About Jack
I grew up in Ottawa as a kid that was always more interested in sports than science or academics. Most of my time was either spent playing or coaching soccer, things I still do to this day. But towards the end of high school, I began to get particularly interested in the biology of the human body. After high school, I ended up completing my undergraduate degree at Acadia University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biology and a second major in Chemistry. Here I really cultivated my love for science, and I began to get my first introduction to research. Acadia also presented many opportunities to get involved in the school and local community through things like the SMILE program, teaching opportunities, and other outreach programs.
Following Acadia, I worked for a year as a medical assistant, and while I enjoyed this time it made me realize I missed basic science. Having grown to love the east coast during my undergrad, this drew me back to Halifax where I started at Dalhousie as a Master’s student in 2020. Since then, I have transferred to the PhD program where I am currently in my 4th year of study examining how human stem cells can be used to model, study, and treat motor neuron diseases like ALS. My lab is particularly interested in how the neuromuscular junction, the specialized area where your nervous system activates muscle, is affected by ALS.
What have been some highlights of your time in the program?
One of the moments that reinforced my decision to start in Medical Neuroscience was the first neuroanatomy lab where we could examine, study, and dissect real brain specimens. It was a cool moment that really put in perspective the opportunities the program presented. Now that I am a TA for the course, I’m able to look back at all I’ve learned while still being amazed that this is something I can do.
From a research point of view, the first time I conducted an experiment that I obtained useful results from was a great moment. That ‘eureka’ moment when you uncover something new does not fade away during your degree and it’s incredibly motivating to know you’re contributing to your field.
This past year I was able to present some of my research at the Society for Neuroscience Conference in Washington D.C. This was a great way to connect with others, discuss interesting research, show off your hard work, and see the more fun side of science.
What advice would you have for students entering the program?
When you initially start your degree, it can feel overwhelming. Your time is now split between courses, departmental seminars, lab meetings, journal clubs, and of course your own research. It can be easy to put your research to the side early in your degree as you get acquainted. But I would recommend learning the necessary techniques, reading up on your field of research, and having discussions with your supervisor as early as possible. Your thesis is ultimately the most important part of your degree, so getting a strong start is beneficial in the long run.
Aside from your research, I would recommend immersing yourself in the other aspects the program has to offer. Things like journal clubs and conferences aren’t always mandatory but you learn a lot and become more comfortable in these settings. Events (both social and academic) that students or the department put on are great for getting to know others and help remind you that there is much more to life as a graduate student than just research/academics. Graduate school can be a tough time, and everyone will encounter some form of difficulty in their degree, but it is important to take things one step at a time and you’ll find your way to the finish line.
