Parleen Mand

Second-year biology student, Parleen Mand, is studying at Langara to pursue a career in physiotherapy. Through the Student Work Assistance Program (SWAP), Mand heard about the Applied Research Centre (ARC) and wanted to gain experience working inside a research lab.

Through her work with ARC, Mand has enhanced her academic opportunities and hands-on skills, and is now considering a career in analytical chemistry. Alongside studying organic chemistry, Mand’s work with ARC has offered her a first-hand understanding of how lab-based instruments and the scientific method create the link between biology and chemistry.

Mand sees ARC providing fantastic opportunities for Langara’s community partners to collaborate with the College and to engage students in meaningful work. With her research experience in cannabis, Mand sees the potential for crossing over to work in the pharmaceutical industry. Mand’s current project offers customers a chance to find cannabis products that match their needs, providing knowledge of their potency. Mand says, “There is a need to understand the effects of any substance before actually putting it into your body.”