Side by Side

For all the wisdom and knowledge that professors bestow upon their students, some of the most valuable learning experiences at university take place between students.

Take Professor Tom MacRaeÕs biology lab as an example. Not only do three undergraduate students have the opportunity to work alongside doctoral and masterÕs students this summer, but with their varying backgrounds and levels of experience, they get to learn from each other as well.

Jinnie Kim, Chris Green and Mike Gavelis are entering their second, third and final years of their degree respectively and their majors are an assorted combination of biology, chemistry and biochemistry. But what stands out when talking to them are their similarities. All speak passionately about the research theyÕre doing in the lab this summer. All are enthusiastic about the Dalhousie experience theyÕve had so far. And all of them are getting to take part in ground-breaking research.

ÒIt provides a chance for them to learn what research is really like and to feel the excitement that comes with doing research... The experience can be a turning point in their lives, leading to graduate school and a career in science." Ñ Dr. Tom MacRae

Dr. MacRaeÕs lab studies heat shock proteins, molecular chaperones which protect other proteins during physiological stress. In particular, they study heat shock protein formations in crustaceans like brine shrimp, or as theyÕre more commonly known, Ôsea monkeys.Õ ÒLearning about how (these proteins) function can help us learn about responses in other organisms,” says Mr. Gavelis, explaining that heat shock proteins are involved in responses to heart attacks and other cardiovascular trauma. (Dr. MacRaeÕs research receives funding from the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation).

While the three undergrads in Dr. MacRaeÕs lab are working on slightly different projects, all of them get the opportunity to share their experience with one another. ÒEveryoneÕs really helpful and will let you watch what theyÕre doing and learn from them every day,” says Ms. Kim, the youngest of the three. She is only entering her second year of university and is in the process of deciding her major, but says that her experience this summer has been priceless towards expanding her horizons here at Dalhousie.

Her sentiments are echoed by Mr. Gavelis, who says that working in the lab the previous year on a similar project was beneficial when he returned to classes in the fall. ÒIt was really helpful going into my third year, when I started taking advanced labs,” he says. ÒIt really helped me get my bearings.”

ÒTheir enthusiasm is so contagious,” says Mr. Green of Dr. MacRae and the other researchers in the lab. While he plans to go to medical school, he hasnÕt discounted taking a path towards further research either.

Dr. MacRae champions the social and educational value that these undergrads are getting out of the experience.

ÒIt provides a chance for them to learn what research is really like and to feel the excitement that comes with doing research,” he explains. ÒThe experience can be a turning point in their lives, leading to graduate school and a career in science. And besides Ð itÕs often lots of fun and they meet many interesting people.”