In the Spotlight with Jamie Avrumutsoae
Prior to joining the lab, where did you receive your training?
I learned the basics of biochemical techniques in BIOCHEM 2L06 which is a mandatory class for all biochemistry students. I received my formal training during my first co-op at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research in the Drug Discovery (Biology) department.
What is the most exciting thing you are working on right now?
My project looks at inhibiting fatty acid synthesis as a potential therapeutic option for leukemia patients. I think it’s quite exciting. We’ll be looking at what’s happening at the metabolic level when these leukemic cells are treated with inhibitors. Lots of research suggests that there’s a complex interplay between metabolism and other cellular processes, which will be fun to explore.
How would you summarize your average day in the lab?
An average day usually starts with going to TC (tissue culture) to either set up or maintain an experiment, the cells, or both. This usually takes at minimum a few hours. Then I’ll head back to the office space to chat with lab members and eat a snack. Any time not spent in TC is usually spent doing data analysis and/or reading papers, checking emails, restocking storage, or finding things to help out with.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why? This does not need to be research related.
At my core, I’m an artistic person. I’m also interested in science communication. I think it would be fun to create an interdisciplinary video channel in collaboration with passionate people from vastly different fields. What exactly this would look like, I don’t know. But I envision it as something to fascinate people with no scientific background.
What are you reading or listening to in your spare time?
You can usually catch me listening to podcasts. I like listening to all kinds of things: news, art, lifestyle, religion, science, humor, tech, and gaming. I’m also a fan of fantasy. So, when I do read, it’s most likely going to be something by Brandon Sanderson or Leigh Bardugo.
General Interest, Trainees