Aaron Bernstein

Master's student in the Faculty of Science

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I always loved to dive deep into understanding us (as material human beings). It fills me with sensation of meaning and responsibility to learn more about our intrinsic nature and apply that knowledge towards reducing unnecessary human suffering.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

After finishing my Bachelor's degree in Germany, I wanted to move out and explore more of the world, while still staying on my set scientific path. SFU with its great student support and a program that fitted my needs was a great option. I made my final decision after meeting my current supervisor (Dr. Jonathan Choy) and fell for his studies on transplant rejection.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

After an accident or due to a chronic disease, people might need an organ transplantation to survive. However, our human immune system is very sensitive and can discern a newly transplanted organ from the old one. In a process called rejection, it tries to clear our body from the conceived intruder. To prevent the rejection scientists have invented multiple methods. The one I am involved in is a way to "hide" the organ from the immune system by coting it before the transplantation with a special polymer. This coating seems to work very well in reducing the rejection, however it far from a medical application. I am investigating the effect of this polymer on human immune cells (focus: NK-cells) to identify the cause for the reduced rejection and potential side-effects.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Immunology; Transplant-rejection

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

I am glad to have participated in the mandatory courses of the MBB, learning not only scientific facts about how we, as humans work but also how to conduct oneself in an academic environment. To learn in my first term of general principles of good scientific practices, how to construct an engaging and understandable presentation has helped me. In addition to academic courses, I greatly appreciate the help and experience I gained from participating in the Instructional Skill Workshop (ISW) and the Three-Minute Thesis Competition (3MT). There I learned how to communicate scientific topics to non-scientific people and how to conduct a short time presentation of my research to a crowed of people respectively.

What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?

self-organization, self-reliance, confident and fluid speaking in a foreign language (English for me)

How do you approach networking and building connections in and outside of your academic community?

I engage in conversation with people of shared interests and/or circumstantial similarities with me.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

My best friend is my calendar, not as a tyrant to be followed obeisantly but as a guide to help me predict how much work I can do and what I should prioritize.

If you could dedicate your research to anyone (past, present and/or future), who would that be and why?

There are many people I am thankful for, that have steered me to where I am now. Among these are (number one) my parents for raising me, my high school biology teacher Ms. Starke for opening my eyes to the depts of human physiology, and my pears + professors for their support and engagement towards my academic and personal progress.

Contact Aaron:apb18@sfu.ca