Tuesday, March 10th, 2015...3:13 pm

Grad Students of U of T

Jump to Comments
fd
Name: Hamza Bin Taufique
Program of Study: Molecular Genetics
What made you choose your grad program at U of T? In my 4th year of undergraduate studies, I knew that I wanted to go to grad school for biomedical sciences. University of Toronto was my top choice for grad studies. However, I was very confused about what department or program I should apply to at UofT. I like science in general, but I am very passionate about neuroscience in particular. While ‘shopping’ for programs of study, I stumbled across the Department of Molecular Genetics. The department had some great neuroscientists whose work appealed to me.  The scope of research in Molecular Genetics was also very broad which I thought was great given my general curiosity about science and research. The best thing about Molecular Genetics was that it offered a rotation system for new grad students. You get to work in 3 different labs for five weeks each in order to determine what labs and/or research you like the most before you settle in one lab for your graduate studies. It was sort of a test drive and I really liked that idea. And so I ended up at Molecular Genetics and it has been a fun ride so far.
Favourite Study Spot: I really miss having a favourite study spot. I definitely had one in undergrad….4th floor quiet study area at the UTM library. The lab I am working in for my graduate studies is located at Mount Sinai Hospital and so I am hardly ever on campus. So unfortunately, I currently do not have a favourite study spot on campus. However, I have done some studying in the lower level of Grad Room a couple of times and that place will definitely be a good contender for a good study spot (the room is almost always busy though!)
What’s on the top of your TO-DO list this week? I work with Grad Minds and we are organizing this great conference in March called ‘Open Minds 2015’. I am in charge of planning and organizing a few things for this event and I am really looking forward to getting together with the awesome Grad Minds team and getting things planned. Also I am currently performing this really important experiment that will dictate how the rest of my PhD goes, so I am really looking forward to getting it done and producing some awesome data.
What’s your favourite way to take a break from school work? I love going for walks and it is something I do on a daily basis to take a break from school work. And when things get really hectic, I go see a theatre play or a concert. I am so lucky to be in Toronto where these things are happening almost every day. 
What does an average Tuesday look like for you? I wake up at 6am and go for a run. Then I get ready for my commute from Brampton to Toronto. After arriving in the lab, I get my morning coffee and plan for the experiments that I need to do. Most of the day is spent doing these experiments. I do attend our department’s student seminars on Tuesdays. They are a great way to learn about the research of other students in the department. 
Tell me about the last time you felt really proud of your work. So recently Grad Minds organized an event regarding the Impostor Phenomenon and I was part of the organizing team. There’s a great event-recap on the Gradlife Blog.  To the best of my knowledge, this was the first time that Impostor Phenomenon was talked about so openly in an event. The event went great. Over 150 students and staff attended the event and the feedback we got from the attendees was great. I am really proud of myself AND the rest of the Grad Minds team for organizing such a great event. It was a great team effort and a very positive learning experience.


Leave a Reply

*