Program: PhD, Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Year in Program: 2
It was during my master’s degree that I discovered the field of pharmacology and all the possibilities it can offer. Studying drug interactions within the body can be applied to any type of medical condition, from neurological disorders to metabolic diseases. A lot of conditions/diseases lack good medications so finding new drugs or therapeutics is important, and I would love to contribute to this scientific innovation and development.
My area of research focuses on heart and lung diseases. We are testing known drugs for other possible therapeutic benefits. In the few past years, we have found that these medications are improving blood vessel integrity. In the context of the current COVID-19 situation, we hope that these drugs will be helpful in preventing some complications experienced in patients with severe cases of COVID-19, as their structure is similar to the virus receptor.
Like a lot of people, I look forward to having effective treatments for COVID-19. I dream of having a vaccine soon, but I know that it might take a long time to develop one that is safe and efficient. In the meantime, I hope that people from all around the world, including governments, understand the importance of continuing to follow hygiene guidelines and physical distancing.
I do several things to make sure that I stay healthy and safe. Because of COVID-19, I’m working remotely so I don’t get to interact with a lot of people. From my point of view, it’s very important to keep in touch with friends, family, and colleagues to make sure that everyone is doing fine. Feeling isolated can have huge psychological impacts, so I need to make sure that I am interacting with people in some way.
One benefit of working remotely is having the time to cook homemade dishes instead of buying pre-made food. This is far healthier than what you can buy from the supermarket as you control the ingredients you add to your dish.
Another thing that I am doing for my well being is making sure that I get some physical activity. I bike almost every day and hike on weekends. This is crucial for me because I need to get out of the house and enjoy the summer, while staying safe and respecting COVID-19 measures and advice.
I’m a social person, so I like having meetings/meet-ups using videoconference platforms. I do this often because it allows me to connect and socialize with people. You can be reunited with a lot of different people from around the world at the same time and have a drink or play different online games. It’s a lot of fun!