Featured Student: Carly Lin

What is your major and expected graduation date?

I major in Pharmacology and expect to graduate in May 2025.

Why did you choose to enroll in Co-op?

I've always been passionate about gaining hands-on experience in academic research, particularly in a wet lab setting.

Since I knew that co-op provides a platform for such opportunities, I chose it to explore deeper into my field of study. I saw co-op as an invaluable opportunity to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired in lectures and practical applications in real research settings. Moreover, I liked how the co-op experience would offer a distinct learning environment compared to traditional lectures, enriching my understanding of life science research.

Which positions did you work during Co-op?

I’ve worked as a research assistant at the Luo Lab for three consecutive terms.

My primary responsibility is to support a dynamic research team in their efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying viral myocarditis.

Can you tell me briefly about innate immune mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and your work with Drs. Honglin Luo and Yasir Mohamud at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation?

My work with Drs. Honglin Luo and Yasir Mohamud at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation focuses on investigating the innate immune mechanisms involved in viral pathogenesis, particularly the mechanisms by which viral proteins damage mitochondria and lead to viral myocarditis, inflammation in the heart.

To explore this, I utilize a variety of biomolecular approaches (e.g. qPCR, Western blot and confocal imaging), cell culture techniques, molecular cloning, cell transfection procedures and functional assays to test drug treatments.

As part of my role, I work closely with the research team to contribute to experimental design, data collection and analysis, gaining valuable experience in a cutting-edge research environment.

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

I cherish every moment spent with my colleagues, who are all amazing, genuine and talented individuals that I love to be around, like my incredibly supportive colleague Wendy Hwang.

We share many valuable memories together, including our recent dance performance at the Lunar New Year event hosted at our center, where we came together to celebrate cultural traditions while showcasing our team spirit in a truly memorable experience.

What was your best achievement in Co-op?

In my first co-op term, we worked tirelessly for weeks, troubleshooting various issues and refining our techniques.

Finally, everything came together, and we obtained promising results that advanced our understanding of our research topic. The sense of accomplishment was truly inspiring and it reinforced the importance of teamwork and perseverance in scientific research.

At the end of the term, my abstract was selected for an oral presentation. This was a proud moment for me as it provided an opportunity to share our collective findings with over 80 audiences from diverse backgrounds, including PIs, post-docs, graduate trainees and my fellow summer students.

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

One of the most significant challenges I encountered during my co-op was the need to troubleshoot experiments and gather sufficient data within tight deadlines, particularly in preparation for my presentation on Research Day.

There were times when experiments didn't yield the expected results or encountered unexpected complications - I experienced quite a lot of frustrations and setbacks.

I learned to overcome these challenges by maintaining a proactive approach and staying focused on finding solutions. I began seeking guidance from colleagues and mentors, conducting thorough literature reviews to identify potential solutions and experimenting with different ways until we achieved the desired outcomes.

Additionally, I learned to manage my time effectively and prioritize tasks to ensure that we met our deadlines without compromising the quality of our work. Overcoming these challenges not only strengthened my problem-solving skills but also allowed me to gain more resilience when facing challenges.

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

This co-op position provided me with a deeper understanding of academic research and allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge gained from lectures to real-world scenarios.

Additionally, the supportive and friendly work environment encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and take on new challenges. Whether it was presenting my work at conferences or collaborating with diverse teams, I learned to embrace new experiences and push myself beyond previous limits.

Moreover, connecting with established professionals in the field has been invaluable in shaping my career aspirations and personal development. Through communication and networking opportunities, I gained insights into different career paths and discovered what truly interests me.

This has helped me clarify my goals and aspirations, guiding me towards the kind of person I aspire to become.

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

Participating in co-op has been instrumental in my professional growth, largely thanks to the mentorship provided by my supervisors, as well as the inclusive and friendly workplace environment that they cultivated.

Dr. Luo and Dr. Mohamud always strive to create a dynamic and intellectually stimulating research setting, actively involving me in innovative projects that extend beyond routine tasks.

These experiences have not only deepened my knowledge of virology, molecular biology and mitochondrial function, but also consolidated my critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

To further support my development, my supervisors provided meaningful work experiences that challenged me and encouraged independent research. Additionally, support in refining my oral communication skills, especially in presentations, was also invaluable. In addition, they introduced me to opportunities that explored interdisciplinary areas, for example: bioinformatics, which broaden my skillset and perspective.

What advice would you offer future Co-op students?

When I started my job search for my first work term, I faced numerous challenges, including submitting many applications without receiving responses, primarily due to my lack of previous research experience. However, I didn’t give up and ultimately secured this amazing position.

Before joining the co-op program, there are also other opportunities available to gain exposure to research, such as NSERC and work-learn positions. Having some prior experience can be highly beneficial. For the first job search term, I strongly encourage everyone to take on every opportunity and apply to as many positions as possible. While the job search process can be exhausting, especially for those without prior experience, it's crucial not to lose hope. Even if rejections or lack of responses may seem discouraging, it's important to remember that the right opportunity is out there, waiting to be discovered. You've got this!

What are you looking forward to after graduation?

After graduation, I’m looking forward to continuing my academic journey through graduate studies. I’m excited about delving deep into an intriguing topic, gaining novel understandings and contributing to the development of therapeutics.