31 Oct Trainee: Donovan Smith
Trainee: Donovan Smith, PhD Candidate in Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary
Question: What is your research on?
Answer: My research looks at using novel therapeutics to help treat and prevent heart disease in individuals living with spinal cord injury. Specifically, my project investigates how epidural spinal stimulation can be used to restore hemodynamic stability after spinal cord injury, with the aim of improving heart tissue perfusion and preventing dangerous drops in blood pressure that damage the cardiovascular system. My project uses rodent models of spinal cord injury to investigate this treatment paradigm.
Q: How did you get to where you are today?
A: As an undergraduate student in Kinesiology, I was required to take a few Sensorimotor Neuroscience courses. I quickly fell in love with studying the nervous system and its complexities and decided to pursue a MSc in Clinical Neuroscience after graduating. In this role, I studied upper-limb motor rehabilitation after stroke, working with clinical populations. Wanting to expand my research into the preclinical domain, I joined the Phillips Lab, where I have been privileged to participate in fully-translational research studies examining autonomic function after spinal cord injury.
Q: What advice do you have for new trainees?
A: Take the time to prioritize yourself outside of the lab! Graduate school can be a demanding process, with research often requiring complete commitment to the project. While the outcome of publishing a paper or presenting your work at a conference is extremely rewarding, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel at times. Make sure that you take time outside of the lab to do things you enjoy, see people you care about, and just enjoy your life! Balance is the key to success when working for years on a project.
Q: What are your favorite pastimes or hobbies?
A: In my spare time, I love doing film photography, both around Calgary and in the Rocky Mountains. When I’m not out with my camera, I am an avid musician, having played guitar for almost 20 years. I also have a passion for cooking and exploring making new dishes for family and friends.
Q: What are your favorite foods?
A: Damascus Shawarma on 17th Ave, if you know, you know…
Q: What is your go-to karaoke song?
A: Shampoo Bottles – Peach Pit