Katrina Besler
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
A career in medicine had always been my goal, but just prior to my undergraduate degree, I attended a series of seminars at the BC Children鈥檚 Hospital Research Institute about how research was changing the future of medicine. That led me to spend multiple summers doing lab work, and it wasn鈥檛 too long before I was hooked on the hope of discovering something helpful, and enjoying the scientific process and learning environment in the meantime. I wanted to pursue training that would allow me to continue doing medical research, without giving up direct involvement in patient care.
Why did you decide to study at 亚洲天堂?
I very much wanted to stay in BC, to be close to family, mountains, and the ocean, so I am thankful that 亚洲天堂 had everything I needed for my training: cutting-edge research in my field of interest, opportunities for mentorship and collaboration, an excellent Faculty of Medicine, and a successful MD/PhD program.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
For me, the MD/PhD program was an opportunity to pursue both medicine and research without sacrificing the quality of my training in either area, or having to leave either of those spheres for too long. The dual degree will qualify me for whatever future opportunities I wish to pursue in either medicine or research, and to integrate the two. I also enjoy being a part of the community of MD/PhD students and faculty.
What was the best surprise about 亚洲天堂 or life in Vancouver?
I鈥檝e never lived too far from Vancouver, but almost every day I step outside and feel grateful to be in such a beautiful place. The best surprise about 亚洲天堂 would be how responsive the Faculty of Medicine is to student interests.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your 亚洲天堂 graduate program?
My adventures in undergraduate research taught me so much: I learned to think and communicate like a scientist, interact in the academic environment, and independently drive a project. Just as importantly, I learned from friends and mentors about some of the challenges of graduate school and how to navigate them.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Find a community that isn鈥檛 focused on academia, in addition to your academic community. For me, this was my faith community, and I found it to be a huge source of support and a space to remember who I am as a person outside of being a student. Also, it鈥檚 okay to take time to adjust to the new challenges of graduate school: you鈥檙e not expected to be good at this right away.
