Leila Krichel (she/her), Krkosek Lab

What do you study? I study the impacts of climate change on disease systems. I explore the effects of temperature variability on disease risk using mathematical models, and then test my results in the lab with Daphnia and their parasites. 

What does this mean you do day to day? I spend most of my time coding models in R on my computer in my room (or before the pandemic, in a coffee shop). Sometimes you can also find me spending long hours in the lab dissecting Daphnia under a microscope. 

When you aren’t working in coffee shops, how do you spend your time? I love to play soccer and currently train with a couple of teams in Toronto. I also enjoy watching baseball and sketching trees in Toronto parks, usually with pencil or pen, as well as drawing landscapes, with inspiration from Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. On rainy days, you can find me reading Sandra Cisneros’ poetry; on sunny days, listening to Conan O’Brien’s podcast. 

Why did you take on this committee work? I have been a member of the department’s Mental Health Committee for two years. I initially got started as a volunteer because of my own mental health struggles in grad school, and the desire to help myself and others navigate these issues. What led me to continue working on this committee was its commitment toward community building in our department. Through connection, peer support, and education, my hope is these initiatives sow a sense of mental and physical wellbeing that improves the academic experiences of graduate students and postdocs in our department.  

How would I find you if I need to? You can reach me through email (leila.krichel@mail.utoronto.ca). I’m not normally in my office, but live very close to campus if you’d like to meet up for a chat!