Kniessl graduated from the BScN program at McMaster University. She’s been working as a staff RN in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at McMaster Children’s Hospital for five years. Kniessl is pursuing a Master’s of Science in Nursing Degree at McMaster University. Her clinical and research interests are in neonatology and nursing preceptorship. She would like to focus on how to provide quality services to the high-risk preterm population and their families, optimize long-term developmental outcomes and promote effective family functioning. Upon completion of her Masters, Kniessl plans on specializing in neonatal nursing through the Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program.