I would never have known my interest (...) without getting experience from different labs and learning what I enjoy doing the most

I believe there is something all people can learn from research because research is more than just collecting data!

Naomi Geller is a fourth-year student in the Psychology, Neuroscience and Behavior program at Mcmaster University. She was drawn to research in psychology due to her IntroPsych course where she occasionally reviewed scientific literature and experiments. This sparked her interest in psychology, and her eventual journey in research.

Her journey in research began when she decided to do an independent study course (3QQ3) in the Baby Lab under the supervision of Dr. Xiao in her third year. During this time, she worked closely with a PhD student who taught her the foundation of all things research; such as coding, eye tracking, and participant-experimenter relations. Through this experience, she learned that she was passionate about exploring how emotional interactions guide visual and auditory preferences in infants, and hence in fourth year she continued in the Baby Lab to do her thesis.

While Naomi experienced some challenges in trying to cold email professors, she expressed the importance to continue persevering and being confident in the emails she sent to researchers. Through her determination, she did in fact find a lab that aligned with her interests.

Through her research experience, Naomi has acquired numerous skills such as practical research skills as well as interpersonal and leadership skills. She has learned how to code research, use eye tracking and standardize audio files, as well as how to lead a team and create professional participant-researcher relationships. In addition to skills, her current thesis research on auditory processing, has inspired her to pursue a career in speech – language pathology.

Advice:

“I would first like to say congratulations on realizing you would like to do research! Go to the website of the department you intend to work with and search for faculty members’ research interests and email as many as you want. One conversation with a knowledgeable person in your field may take you a long way!”

I wanted to walk away from my undergraduate degree feeling as though I developed my skills and knowledge

Abigail Amos is a fourth year student in the Environment and Society program at McMaster University. She drawn to McMaster by the university’s emphasis on research and the opportunity to learn from leading professionals in their fields. The interaction between people and space has been a prominent focus throughout her undergraduate career, including various topics relating to the construction of society.

Her current research projects are all based on human geography. Abigail’s undergraduate thesis is under the supervision of Dr. Rob Wilton, focusing on the geography of non-human healthcare in Toronto. She also completed an independent study under the supervision of Dr. Bruce Newbold, exploring barriers to healthcare access for refugees in Canada. Additionally, her second independent study is being supervised by Dr. Melanie Bedore on the structure of food charity in the USA.

Abigail knew for years that she wanted to complete a thesis, following the resources and information shared by Dr. Michael Mercier in SEES. While she experienced some challenges in the logistical aspects of securing a project, she expressed the importance of continuing to search for a project that she could apply her skillset to, and ultimately was successful in securing a research project that best fit her needs.

Through her research experience, she has acquired numerous skills in quantitative and qualitative skills, as well as writing and phone interviewing skills, all contributing to effective communication and data consolidation. Abigail has accepted an offer to stay at McMaster to complete a Master of Arts in Geography and is considering pursuing a Ph.D. or working in municipal community planning to make effective improvements. She credits her supervisors for shaping her confidence in her abilities and improving her skills through their support.

Advice:

“The biggest advice I would have is to put yourself out there and walk into every room with your head high. You’re selected for opportunities because you were the best candidate. For those still looking for research opportunities, the right fit will come, so just have faith in yourself. We put an extreme amount of pressure on ourselves as students and researchers, and it’s important to treat ourselves with kindness. Meet yourself where you are, celebrate the small wins, and be kind about any missteps.”

When I spoke to researchers who exuded such passion from their talks (...) I had no choice but to take part in research myself

Sufyan Rather is a fourth-year Honours Life Sciences student at a prestigious university. His current research is focused on infectious diseases, specifically fungal epidemiology. Driven by a strong interest in research, Sufyan was drawn to the field of infectious diseases due to its unique challenges and the opportunity to make a significant impact on society.

In the beginning, Sufyan faced challenges when searching for research positions, but his unwavering passion for learning and his ability to critically evaluate sources of bias ultimately led him to find the right supervisor and project. He has acquired a variety of valuable skills through his research experience, such as reading efficiency and the ability to critically evaluate sources of bias. Working with his supervisor has also influenced his future goals, as he now aspires to pursue a career that encompasses topic diversity and makes a significant impact on society.

