Researcher mobility...minus the scooter
Being a scientist can open the door to a whole host of amazing travel opportunities. Jo Fothergill fondly reflects on her time working in Canada, and encourages more researchers to do the same!
I’ve always secretly fancied living abroad. In my mind, the scenario goes like this; the sun is beating down on Parisian walkways (cue music). There I am with oversized sunglasses and handbag confidently striding down the street, completely fluent in another language and at ease on the foreign soil. It’s all very glamorous...and clearly all in my head.
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My first
experience of maple syrup in Canada.
They spread it onto snow and then roll it
onto a stick.
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In the lab the next day, I began work learning a new cloning
method in order to knockout genes from notoriously difficult clinical isolates
of the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacteria can cause a wide range of
infections including infections in the lungs, burns and wounds, eyes and
urinary tract. I was hosted by Professor Roger Levesque at Université Laval –
renowned for his work on P. aeruginosa,
models of infection and sequencing. At first, everything seems different and
yet eventually you realise that most labs work in a very similar way. Although
I do now know that DNA in French is ADN.
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| A very cold morning at Université Laval campus |
Before going I was warned by some that
in North America I would be worked to the bone – long hours and no holidays.
However, I found the hours to be roughly the same with the work largely
dictating what is needed (unfortunately bacteria don’t always adhere to 9-5
working hours). At weekends, I was taken sight-seeing and invited for meals. Quebec City is a beautiful city in Eastern
Canada. Situated on the Saint Lawrence river, it has a very European feel. I
was there in Autumn-Winter so I got to witness the Canadian maples leaves turn
red, drop off and freeze in the time I was there. The experience was amazing
and really made me think about how I could try to enhance anyone that visits me
in the lab in future.
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Irena made
me feel so welcome on the trip.
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In short, I made some friends for life, strengthened
collaborations and learnt a new technique. I can’t really deny that there were
times when I felt a bit lonely and really wished that my French was better
(with the help of Michael Thomas, one day it will be) but I would recommend the
experience to anyone. I had a fabulous time and Quebec City will always hold a
special place in my heart. I hope to return someday.
My advice to anyone thinking about doing this is to be
proactive and give it a go. Here are some funding streams that might help:
Dr Jo Fothergill is a microbiologist and Tenure-Track Fellow at the Institute of Infection and Global Health.Follow her @JoJofoth
