Pathways to Science

Good Science, Good Decisions: Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct in the Real World

Scientific discoveries have the potential to improve lives, but with that opportunity comes responsibility. How do researchers ensure that studies are conducted ethically? How are participants protected in clinical trials? In this session, explore the principles of research ethics and responsible conduct in science, with a focus on how researchers balance scientific advancement with participant safety and well-being.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance of ethics and integrity in scientific research
• Learn about the day-to-day life of a scientist and what working in research is really like
• Discover the skills, experiences, and career pathways that can lead to opportunities in science and healthcare

How to Join:

• Participants who applied for the Pathways to Science program will be emailed a zoom link before the session | Zoom Tips & Tricks

Presented by:
Maira Jimenez Sanchez, PhD Candidate, Vallance Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; Department of Medicine, UBC. Maira is a dedicated professional with a background in science and education. Her journey in Biochemical Sciences and Educational Administration fueled her passion for connecting research with education. Maira worked with the National Youth Science Foundation in West Virginia, USA, where she provided academic support in biology, genetics, and mathematics at scientific camps for high school students, further igniting her passion for teaching. Maira’s global research experiences, from the Netherlands to South Korea, have also given her a unique perspective on science education. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists through fun and creative teaching methods.

What Is Medical School Really Like?

What is medical school really like? What does it take to become a physician, and how do you decide if medicine is the right path for you? In this session, meet current medical students and learn about their journeys from high school to medical school. Explore what medical training involves, the challenges and rewards of studying medicine, and the many pathways that can lead to a career as a physician.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain insight into the day-to-day life of a medical student
• Understand the challenges, opportunities, and rewards associated with a career in medicine
• Connect with medical students and learn from their personal experiences navigating post-secondary education and professional training

Please note, this is not an admissions information session. Instead, you’ll hear directly from current medical students about their experiences, challenges, and successes as they navigate medical school. Their insights are intended to provide an honest and realistic view of life as a medical student.

How to Join:

• Participants who applied for the Pathways to Science program will be emailed a zoom link before the session | Zoom Tips & Tricks

Presented by: TBA

Beyond the Resume: Finding Value in Every Experience

You are often told to gain experience, volunteer, or join extracurricular activities – but how do these experiences actually help prepare you for future careers? In this session, explore how skills developed in everyday activities can translate into success in science, healthcare, and beyond.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore how diverse experiences can strengthen future educational and career opportunities.
• Learn about the day-to-day life of a scientist and what working in research is really like.
• Discover the skills, experiences, and career pathways that can lead to opportunities in science and healthcare

How to Join:

• Participants who applied for the Pathways to Science program will be emailed a zoom link before the session | Zoom Tips & Tricks

Presented by:
Ailish Babicki-Mooreby, Master’s Student, Wright Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, UBC. Ailish completed her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at UBC in 2024. After graduation, she took a short break from academia to attend cooking school in France, combining her love of food with her passion for health. This unique experience inspired her to pursue a Master of Science in Kinesiology, where she now works in the END Lab (Exercise, Nutrition & Drugs) under the supervision of Dr. David Wright. Her research explores how weight-loss drugs affect muscle health, a topic that perfectly aligns with her interests and makes her graduate studies deeply rewarding. Reflecting on both her undergraduate and graduate experiences, Ailish is a strong advocate for finding personal meaning and connection in the subjects we study.

Why Every Patient Is Different: Lessons from Immunology Research

How can two patients with the same illness have different outcomes? In this session, explore how immunology helps scientists understand the unique factors that influence each person’s health. Learn how differences in our immune systems, medical histories, and responses to treatment shape patient care, and discover why curiosity, critical thinking, and research are essential to advancing medicine.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore how discoveries in immunology are helping researchers better understand health and disease
• Learn about the day-to-day life of a scientist and what working in research is really like
• Discover the skills, experiences, and career pathways that can lead to opportunities in science and healthcare

How to Join:

• Participants who applied for the Pathways to Science program will be emailed a zoom link before the session | Zoom Tips & Tricks

Presented by:
Pariya Yousefi, Research Assistant, Biggs Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital. Pariya is a research assistant in pediatric immunology at BC Children’s Hospital. Her work focuses on understanding how genetic changes impact immune signaling and how these insights can accelerate diagnosis and improve care for children with rare conditions. In her daily work, Pariya designs and conducts bench experiments, reviews genetic variants, and translates complex results into clear, clinically useful summaries. She completed her studies in Montréal before moving to BC to collaborate closely with clinical teams on rare disease cases. With a background in molecular biology and immunology, Pariya is passionate about transforming scientific discoveries into practical solutions for families. Outside the lab, she maintains a steady yoga practice and enjoys exploring new coffee spots with friends.

What Does a Scientist Actually Do All Day?

