Saad Iqbal

Snapshot

  • Honours Molecular Biology & Genetics Level III student researching virus modelling

  • Currently in a research practicum/conducting independent projects

  • Position obtained through: Networking and classes

  • My research practicum aims to describe viruses and viral pandemics (COVID-19) from an evolutionary perspective through computational software and models. While we know that viruses can be deadly to humans, studying viruses can help us understand the complex dynamics of virus emergence and virus spread. 

  • I look at the mutations present in different virus strains and with that information, implement it into our model so that we can study how certain environmental changes and human behavior can create new opportunities for viruses to evolve and infect humans.

“Breaking into a research setting for the first time can be a challenging experience for students. My advice would be instead of trying to contact all professors that are doing research, identify an area of research that you are passionate about studying. I found that computational biology for me was a topic that I enjoyed learning more about in my free time. I read literature on the field and did some small independent projects to build my skills and passion for it. 

The way I got my research position was by having conversations about the computational biology field with my professor (who does research in this field) after class. After a few conversations, he saw that I was genuinely passionate about this field, so before I even brought up possible research opportunities, he himself offered me a research position in his lab.”

“Start by exploring different areas in your field and find something that you are passionate about learning. Build knowledge in that specific area in your free time which will definitely help show professors your passion and will make the whole process easier for you.”