First in her family, forging her own path in research

This June, thousands of University of Toronto (U of T) students will cross the convocation stage. For Kuganya Nirmalarajah, an Institute of Health Emergency and Pandemics (IHEP) graduate student awardee, the moment marks more than the completion of a degree; it’s a milestone no one in her family has reached before.

She will become the first in her family to complete both an undergraduate degree and a doctorate.

“These are very meaningful milestones for me and my family,” she says. “I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to pursue higher education both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.”

Raised in Rexdale in North Etobicoke, Kuganya grew up in a household where education was valued, even though her parents had not had the same opportunities. “They laid the foundation,” she says. “It is truly an honour to be the first person in my family with both degrees.”

Without a clear roadmap to graduate school, deciding to pursue a PhD came with uncertainty. “If I am being honest, it was very challenging,” she says. “I wasn’t sure if I was making the right decision, especially when there was no blueprint or guidance from anyone before me. Nonetheless, I received so much support from my family to further my education.”

Her interest in research began during her undergraduate studies, where she completed a thesis in microbiome research. She describes the experience as “a pivotal moment for me as it inspired my path to pursue my PhD.”

After taking a gap year to work in industry, her plans shifted when the COVID-19 pandemic began. “I thought to myself, now would be great time to dive deeper into the world of viral respiratory pathogens.”

In the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, her doctoral research focused on how respiratory viruses spread and evolve. Her thesis, Investigation of the Genomic Epidemiology and Evolution of Viral Respiratory Pathogens SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, examined how genetic data and advanced analysis can be used to better understand transmission patterns in the Greater Toronto area.

Supported by a Graduate Studentship Award from IHEP, housed at the Dalla Lana School for Public Health, in 2023, Kuganya was able to deepen this work while connecting with researchers across disciplines.

“Receiving the studentship reassured me that the work I was doing during my PhD held value and merit,” she says. “It was very encouraging to connect with the other awardees across different departments at U of T who all share a common goal of conducting research on health emergencies and pandemics.”

Through this support, her research reached audiences beyond the university. She authored a publication in BMC Infectious Diseases and presented her findings at national and international conferences.

Beyond her research, Kuganya was actively involved in student and trainee communities across U of T, taking on leadership and advisory roles with groups including the Committee of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology Students (CLAMPS), EPIC and BioHubNet. The experiences, she says, helped foster a strong sense of community and support during her PhD.

Her family remained a constant presence throughout her journey, including at key milestones. “My family has been a core part of my support system,” she says. “Although they don’t have much background in my field of work, they attended and sat through my 45-minute public PhD defense.”

Looking ahead, Kuganya is motivated by the impact of her field. “What keeps me motivated about this work is the ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, often at a large scale. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic highlight how important this work is. Even when progress is slow or unseen, knowing that prevention and preparedness can save lives makes the effort meaningful,” she says.

Reflecting on her experience as a first-generation student, Kuganya encourages others considering graduate studies. “I hope I can convey to students, especially first-generation students, that there is indeed a spot for them at the table and that there will always be a place for them to belong,” she says. “Despite the extra hoops and hurdles that may be in the way, if you are passionate, driven, and determined, don’t let anything restrict you from achieving your goals.”

As she crosses the stage, Kuganya becomes the first in her family to reach this milestone and helps make that path more visible to others.