Shining Student Ryley Chalack

Ryley Chalack's passion for translational research has been shaped by the challenges he's encountered in ULethbridge labs. Collaborating with colleagues, analyzing complex data, and developing innovative solutions mirror the adaptability required in medicine— his ultimate career goal. Graduating in 2025 as a first-generation university graduate, Ryley aims to pursue medical school. If not immediately admitted, he plans to extend his Structural Biochemistry honours thesis into a master's program focused on Alzheimer's research in the Rathod Lab while continuing community service and collaborative lab work.

In the lab, I have faced many challenges that require collaboration and a ton of reading to develop solutions to troubleshoot problems. These skills apply to medicine and clinical-based research, where individuals must constantly adapt to new information, diagnose complex issues, and develop plans to solve current problems.

Meet Ryley | Passionate about learning. Team player. Adaptable.
Program: Bachelor of Science | Major: Biochemistry

Why did you choose ULethbridge?

I mainly chose the University of Lethbridge as I went to high school in Lethbridge, and it made sense for me to stay home and continue with my education. In addition, the new science building offered an exciting opportunity to use the facility and develop research and interpersonal-based skills.

Please tell us about your experiential or work-integrated learning at ULethbridge.

I completed a co-op work term in the summer of 2022 and am currently doing an undergraduate honour thesis in a biochemistry lab. I have learned many things through these experiences, but the three main ones would be:

Interpersonal and presentation skills are very useful.
Research-based skills that give additional background in lab work and problem-solving, which may not be fully developed in class-based labs and lectures.
Building relationships with individuals who are further in their careers gives opportunities to learn from more experienced individuals and gain contact information for future opportunities such as work/research or further education after my undergraduate degree.

What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience so far?

Throughout my degree, I have developed a passion for translational research through the many research-based opportunities I have experienced at ULethbridge.

These research opportunities have cultivated my ability to critically analyze results, solve complex problems, and engage in self-directed learning using online resources and colleagues. In the lab, I have faced many challenges that require collaboration, innovative solutions and independent research to overcome. These skills directly apply to medicine, where physicians must constantly adapt to new information, diagnose complex cases, and develop treatment plans based on independent research findings.

My research background has enhanced my scientific writing and presentation skills, which are crucial for effective communication in medical settings.

How have your professors impacted your education?

I have had the opportunity to interact and even work for a few of the professors who have taught me. These professors have acted as valuable mentors for my development by providing guidance, support and feedback throughout my work and have offered me opportunities to research and build important skills in the lab.

These opportunities and pieces of advice have positively impacted my love for research and science as a whole. I have shifted my appreciation of research, and plan to continue this into the future.

In addition, these professors have reinforced the importance of a life-long learner mindset, which is what I plan to carry throughout my life.

Ryley is very dedicated, driven and motivated in getting the most out of his education, and what makes him shine is his willingness to help others get the most of their time at the ULethbridge. – Dr. Vineet Rathod, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Have you received any scholarships and awards?

I've been honoured with multiple research awards, propelling me towards becoming a doctor while developing a diverse skill set in research.

In 2023, I received the Chinook Research Scholarship, immersing myself in organofluorine chemistry. I explored advanced lab techniques such as mass spectrometry and NMR, enhancing my analytical capabilities. My work received two awards at the Chinook Symposium, showing my ability to communicate scientific concepts effectively.

The following summer of 2024, I was awarded a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) scholarship, enabling me to dive into cancer biology research with Dr. Thakor. This opportunity broadened my understanding of molecular mechanisms in disease pathology and deepened my appreciation for translational research.

These awards have been a significant driver of my development as a student, as they allowed me to work full-time in research labs over the summer and develop a well-rounded and research-oriented skill set.

Are you participating in any extracurricular activities?

Recently, I decided to explore volunteer opportunities that would give me practical experience and expose me to a healthcare environment. I volunteer at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge. During this time, I interacted with many patients, nurses and doctors and gained practical experience in the hospital, reinforcing my desire to pursue medicine.

Since I started volunteering at the hospital, I have worked in two primary units and learned and developed skills in a healthcare setting. My first position was in the ID Program, where we aided vulnerable individuals in receiving government-issued IDs, and I saw the importance of addiction service programs within Alberta. I managed government files and IDs, which taught me the importance of confidentiality and organization. The routine interactions with patients strengthened my communication skills and confidence.

