Dylan Burger, PhD
Scientist and Assistant Professor
Kidney Research Centre, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa
2513-451 Smyth Rd.
Ottawa, ON
p. 613.562.5800 x.8241
e. burger@uottawa.ca
http://www.ohri.ca/profile/dylanburger
Interview:
Q: Tell us a bit about your graduate research. What were your most exciting findings?
My PhD was in the laboratory of Dr. Qingping Feng and involved the examination of mechanisms responsible for erythropoietin-mediated cardioprotection in cellular and animal models of ischemic heart disease. We identified nitric oxide synthases and heme oxygenase as downstream mediators of anti-apoptotic and antiarrhythmic effects.
My most exciting findings were actually slightly outside of my main PhD work. While finishing off a side project we made the observation that our nNOS-/- mice were prone to arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death following myocardial infarction. This was one of the first links between nNOS and arrhythmia, which has subsequently become an active area of research.
Q: What skills did you acquire in graduate school that helped you in your current position? How did your degree give you an advantage in attaining your position?
The ability to work efficiently is something that I first started to appreciate in graduate school and something that is crucial to my daily activities. I also developed the ability to critically analyze scientific work, gained an understanding of biostatistics, and built knowledge of the Canadian research environment and contacts in my field.
Q: When did you realize that you would most likely pursue a career in academia?
I knew at the time of entry into the program that I wanted to pursue a career in academia and this was unchanged throughout my studies. For the early part of my graduate studies I wasn’t as focused on taking the proper steps towards this goal as I should have been but over the course of time I became more focused on achieving what was necessary to get a good postdoctoral position and ultimately an academic appointment.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
The fact that I am constantly learning something new! I also love the opportunity to exchange ideas with brilliant minds on a regular basis.
Q: How did you learn about the posting for your current job?
A colleague shared a link to the posting right after it had been released. That said, as a post-doc I was constantly looking at postings on Naturejobs, national society web sites, on academicwork.ca, and major universities and research institutes.
Q: What are some specific examples of extracurricular activities (outside of research) that you participated in, which helped you get to the position you are at now?
During my PhD I had the opportunity to serve as a student member of the appointments committee. Seeing what went into the academic hiring process really helped me focus on what steps were important to proper career development and made me more comfortable during the interview process.
Beyond that I would recommend activities that make you more confident with public speaking. I held a number of volunteer leadership positions which required public speaking and these were instrumental in my comfort with giving scientific presentations.
Q: What are some suggestions for networking?
This is something that can be absolutely critical to your career development. Early in your career I think that it is important to take advantage of opportunities where somebody else “does the networking for you”. I met many important people in my career development through my supervisors. That said, it is important to build contacts outside of your supervisor's circle too. This can be difficult since most scientists I know are quite shy, but you can’t let that get in the way of meeting the right people.
My most crucial networking opportunities actually came through service to research organizations. If you have an opportunity to sit on a new investigator committee, or a scientific committee within your chosen field then this can really open doors for you. Just be sure to pull your weight; people will remember how much you contributed.
Q: What is one piece of advice you can offer to current graduate students? To current post-doctoral fellows?
Graduate students: Choose the right postdoctoral mentor. My personal criteria would be someone senior and well-funded who is active in the major societies in your field, and whose management style best meshes with your optimal working conditions. If you produce best with regular meetings with your supervisor then don’t choose to work for a busy clinician scientist.
Post-doctoral fellows: Start thinking about your applications early. Develop a plan for an independent research program (including a draft application package) as soon as possible. Make sure that your publication numbers/quality are sufficient and try to build contacts in leadership positions at the institutes that you are targeting.
Q: What does your perfect Sunday look like?
1. Sleep in
2. Light Breakfast
3. Finish work around the house (ideally this involves building or fixing something)
4. Quick lunch at home
5. Some sort of social/athletic activity (soccer, softball, golf, volleyball)
6. Late afternoon barbecue on the patio with friends
7. Family movie night
