Thalia Goncalves
Program
Master of Biomedical Science (MBS), Reproductive Biotechnology, College Ontario Veterinary College
Why did you choose to complete your graduate studies in your program at the University of Guelph?
I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph and felt the most at home at here since I was very familiar with it. As well, I wanted to attain experience in handling embryos and sperm, and Guelph is one of two universities in Ontario that offers such a specialized program. This program provides exposure to and placements at both human and animal reproductive clinics, to offer both career paths to students which I believe is an asset of this program. Additionally, since I had been exposed to many professors during my undergraduate studies, I resonated with the research path of a particular professor and wanted to pursue that research myself.
A bit about my path...
A bit about the work you are doing here... During my undergraduate degree, my passion for embryonic and infant development became evident. Prior to this, I was unaware that an applied reproductive biotechnologies masters program was offered at the University of Guelph, as well as this being a potential career path I would enjoy pursuing. I then began to reach out to my teaching assistants who were part of this program, and they provided me with their experience and how they were able to become an embryologist, which is the career that sound most appealing to me. My research provides me with the ability to investigate oocyte and embryonic development, while also centering around how daily toxicant exposure can hinder their progression. This research does not only appeal to my own personal interest, it also can be applied to real life scenarios to educate individuals on important developmental stages. A moment that has stood out to me thus far is how quickly I have become comfortable in daily laboratory protocols and proceeds, in addition to my enjoyment for lab work, as I was previously intimidated by it.
How my research Improves Life…
My research at U of G revolves around the inhibition of an integral gap junction protein and the effect of bisphenol A, a compound found in plastic, on oocytes. This research would provide addition knowledge to the research that is currently available about how BPA can negatively impact oocyte development, and whether there are even more detrimental effects with the abolishment of this gap junction protein. This information could also potentially be used as a screening method to determine why oocytes may be of poor quality or why embryos fail to progress developmentally. Individuals who are attempting to conceive would be more aware and mindful of how substances present in their daily environment may be impacting fertility.
My academic relationship with my advisor...
My advisor challenges me academically and assists me in critically analyzing non ideal results that I may obtain and offers a possible solution to correct these issues. When I am unsure of how to proceed, my advisor provides me with continuous support and knowledge that I may be lacking, which I am the most appreciative of.
What I plan to do after graduation...
Once I graduate, I plan on entering the human IVF field and becoming an embryologist. The MBS program in applied reproductive biotechnologies has provided me with the opportunity to handle bovine oocytes and sperm, in addition to generating embryos. Through this training as well as my research, I can now handle delicate samples with confidence. Also, I attained foundational knowledge of the culture conditions and overall laboratory protocols required to develop embryos, providing me with a glimpse of how embryos are generated in fully functional clinics. I have also connected with numerous individuals in the field through U of G experiences, that I would have otherwise not had without this program.
Something beyond being a grad student...
When I am not conducting my research, I enjoy reading and cooking primarily. I am an outdoors person and particularly during the summer, my favourite pass time is kayaking and playing volleyball. My family, friends and cat are my biggest support system, and I love to spend time with them as much as possible.
What it is like to be a graduate student at Guelph...
Becoming a graduate student is a surreal experience as I had never expected to pursue graduate studies. I feel as a graduate student, I have additional flexibility and control of my education. My advisor provides me with a tremendous amount of support and allows me to work independently, critically evaluate my protocols, and allows me to justify why I have decided to conduct my research in a particular way. All of these skills and abilities I believe are important for a graduate student to learn and possess. Overall, I enjoy being a graduate student as now my knowledge is directly applied to the research I am conducting.
What I like best about U of G campus..
The U of G campus provides me with a sense of normalcy which I enjoy since I have been at the University for 5 years now, and have had my most formative years on this campus. The selection and overall quality of the food at U of G is amazing and I wish I could experience it for the first time again. As well, the buildings on campus are about a 10 minute walk from each other at most which provides a sense of community and cohesiveness to the campus, which I enjoy.
What I like about living in the City of Guelph...
As I am from a larger city, it is often difficult to formulate connections and a sense of community. However, since living in Guelph, I converse with my neighbours on a daily basis, about their spouses, children and even their pets. The best part of my day is when I see and pet one of my neighbour’s dogs as they are going on an evening stroll. Everyone I have met thus far in Guelph has been extremely friendly. There are also many activities to do in Guelph for those much needed brain break and there are various restaurants to enjoy when a food break is necessary.