Reflective Essay

Upon beginning my journey at TRU, I felt disconnected from the reality of academia. This disconnection did not arise from my lack of a concrete goal, becoming a medical doctor, but from a lack of agency. When I first embarked on this academic journey, my understanding of research was limited, shaped by a rigid view of scientific thinking and questioning as facts rather than growing network of knowledge. Research felt distant, difficult, or reserved for experts in their fields. This mindset enabled me to question what I would bring to the table and contribute meaningfully. 

As I encountered peers and mentors, whose passion for their projects was inspiring, they often described projects with enthusiasm. The long crazy hours in the lab doing complex experiments where everything goes wrong. The setbacks that are constantly being thrown at you from left to right making you question your methodology. While their stories poked at my curiosity, they foreshadowed the world of scientific research that I would soon fall in love with. Did I have the knowledge to handle these failures and setbacks? My eagerness to learn, get hands-on experience, and develop my critical thinking drove me to take my first steps into research.  

My first experiences with research were the beginning of a pile of failures that would allow me to grow as a person. As I reached out to my first supervisors after my first year, Drs. Kingsley Donkor and Naowarat Cheeptham, I was quickly declined in light of renovations being done in the building limiting space for researchers. Not allowing this to break my stride, I still reached out to let Dr. Cheeptham know I was interested in volunteering in her lab. Shortly after, I was introduced to fundamental techniques, such as bacterial plating and characterization, by Master’s student Joey Egeland in Dr. Cheeptham’s lab. While I was merely an extra set of hands, the experience was the cementing foundation to my future endeavours.  

Immersing myself in research projects, my way of thinking and analysing began to evolve. One transformative moment was designing 3D models and microbial dispersal chambers during my NSERC USRA with Dr. Eric Bottos. This was my first ever task that required creativity and patience. When this initial method did not yield the results we had anticipated, I was able to view this failure as an opportunity to develop solutions rather than give up. This adaptability became another foundation of my research toolkit that I was beginning to create.  

The understanding of the importance of dissemination of research to the general public also transformed how I communicated and collaborated. It was no longer my parents asking me what I learned in class, but me giving an oral presentation of my findings during a directed studies under Dr. Kingsley Donkor at the Western Canadian Undergraduate Chemistry Conference. This newfound passion of dissemination challenged me to condense complex methodology and results into clear presentations. Whether I was explaining the sodium dynamics of the endothelial glycocalyx to scientists or describing bacterial morphology to Grade 4 students, I developed and continue to develop the effective communication that is crucial in bridging gaps between these “experts” of science and society.  

While developing my technique and hands-on experience, my research has also taken on a greater significance than imagined as the potential to address real-world issues has grown bit by bit. An example of this comes from my Honour’s thesis under Dr. Mark Rakobowchuk where we are developing the current knowledge on the function of the endothelial glycocalyx on sodium dynamics, which directly implicate the advancement of knowledge for cardiovascular diseases. With cardiovascular disease being one of the highest causes of death in the world, my development of knowledge in understanding how dietary sodium and water consumption both influence vascular function will inform strategies and medical interventions to these widespread patients. Understanding this impact has developed my sense of purpose in my work. With a new sense of purpose, no longer just getting into medical school, my commitment to developing knowledge and addressing societal issues is cemented even further.  

The opportunity to make science accessible through outreach initiatives was exciting to me. Therefore, founding the Microbiology Outreach Foundation (MOF) and creating programs like “Bacteria in the Environment” were a no-brainer and have allowed me to share my passion with underserved local, rural, and Indigenous communities. During these sessions, I am able to observe young students exploring microbiology through hands-on activities and see their excitement growing. These observations bring me back to when I was in their shoes and wish that I experienced this transformative power of education and scientific questioning. The experiences through MOF have highlighted the importance of breaking down barriers and fostering curiosity in future generations. To utilize these skills in the research world, I spearheaded the development of the inaugural “Strike the Match” event at TRU. This event enabled for the elucidation of the research was going on at TRU for lower-level students that are unaware. 

Reflecting on the values and knowledge that I have gained from my research journey, I can proudly say that this journey has deeply shaped my future endeavours. These experiences throughout my degree have cemented my desire to pursue a career in a research-intensive field of medicine, the path of the clinician scientist. This career will allow me to continue asking the constantly expansive questions that I have fallen in love with and seeking each concomitant solution. The holistic experience at TRU has been invaluable in addressing the complex problems of research, but also of general issues, enabling me to rely on a multifaced and collaborative approach.  

Research has taught me adaptability and persistence. Some of the many qualities that will extend far beyond the lab. Navigating failures or barriers, refining methodology or approaches, and keeping curiosity in the uncertain will carry me through my future and allow for an everlasting impact on local, provincial, national, and international communities. Ending my reflection on my journey, I am shocked by how much I have developed. Beginning as a near-illiterate, curious individual, the steps into the unknown has blossomed into a deep passion for education and questioning. My undergraduate journey has been transformative in shaping who I am as a scientist and defining the impact I hope to make in the world, but this is only the beginning.