Mr. Zachary Kileeg is a fifth-year PhD Candidate studying the evolution and adaptation of the plant immune system. He graduated with a B.Sc. in life sciences and went on to earn his M.Sc. in Applied Bioscience from the Ontario Tech University. In his capacity as both a teaching assistant and laboratory instructor, he has had the pleasure of interacting with and mentoring students hailing from diverse backgrounds. Through these roles, he is able to understand the perspective of both students and faculty. He hopes to use this experience to help bridge the gap between student and faculty viewpoints and create an environment where both can excel.