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Sabine Laguë
Research topic
Cardiorespiratory responses to low oxygen at high altitude in bar-headed geese and related waterfowl
Faculty
Home Town
Cranbrook
Country
Canada
Selected Award(s)
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I am inquisitive and love learning. I thrive in environments where I am encouraged to explore potential, envision ways to address a question, and employ a variety of skills to accomplish a task. Graduate school offered me the opportunity to thoroughly explore a research topic about which I was passionate while also honing skills I desired to grow in, be it research, teaching, writing, networking, presenting, or communicating.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
I decided to study at UBC because of the world-class caliber of its comparative physiology group, which has proved invaluable for collaboration and discussion, and my lab's research. Since hearing about the high altitude migration of bar-headed geese as an undergraduate I was fascinated by the topic. My lab was appealing because of its significant contribution to bar-headed goose research, and its local and international collaborators who have since helped make my research project possible.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
The best surprise about graduate life was the way in which I was encouraged to broaden the way I approached and thought about scientific research. Professors and students in my field are open to conversation and collaboration. Consequently, my research has benefited not only from dialogue with UBC colleagues, but also from conducting scientific research with collaborators in Tibet, Peru, and Brazil. These global experiences have significantly shaped the way I think as a scientist.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
UBC and Vancouver have a lot to offer - please take the time to be involved in something on a regular basis that gives you life and isn't related to your thesis! Surround yourself with a supportive community. These things will give you a better work-life balance and help you to enjoy and more fully experience all aspects of your time at UBC.
Learn more about Sabine 's research
One of the most impressive athletic feats on the planet is the migration of bar-headed geese over the Himalayas. Flight is extremely physically demanding, particularly at high altitude due to the reduced partial pressure of oxygen. While the bar-headed goose respiratory system is specialized to facilitate oxygen transport, little is known about their cardiovascular system - a vital component, considering the heart's low oxygen sensitivity. Also, all previous data was collected from domesticated bar-headed geese at sea level, and the contribution of environment to the data remains unknown. My research characterizes the cardiorespiratory response to low oxygen in wild bar-headed geese and related waterfowl (Andean and barnacle geese) and, by comparing across species and altitude, seeks to determine the relative contribution of genetics and environment. These data will inform our understanding of the physiology underlying bar-headed goose migration, and the roles of genetics and environment in cardiovascular low oxygen tolerance.