I am currently pursuing my MD at the University of Toronto. My PhD experience prepared me to think critically about molecular biology and biochemistry. I feel this gives me a unique perspective when learning about many clinical diseases and my hope is that I can continue applying my graduate training to my clinical work as a practicing physician in the future.

If not for my time in the biochemistry graduate program, I definitely would not have pursued what has been an amazing career path. From my supervisor, who first sparked my interest in medical communications, to the department faculty who always pushed me to be the best I could be scientifically and to my colleagues who nurtured a sense of camaraderie and teamwork integral to my job, the graduate program gave me the skills to succeed in my career. As an added bonus, I met my wife in the program!

My career was undeniably shaped by my time in the biochemistry undergraduate and graduate programs at McMaster. As a graduate student, I was able to excel in this competitive and collaborative environment that places an emphasis on in-lab experience over courses. The world-class instrumentation and focus on hands-on training was critical in my early efforts to publish high impact science, compete for fellowships and to set myself up for later successes in academia. The longer I’m away from McMaster, the more I appreciate how truly exceptional the training environment in the biochemistry program was.

During my degree, I learned important transferable skills, which provided me with a strong foundation to build a successful career outside of academia. The skills that I leverage the most in my career include research, analysis, writing and science communication. I encourage all current and prospective BBS graduate students to develop and build upon their transferable skills throughout their degree and learn how to market your skills to future employers.

I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees in BBS here at McMaster. The undergraduate and graduate courses from the biochemistry program, many of which feature prominent problem-based learning components, provided me with foundational knowledge for my career. As a graduate student, I enjoyed being a part of a department comprised of investigators studying a diverse array of exciting and challenging scientific problems. This environment, combined with working in the Li Lab where Prof. Yingfu Li led projects at the interface of biology, chemistry and engineering, taught me to think outside of the box and use multidisciplinary approaches in my own research program. Completing my doctoral thesis on bacterial two-component systems while being in a community with renowned leaders in infectious disease research in BBS fostered my interest in bacterial adaptation and antibiotic treatment failure, which is what I work on today. Beyond my research, Prof. Li gave me many opportunities to give presentations at domestic and international meetings, network, write grants and mentor students during my graduate training, which helped me develop the “complete package” (as he liked to put it) to succeed in academia. I am applying similar mentorship approaches to prepare the trainees in my lab for the next stages of their careers. My training in the Li Lab and the BBS graduate program instilled in me the knowledge, confidence and resilience needed to lead a lab and pursue a career in scientific research.

Completing my degree within McMaster’s biochemistry program was excellent preparation for a career outside of academia. The program introduced me to world-renowned experts studying leading-edge topics, allowing for incredible exposure to fields such as cancer, infections and immunity and chronic diseases, as well as newly developed technologies and techniques. Attending the graduate-level seminars promoted diverse research topics while also providing an excellent opportunity to learn more about active projects and the people completing them. In my current role, I am challenged to quickly learn new fields, meet leading experts, and interrogate new project applications and review panels. The confidence gained from both knowledge application and interpersonal activities from the biochemistry program continue to be helpful.

I completed my honours BHSc in Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization and my PhD in Biochemistry in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Discovery here at McMaster University. I was encouraged throughout my graduate studies to explore interdisciplinary research topics. With the support of my supervisor, I was able to develop my research abilities as well as my teaching and communication skills. This was not only done through coursework and hands-on training in the lab, but through the multiple extracurricular activities that were offered by the department and University.

These experiences have prepared me for the science communication role I now have. My work focuses on helping patients and family members get more involved with research, while helping researchers connect with patient communities. I could not do this if I had only focused on developing my laboratory skills. The opportunities the department gave me to apply research to real-life problems outside of the lab are what have helped me excel.

I’m now a JD candidate at Berkeley Law and am interested in pursuing a career in patent prosecution. The biochemistry graduate program at McMaster helped me develop strong skills in scientific communication, project management and analytical thinking.