A desire to understand the mechanics of life
“Ever since I was little, I was drawn to the animal kingdom and how different species evolve and interact with each other,” says Mélodie Bellefleur.
Over time, this fascination with biology turned into a real interest in human physiology.
The turning point for Bellefleur was in her teen years, when she took lifeguard training.
“My curious mind pivoted to human physiology, and from that point, I wanted to understand the rationale behind first aid procedures,” she says.
Having grown up in a rural community east of Ottawa, Bellefleur also wanted to get her university education in French.
“My mom studied history and teaching at uOttawa, and she’s always described it as a great time in her life. I was interested in having that same university experience and getting the option to study in French.”
Her desire to understand the mechanics of life naturally led her to biomedical science at uOttawa.
Soon, she had a career-defining academic experience: “Early on in my university journey, I was inspired by my anatomy and physiology professor, Michel Désilets. His passion for his field fuelled mine, and I’d never felt a stronger sense of belonging.”
So Bellefleur decided to explore the opportunities translational and molecular medicine had to offer.
Supporting women’s health through cardiovascular health research
This was how she came to join the Energy Substrate Metabolism Research Laboratory, led by Professor Erin Mulvihill at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
It was a crucial experience, says Bellefleur: “This placement allowed me to gain important research skills, contribute to a scientific paper and take part in a number of events at the heart institute as well as some academic conferences.”
“Research success for students is highly dependent on having intellectual curiosity and strong preparation,” says Mulvihill. “Mélodie has demonstrated this range and generated a strong set of results in the lab. She really has independently taken advantage of the opportunities provided by MMT program and has a high trajectory for success.”
Bellefleur’s honours research project focused on one specific issue: the effect of sleep disorders on cardiovascular health during menopause. In tackling this topic, she critically examined the current limits of the scientific literature.
“Since women’s health has long been under-represented in scientific studies, medical guidelines on menopause are still limited,” says Bellefleur. “That’s why I was so motivated by this project.”
“Since women’s health has long been under-represented in scientific studies, medical guidelines on menopause are still limited. That’s why I was so motivated by this project.”
Mélodie Bellefleur
And her bachelor’s was just the beginning of this exploration. She’ll be continuing her research in the fall as part of a master’s in biochemistry, “in hopes that what we discover will provide a better understanding of the metabolic processes that occur during menopause.”
Always exploring
Looking back, Bellefleur describes her journey as tough but highly formative: “All in all, I’m proud of what I’ve done because, despite the challenges, I always put a lot of heart into my education.”
Her commitment has also been rewarded with academic honours, including the Undergraduate Student Research Award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, which allowed her to keep up her research work.
Outside the lab, Bellefleur is building a relationship with the world around her that will also fuel her scientific curiosity.
“I’m always looking for opportunities to travel and explore the world with my family and friends,” she says. “I especially love hiking in different countries to see how the natural environment changes from one place to another.”
Bellefleur started her journey as a child driven by curiosity, and she’s staying true to that approach today: “I think it’s important to follow your curiosity in your studies and your experiences to find out what you’re passionate about and keep growing, both intellectually and personally.”
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