Sufyan’s work in infectious diseases is particularly relevant in the current global pandemic, as he investigates the surge of fungal infections in COVID patients in Southeast Asia. His research is contributing to a better understanding of this issue and will likely have a significant impact on the medical field. Sufyan is a passionate and dedicated student who has the potential to make a significant contribution to society through his research.

Advice:

“Discover your passion and pursue it without any expectations. Your fundamental interest in a topic will help you when things fall apart. When you approach a supervisor with this mindset, you will always have plenty to talk about and naturally gain the necessary skills for your field.”

I would like to break the stereotype of the typical scientist

Jasmin Dhanoa is a Level IV Honours Life Sciences student in the Faculty of Science at McMaster University. Her research area is in science communication, and she is supervised by Dr. Katie Moisse. Jasmin’s thesis project investigates gender and racial bias in the representation of COVID-19 scientific experts in the media. She compares the race and gender of researchers from the top ten research-intensive universities in Canada, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, and compares these figures to the researchers mentioned in the top media outlets in these countries. Through her project, Jasmin hopes to break the stereotype of the typical scientist and highlight the importance of proper representation of scientists in the field and in the media.

Through her research experience, Jasmin has gained communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. She has also become more interested in research and is considering graduate school to pursue science communication and pedagogical research.

Advice:

Jasmin’s advice to science students searching for research positions is to keep trying and be resilient, and to start searching for research positions a year in advance.

“During the research position, I would encourage students to be curious, explore their interests, and don’t be afraid of changes to the research. As students we often think that the research question we start out with will remain the same throughout the research process, but research questions change, new variables are explored, and this all adds to the learning experience!”

I overcame (...) obstacles by staying true to my passions and expressing my interests

Jonathan Nichilo is a Level IV Honours Life Sciences student at McMaster University, currently studying for his Bachelor of Science with a minor in Biochemistry and a concurrent certificate of immunology, microbiology, and virology. Jonathan’s research is in the field of allergy and clinical immunology under the supervision of Dr. Jason Ohayon and Dr. Gail Gauvreau. His personal experiences with food allergy motivated his interests in allergy research.

Jonathan’s research focuses on IgE-mediated allergic reactions, especially in food allergy and asthma. In his clinical research position, he aims to understand food allergy knowledge and awareness in food allergic individuals and their caregivers. In his thesis position, Jonathan investigates the reproducibility of asthmatic endpoints between two allergen challenges to determine if methodologies within the lab are reproducible and can be used to establish the efficacy of a candidate asthma drug. Jonathan’s research experience has strengthened his critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. His research has also reinforced his passion to become a physician or work in the clinical atmosphere.

Advice:

“My advice for science students seeking research positions: explore new areas, but pursue passions if strong; professors/supervisors aren’t intimidating and love to talk about research; be curious and ask questions in the lab.”

I had a chance to see science in a different way, a way that felt more relatable, engaging, and active

Omar Shahid is a fourth-year Honours Life Sciences student at McMaster University, specializing in Science Communication. He is working with Dr. Katie Moisse in the School of Interdisciplinary Science to investigate open-access science research and its accessibility to lay audiences. Specifically, he is exploring the quality of lay summaries and how it influences reader comprehension and perceptions towards science.

Omar’s interest in research was sparked during the COVID-19 pandemic when he had the opportunity to virtually volunteer as a research assistant in two clinical trials. Despite facing challenges in the beginning when searching for research positions, he built the courage to cold-email researchers and speak with professors in their office hours. His research experience has helped him develop skills in public speaking, managing and balancing priorities, and facing uncertainty. Overall, his work in research has influenced his future goals by building his interest in pursuing a career in medicine, where communication and curiosity are vital.

Advice:

“Networking is crucial when searching for research opportunities. Don’t be afraid to approach peers or professors whose work aligns with your interests. Remember that everyone is approachable if you give them a chance to get to know you. Effort and consistency will always pay off, so keep pushing yourself to interact with others outside the classroom.”