Andrew Thompson
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
My rationale for pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience was driven by my goal to become a professor and deepen our understanding of the brain, particularly the mechanisms underlying neurological and psychiatric diseases. My first taste of research along those lines came during a field course in my first year at the University of Calgary, where I co-designed a crude study that showed that two common pesticides could increase oxidative stress in pond snails. It was the late nights and early mornings of this project that ignited my zeal for research. My enthusiasm translated into four years in Dr. Naweed Syed's lab, where I examined the effects of the anesthetic propofol and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the primary active ingredient in cannabis — on neurodevelopment and synapse formation. By the end of my time in the Syed lab, I was competent in growing neurons, labeling proteins with fluorescent reporters and recording action potentials. However, I was less well-versed in the molecular side of neuroscience, and I also wanted to deepen my ability to plan and execute a research project. Pursuing a graduate degree allows me to address these areas, build stronger connections with fellow neuroscientists and ultimately prepare me for a career in academia.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
My supervisor, Dr. Shernaz Bamji, was the primary reason I decided to study at UBC. The Bamji lab specializes in techniques that I wanted to learn, including transcriptomics, proteomics, confocal and electron microscopy. The lab environment created by Dr. Bamji is friendly and collaborative, which was another major draw. Our lab is also situated in the Life Sciences Institute and is affiliated with the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health with access to cutting-edge instrumentation in the Facility for Synaptic Imaging, NeuroImaging and NeuroComputation Centre, and Bioimaging Facility. Finally, I have family in Vancouver and spent time in Sechelt growing up, so the transition from my hometown to my new home was more manageable.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
The Graduate Program in Neuroscience at UBC attracted me because it offered a close-knit community with professors whose expertise spans several fields, ranging from treating human patients in the clinic to examining protein structure at the atomic level. This diverse environment offers a wealth of knowledge to tap into. Furthermore, there are plenty of opportunities to engage with the neuroscience community outside of my own research, whether that is through attending the weekly Neuroscience Research Colloquium at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH), which features leading experts from around the world; fostering a positive student experience through the Neuroscience Trainee Association or presenting my lab's work at the Neuropizza seminars or annual DMCBH research retreat.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
The biggest surprise I had — maybe it says more about my preconceptions about Vancouver — was how temperate the winters are. Yes, it rains a lot. But it is often light enough of a drizzle that being outside is still pleasant. In fact, I have spent more time outside during rainy winter days in Vancouver than I ever did during sunny, frigid times in Calgary. Also, you don't have to shovel rain, which is a definite plus compared to the rest of Canada.
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
Sharing my work with colleagues at specialized conferences has been the most rewarding aspect of my program so far. Recently, I attended the endMS Conference in Toronto, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. Connecting with researchers and fellow students who are working on similar topics was both inspiring and invigorating. Discussing methodologies and studies with them not only broadened my understanding of the field but also sparked new ideas for experiments that I was eager to pursue upon returning to the lab.
What do you see as your biggest challenge(s) in your future career?
It is no secret that the job market in academia today is incredibly competitive. Thus, securing a faculty position in the future is probably the biggest challenge ahead of me. Beyond that, learning the management approaches necessary for a successful principal investigator (PI) position will be a challenge because it will be quite different from the intense focus on developing experimental skills up until that point in my career.
How do you feel your program is preparing you for those challenges?
I feel that the best preparation I can have for the job market is in publishing as many papers as I can during grad school, and I feel incredibly well-supported in this regard by my supervisor and program. I am also being exposed to a wide range of techniques during my training, which will translate well into future endeavors. Beyond the bench, I am also involved in managing our lab supplies, which gives me insights into the financial aspects involved with running a lab. Together, these supports are preparing me for my future career transitions into a post-doc and the academic job market.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
Previous work experience, both in and outside of a lab, has been the most useful experience prior to starting grad school. Having dealt with team dynamics and managing projects has been extremely useful. Also, learning difficult techniques during my undergraduate studies, such as isolation of single neurons from the snail brain, gave me confidence to attack difficult techniques during grad school, such as the preparation of resin-embedded samples for electron microscopy. Finally, I think the experience of being an undergraduate during the COVID pandemic was paradoxically helpful in that I proved to myself that I could accomplish my goals even when unexpected hurdles appeared.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
Vancouver is blessed with natural beauty and a very active population. Consequently, it is easy to find activities to do and others to do them with. I personally am part of several soccer leagues and also enjoy running on the seawall, cycling around the city and swimming in the ocean or in the UBC Aquatic Centre. These activities help me strike a balance between my academic responsibilities and my personal well-being.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
A successful time in graduate school is based on six relationships. Your first and most important relationship in grad school is that of you to your data. Be intimately aware of its shortcomings and constantly develop plans to address them. Stay informed about how others in your field are answering similar questions, and identify strengths and drawbacks of their approaches compared to yours. Make sure you decide what an experiment will tell you most about the feasibility of the entire project — your go/no-go point — and try to complete it as early as possible in your program. Always have a back-up plan for if experiments do not work out — most don't. The second relationship is that of you to your supervisor. Endeavour to keep them in the loop about your progress and goals. Having at least weekly conversations about your progress can be a good way of making sure you both know what you need and expect from each other. Remember that it is your primary responsibility as a graduate student to generate publications for your supervisor. Your third relationship that will matter in your graduate schooling is that of you to your supervisory committee. Try to select members who are familiar with the state of the field and hold a committee meeting as early as possible in your program. A supportive committee will give you suggestions when you find yourself stuck, or reveal lines of questioning you were blind to. Plan your committee meetings well in advance and send regular reminders once meetings are scheduled — professors are busy people. Fourth, try to learn as much as you can from the technical staff at UBC. They are among the best in the world, yet it can be easy to not interact with them. Taking the time to get to know core and animal technicians is time well spent. Several experiments during my PhD have come from conversations with technical staff. Fifth is your relationship to your program cohort. They are a wealth of collaborative opportunities and of support. They share the unique experience of graduate school and can empathize with its challenges and triumphs. Building strong connections with your peers can lead to lasting professional relationships and friendships. Last but not least are your family and friends. Grad school can be incredibly busy, making it easy to deprioritize quality time with loved ones. Commit to carving out regular time in your calendar for those special people in your life, as they are your strongest supporters and a good reminder of life outside academia.
