Garret Oconnell

Background

About Garret Oconnell

From the Canadian Maritimes to the Danish Capital, my scientific journey has taken me across 4 Canadian time zones and the Atlantic Ocean. twice! I started my journey at the University of New Brunswick in New Brunswick Canada where my passion for microbiology sparked. Following my BSc in Biology in Chemistry, I undertook the challenge of crossing 4 time zones to Kamloops where I undertook the next step in my professional development, a MSc in Environmental Science. Not only were my eyes opened to the wild world of microbial degradation, I had the chance to learn valuable skills in protein production, assay development and PFAS degradation. I even had the chance to contribute to a project at CISC's research station Granda, Spain. With my MSc in my back pocket, I crossed the Atlantic again with a Novo Nordisk Foundation grant in hand and a desire to tackle new and exciting metabolic engineering challenges! Joining the Denmark Technical University - Center for Biosustainability, I found a love for the Biotechnology sector. I've had the opportunity to dip my toes in everything from cell factor design and adaptive laboratory evolution to ChatGPT-guided code writing and 3D model designing. In my spare time, I'm a volunteer event co-ordinator and community leader for some of the Magic the Gathering players of Faraos Cigarer and Copenhagen area! I also enjoy learning DIY methods to solving problems and maintaining daily tools - I love learning how to repair my bike when I encounter a new problem and even built my own computer. As of writing this, I'm in the end stages of my PhD and am looking to apply the skills I've learned on my journey to Danish Biotech sector! You can follow my coding and 3D modeling journey here: https://github.com/Garret721