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November
2004
 Job title and General Description
I am a grad student in the UBC Genetics program. I work with
C.elegans (nematodes), which are tiny, transparent
worms. These worms share many genes with humans so by studying
their gene expression patterns during development, we can
apply this information to our understanding of human development.
My work involves using RNA interference to target the knockdown
of specific genes. This approach takes advantage of a peculiar
cellular response to foreign double-stranded RNA whereby endogenous
mRNA complementary to the invading RNA is selectively degraded,
thus eliminating host gene expression of the gene of interest.
In this way we can ‘Knock-Out’ the expression
of specific genes to study which aspects of development are
altered.
In my job I do various tasks such as amplifying specific DNA
sequences and cloning them into vectors within bacteria. The
bacteria begin to express dsRNA from the DNA template and
the worms subsequently eat these bacteria. As a result, the
gene of interest in the worm is effectively ‘knocked-out’.
In this way I can screen large number of genes for their effect
on muscle structure and development. I look after the C.
elegans as they develop and observe them under the microscope
to note their altered characteristics.
What specific skills and qualities are
needed to do your job?
Patience is very important in research. In many cases I must
repeat procedures many times before the complete process of
creating and incorporating the vectors is successful. My job
also requires the ability to think critically in order to
troubleshoot technical issues and to interpret experimental
results correctly.
What do you like most about your work?
I have a lot of freedom in my job. I develop my own plans
for the experiments that I work on. I do consult with my supervisor
and others in my group but I have a lot of independence. My
schedule is quite flexible as well, which is an added bonus.
What don’t you like about your job?
Sometimes research can get quite frustrating. When things
just aren’t going the way you want them to you need
to stay focused and move ahead.
Where do you see your career going from
here?
I will be finished my Masters degree in September 2005. After
that, I am considering doing a PhD. I am interested in getting
into the pharma and biotech industries.
What is the range in salary that comes
with your job?
As a grad student I can make between $16,000 and $19,000.
This includes TA work that we do helping undergrad students.
Sometimes there is extra funding available depending on the
projects that you work on.
When did you know you wanted to work in
sciences?
I did like biology in school. In high school I was also considering
going into economics but science won.
What is your educational background? Degrees?
Specific courses?
I did my BSc in Biology at the University of Toronto and now
I’m finishing up my MSc in Genetics at UBC
What was your favorite course(s) and why?
My favorite course was cell biology. I found it fascinating
to learn how life works.
What other hobbies and interests do you
have?
I play hockey, tennis and golf.
Do you have any advice for young people
thinking about getting into your line of work?
Make sure you know what the rules and guidelines are for the
department that you are doing your degree in. I was caught
in a misunderstanding of requirements and it was a very frustrating
process to get it straightened out.
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