December 2023
Meet Ms. Isabel Bestard Lorigados, a PhD Candidate in the UBC Graduate Program in Neuroscience and a trainee in Alzheimer’s research in the Song Lab. She has been a member of the Department since 2019.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I started my scientific career while studying for my Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Havana, Cuba. Working in labs and seeing the wonders of the brain on histological slides greatly spurred my interest in neuroscience. This experience ultimately encouraged me to look for new opportunities to get involved in research, which is why I decided to move to Canada to complete my undergraduate degree.
Continuing my studies in Canada also provided new opportunities for me to broaden my research experience as I was able to volunteer and complete my Undergraduate and Master of Science theses in a neurodevelopmental lab at York University. Over the past four years, I have dedicated my PhD to studying Alzheimer’s disease as part of Dr. Weihong Song’s lab at the Department of Psychiatry, hoping to provide a molecular foundation for developing more effective treatments.
What is one moment this past year that was truly memorable for you?
I successfully passed my Comprehensive Exam last September (2022), one of the most challenging times in my career that also helped me grow as a neuroscientist. I am very proud to have accomplished this milestone and received praise from my committee, which increased my confidence as a scientist and consolidated my worth and contributions to the neuroscience field and Alzheimer’s disease research.
What is the best piece of advice you can share with colleagues new to the Department or UBC?
For new trainees and colleagues, my advice is to get involved with events in our Department and UBC. For instance, volunteer with organizations that represent your values, attend colloquiums, seminars and conferences where you will learn novel and current research conducted in our field, and meet colleagues and network. Starting in a new place can be isolating, and meeting like-minded people going through similar professional experiences has been crucial for me.
What are your interests and hobbies outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy reading fiction books and volunteering in science communication and outreach activities. The new healthy habit I started last year and surprisingly enjoyed is running 5 kilometres on the beautiful UBC campus once a week.