LMP Class of 2024: students share advice for grad school

I always knew I wanted to go into the field of reproductive health. As a Muslim woman, we ask for female health care professionals, but culture has also stopped these same women from getting an education and filling these roles. I wanted to be the first in my family to bridge that gap and what better way than to help women that are struggling to conceive naturally? Getting to where I am now had its fair share of struggles. I am the first member of my family to complete a masters and gain a higher education. Even before my acceptance, I had to convince my parents to let me move out from my family home and go to another city to pursue this Masters (another first in my family). Looking back now, I’m sure no one can deny my personal, professional, and academic growth.

Outside of embryology itself, this program has helped me grow as a person. I’ve become more compassionate and conscious of struggles. Working in reproductive medicine involves supporting individuals and couples through emotionally challenging times, fostering a deep sense of empathy and compassion. By completing this program, I hope to embody all the lessons that were taught to me and provide the best care possible as a Clinical Embryologist. 

Now that I have graduated, I am looking forward to starting my career as a clinical embryologist! I’m excited to start helping people get the babies they’ve always wanted. I’m also passionate about continuing research in reproductive medicine, a dynamic and evolving field. I aspire to contribute to developing new therapies for women facing challenges with fertility, making a meaningful impact on their lives.

My advice for starting out in grad school: As someone who started grad school without prior research experience, your passion for whatever you’re applying for is invaluable. Let it lead you. Embrace your enthusiasm, be open to learning, and build relationships with professors and peers. Get involved in research projects to gain hands-on experience, seek feedback to improve, stay curious about advancements in the field, and let your dedication guide you through this exciting journey.
 

Vision loss profoundly impacts individuals’ quality of life, undermining their independence and overall well-being. Unfortunately, many blinding diseases are irreversible, and there are limited treatment options available. Recognizing this urgent need, I am driven to contribute, even in a small way, to the understanding of these debilitating conditions.

Therefore, I joined the lab of Dr. Carol Schuurmans and Dr. Isabelle Aubert in LMP for my PhD. I chose LMP specifically as it offers a unique and cutting-edge research experience that stands out as an opportunity to drive meaningful change. With its diverse disciplines, spanning from neuroscience to genetics and cancer, the program fosters collaboration among experts, paving the way for innovative solutions. By engaging with leading researchers across various fields, we can enhance our understanding of blinding diseases and work toward developing transformative therapies. For me, it was a chance to make a tangible impact in the lives of millions affected by vision loss, and I am still eager to continue on this path. 

The journey of learning is boundless, and the experiences I've gained will profoundly shape my career for years to come. Through my research, I've witnessed firsthand that there is a powerful potential for change in current practices, and I've come to understand how advancing science can significantly improve people's lives. 

In my work focused on the retina, we uncovered metabolic clues that govern retinal development and degeneration. This discovery opens exciting avenues for innovation and paves the way for the development of novel therapies that could transform treatment options. By continuing to explore and harness this knowledge, we can contribute to breakthroughs that not only enhance our understanding but ultimately lead to better health outcomes for individuals around the world.

Next, I am returning to medical training through the Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Toronto which presents an exciting opportunity for me to seamlessly blend the research experience I gained during my PhD with direct patient care.

My advice for starting out in grad school: Graduate school is not just an academic pursuit - it's an exhilarating opportunity to push the boundaries of current knowledge and contribute meaningfully to the fields of science and medicine. As you embark on this transformative journey, embrace it with an open mind, ready to explore the vast landscape of ideas and discoveries.

Every day will be a chance to learn something new and to encounter perspectives that challenge and inspire you. Dive into every experience, seek out diverse avenues of inquiry, and allow yourself to be surprised by the growth and development that will unfold. The skills, insights, and connections you gain during this time will be invaluable as you carve your path forward. This is more than just a step toward a degree; it's a chance to become part of a vibrant community dedicated to making a difference. Embrace it fully - you won’t regret it!

I was always interested in human pathology and the complexities of disease and neoplasms. I also completed my undergraduate degree in the LMP specialist program and was introduced to the Pathologists' Assistant field during that time. The combination of complex hands-on dissection and an interest in anatomy and disease solidified my decision to pursue this career path!

The most important thing I experienced during this program was the wealth of complex specimens I had the opportunity to gross throughout the various hospital rotations, learning both hands-on skill and also the theoretical knowledge required to confront the most intricate details of disease and diagnosis. Additionally, as part of the Capstone research course, I worked on a research project, developing a new placenta grossing technique. I had the opportunity to present this research at the Canadian Association of Pathologists' Annual Scientific Meeting and also won the Donald W. Penner Award. This experience emphasized the importance of grossing in pathology and also deepened my dedication, passion, and intellectual curiosity for both research and this field.

I have already started working as a full time Pathologists' Assistant at SickKids Hospital, to find answers that patients and families need, and to be part of a field that, although often operates behind the scenes, is vital to every patient’s journey. I am also continuing my research and preparing to publish it. As I continue in my career, I also want to help teach the new incoming PA students and show them the intricacies and joys of being a Pathologists' Assistant!

My advice for starting out in grad school: Take advantage of the time that you are a student! Ask any and all questions you have, even if you think it's not a "good" question.  Go into every opportunity with an open mind and ask for feedback. Your mentors and teachers are there because they want to help you succeed!

My undergraduate degree was in Translational and Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa, where our learning of human diseases was centered on finding ways to have the most impact on people – whether by researching therapeutics for diseases or finding ways to communicate the science in an understandable manner.

This approach to the role of the researcher to become more involved and engaged in the public sector in translating the research resonated with me. I was excited to find a Masters Program to further capacitate my understanding of how to become a translational research – bridging between the academic and public sectors. 

The TRP showed me the most effective approach to choosing a research problem to work on, as there was no shortage of health challenges. I also learned how researchers can further their results beyond just understanding the problem through research. The TRP developed the Toronto Translational Thinking Framework (TTF) which incorporates elements from design thinking and the business sector and research to help with exactly that – how to translate and move those results into interventions. I was also exposed to all the different ways researchers can have a role in translation – from basic sciences to population-level and policy work to achieve true benefit to society. 

I have been working since the beginning of my Masters in the environmental health sector. Moving forward, I will be taking the translational tools with me to continue my advocacy and work to make research more meaningful again for healthier and safer communities.

My advice for starting out in grad school: I would recommend reflecting on your learnings often and connecting them to real-world problems. There are many intersecting challenges impacting people’s health, and with your learning, see how you can help contribute to solving problems – it’s never too early to start. I also highly recommend taking your learning and assignments beyond the classrooms. Find who can take your work further through networking. People are looking for solutions and if you have spent time researching the literature, or have talked to people or developed a prototype – show it off to those in seats who can benefit from your insights. 

I chose a MSc in LMP because I wanted to engage in meaningful research projects, develop skills in unique research methods, establish diverse international connections, and enhance my professional development. 

The most important thing I learned in my program was that each failed experiment became a stepping stone, reinforcing the idea that success is built on the foundation of adaptability and a strong research support network.

Now that I’ve completed my MSc, I’m looking forward to starting a new role as a clinical research associate.

My advice for starting out in grad school: Surround yourself with exceptional mentors - those who believe in you and are fiercely committed to your success. Their guidance can ignite your potential and shape your future in ways you never imagined.