Jarrett Blair
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Bulk classification of terrestrial invertebrates using computer vision and DNA metabarcoding
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Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
After graduating from my honours program I wanted to have the freedom to do something I am passionate about while developing the skills and expertise I would require for my future career. Earning a graduate degree felt like a great way to accomplish those goals.
Why did you decide to study at 亚洲天堂?
Aside from my amazing supervisor and the opportunity to take on a research project perfectly suited to me, I decided to study at 亚洲天堂 because it is one of the world鈥檚 top schools for ecology (and is #1 in Canada). The opportunity to live in Vancouver was also very appealing.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
I wanted to do something that combined my love of entomology and my emerging interest in computer vision, which isn鈥檛 exactly a common combination. Luckily for me, my supervisor (Dr. Katie Marshall) had an opening for a project that was doing exactly that. It was a match!
What was the best surprise about 亚洲天堂 or life in Vancouver?
The weather isn鈥檛 nearly as bad as people make it out to be. The rain is very tolerable as it rarely ever storms, and the temperature is ideal year-round. Very mild in the winter (at least by Canada鈥檚 standards), and not too hot in the summer. I actually consider the weather to be one of the many great things about living in Vancouver.
Aside from my amazing supervisor and the opportunity to take on a research project perfectly suited to me, I decided to study at 亚洲天堂 because it is one of the world鈥檚 top schools for ecology (and is #1 in Canada).
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What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
I love collaborating with my peers on our research projects. We all have unique and complementary skill sets, so the quality of our research is increased when we work together. But even more so it鈥檚 a great way to make connections and friendships.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your 亚洲天堂 graduate program?
I took some programming courses during my undergraduate studies that have really come in handy for my graduate work. Even if you鈥檙e not planning on doing lots of programming in the future, I highly recommend taking at least one statistics course and one introductory programming course in undergrad. If you've already graduated, look for graduate stats or programming courses. You will use those skills if you go into grad school.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
Vancouver and the surrounding areas have lots of great parks to explore, so I try to hit those up on weekends. I鈥檇 also recommend going to rocky areas around the coast during low tide to see intertidal marine life (sea stars, crabs, anemone; Stanley Park has a few nice spots).
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Don鈥檛 stress if you feel like you鈥檙e behind after 3-6 months. You鈥檒l be adjusting to a new program, have distractions like coursework and TAing, and probably will need to set up your study design. Almost every new graduate student I talk to tells me they feel like they鈥檙e behind on their research. They all turned out okay. You will too.
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