HYRS - Kieran Schmidtke
If you are debating applying for the HYRS program, do it! It is a one in a lifetime experience that really helps narrow down future carrier or education paths. You get to learn so many things and open your horizon to the world of modern science, and don't worry they teach you all you need to know.
While Kieran Schmidtke participated in the HYRS program, he found a sense of belonging as a lab member and researcher. During HYRS, Kieran used an analytical ultracentrifuge to study Adeno Associated viruses, used in gene therapy, in order to determine the purity of the tested samples.
What drew you to the HYRS program?
What first drew me to the HYRS program was the fact that it was so different from anything else I have done. Even though I enjoyed science classes, I had little exposure to research/hands-on science work. The idea that I could experience the field of research at such a young age sounded super interesting and seemed like a great program I could look back upon when making future post secondary choices.
What research have you engaged in? Tell us what you have enjoyed most about your projects, including any cool findings!
With the help of my supervisor I have engaged in a bunch of different research projects with the use of a analytical ultracentrifuge (a cool piece of technology that lets you learn a bunch of properties about a desired macromolecule by spinning it really fast). The main focus of my HYRS experience was spent analyzing Adeno Associated viruses (which are used in gene therapy) in order to determine the purity of the tested samples. I really enjoyed the work I did with the AAVs mainly because it has real world applications and may become very useful in future gene therapy studies and/or clinical use.
What have you enjoyed the most about the HYRS program?
There were a lot of things I enjoyed about my HYRS experience! Not only was there a great social aspect between peers and supervisors, but there was a mutual respect between HYRS students and the lab members. I found that I was not treated like a high school student tagging along for six weeks while my lab did the work, but rather I was viewed as being part of the lab. Of course the first couple weeks was spent learning how to perform research, but by the end of the program you feel like you could continue your own research independently.
What are your plans after university, and has the HYRS program contributed to your career plans?
My plans for university and after are definitely geared towards the world of science. I am a very big physics geek and I love trying to solve difficult problems by using innovative, out of the box techniques. I think that HYRS really helped me see that the field of science is where I belong. In addition, I always debated whether research was for me and I find that after having done the program the answer is now more clear then ever.
Is there anyone who had an important influence on your experience with the program? This can be a fellow student in the HYRS program, a mentor, staff or faculty.
I think that it was really because of my supervisor that I had such a good experience in the program. She was super patient at explaining things to me, as well as answering my many questions. Not only did she trust me in performing a bunch of different lab experiments, but she treated me like a fellow lab member. She is however not the only good supervisor in the program. Every student was welcomed with open arms by there respective lab members.
What advice would you give students who are interested in research through the HYRS program?
If you are debating applying for the HYRS program, do it! It is a one in a lifetime experience that really helps narrow down future carrier or education paths. You get to learn so many things and open your horizon to the world of modern science, and don't worry they teach you all you need to know.