Where Are They Now? A Former TK! Student's Journey in Switzerland

In this article, we catch up with former TARGet Kids! (TK!) Undergraduate Student Alexa DiPede, whose journey since leaving TK! has been adventurous and inspiring. From working in a lab in Switzerland to continuing her research at McGill University, Alexa reflects on her time with us and shares valuable insights into how that experience has shaped her career.

Since my time as an undergraduate thesis student with TARGet Kids! at McMaster University, life has been full of new and exciting experiences. I’m currently starting a new chapter as a graduate student in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience (IPN) at McGill University, where I’m fortunate to be working in the Cuello Laboratory. My research, in collaboration with the University of Antigua and Harvard University, focuses on nerve growth factor (NGF) and its role in family inherited Alzheimer's disease. I am investigating whether nerve growth factor (NGF) biomarkers in blood and brain-spinal cord fluid can distinguish people with the PSEN1 mutation— an early and aggressive form of Alzheimer’s—from those without it. Our goal is to see if these NGF biomarkers can better predict declines in brain function compared to traditional markers focused on protein deposits in the brain, potentially improving early diagnosis and personalized treatments.

Looking back, my journey wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable experience I had with TARGet Kids! The mentorship I received from Piyumi Mudiyanselage and Dr. Catherine Birken, among many others, shaped the way I approach science today. Being part of such a multidisciplinary team, including Dietitians, Physicians, and Biostatisticians to name a few, taught me the power of collaboration—an essential lesson as I now tackle complex research questions with diverse teams.

A pivotal moment in my journey was this past summer, when I participated in the Summer Research Program (SRP) at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. There, I examined the factors that influence how brain cell receptors change and adapt, and gained hands-on experience with cutting-edge techniques, deepening my understanding of neuroscience. The experience was transformative—not only academically but also personally. From visiting research hubs like Campus Biotech and the Agora Cancer Centre to hiking in the Swiss Alps, it was an adventure that highlighted the global nature of scientific collaboration.

What ties my journey together are the skills I first developed at TARGet Kids!—the importance of teamwork, the value of interdisciplinary approaches, and the need for scientific rigor. These lessons have carried me through every challenge, from my summer in Switzerland to my current research in graduate school. TARGet Kids! laid the foundation for my confidence and curiosity in navigating complex scientific problems. As I continue my research into NGF and Alzheimer's, I carry those early lessons with me, excited about the future of neuroscience and the potential to make a real-world impact.