A Career in Marine Bioprocessing - An Interview with Sheila Trenholm
In this image, Sheila is wearing a white shirt and smiling. The background is of boat propellers.
What is your job and what does it entail?
I work as a Laboratory Technologist within the Marine Bioprocessing Group at the Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development (CASD) at the Marine Institute. I am responsible for the day-to-day management of CASD’s research laboratory facility and for performing research activities and analytical services in the fields of marine by-product utilization, seafood product development and quality monitoring. I work on both industrial response projects and academic research initiatives.
When did you start becoming interested in your field?
I started to become interested in my field during my undergraduate degree. While studying biology I spent three summers at Agriculture Canada working in the lab and also in the field. I really enjoyed the organizational & methodical side of working in the lab but also the field work which involved work as part of a large team working on various field crops including blueberries and potatoes.
After I graduated, I started my career as a research assistant in the Food Science division of MUN’s Biochemistry Department. I managed many of the day-to-day activities of the lab and was involved in food research: performing chemical, physical and microbiological testing. There were many parts of the job that were new and fascinating to me, such as developing food formulations and processing food products in large pilot scale equipment.
What has been your most influential “success” factor?
I think my biggest influential success factor would be my ability to adapt to challenges with flexibility and enthusiasm. I love problem solving and the challenge of coming up with the best approach to address issues that arise – which can happen quite often in a research facility.
What was the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career thus far?
The biggest challenge I have faced in my career would be when I went back to school after having kids. I had been doing consulting work from home while raising kids, and I wanted to get back to the lab. I was older than my classmates when I went back to school to study Food Safety. It was intimidating to be back in school again but, I had a lot of great support from family and friends and also from my teachers and classmates. It helped me build my confidence and allowed me to pursue the type of work I wanted to be involved in.
What advice would you give to other young women hoping to pursue a path similar to yours?
I’d advise young women to talk to people who are in their fields of interest. Reach out to them during conferences, internships or meetings and be curious. Ask them questions about their work and really listen to their answers.
I also think it is important to play to your strengths when you are at the start of your career. If you are aware of the things that you are good at and concentrate on those things you can build your confidence. As you build your confidence you can start to work on new challenges. That can help you build a career path.
How did you get into this job? What sort of background do you have?
I got into this job through a combination of education, jobs & work terms and personal interest. After I graduated from MUN with a BSc degree in Biology from Memorial University I started working in the Food Science Division of MUN’s Biochemistry Department. That job is where my interest in food science began. I loved learning about the development of food products, their production and what types of laboratory analysis are required. When I left that job I worked as a specialized diet consultant and counselor due to my personal interest in how food affects health. Both of these job experiences led me to study Food Safety when I returned to school. Part of my studies included a fantastic work term with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. I was involved in work with a number of inspectors at multiple locations as well as rotations in their plant health, chemistry and microbiology labs. After I graduated from food safety I worked as a project specialist in the food and beverage division of a chemical supply company for a short time before starting work at the Marine institute.
What is your favourite part of your job?
My favourite part of the job is having to think on my feet. No two days are the same and I love having problems to solve. Sometimes I work on my own for smaller projects and other times I’ll be part of a team on large projects. I love planning out the work and brainstorming with others. I am also very involved in training and supervising undergraduate and graduate students at our facility and it is very rewarding to teach students and see them learn skills that they will be able to use in their own careers.
