Jonas Olsen
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
Pursuing a graduate degree felt like the natural option to continue exploring my passion for science. Science is something I have always been fascinated by, and I became particularly enamored with medicinal chemistry during my undergraduate degree. Having had some research experience during that time, I knew I enjoyed the day-to-day of working in a wet lab, as well as the process of designing and executing experiments. Graduate school is a great opportunity to truly engage with the process of scientific research.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
UBC's research program has a terrific reputation, so it was automatically on my radar when I was considering graduate studies. Upon looking further into potential supervisors, I found Brent Page, who's area of research in medicinal chemistry was exactly what I was hoping to immerse myself in. Beyond that, UBC is a terrific campus with lots of resources and opportunities for postgraduate researchers, and Vancouver in general is a beautiful and fun city to live in.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
I was initially interested in doing a PhD in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences so I could work in the Page Lab, as I was particularly interested in the groups research. However, upon joining the faculty, I discovered that the research performed covers a wide variety of research disciplines under the pharmaceutical sciences umbrella, with most groups having their own distinct expertise. This allowed me to gain exposure to diverse areas of research and gives me the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experts in scientific disciplines tangential to my own field. Overall, this encourages a cooperative and synergistic atmosphere in the faculty that I have really come to enjoy.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
The best surprise for me was how friendly and social the people in my faculty are. This made integrating into a new city and university a really pleasant experience and has allowed me to make many new life-long friendships! Also, the nature in and around Vancouver is as beautiful and incredible as people say it is; I have spent a lot of time exploring it!
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
The aspect of graduate school I enjoy the most is the self-motivated nature of the work. While there are expectations and requirements to fulfill in the degree program, graduate school affords you a certain autonomy in you work that I really enjoy. I control my schedule and decide how I want to execute my work, as well as contributing significantly to the planning of the project. I find this type of work environment very productive and beneficial for me; it's something that I really value from this experience.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
I think working in a research lab during my undergraduate degree was the best thing to give me a feel for what graduate school would be like. I got to understand the general workflow of benchwork, which is not something everyone enjoys. This was really helpful for me to understand before committing to a several-year degree program and gave me a smoother start when I started doing my lab work. It also gave me experience working in a particular field of science, which ended up being the field I am pursuing in my PhD. For anyone thinking about pursuing graduate school, I would highly recommend trying to get research experience beforehand!
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I really enjoy getting outside and taking advantage of all the wonderful nature Vancouver and BC has to offer. The hiking in the area is truly incredible; there are kilometres of beaches in the city alone, and there are so many great outdoor activities to pursue year-round! I also enjoy the intramural sports UBC offers and generally just hanging out with friends.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
My advice to new grad students would be to get involved and talk to people! It is very easy to get completely engrossed in your work and exist in a bubble, but it is well worth it to make friends with the people you will be studying with for years and form a strong social circle. I really think that can make all the difference in how much you enjoy what can be a significant and fulfilling chapter in your life.
