Narsis Daftarian
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
As a medical doctor and ophthalmologist, I always wanted to provide better care to patients based on evidence-based medicine. Through my medical practice, I understood the great impact of well-designed and true science-based research on the well-being of people, both at the individual and population levels. Therefore, I decided to pursue my goal of being a professional researcher by studying clinical and population-based research in the experimental medicine program at the prestigious University of British Columbia.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
The experimental medicine program at UBC provides a uniquely wide spectrum range of study for graduate students like medical doctors who want to become professionally trained in clinical, population-based as well as basic science research. This program also offers a long list of diverse courses with the most up-to-date materials provided by highly knowledgeable professors in a vibrant and pleasant atmosphere.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
The experimental medicine program is about training professional researchers in the field of medicine and it is what I was always looking for.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
Weather and beautiful nature are the best parts of living in BC. Besides, diversity in cultures, kind people and of course variability in tastes are among the best surprises about living in Vancouver.
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
I think I enjoy every aspect of my graduate program, however, focusing on retinal dystrophic diseases is part of my greatest curiosity which might be the area of my future research.
What do you see as your biggest challenge(s) in your future career?
For an internationally trained ophthalmologist and retinal sub-specialist, who has become a Canadian permanent resident, being able to pursue a clinical practice alongside working as a researcher might be the biggest challenge.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
Before being a graduate student at UBC, I have been practicing as a retina specialist as well as a faculty of ophthalmology at SBMU University in Tehran/Iran. During that time I was visiting patients with retinal dystrophic diseases (RDS) at a tertiary referral clinic and was engaged in establishing a registry for RDS patients.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I enjoy running and cycling along the seaside, swimming in summer, alpine skiing in winter as well as hiking. Also, I like spending my leisure time visiting family and friends, reading biography books, searching for astronomy news as well as watching science fiction movies.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Since experimental medicine is a research-based program, the piece of advice I think might be helpful is to choose a field of research during your graduate study, that will help you build your future area of research and carrier.
Q54. Outside of your academic work, what are the ways that you engage with your local or global community? Are there projects in particular that you are proud of?
Having participated in the establishment of the registry and visiting people suffering from retinal dystrophic diseases and low vision or blindness, I am proud of being part of their local and global communities and having an opportunity to understand their life challenges and needs for any future knowledge translational based solutions.
