Mangalorean Dorothy Rego Bags Doctorate in Canada

Daijiworld Media Network, Canada

Canada, Jun 19: University of Ottawa has bestowed the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology to Dorothy Rego on June 8, 2008 for her dissertation entitled, “SHP-1 positively regulates LPS induced IL-6 production by bone marrow derived macrophage cultures by regulating Erk1/2 mediated C/EBP pathway”.  She was successfully guided by Dr. Maya Kozlowski, Professor at the department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Canada.

Her early education was from Pompei Higher Primary School and Rosa Mystica High School, Kaikamba.  In 1991, she graduated in science from St. Agnes College, Mangalore, securing distinction and in 1994 she passed with first class in M.Sc Medical Microbiology from Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore.  Soon after post-graduation she worked for a clinical laboratory in Mangalore and then proceeded to pursue her career in research at Christian Medical College & Hospital (CMCH), Vellore in 1995.  The one year curriculum at CMCH served as a valuable input in her development as an active researcher.  She further continued her research work for an ICMR project in Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry till 1998. 

It was a dream come true for Dominic R.J D’Lima who always had a vision of his daughter completing her Ph.D degree which her husband faithfully fulfilled by being a pillar of strength, guiding force, helping and supporting her morally, emotionally and financially.

The young couple came to Canada with a big hope of achieving a degree and settling down. Though the goal has been achieved today, the journey they went through was hazardous.  It was a nightmare when her application for Ph.D was disqualified on eligibility grounds initially.  Having landed in an unknown place in 1998 with no social and monetary support, it was highly disappointing.  This did not deter her from re-submitting her application a year later. In the meantime she prepared and passed her certified microbiologist distance course and upgraded her computer application skills. The young couple’s sportsmanship spirit, long standing positive attitude which they carried along from Mangalore helped them to trust what they believed in and to reapply.

The University revaluated her transcripts and accepted her application for Masters cum Ph.D programme. Her three years Masters degree from KMC could not get a Canadian University equivalency and she still had to undergo her Masters degree again because of the difference in transcripts evaluation system. Fortunately the second time her application was well accepted by the University of Ottawa with an Entrance Award Scholarship bringing new hope to the couple. 

During her doctoral studies she was also awarded the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and University of Ottawa Excellence Scholarship.  In addition the Doctoral project was funded by the Federal Government grants from Health Canada.  Her doctoral work is ready for publication in an American journal, Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Dorothy Rego hails from Gurpur-Kaikamba, Mangalore and she is the eldest of two siblings of the D’Lima family. She is married to Ronald Robert Rego from Madanthyar, Mangalore and they have been blessed with a five year old daughter, Seneca Rowina, and a two year old son, Roysten Vernon. Presently they reside in Toronto, Canada. Before moving to Toronto, the couple was actively involved in organizing social events in Ottawa.

The awarding of Ph.D degree by the University of Ottawa has come as a crowning victory to Dr. Dorothy Rego’s career, which has been marked by a series of academic achievements and accomplishments.

She has been a role model to the upcoming youngsters in particular.  Having been blessed with two kids during her thesis period, getting involved in her husband’s business and the task of accomplishing Ph.D has not been easy.  Inspite of all her hardships she has faced every aspect of her life with a smile and inner strength which has been incredible.  Admiring her courage and resilience shown while working towards achieving her goal she has truly been an inspiration to the society.