Scientific discoveries are often presented as exciting breakthroughs, but the reality of research is much more complex. Behind every finding are countless experiments, unexpected results, problem-solving sessions, and collaborations. In this session, take a behind-the-scenes look at what life in a research lab is really like.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore how scientists respond to failed experiments, unexpected results, and research challenges
• Learn about the day-to-day life of a scientist and what working in research is really like
• Discover the skills, experiences, and career pathways that can lead to opportunities in science and healthcare

How to Join:

• Participants who applied for the Pathways to Science program will be emailed a zoom link before the session | Zoom Tips & Tricks

Presented by:
Dr. Mina Kolahdouz, Postdoctoral Fellow, Oldani Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; Department of Surgery, UBC

Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

What if experiences before birth and during early childhood could influence health decades later? The field of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) explores how factors such as nutrition, environment, stress, and early-life experiences can affect growth, development, and long-term health outcomes. In this session, learn about concepts commonly encountered in university sciences, gaining insight into how researchers investigate the links between early-life exposures and health across the lifespan.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore how prenatal and early-life environments can influence health and development across the lifespan
• Learn about the day-to-day life of a scientist and what working in research is really like
• Discover the skills, experiences, and career pathways that can lead to opportunities in science and healthcare

How to Join:

• Participants who applied for the Pathways to Science program will be emailed a zoom link before the session | Zoom Tips & Tricks

Presented by:
Dr. Thais Rangel Bousquet Carrilho, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Hutcheon Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, UBC. Dr. Thais Rangel Bousquet Carrilho holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, a master’s degree in Epidemiology, and a PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology. She is currently a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia, and a member of a World Health Organization Steering Committee on a project to develop global pregnancy weight gain charts. Her research uses large databases to develop tools and identify policies that will improve the delivery of care during pregnancy and postpartum.

A Beginner’s Guide to Research

Every medical breakthrough starts with a question. In this session, you’ll explore the health research process and learn how researchers turn curiosity into discovery. From asking meaningful questions and collecting data to analyzing results and sharing findings, you’ll gain insight into how research helps advance health care and improve lives.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the steps involved in conducting a research study
• Learn about the day-to-day life of a scientist and what working in research is really like
• Discover the skills, experiences, and career pathways that can lead to opportunities in science and healthcare

How to Join:

• Participants who applied for the Pathways to Science program will be emailed a zoom link before the session | Zoom Tips & Tricks

Presented by:
Alison Luo, Master’s Student, Yong Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences, UBC. Alison (she/her) is a MSc student in the Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences program at UBC with a background in biomedical engineering. Her work focuses on measuring pain and hypersensitivity through clinical mechanical testing to better understand abnormal pain processing and central sensitization. This work could help improve pain management and quality of life for individuals living with endometriosis. She is also working on validating a clinical prediction model for pain-related quality of life outcomes after endometriosis surgery. 

From Petri Dish to Living Systems: Translating Research Findings into New Treatments

Have you ever wondered how scientists study diseases and develop new treatments? In this session, you’ll explore the tools and models’ researchers use in the lab to understand how diseases work and test potential treatments. You’ll also learn how scientific discoveries move from the research lab into clinical trials, and the many steps involved before a new treatment can be safely used by patients.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how scientists study diseases in the laboratory and how research discoveries are developed, tested, and translated into treatments for patients
• Learn about the day-to-day life of a scientist and what working in research is really like
• Discover the skills, experiences, and career pathways that can lead to opportunities in science and healthcare

How to Join:

• Participants who applied for the Pathways to Science program will be emailed a zoom link before the session | Zoom Tips & Tricks

Presented by:
Dr. Inês Caldeira Brás, Postdoctoral Fellow, Hayden Research Team, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children’s Hospital; Faculty of Medicine, UBC. Dr. Inês Caldeira Brás is a postdoctoral fellow focused on developing novel biomarkers for Huntington disease, with a background studying molecular mechanisms involved in disease progression and degeneration in neurodegenerative disorders. She is passionate about making neuroscience accessible and easy to understand for everyone. Actively engaged in science outreach, Inês is dedicated to inspiring curiosity and demonstrating how neuroscience research translates into real-world insights and potential therapies.

Beyond Getting In: How to Thrive in University

Getting accepted to university is an exciting, but success in university involves much more than strong grades. In this session, explore practical strategies for navigating the transition from high school to post-secondary education and building habits that support long-term success.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain confidence in navigating the challenges and opportunities of university life
• Learn about the day-to-day life of a scientist and what working in research is really like
• Discover the skills, experiences, and career pathways that can lead to opportunities in science and healthcare

How to Join:

• Participants who applied for the Pathways to Science program will be emailed a zoom link before the session | Zoom Tips & Tricks

Presented by:
Mattison Stojcic, Doctoral Student, Turvey Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; Department of Experimental Medicine, UBC. Mattison is passionate about connecting rare disease patients with research. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University, majoring in Biomedical Physiology, minoring in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry. She is now pursuing her PhD at the University of British Columbia, where she works to advance our understanding of ultra-rare immune disorders.

Finding Your Path in Science and Healthcare

Interested in science but not sure where it can take you? In this session, explore the many career paths available in science, healthcare, and research. Whether you already have a dream career or are just beginning to explore your options, this session will help you discover new possibilities and find pathways that match your interests and strengths.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the differences between careers in research, healthcare, education, and industry
• Learn about the day-to-day life of a scientist and what working in research is really like
• Discover the skills, experiences, and career pathways that can lead to opportunities in science and healthcare

How to Join:

• Participants who applied for the Pathways to Science program will be emailed a zoom link before the session | Zoom Tips & Tricks

Presented by:
Cynthia Li, Master’s Student, Selvanathan Research Team, BC Children’s Hospital; Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UBC. Cynthia is a second-year MSc student in Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences at UBC. She previously earned an Honours BSc in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University. Her research focuses on neurodevelopment and the use of neuroimaging, with her current project exploring how white matter injuries affect functional connectivity in preterm infants. By studying these injuries and their impact on brain networks, Cynthia aims to help improve clinical outcomes and optimize the quality of care for preterm infants.