EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Biotechnology Specialization | September 2022 – Present
Major GPA: 3.89 / 4.0 Cumulative GPA: 3.84 / 4.0
Relevant Coursework
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Supervised Research Experience
Synthetic Biology Research Assistant May 2025 – Present
Queen’s iGEM, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
Advisor: Christopher Lohans
· Contributing to the design and engineering of macrophages capable of degrading Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms relevant to cystic fibrosis pathology
· Conducting molecular cloning using HiFi DNA assembly and PCR amplification techniques
· Designing plasmid constructs for expression in mammalian cells and validating assembly through gel electrophoresis and sequencing
Aging and Epigenetics Undergraduate Researcher May 2024 – August 2024
Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
Advisors: Adam Chippindale & Maria Aristizabal
· Awarded the NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award to lead a collaborative research project
· Gained proficiency in protein extraction, immunostaining, western blotting, and SDS-PAGE to study H3K27me3 and H3K9me2 in aging across divergent Drosophila melanogaster populations
· Carried out phenotypic analyses, including sex classification and assays measuring fitness, competition, desiccation resistance, development time, and longevity
· Published an abstract in the Queen’s Inquiry Undergraduate Research Conference Proceedings
Independent Projects
Independent Researcher – ML & Microbiome in ASD April 2025 – Present
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
· Applied machine learning to maternal microbiome data to investigate gut-brain axis links in autism
· Learned and implemented QIIME 2 for 16S rRNA sequencing data analysis in a Linux environment
· Developed and validated random forest classifiers in R to identify potential microbial biomarkers
· Explored microbiome-based diagnostic strategies for early ASD detection using predictive modeling
Project Lead – Protein Engineering for Space Biotech September 2024 – May 2025
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
Queen’s Applied Biotechnology
· Led a project team investigating the catalytic activity of chlorite dismutase variants, modeling de novo mutations to enhance perchlorate detoxification into oxygen for space exploration
· Coordinated a meeting with NASA scientist Dr. Garrett Roberts Kingman to refine project design
· Presented research at the 19th I@Q Research Conference and the Queen’s Biotechnology Conference 2025
RESEARCH GRANTS
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) May 2024
Undergraduate Summer Undergraduate Research Award (USRA)
Title: Investigating the Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Aging Across Divergent Populations of Drosophila melanogaster
Role: Lead; Advisor: Adam Chippindale & Maria Aristizabal
Total: $9,800
PUBLICATIONS
Non-peer reviewed
1. DeBellefeuille C. Bioremediation: The bridge from Earth to Mars – Synthetic Biology in Space Exploration Part 1. Medium. January 17, 2025. Accessed June 26, 2025. https://medium.com/@debellefeuille.cd/bioremediation-the-bridge-from-earth-to-mars-522c0db85abf
Conference Proceedings
2. DeBellefeuille C. Histone H3-K27 and H3-K9 methylation does not predict lifespan in divergent populations of Drosophila melanogaster. Undergraduate Research Abstracts: USSRF and USRA Programs. 2024;18(2):USRA Abstracts. doi:10.24908/iqurcp18024
Works Forthcoming
3. DeBellefeuille C. Optimizing the enzymatic reduction of perchlorate for oxygen production on Mars. Presented at: Inquiry@Queen’s Annual Undergraduate Research Conference; 2025. Forthcoming.
4. Giff A, DeBellefeuille C, Apostolopoulos G, Elsayed S. Applying machine learning for early detection of autism spectrum disorder from maternal microbiome data. Presented at: Inquiry@Queen’s Annual Undergraduate Research Conference; 2025. Forthcoming.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & AFFILIATIONS
TKS x Queen’s Pilot Program October 2024 – May 2025
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
· Selected from over 160 Queen’s students for a competitive program, receiving specialized coaching to develop leadership in emerging technologies such as AI, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology.
Customer Discovery – Certificate of Completion February 2025
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
· Learned user research techniques, including customer interviews, observation, persona development, and journey mapping to derive actionable insights
Design Thinking – Workshop February 2025
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
· Completed 5-hour self-paced workshop on human-centered problem solving; applied empathy-driven strategies to define user needs, ideate creative solutions, and develop pitch-ready prototypes
Undergraduate Representative – Biotechnology DSC October 2024 – May 2025
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
· Advocated for biotechnology students by representing their academic and program-related concerns · Collaborated with faculty and administrative staff to enhance the undergraduate learning experience
Logistics Director – Queen’s Applied Biotechnology (QAB) Aug 2024 – May 2025
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
· Led logistics for the inaugural Queen’s Biotechnology Conference, co-hosted with the Biotechnology DSC · Coordinated event operations for 70+ attendees, 5 poster presentations, 4 keynote speakers, 6 panelists, and a case competition · Supported QAB’s growth from a small internal group to a cross-campus initiative
Q-SURGE – Certificate of Completion June 2024 – Aug 2024
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
· Completed Queen’s Summer Undergraduate Research Growth Experience (Q-SURGE), a professional development program focused on research design, communication, and knowledge mobilization
NASA Citizen Science Contributor – Redshift Wrangler May 2023 – September 2023
Rochester Institute of Technology / NASA
· Analyzed galaxy spectra to identify emission lines and verify spectral fits, aiding research on galaxy evolution and cosmic history using data from the Keck and Hubble telescopes
· Supported NASA-funded citizen science project focused on understanding the early universe’s structure and star formation
PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT & TALKS
Workshop Leader, Designing Life (Let’s Talk Science) June 2025
· Designed synthetic biology workshops for K–12 students across Ontario, introducing genetic engineering concepts through interactive activities.
Producer & Host, Genes to Genius (QGEM Education Initiative) June 2025
· Developed a five-level explainer video on synthetic biology, tailored for audiences ranging from children to researchers, to promote inclusive science communication. Release forthcoming.
Host, Breathing Room Podcast June 2025
· Led recorded discussions with clinicians, ethicists, and researchers to inform iGEM project design for cystic fibrosis treatment (2 episodes forthcoming).
Speaker, The Knowledge Society (TKS) Focus Presentation April 2025
· Presented a synthetic biology-based strategy for Martian perchlorate detoxification through bioremediation enzymes.
Poster Presentation, Queen’s Biotechnology Conference April 2025
· Presented research on perchlorate bioremediation strategy using chlorite dismutase enzyme optimization.
Finalist, Queen’s Biotechnology Conference April 2025
· Presented BioShield: a hybrid algae and AI platform to address antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture, winning 2nd place in the case competition.
Presenter, Inquiry@Queen’s Undergraduate Research Conference
1. Optimizing the enzymatic reduction of perchlorate for oxygen production on Mars March 2025 2. Applying machine learning for early detection of autism spectrum disorder from March 2025 maternal microbiome data
HONOURS & AWARDS
Dean’s Honour List-Distinction September 2024 · Awarded to students in the top 3% of all students within their degree program
NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award May 2024 · $9,800 awarded based on academic excellence and research potential
Queen’s Principal’s Scholarship September 2022 · $4,000 awarded to students with a high school average of 95%+
Gained proficiency in laboratory techniques including cell culture, micropipetting, aseptic technique, PCR analysis, plaque assays, gel electrophoresis, and viral transduction assays
Developed proficiency in R for data analysis, including both unsupervised and supervised machine learning methods