Bob McLean

BSc '78, PhD '88

Read Bob's Bio

Alumni Week Q&A

What is your fondest memory from U of G?

The fondest memories that I have from Guelph are the amazing friends that I met during my four years as well as the support that I received from many professors. During my first three years at Guelph, I lived in residence – Lambton Hall my first year and Dundas Hall (East Residence) during my second and third years. Many of the people I met in residence became some of my closest friends and I keep in touch with several to this day.

What values did U of G instill in you that you carry to this day?

The biggest thing that I recall was how the U of G faculty seemed to really care about the students. I have tried to pay this forward with my own students and other individuals whom I have the privilege to interact with.

What is one piece of advice you want to give to current and future U of G students?

The world and opportunities can be amazing, however, there will be setbacks throughout ones life journey that can be discouraging. In some cases, a setback in one thing may lead to an unforeseen opportunity in another area. Using my own life experience as an example, I was fired from one position (production foreman in a food factory), as I was not suited to the task. Aside from a short period of self-pity (which thankfully I got through with help from 1-2 good friends and my family), I realized that the one thing that I had really enjoyed doing (based on a summer job in an Agriculture Canada research lab between my 3rd and 4th year) was microbiology research and so I returned to graduate school and eventually led to me becoming a university professor. Now being able to do some fascinating work with students, including sending microbiology experiments into space, is a lot more satisfying than my first career choice.

A key message to students – please realize that setbacks will happen. However, use them as a learning occasion, and they may lead you to an unexpected opportunity.

What are you most excited about for the CBS 50th anniversary/Alumni Week? 

I am really thrilled by the growth and increasing international reputation that the College of Biological Sciences at Guelph has developed over its 50 years. This has a tremendous benefit to current students as well as alumni, in that a degree from Guelph really means something on the global stage.