Paul Joseph McKay
Toronto,ON
Summary
Forward-thinking genomic scientist who utilizes interdisciplinary skills in genome analysis to classify variants according to ACMG guidelines. Strong scientific background and multiple years of experience as a science communicator and leader.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Genome Data Analyst, Bioinformatician Assistant
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Health
Toronto, ON
05.2022 - 04.2023
- To advance policy in genetic recontact, I drafted a manuscript using results obtained from adults with undiagnosed diseases who previously accessed genetic testing, in collaboration with Dr. Jordan Lerner-Ellis
- From WGS patient data, I filter and classify genomic variants according to ACMG criteria as part of ongoing research advancing the understanding of genetics, immunity, COVID-19, and their interplay
Communications Assistant
Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
05.2022 - 04.2023
- From one-on-one interviews, I create editorial articles highlighting the impact of professionals in the field, and affiliates and collaborators of the M.H.Sc. in Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto; published online to Temerty Faculty of Medicine and across official social platforms
- To inspire new interest in the M.H.Sc Medical Genomics program, I launched the official @uoftmedicalgenomics TikTok, featuring short-video educational content meant to shed light on the exploding field of medical genomics
Volunteer
Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University Health Centre
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
- Worked alongside hospital staff to provide assistive care to PICU patients and their families
President
McGill Biochemistry Undergraduate Society
05.2020 - 04.2021
- To address unmet financial need in undergraduate research, I co-founded the entirely online crowdfunded McGill Biochemistry Student Research Award, awarded to two undergraduates performing research in Biochemistry and Immunology in 2021
- To promote graduate studies in Biochemistry at McGill, I planned and moderated a virtual Q&A session featuring a panel of graduate collaborators from Biochemistry, Human Genetics, and related life science disciplines; attended by nearly 50% of the McGill Biochemistry undergraduate student population
- Planned and hosted a virtual graduation event with over 100 attendees, in collaboration with two other undergraduate societies within the McGill life sciences
Director, First Year Representative
McGill Biochemistry Undergraduate Society
09.2018 - 04.2019
- Raised funds through an indoor cycling event in collaboration with a local Montreal cycling studio, awarded ‘best new event of the year’ by the McGill Science Undergraduate Society
- Raised funds through a sold-out apartment crawl in collaboration with three other undergraduate societies across McGill Arts and Science, awarded ‘best collaborative event of the year’ by the McGill Science Undergraduate Society
- Supported a local Montreal charity for unhoused youth through a by-donation yoga event, in collaboration with the McGill yoga club
- As first year representative, I coordinated event planning for first year Biochemistry students and participated in societal fundraising initiatives
Education
M.H.Sc - Medical Genomics
04.2023
B.Sc. - Biochemistry, French Language
04.2021
Skills
- Computer Skills: MS Office, Google Suite, Zoom, scientific figure creation, image manipulation, social media management, specialized software (ex ImageJ, Chat GPT-3, ChemDraw)
- Programming Languages: proficient in R, intermediate-level Python
- Bioinformatics: Comfortable accessing online genomics databases and alignment tools, utilizing genome browsers, utilizing specialized bioinformatics software (ex UCSC genome browser, Franklin by Genoox, DRAGEN by Illumina), and working in command line
- Genome Analysis: Experience working with WGS patient data and classifying genomic variants according to ACMG guidelines
- Languages: Bilingual (English, French), intermediate-level Spanish
- 5 years of experience working in bars and restaurants
Timeline
Genome Data Analyst, Bioinformatician Assistant - Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Health
05.2022 - 04.2023
Communications Assistant - Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
05.2022 - 04.2023
President - McGill Biochemistry Undergraduate Society
05.2020 - 04.2021
Director, First Year Representative - McGill Biochemistry Undergraduate Society
09.2018 - 04.2019
Volunteer - Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University Health Centre
University of Toronto - M.H.Sc, Medical Genomics
McGill University - B.Sc., Biochemistry, French Language