After graduating from McMaster with an Honours BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetic, Carlene spent time in the world of research before realizing their true passion lay in clinical animal care. As a veterinary assistant, they now merge a deep fascination with biological systems with a hands-on approach to patient health, and a goal of helping pet owners understand the science behind their pets' wellbeing.

When they aren't at QWAH, Carlene is a dedicated cat parent to Michael Burnham and James T. Kirk. In the spirit of becoming a modern polymath, they spend their free-time rotating though an ever-growing list of hobbies (ranging from birding, to digital art, to needlework, to baking!), as always, driven by a lifelong love for learning and discovery.