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. Md Mohosin Rana, Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Kizhakkedathu Lab
Tell me about your research.
Organ transplants can save lives, but keeping the new organ from being rejected by the body’s immune system is challenging. In Canada alone, over 2,700 organ transplants were done in 2021. To make sure the body doesn’t reject the new organ, doctors use strong medications to suppress the immune system. While these immunosuppressive drugs help, they can also cause serious side effects.
One major issue is that the process of getting and preserving the organ can damage its blood vessels, making the body more likely to reject it. My research aims to solve this problem by using a new technique to protect the organ from this damage. I am working on special polymers that can help rebuild the organ’s natural defences. We’re testing this new approach with artery and kidney transplants to see if it works. If successful, it could make organ transplants less costly, improve patients’ lives, and potentially eliminate the need for those powerful immunosuppressive drugs.
What led you to the lab?
My journey into the lab began in my third year as an undergraduate when isolating DNA from plant cells in a Molecular Biology class sparked my passion for lab-based research. This led me to Japan in 2015, where I completed my master’s thesis on developing micromotors for biosensing applications in a multidisciplinary lab. My excitement for combining diverse scientific fields continued through my PhD in Calgary, where I developed smart hydrogel scaffolds for cartilage tissue regeneration. Now, as a Postdoctoral researcher, I am focused on developing polymer-based glycoconjugates for organ engineering to prevent transplant rejection. I am driven not only by the technical challenges but also by the potential to solve complex problems and translate innovative solutions from the bench to the bedside. Multidisciplinary research excites me as it bridges fields like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, providing diverse approaches to tackle critical human challenges.
What do you like to do outside the lab?
Outside the lab, I enjoy staying active and engaging in a range of extracurricular activities. I love playing cricket and occasionally ping-pong, going biking, and participating in various voluntary activities, including science-related outreach programs. These activities help me stay balanced and contribute to the community in meaningful ways.
What advice would you give to someone still searching for a program/postdoc position?
When searching for a program or postdoc position, seek diversity by stepping outside your comfort zone and exploring a range of opportunities. Aim for a position that aligns with your research interests and provides a dynamic, progressive lab environment. Additionally, consider roles that offer the chance to learn new tools and techniques, as this will enrich your technical skills and expertise. Balancing these factors will help you find a position that is both professionally fulfilling and supportive of your growth.
Thank you for speaking with us, Mohosin! Learn more about National Postdoc Appreciation Week at UBC which recognizes the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to research and discovery.