Sarah Hanstock
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
During my BSc (Honours Physiology), I became intrigued with the field of integrative physiology. In medicine, we see a long-standing division of the human body into distinct systems, which narrows perspectives for subsequent research projects. Integrative physiology instead uses a different approach to understanding the human body by encouraging an interdisciplinary approach to examine relationships between body systems. Consequently, I became interested in the gut microbiome and its great potential to be manipulated to promote health. Participating in a graduate degree program was a perfect opportunity to explore these research interests and to develop the skills to be able to address a wide variety of research questions. I also wanted to pursue a graduate degree to explore which career opportunities will best suit my personal and research goals after graduation.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
After completing my BSc (Honours Physiology) degree in Edmonton at the University of Alberta, I knew that I wanted to expand my opportunities by pursuing a graduate degree at a different institution. Not only did the University of British Columbia attract me with a selection of excellent research programs and supervisors, but also with the natural beauty in and around Vancouver.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
Experimental Medicine is an excellent program as it allows students to pursue a breadth of research topics in medicine without limiting their scope. A strength of this program is that your peers are involved in diverse study interests, allowing you to connect and gain new research perspectives from individuals with different points of view. Some of my peers from the Experimental Medicine program are pursuing graduate degrees in areas such as immunology or neuroscience, all of whom have brought their unique perspectives to my research project. I have applied this interdisciplinary approach to many questions during my project. Reaching outside your own field for answers is often more fruitful, in my experience. I am very fortunate to be carrying out my research in The Stone Centre led by Dr. Dirk Lange and Dr. Ben Chew. In our translational research facility, we can closely collaborate with urologists at the Vancouver General Hospital to hone our research questions and aims to bring a direct future benefit to clinical populations. In The Stone Centre, I can participate in clinical research, animal research and basic science research, allowing me to consider how my research questions and goals can be applied to a clinical setting. There is often a disconnect between basic science and clinical practice in medicine, and in my opinion, this is both inefficient and uninspiring, so I am very grateful to be a part of a research institute where I feel both inspired and gratified by my research project.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
While I have immensely enjoyed my time spent in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, the proximity of Vancouver to the mountains is incredible. As an avid cross-country skier, here we are situated to an abundance of both nordic and downhill skiing, hiking, rock climbing, running and numerous post-run swimming spots. As a prairie girl, you can almost never get over the fact that you live walking distance from the ocean, and it always feels like you are on a mini-vacation when you go there.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
In my undergraduate degree I had the opportunity to get involved in a variety of medical research labs. It was in an honours thesis project in my undergraduate physiology degree where I developed a keen interest in the gut microbiome. I think the most important thing to bring to a graduate degree project is a passion for what you are doing; this will help all the other pieces to fall into place.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Do not close yourself off to new opportunities, whether that be within or outside of academia. During your degree it might serve you well to move out of your comfort zone by participating in activities beyond your project. If you are offered a chance to help with another student’s research project, don’t say no, and instead use it as an opportunity to learn a new skill and form a new collaboration or friendship. A graduate degree is an opportunity to grow, to be mentored, and to be a mentor. You are going to learn much from those around you, more than on your own. It is here where you can make big strides with your project and develop a deeper understanding and passion for research. Discover the immense value of collaboration. Cultivate a good balance of unfocused exploration into other topics adjacent to yours, and then bring that back to provide fresh eyes to your own project. Participating in graduate school is a choice, and if you start to view your project as a chore, with little enthusiasm, then you are going to have a much more challenging time of it. It is also so important to enjoy other activities and interests that are not academic in nature. It may be difficult to meet people in a big city like Vancouver, so participate in other activities to make that happen. Join a sports team, enroll in an art class or take on a part-time job to both meet people and also to turn your brain off from school for a while. Remember that not everything needs to be a line on your resume.