Serena Formenti
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I feel incredibly privileged to have time during my young adult years to pursue higher education. Despite research being hard at times, I am motivated by being immersed in resources meant to make me a better person and a better member of society. A graduate degree was always appealing to me as it would provide extended learning resources, collaborators in my field, and independence to pursue the science that excited me and the funds to do so. I catered my undergraduate studies with this in mind to ensure I could maximize the time I was investing into yet another four (or more) years of education at a large institution by joining a world-renowned geochemistry laboratory.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
UBC hosts the Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR), directed by my current research supervisor, Dr. Dominique Weis. The PCIGR supports users from academia, government, industry and non-profit organizations, across Canada and internationally, with a dedicated team of research associates, not limited to the field of geology. The facilities and collaborative efforts available through the PCIGR were unmatched anywhere in Canada. Here, I am provided with the best possible combination of tools to help me thrive as a learner and to "do science". Additionally, I was attracted to the strong, female-led team of scientists and was made to feel very well supported by my research supervisor.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
As the top ranked university in Canada for Earth sciences, I was attracted to the range of resources and course options in my field at UBC. I am not reliant on only one person (my supervisor) for assistance with my research. My classmates, office mates, courses and neighboring research associates provide a canvas for sharing ideas and thoughtfully working through questions and problems, big and small.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
Academically, I was pleased to join a large department and to be able to discuss research with a wide range of specialists. The size of UBC initially intimidated me, coming from an undergraduate program of only 60 students. However, I thrive in the diverse student community, especially as I employ increasingly numerous tools to attack my research goals. More personally, there is nothing better than mountains and ocean in one place! I swim in the ocean almost daily in the summer and rarely spend more than a few days out of the mountains.
What do you see as your biggest challenge(s) in your future career?
The most challenging aspect of designing my future career is keeping up with and adapting to the unprecedented global challenges we are facing. I am intimated by the changes we have faced in my lifetime to date, and I am struggling to cater my education to ensure I am prepared to enter industry as a well-rounded individual, ready to tackle ever-evolving global issues.
How do you feel your program is preparing you for those challenges?
Aside from tackling my individual research questions, my goal throughout my education is to collect as many skills as I can to be a competitive and adaptable researcher. These skills include critical thinking, problem solving, collaborating, writing, reading and communicating, to name a few. The abundant resources at UBC combined with my research team at the PCIGR make this goal possible.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
My undergraduate degree was also research-based (Integrated Science at McMaster University). I was fortunate enough to have had independent research experience prior to attending UBC, by completing a degree catered to the pursuit of graduate studies. Additionally, I had excellent mentors at McMaster that encouraged me to publish my research, allowing me to lead a science project from start to finish, giving me early experience with academic publishing processes.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I am an avid cyclist — rain or shine! Cycling to and from UBC everyday is how I enter and exit my work environment with a clear head.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Chose the game you are playing and stick to it. You will have different goals than your peers and professors. Catering your education and associated CV to your goals (e.g., research versus industry) is paramount to success in your next steps. Consider senior students or professionals in a role you want to pursue and ask yourself what you need to add to your CV during the time you have as a student to prepare yourself for this position. With this in mind, completing your goals is not possible if you are not happy with your research set-up. Prioritize creating an environment where you can thrive by having a good relationship with your supervisor and by considering external factors that are meaningful to you (e.g., location, family, finances).
