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This week, we are profiling finalists for the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. 3MT condenses thousands of words and years of research led by graduate students who are making a difference in the local and global community. Check out all of the finalist profiles and vote for the People’s Choice Awards. Find out if your pick was a winner during the livestreamed Finals on March 29, 2022 at 1 pm MST.
Tell us about your project/research!
My research pertains to ketone metabolism in the setting of heart failure. In other words, I study how the failing heart uses ketones (a fuel source that the body can make from fats) for energy and more specifically, whether we can improve the outcomes of heart failure by increasing the availability of ketones to the heart.
How did presenting a Three Minute Thesis (3MT) help explain your research to the public?
Presenting a 3MT helps you really take a step back and see the big picture of your research while also figuring out ways to communicate it to the general public. With the help from the 3MT organizers, I was able to refine my speech to improve its readability and take out words that I may use on a daily basis that the general public would not necessarily understand.
What does innovation mean to you?
To me, innovation is doing new things and pushing to change something whether that be venturing into the unknown or pushing the boundaries of knowledge on the cutting edge of your research field.
What’s one big problem you want to solve through your work?
Whether ketones are good news or bad news for a failing heart.
Who do you look up to as a mentor or collaborator?
I look up to both of my mentors: Dr. Gary Lopaschuk and Dr. John Ussher. They are the smartest people I know and have really challenged me to be the best I can be all the while being very kind. I wouldn't be where I'm at in my graduate studies without them.
Why is the University of Alberta a great place to learn, research and/or innovate?
The U of A is a great place to learn and research because of the amount of resources you have access to for both academic and non-academic support. The academic support is superb! There are research centres and cores within the university that give me access to many other experimental techniques that I otherwise would not have access to. The U of A Library and its databases are also great for obtaining literature since a lot of my time in graduate school is spent staying up-to-date with the literature. Furthermore, being a big advocate for mental health, the University of Alberta has been great in providing mental health resources for its graduate students.
Innovator Spotlight is a series that introduces you to students whose big ideas are making a big difference.
Do you know someone who’s breaking boundaries at the U of A? (Maybe it’s you!) We’re interested in hearing from students who are creating new solutions to make our world better, no matter their discipline or year of study.
Get in touch at youblog@ualberta.ca.