Life Outside the Lab at the CBR

August 19, 2021

Kevin Gonzalez Bio Photo - cropped

By Kevin Gonzalez, MSc Student, Conway & Kizhakkedathu Labs

 

Group photo of the 2019-2020 CBR Graduate Award Program (GAP) cohort, including author Kevin Gonzalez (far left)

Group photo of the 2019-2020 CBR Graduate Award Program (GAP) cohort, including author Kevin Gonzalez (far left).

 

As I was searching for a school to pursue graduate studies, I didn’t end up too far from home. The biggest change was moving several blocks south on UBC’s Vancouver Campus, from the now-renovated Biology building and into the Life Sciences Centre. There, I would study blood compatible biomaterials at the Centre for Blood Research (CBR) facilities, as a MSc Student in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Over the past two years, I’ve found that the CBR is not only a place where great minds pursue academic excellence, but also a place of community and opportunity.

I spoke recently with the CBR’s Education Program Manager, Dr. Stefanie Mak, about opportunities at the CBR and her advice for students as they trek through graduate school. What struck me in our conversation was her advice to “seek out professional networking events, connect with as many people as possible, and keep an open mind about what’s out there.”

When I first joined the CBR, I thought, “What better way to involve myself in the community than to try out the educational programs offered?” Since then, I’ve been part of various CBR programs and committees, including the Graduate Award Program (GAP), Outreach Committee, and Health and Wellness (H&W) Committee. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in these programs, each of which has their own charm.

As part of GAP, graduate students can develop their public speaking skills by participating in a seminar and presenting at conferences – which I definitely needed practice in – as well as try their hand at planning and organizing a large event. For our event, my cohort decided to organize and distribute CBR GAP Treat Yourself Care Packages, small bags that included comfort food, scented soaps and stress-relief candles, and fun de-stressing items like blank, draw-it-yourself jigsaw puzzles. While planning this gave me a better understanding of event logistics and teamwork, the most interesting part of GAP was meeting other graduate students outside of my own lab, which broadened my view of the vastly different projects we were all working on. At the same time, we also shared a sense of community as students, since we encounter similar rewarding and challenging experiences, from lab work and thesis writing, to adjusting to grad school life, to finding work-life balance. This shared feeling was very important for building team cohesion as we planned our care packages.

 

The most interesting part of GAP was meeting other graduate students outside of my own lab, which broadened my view of the vastly different projects we were all working on.

 

After my time in the GAP ended, I still wanted to contribute to a program that supports people, and the Health and Wellness Committee seemed like a good fit, given their aim to promote wellbeing at the CBR. I’d attended a couple of health and wellness events before joining the team, and, as someone who values building a supportive and welcoming community, it was special for me to how their events facilitated an inclusive environment and kept CBR members engaged as a whole. I think that having such a community is especially beneficial to new and incoming members, to cultivate a sense of belonging early on in their work circle and to alleviate the stress of trying to fit in, so that they can feel motivated and engaged in their day-to-day lives, knowing that they have the support of their co-workers.

Seven scientists holding up signs that read "I am a scientist" and one panel with the CBR and SFU Science Alive logos

As part of the CBR Outreach Team, author Kevin Gonzalez (top row, far left) participates in a video for the 2020 Science World Girls & STEAM event. The video, “Synthetic Biology: Using DNA for New Applications”, was produced by the CBR in partnership with SFU Science AL!VE.

I also joined the Outreach Committee out of curiosity, to try new things and “keep that open mind” as Dr. Stefanie Mak suggested. The team mostly focuses on engaging the local Lower Mainland community through science communication, with a bigger focus on mentorship. Getting youth from elementary to high school excited about science is a wonderful feeling – in my view, more passionate and innovative minds lead to more collaboration, and more impressive technology in the future! It’s fulfilling for me to play a role where I can help youth find out what they want to achieve. This is where the importance of mentorship comes into play: helping younger scientists in a way that promotes their personal and professional development, encouraging them when needed or challenging them to try new things, and being a role model to whom the mentee can look to as a point of reference.

During the two years that I’ve participated in at least one program at the CBR, I’ve learned so much from so many people, building different transferable skills like program management, communications, leadership, and networking. Importantly, by participating in these programs, I have a better sense of what I excel at, what best fits my personality, and what I enjoy doing. Being aware of that has helped me expand my career choices.

 

Importantly, by participating in these programs, I have a better sense of what I excel at, what best fits my personality, and what I enjoy doing and being aware of that has helped me expand my career choices.

 

After taking part in educational programs as part of both my undergraduate and graduate schooling, I could see myself supporting students in their personal and professional development, and carrying those values forward into whatever career path I may have.

I’m genuinely excited to see what other educational programs will be implemented. Variety is the spice of life, as some say, and the CBR has a great selection, with opportunities abound for everyone. By participating in different programs, I feel that my possibilities in choosing a career fit for me are expanding, and while it may be daunting to have many options, it’s better than having none at all.