Career Profile

Jasmin Chahal

Assistant Professor
McGill University
Portrait de Jasmin Chahal
Portrait de Jasmin Chahal
Sector
Education and Training,  Science
Location Born
QC
Location Now
QC
Education Pathway
University
Readability
8.3
School Subject
Biology,  Health,  Science

I teach in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at McGill University.
About me
How I affect peoples’ lives
What I do at work
Outside of work I
My career path is
My advice to others
I am motivated by

About me

I was born/grew up in: Montréal, Quebec

I now live in: Quebec

I completed my training/education at: I have a BSc and a Ph.D in Microbiology & Immunology, both from McGill University.

What I do at work

I teach undergraduate Microbiology and Immunology courses at McGill. I use a lot of student engagement in my courses through polling questions, case studies, class discussions and games. I also help other faculty members redesign their courses to include more active learning. All my teaching is done online. However, this does not stop me from trying to engage students in my lectures. My experience in working as a volunteer with Let's Talk Science has helped me teach my students using various methods and use hands-on and mind-on activities!

My career path is

I always wanted to teach science at post-secondary. Thus, I completed my B.Sc. and did my Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology. During my graduate studies, I took courses on how to teach Biology. I was a Teaching Assistant and an LTS volunteer/coordinator. These experiences built my teaching experience. It also helped build my CV (Curriculum Vitae) and helped me get my job two months after defending my Ph.D.!

I am motivated by

My students and the people I work with! I love getting students’ comments about how much they learned and how they teach their peers and family about the course content. This motivates me to continue using active learning in my classroom.

How I affect peoples’ lives

I love inspiring students!  I make sure they know that, just because they cannot memorize all the characteristics of different bacteria, it does not mean they won't be successful. I encourage students to explore how they learn best and to use the content taught in class to solve problems.

Outside of work I

As a virologist, I spent a lot of my time during the pandemic doing interviews for podcasts, news reports and radio. These helped to teach the general public about the vaccines and the virus. To relax, I started painting every Friday night!

My advice to others

Keep going and explore every opportunity you get!

When I was a student, I enjoyed:
  • Art
  • Math
  • Physical Education/Health
  • Science
When I was a student, I would have described myself as someone who:
  • Brought people together
  • Liked helping people
  • Played on a sports team
  • Was motivated by success
  • Wanted to be in charge
  • Liked being given specific instructions
  • Engaged in volunteer activities
  • Was really creative
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
  • Always knew what I wanted to do
Explore more profilesPrint

Related Topics

Careers
Immune System
Microbiology
Science Communication
Teaching

Explore Career Profiles

  • Meghana Munipalle outside on summer day in front of tree

    Meghana Munipalle (she/her)

    Graduate Student, Biomedical Engineering

    I am a graduate student working towards my PhD in biological and biomedical engineering.
  • Areej Riaz headshot

    Areej Riaz

    Operations Manager

    I work with individuals and organizations on programs that help address climate change.
  • Tristan Lecompte Headshot

    Tristan Lecompte

    Environmental Program Officer

    I interpret and communicate pollution data collected by the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI).
  • Dr. Bukola Salami with nursing student seated at computer.

    Bukola Salami (she/her)

    Professor, Faculty of Nursing

    I do research with Black communities and teach undergraduate and graduate students.
  • close up of technicians hands showing pipette with blood sample from a container

    Marta V. (she/her)

    Forensic Search Biologist

    I examine evidence from crime scenes for biological material such as blood, semen, or touch DNA.
  • Dr. Paula Littlejohn headshot

    Dr. Paula Littlejohn (she/her)

    Postdoctoral Research Fellow

    I research problems that affect peoples’ health, specifically in children.
  • Dolcy Meness doing water sampling

    Dolcy Meness

    Nagadjitodjig Aki (Guardian)

    I work as a Guardian for the environment and cultural teachings of my community, Kitigan Zibi.
  • Brock Fenton headshot

    Brock Fenton (he/him)

    Emeritus Professor

    I study bats around the world.
  • Molly Neave holding tray of produce inside growing unit.

    Molly Neave (she/her)

    Horticulture Research Associate

    I grow and research crops in an indoor, vertical farm.
  • Olivia Ivany headshot outside with trees and green field in background

    Olivia Ivany

    Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

    I perform different kinds of ultrasounds on different parts of the body.
  • Winston Campeau headshot

    Winston Campeau

    Researcher - Evolutionary Processes

    I use computer simulations and math to research how animals' behavior changes when their environment changes.
  • Portrait de Kim TallBear

    Kim TallBear (she/her)

    Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Peoples, Technoscience and Society, Faculty of Native Studies

    I teach university and do research on science and technology from an Indigenous perspective.
  • Mahesh Rachamalla in his lab wearing white lab coat

    Mahesh Rachamalla (he/him)

    Graduate Student (Toxicology)

    My research will help find solutions for protecting aquatic species from the effects of heavy metals.
  • Dr. Molly Shoichet headshot

    Molly Shoichet (she/her)

    Professor and Research Team Lead

    I teach undergraduate students in engineering and I lead a research team in biomedical and chemical engineering.
  • Kaitlin Guitard working on site of an aquaculture setting.

    Kaitlin Guitard

    Water Quality Technician

    I monitor the sea water at salmon farms for harmful plankton and jellyfish.
  • Portrait de Devon Hardy

    Devon Hardy (she/her/elle)

    Program Director

    I run a non-profit program that supports environmental sustainability in the arts.
  • Mike Bryan on walkway over fish tank

    Mike Bryan (he/him)

    Hatchery Technician

    I work at a fish hatchery in the aquaculture industry.
  • Megan Coles headshot with blurred buildings and landscape in the background

    Megan Coles

    Pediatric Nurse

    I care for the inpatients admitted to the medical-surgical units at my local children's hospital.
  • Nicole Redvers headshot

    Nicole Redvers (she/her)

    Associate Professor and Director of Planetary Health

    I carry out Indigenous health research and support Indigenous communities and organizations in their health research needs.
  • Portrait de Gabriel Hould Gosselin

    Gabriel Hould Gosselin

    Research Associate

    I support teams that collect data on the melting permafrost layer in the arctic.