Featured Student: Riya Gandhi

What is your field of study and when will you graduate?

I’m currently completing a BSc in Integrated Sciences (specializing in Neuroscience and Pharmacology) and will graduate in May 2026.

Why did you choose to enroll in Co-op?

Co-op wasn’t an opportunity that I was initially considering when I started at UBC. 

However, as I settled into my first year, I began to learn more about the opportunities that were offered here that could help me explore my passions and figure out how I want to contribute to the world post-graduation. 

At the time, a few of my friends were talking about applying to the Co-op program and their interest piqued my own. I knew that I wanted to apply after learning about the job experiences available to students – the opportunity to participate in full-time, hands-on work over the course of a year, while still being a student, seemed like a great way to figure out what I was truly excited about.

Which positions did you work during Co-op?

I’m currently completing a 16-month position in the Cembrowski Lab at the Life Sciences Institute. 

It’s been an amazing experience and I’m really looking forward to the rest of my time in the lab. 

Can you share your favourite experience while in Co-op?

It’s difficult to pick just one, but one of my favourite experiences was the first time the first wet-bench technique that I learned in the lab worked. 

Prior to my start in this position, I had taken a class with Mark and he told us about a technique called multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization (mFISH for short) that was used frequently in the lab. 

This technique allows gene expression targets to be detected spatially in a section of brain tissue. The results are these beautiful images that show multi-colour cells, depending on the genes that each express. 

When I started as a Co-op student, I was so excited to learn this technique. It took me a couple of tries to work through the protocol and see a successful result, but I was so happy the first time I saw signal on the microscope. It was one of those moments that made me pause and truly appreciate just how amazing modern science is. 

What was your best achievement in Co-op?

My biggest achievement is how much more I now see myself as a researcher.

Being able to work full-time in the Cembrowski Lab has made me more comfortable in the research process as a whole. I’ve been able to practice technical skills in conducting experiments, interpret findings based on data, explain results to others and formulate ideas for future directions based on unexpected challenges. 

When I was younger, I loved participating in science fairs. I used to spend so much time in my high school science lab working on projects, excited to show my results to judges and other students at upcoming fairs. 

I think younger Riya would be so thrilled to know that she got the opportunity to work on projects in a field of research that she’s passionate about. 

What did you feel most challenged by and how did you overcome it?

When I first started in this position, I noticed a gap in my background knowledge compared to the advanced areas of study being explored in the lab. 

At times, it felt like there was so much that I didn’t know. That feeling was initially overwhelming, but I’ve gradually worked to familiarize myself with the topics being studied and am becoming more comfortable navigating the complexities of research. 

At times, it felt like there was so much that I didn’t know. That feeling was initially overwhelming, but I’ve gradually worked to familiarize myself with the topics being studied and am becoming more comfortable navigating the complexities of research.

While there’s still a lot that I don’t know, I’ve learned how to look for answers to my questions and seek guidance from other members in the lab – who have been extremely supportive. Being challenged in this way has been very rewarding, and both my skillset and understanding of fundamental neuroscience concepts has significantly grown as a result. 

How do you feel Co-op helped your personal growth?

This Co-op position has been instrumental to my personal growth over the past ten months. 

Like many students, I struggle with imposter syndrome and am continually working on challenging my self-doubt. Being able to make mistakes in a safe environment, while continually encouraged by such a kind and supportive lab, has helped me realize that setbacks are a valuable part of the learning process and that it’s okay to fail or not know everything; what matters is a willingness to learn and try again. 

Like many students, I struggle with imposter syndrome and am continually working on challenging my self-doubt. Being able to make mistakes in a safe environment, while continually encouraged by such a kind and supportive lab, has helped me realize that setbacks are a valuable part of the learning process and that it’s okay to fail or not know everything; what matters is a willingness to learn and try again.

I’ve applied this mindset to my life outside of the lab, taking on more risks and embracing challenges that I would have previously avoided due to a fear of failure or the belief that I wouldn’t be successful. The results of this have been positive, more often than not, creating a self-propagating cycle that encourages me to seek out even more opportunities to challenge myself. 

I now see the prospect of failure as an opportunity to learn, rather than a setback, which helps me reach outside of my comfort zone. 

How do you feel Co-op has helped your career?

My Co-op experience has helped me learn many valuable skills, transferable to several future careers. 

One of the key areas that I’ve worked on is effectively managing my time, balancing different projects and responsibilities in the lab. I’ve also improved my problem-solving skills, particularly when experiments don’t go as planned and lead to unexpected results. 

Learning how to adapt and troubleshoot has been a crucial part of my growth as a student and researcher. I’ve also been able to work on my communication skills, both in more formal scientific settings and in day-to-day interactions. I’ve become more confident in asking clarifying questions and seeking help from others when needed – I recognize this as an essential part of the learning process.

Which supports from the Co-op program (workshops, practice interviews, etc) do you feel best supported you? Can you talk about the direct impact on your career?

I found that the workshops were very helpful. 

Yas, my Co-op coordinator, supported everyone through the different phases of Co-op, provided guidelines for drafting resumes/cover letters for specific opportunities and led us through interview practice. 

The accompanying resources on Canvas were detailed and helpful, both for Co-op specific opportunities and others. They significantly enhanced my confidence in approaching the application process. A big thank you to Yas for all of her help!

What advice would you offer to future Co-op students? 

My advice to future Co-op students is to remain open to new experiences that come up throughout your Co-op timeline, both within your work position and outside of it. 

In my opinion, one of the best aspects of Co-op is that it offers real-world work experience similar to post-graduation opportunities, while still allowing you to enjoy the benefits of being an undergraduate student. Embrace the chance to try new things in your position, whether it’s taking on different projects, learning new skills or diving into areas you hadn’t considered before. 

Embrace the chance to try new things in your position, whether it’s taking on different projects, learning new skills or diving into areas you hadn’t considered before.

Additionally, the time outside of your position provides a great opportunity to explore personal skills, interests or hobbies that you’ve always wanted to learn or develop.

What are you looking forward to after graduation? 

I’m looking forward to the final year of my undergraduate degree and figuring out what comes after. 

I really appreciate the skillsets and interests that I’ve been able to develop throughout my time in the Co-op program and I’m eager to continue expanding upon these post-graduation. 

I’m excited by all the prospects that await – wherever I land – and I hope to pursue something that I’m passionate about, that challenges me to grow both professionally and personally.