Susan Van Zanten
Susan Van Zanten
Biotechnology – Advanced
Class of 2017
Susan Van Zanten graduated in 2017 as valedictorian for the Faculty of Technology and Trades, and went on to work in microbiology with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). But Susan’s Algonquin story begins at a place familiar to many of us: a crossroads.
At first, Susan studied a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology at Carleton. While working on her degree, however, Susan ultimately decided that psychology wasn’t her path. She wanted to look into other options. One day, Susan spoke with a family friend who worked as a laboratory technician and who had taken the Biotechnology program at Algonquin.
This sparked Susan’s interest. The work of a laboratory technician sounded great to her — the only problem was that, in order to take the Biotechnology program, Susan needed a biology credit from high school. So, while finishing her degree at Carleton, she put in the extra work, taking online courses to earn the biology credit so she could study at Algonquin.
Susan enrolled in the Biotechnology – Advanced program, a three-year course of study involving theoretical work and experiments in the lab (recently, a group of Biotechnology students even researched the perfect cup of coffee). She found it was very different from university, but she embraced the change.
During the program, Susan enjoyed the combination of theory and applied, practical work. The mixed approach helped her better understand the material she was learning. She also cites the smaller class sizes as a factor in her success. She got to know her classmates and her professors well, building up networks that she could keep with her for years to come.
After only her first year in the program, Susan secured a student position in a research lab with the CFIA. She continued working in the lab until graduation, where she was honoured as valedictorian of the Faculty of Technology and Trades.
Susan says her favourite part of the Biotechnology program was the applied research project she conducted in her third year. Susan did hers in partnership with the CFIA, and researched the detection of pathogens like E. coli. The project was a great opportunity to develop her career.
After graduation, Susan continued work at the CFIA. Now, she is a microbiology analyst with the Food, Feed and Fertilizer Microbiology section. She tests foods, feeds and fertilizers for foodborne pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria. And she loves it — especially because she can help people. Susan says it’s incredibly rewarding to know that her work is helping to keep Canadians safe.
In her free time, Susan enjoys photography, reading and spending time at her cottage. She also recently attended the Biotechnology program’s annual networking night as an alumna, where she had a great time reconnecting with professors and meeting current students. Networking like that, Susan says, is one of the best things new graduates can do for their careers moving forward.