Trainee Profile: Gracious Kasheke

Gracious Kasheke, a PhD trainee, is a part of Dr. George Robertson’s lab studying pharmaceuticals that have potential to become treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS).

“Basically, we’re trying to develop drugs that minimize the relapses related to the disease,” Gracious said. “We are researching drugs that aim to slow down the progression of the disease, or to repair the damage that has occured, and these are called prorepair qualities.”

“I knew I wanted to study neuroscience from the get-go.” Gracious had been interested in studying neuroscience since high school, so he sees the value in events like Brain Awareness Week and the Brain Bee, where the emphasis on community outreach encourages young students to consider neuroscience as a career.

During his undergraduate studies in neuroscience at Dalhousie, Gracious familiarized himself in Dr. Robertson’s lab by working and volunteering in his lab.

“I love being around people and I love problem-solving,” Gracious said. Ultimately, he can see himself teaching, joining industry, staying in academia or in any field where the work is always moving forward, knowing that careers in neuroscience have a lot to offer.

Gracious keeps busy through athletics, being a part of Dalhousie’s soccer team and works with Surge Innovation as a program intern, where opportunities are brought to STEM students in scientific innovation, entrepreneurship and introducing them to industry possibilities. On top of studies, sports and internships, Gracious has volunteered with non-profit organizations dedicated to providing food and supplies to those experiencing homelessness.