Lauren Tindale

Biography

Lauren completed her PhD at SFU and Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre in 2018 with Dr. Brooks-Wilson. Her PhD research focused on genotypes and phenotypes associated with healthy aging and longevity. After that, she did a postdoctoral fellowship at the BC Centre for Disease Control where she examined methods for avian influenza genomic surveillance in the environment. She is now working as a Research Associate at UBC where her research focuses on cancer risk prediction and digital health initiatives in women’s health.

QUESTIONS

1) What is your current position? What does a typical work day look like for you?   

Research Associate at UBC. I have moved away from wet lab work in my current role and now focus on computation and project management. My days are varied but may involve grant writing, supervising graduate students, performing analyses, planning projects, or recruiting/ managing participants in research projects. Knowledge translation is also a large part of any research role including writing papers and presenting research findings to the community, clinicians, or other researchers.

2) How did your education in BPK influence your career?

I began my research career through co-op and directed studies terms during my undergrad, which led to my PhD research, and subsequently my current research positions.

3) Who in BPK had an impact on you and why?

My PhD supervisor, Angie Brooks-Wilson, had the largest impact on me and my career through her years of mentorship and support. I started in Angie's lab as a directed studies student with little experience, before going on to do my PhD with her. Graduate school can be a long road and finding a good supervisor can be the difference between a positive and negative experience, so I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend those years in Angie's group.

4) What is your favourite memory of your time at SFU as an undergraduate?

I spent many years on the BPKSA and am glad that I got to know many staff, faculty, and students through organizing and attending events.

5) What advice would you give to today’s BPK student? 

Get as much experience as you can outside of classes and it's ok if you don't know exactly what career you are aiming for yet. Every experience will get you closer to knowing what you do and don't want to do.