@uleth.ca.

The full 2025 team lineup included: Dr. Laura Keffer-Wilkes, Abigail Giacchetta, Tarlan Goharian, Odin Schaefer, Aaron De Silva, Zaki Olvis, Ayden McCue, Charles Abdelmessih, Sonia Ahuja, Mikaela Erickson Aguilar, Ashkan Mosabeb-Omran, SarahAnn Walker, Jan Sharma, Sabrina Werner, Eugene Gu, Anh Vo and Jay Cranston.

Top Alberta high school students earn Chinook Scholarships

trevor.kenney — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:57:34 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will welcome six of the province’s top high school graduates to campus this fall as recipients of the $5,000 Chinook Scholarship, ULethbridge’s most prestigious high school entrance award.

These outstanding students from the communities of Airdrie, Coaldale, Cochrane and Lethbridge earned Chinook Scholarships from a field of outstanding applicants. All ULethbridge-bound high school students are eligible to apply for the Chinook Scholarship, which recognizes those who have demonstrated superior academic achievement (minimum 85 per cent admission average) and leadership qualities.

This year’s Chinook Scholarship recipients are Madison Hansen (Bert Church High School, Airdrie), Rachel Jensen (W.H. Croxford High School, Airdrie), Abigail Giacchetta (Kate Andrews High School, Coaldale), Janelle Saltvold (Cochrane High School, Cochrane), Kaytrin Irwin (Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge) and Madison Tsui (Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge).

The award recipients were selected by a committee based on a submitted student essay, references, academic excellence and leadership experience.

“The commitment these students have shown to their studies, their classmates and their communities throughout their high school careers is impressive,” says Dr. Erasmus Okine, provost and vice-president (academic). “They have shown they are among the brightest young minds in the province, with an aptitude for leadership and service. We are excited to welcome them as part of our vibrant campus community and look forward to seeing the avenues they will explore throughout their post-secondary journeys.”

Following is a brief synopsis of the winners.

Madison Hansen, Bert Church High School, Airdrie

Madison Hansen

Intended area of study: General Sciences and Education

• Team captain for high school basketball, soccer and volleyball teams, she also volunteered to coach boys’ basketball and volleyball

• Volunteered as a math tutor for fellow students and was president of the High School Grad Committee

• Volunteered for the Summit Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis

QUOTE — “I feel honoured to be selected as a recipient of the Chinook Scholarship. The award serves as validation of the hard work, dedication and abilities demonstrated in my high school career as well as acknowledges the importance of being a leader in both the community and in school. The award represents the start of a strong foundation for my future academic and personal growth. I am excited to attend ULethbridge in the fall to start a new chapter in my life and look forward to the opportunity to meet new people, participate in extracurricular activities and further my education.”

Rachel Jensen, W.H. Croxford High School, Airdrie

Rachel Jensen

Intended area of study: Combined degree in English and Education

• Served as a recreation volunteer and leader with the City of Airdrie

• Student Manager, Leadership, W.H. Croxford High School, as well as student leader in Movement for Mental Health

• Junior counsellor for Rotary Youth Club and holds two jobs outside of school

QUOTE — “This award means not only financial relief while I’m going into a new field of study in the fall, but it allows me to further apply myself whilst doing so. I am so grateful for such an amazing opportunity, and it really makes all the hard work worth it. I am very excited for the fresh start Lethbridge brings, as well as getting to apply myself in two fields of study where I hold passion. Beyond that, there are so many new people to meet, opportunities to explore and a school culture I cannot wait to immerse myself in!”

Abigail Giacchetta, Kate Andrews High School, Coaldale

Abigail Giacchetta

Intended area of study: Neuroscience

• First chair in both jazz band and concert band, as well as second chair in honour band

• Co-President of Kate Andrews Student Council and Youth-Do volunteer, board member for the Rachael Thomas Youth Advisory Board and Everactive Schools Advisory Board

• Passionate about research, goal is to attend medical school

QUOTE — “I am incredibly honoured to have been recognized for my leadership work within my community and awarded this prestigious scholarship. It has helped boost my confidence, and I am energized to continue my volunteering and leadership at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. I am so excited to meet new individuals with the same goals and aspirations as myself. Joining new clubs and stepping out of my comfort zone are wonderful ways to better experience university life. I have always been interested in neuroscience, so I was incredibly happy to have been accepted into the program and I cannot wait to meet the amazing individuals there and learn about topics I enjoy.”

Janelle Saltvold, Cochrane High School, Cochrane

Janelle Saltvold

Intended area of study: Biological Sciences

• Section leader with the Cochrane High School band and student leader with choir, as well as a member of the Cochrane High School Interact Club

• Volunteered as a camp councillor for Wilderness Ranch Camp and served as a voluntary leader at Vacation Bible School for Brooks Trinity Lutheran Church

• A youth ambassador for the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund

QUOTE — “I am so grateful for this award! Not only will it significantly contribute to my university fees, but it also helped me to reflect on the importance of leadership and boosted my confidence. Thank you so very much. I am excited to be attending a school with smaller class sizes that will allow me to ask my teachers questions, while still having lots of opportunities to discover more with the many resources and knowledgeable people available. I am also excited to study on such a beautiful campus and to meet new people.”

Kaytrin Irwin, Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge

Kaytrin Irwin

Intended area of study: Psychology and Chemistry

• Member of National Honor Society

• Volunteered at a naturopathic medical clinic and Lethbridge Humane Society, as well as LCI Lifeskills Bottle Recycling program

• Coach with City of Lethbridge Learn-to-Skate program

QUOTE — “This award brings recognition to all my academic accomplishments over the years. It brings me pride and eases much of my financial anxiety that comes with wanting to attend post-secondary. I am so fortunate to have been chosen for this award as I am now able to begin my studies with confidence and anticipation. I am excited to attend ULethbridge for many reasons, some being the amazing facilities and community I’ve been told about from both previous and current students and staff.”

Madison Tsui, Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge

Madison Tsui

Intended area of study: General Sciences

• An Ecclesiastical Youth Group President, she participated in several volunteer and service projects, including service to seniors, community clean-up programs, charitable drives and fundraising initiatives

• Volunteered as a respite caregiver

QUOTE — “I am beyond grateful to receive such a significant award. It will allow me to gain the confidence and reassurance to push myself while striving for the best throughout the beginning of my post-secondary studies. It is incredibly motivating to be acknowledged for all the hard work and sacrifices that dedicated high school students make to better their schools and communities. I look forward to interacting with more like-minded peers while I attend ULethbridge in the fall. I cannot wait to further my education in such an encouraging environment while also facing new and unfamiliar challenges along the way.

UNews - Abigail Giacchetta

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge iGEM pivots project, earns silver with prototype genome machine

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��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge iGEM pivots project, earns silver with prototype genome machine