The second unit I worked for was in the Jack Ady Cancer Center, where I assisted in cleaning rooms and guiding patients. I also had regular conversations with doctors and nurses within the unit, which taught me to communicate effectively and gave me a glance into possible specialties I would like to pursue.

Volunteering at the hospital has given me important interpersonal skills and offered me a diverse worldview on different populations, which will be advantageous in any career, but especially in medicine.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Most of my free time is spent in the lab working on my honour's thesis. I enjoy learning and solving problems, which I do in the lab. I also consistently work out, an artifact of my baseball experience. I also spend a lot of time volunteering at the hospital, which gives me opportunities to talk with and help patients, which I enjoy quite a bit.

What are three awesome things about you?

I am doing Alzheimer's research for my honour thesis, which I have begun to love.
I absolutely love learning and talking about science, no matter who with.
I used to play college baseball with the PBA in Lethbridge for my first two years of university.

What are your hopes/plans for the future?

In the spring of 2025, I will graduate with a bachelor's degree and be the first in my family to do so. This monumental event will be celebrated with me ideally researching at ULethbridge under a summer research scholarship, as I received in the past. I plan to travel and experience new locations next summer before hopefully starting medical school in the fall.

If I am not admitted into medical school next year, I will not get discouraged or unmotivated. Instead, I plan to transition my honour thesis into a master's program focused on understanding the interaction of misfolded proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease using in-vitro and in-vivo models, with the same effort I would exert in medical school. I would attempt to complete a master's in this research topic, continue to develop my skill set and understanding further and get the chance to present this topic to lab groups in Canada and possibly internationally.

During this time, I will also continue to be involved in the community by volunteering at the Chinook Regional Hospital, mentoring students in the Rathod lab working on my project and getting the opportunity to present my research at scientific conferences, which will open new avenues for networking and collaboration with other researchers in the field.

These new experiences will hopefully allow me to reinforce my passion for medicine and hopefully have the opportunity to become a medical student at the Southern Alberta Medical School at the ULethbridge.

What advice would you like to give those about to begin their journey at ULethbridge?

If I were to give advice to a future student, I would give three main ideas

Do not waste time; university is fast-paced, and it can take time to figure things out. Don't let opportunities pass by.
Make connections outside of class by asking professors for possible work, going to conferences/job fairs and participating in co-op. These opportunities do not come to you, you need to find them.
Plan your courses wisely and effectively from the first year. This does not mean you need to know every course for your entire degree, but you should be wise when selecting courses. You want to ensure you have all the necessary courses to graduate when expected.

I am enrolled in a biochemistry bachelor's degree and plan to graduate in spring 2025. I decided on this major as I excelled at science and math in high school and believed that the program would give me many opportunities to pursue later in life. The biochemistry program contains many valuable classes and lab experience that have provided a strong foundation for medical school and future graduate studies.

In my degree, many of the classes I took outside of my degree requirements were chosen to expand my understanding of the human brain, specifically in psychology and neuroscience. I also took economics, agriculture, Indigenous studies, linguistics and religious studies to broaden my knowledge of society.

Recently, I decided to pursue an undergraduate honour's thesis in Dr. Rathod's structural biochemistry lab focused on neurodegenerative diseases from Fall 2024 to Winter 2025, where I will conduct experiments and expand my research capabilities. All of these opportunities I received at ULethbridge have made me a well-rounded individual in science.

Quick Answers

Favourite class: Bioenergetics and Metabolism (Biochemistry 3300)
Favourite social activity at ULethbridge: Club events
Favourite place to study: My desk

About Shining Students

Shining Students engage inside and outside of the classroom. What makes a student shine may differ from person to person, but they all share a passion for learning. They may be top students, involved in an innovative project, participating in ground-breaking research, playing Pronghorn athletics, fighting for social issues or all of the above! When students find something they enjoy and combine it with what they are good at, they shine.

Each year, the Faculty of Arts & Science's faculty and staff nominate students who exemplify the ULethbridge student spirit. Congratulations Ryley!