Building bridges: Guneet Kaur’s journey in science and sustainability

Guneet Kaur’s academic journey started with a deep dive into biological sciences, exploring how living systems work at a fundamental level. This sparked an interest in applied genetics, where she dug deeper into how cells function and interact. But just understanding wasn’t enough—she wanted to take it a step further and start designing and modifying biological systems. That curiosity led her into biochemical engineering, where Kaur now uses her knowledge to manipulate cells, including microbes, to create bio-based products.

Kaur's work in bioengineering and sustainability is defined by her curiosity and commitment to impactful, real-world solutions. An assistant professor at the University of Guelph’s School of Engineering, Kaur is committed to bringing together her research expertise in Applied Genetics and Biochemical Engineering, her passion for teaching, and her dedication to a more environmentally friendly society.

“I believe that bio-based processing is really the future, and biobased economy is the way forward,” Kaur notes.

Kaur’s fascination with biology started early. She possessed a childhood curiosity about how living organisms work, which eventually led her to study biology and later biochemical engineering.

But it wasn’t just science that shaped her; it was also her strong sense of responsibility and a desire to make the world more environmentally sustainable. She has always been passionate about issues pertaining to the protection of the environment and believes that everyone will come to realize the importance of biotechnology.

After completing her undergraduate studies in biology at the University of Delhi and earning a doctorate in biochemical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Kaur did her postdoc in Europe and Hong Kong and got her first faculty position in Hong Kong. After five years in Hong Kong, she moved to Canada, first at York University. She joined the University of Guelph in 2023.

Here she found a home that aligned with her values. “The value that I would like my students to have is integrity and to take ownership for their actions,” she says. Her classes aren’t just about imparting technical knowledge; they’re about inspiring students to see the bigger picture and appreciate how the concepts they learn are applied to the real world.

Throughout her academic career, Kaur has forged meaningful collaborations that align with her research. She found this to be the case when she was working with biosurfactants (rhamnolipids) and was able to find a collaborator working in the biomedical space. This collaborative effort allowed her to explore the use of biosurfactants for wound treatment and eventually opened avenues for other products she is working on.

“I don't have to look outside of Guelph to find collaborators,” she says. “They’re present right here on campus because it's such a good amalgamation of different disciplines.”

Kaur's curiosity has driven her to go beyond her research, engaging in global collaborations through initiatives such as CIRCLE. For Kaur, such partnerships are not just about solving technical problems; they are about building bridges between cultures and fostering mutual understanding on matters of global importance such as sustainable development.

“There is a niche element about CIRCLE,” she says. “It brings people from all the colleges together, but they are so different.” Kaur finds this diversity both exciting and rewarding, as it underscores her belief in the power of collaboration to create innovative and sustainable solutions.

Kaur’s story is one that speaks to numerous South Asians aiming to enter academia as a career. “Coming from India, I think overall there is little appreciation for research and development, not only in engineering or STEM or bioengineering, but in all fields,” she says.

She realizes that a lot of hopeful researchers feel that they are not able to undertake research due to “factors which were, you know not under their control, or they were just not encouraged to pursue research.” Kaur believes that for more South Asians, especially women, to make an impact in research, it is critical that there is support and there are “people who love them and their dreams.”

Neha Chandrasekaran is a student writer for CIRCLE. She is in her third year of her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Guelph.  

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