In honour of National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW), we spoke with different Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Associates at the CBR to highlight their research, share their stories and celebrate their journeys.
Dr. Monika Marie Kowatsch, Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Murray Lab and Coté lab
Tell me about your research.
Globally, over half (53%) of people with HIV are women and girls. Despite effective treatments, in Canada, women with HIV have a life expectancy 7 years shorter than their male counterparts and 5-10 years shorter than women without HIV. These women often face more age-related conditions; while the reason is unclear, women living with HIV also tend to experience earlier decreases in sex hormones known to be protective of health. Addressing these disparities and understanding the aging experiences of women with HIV are key research priorities identified by the women living with HIV that we consulted and continue to work with as part of our study.
The British Columbia CARMA-CHIWOS collaboration (BCC3, CTN 335) merges two Canadian research cohorts—CARMA and CHIWOS—in a comprehensive study based at the Oak Tree Clinic and UBC. This CIHR-funded, community-based project uses biological specimens, clinical data, and psychosocial information to explore women’s health across their lifespan.
My Postdoctoral Fellowship project entitled, “The effect of hormones on cellular aging and comorbidities in women living with HIV.” aims to investigate how HIV affects sex hormones, inflammation, and cellular aging, and their links to concurrent conditions. This research will examine how key hormones — estradiol, estrone, progesterone, cortisol, and testosterone — are associated with markers of cellular aging, immune cells’ ability to respond to hormones, markers of inflammation, and age-related illnesses in women. Using a big data approach, we will integrate the biological, clinical, and social data collected in BCC3 to enhance our understanding of hormonal impacts and inform better care strategies.
What led you to the lab?
During my PhD at the University of Manitoba, I was privileged to collaborate with two diverse communities: Sunshine House in Winnipeg, Canada and the Baba Dogo and Pumwani community clinics in Nairobi, Kenya. Working with these communities shaped how I see the role of basic science and how I see data and interpret the results. They’ve helped me see the real people behind each data point and understand data within the context of their lived experiences. These interactions have pushed me to think creatively about interpreting results and challenge any assumptions about a person’s health, well-being, or risk factors. As such this community-based research perspective is something I was looking for in my Postdoctoral Fellowship and in 2022, I met Dr. Melanie Murray at the International AIDS conference in Montreal and was immediately drawn to the community aspect of the BCC3 study and the strong community voices and commitment to is addressing key questions addressing key health questions of women living with HIV that could not be accomplished elsewhere.
What do you like to do outside the lab?
Outside the lab, I enjoy handwork hobbies such as knitting/crochet and embroidery. I also enjoy bird photography and exploring all the habitats Vancouver has to offer for its wide array of permanent resident and migratory birds. I also enjoy the challenge of timing a photograph of a bird in motion.
What advice would you give to someone still searching for a program/postdoc position?
The best advice I could give to someone currently searching for a program/postdoc position is to talk to as many researchers and other postdocs as possible. Those connections are important for finding a lab in which you will excel. Take every opportunity to attend seminars/talks from researchers outside your department and apply for every conference opportunity to network with researchers from other institutions and countries. Finally, it’s okay not to have all the answers when entering your new position. Having a supportive lab means room to grow, taking your expertise and adding new opportunities, skills, and techniques. Embrace this opportunity as a valuable part of your professional journey and development.
Thank you for speaking with us, Monika! Learn more about National Postdoc Appreciation Week at UBC which recognizes the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to research and discovery.