Nazgol Seyednejad BMLSc’07, MD’13
Meet Nazgol Seyednejad BMLSc’07 and MD’13 graduate who is now resident physician specializing in General Surgery:
A graduate of the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) program in 2007, Nazgol’s general interest in physiology and pathology initially drew her to the program. ‘I was very interested in the program as it focused on the pathology of disease processes, through a comprehension of human biology and physiology.’ The program offered a very hands on approach, with laboratory medicine and research techniques to complement its didactic teachings. For example, ‘your readings and classroom based teachings on electron microscopy were supplemented by a project where we were able to process and prepare tissue samples, and personally use the electron microscope for imaging.’
When asked to describe what she does in her workplace, the fourth year General Surgery resident replied that she works in a dedicated multidisciplinary team composed of surgeons, residents, medical students and allied health professionals who are involved in the perioperative and operative management of patients who require surgical care, either in an acute setting or on an elective basis. A general surgeon is trained to work in many different fields of surgery and medicine extending from acute care, surgical oncology, trauma and/or intensive care. As a specialty, general surgery focuses on diseases of the head and neck and the gastrointestinal system.
Naz reflected that she feels very privileged to contribute to the care of her patients through a surgical discipline. She enjoys the fast-paced and time-sensitive nature of general surgery and treating urgent and elective cases through a combination of technical skills, clinical judgment and a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and pathology. She feels the highlight of a general surgery training is the clinical variation it offers: “at any point during your work day you may be helping resuscitate an acutely ill patient and taking them to the operating room immediately, or you may be disclosing a cancer diagnosis and helping make a long term management plan.”
Looking back at her time as an undergraduate student, Nazgol attributes the BMLSc program as an excellent preparatory program for her medical school and current training. ‘The program encompasses a strong network of faculty who are passionate about what they do and the courses they teach. They are dedicated mentors, always available and willing to talk about career paths and offer guidance.’ She feels that many of the faculty she met through the program have impacted her career path and choices.
Of special mention is Dr. David Walker, who offered Naz a research position at St. Paul’s Hospital Institute for Heart and Lung Health after completion of her degree. Dr. Walker’s profound mentorship allowed Nazgol to develop the skills to design, and execute multiple basic science research experiments. She feels that this experience has been the foundational framework of the research projects she has been involved in throughout medical school and residency, and has allowed her to appreciate the bench to bedside translational value in research. The work of her and her team members has culminated into multiple manuscripts and published in medical, surgical and oncology journals, including a publication in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Nazgol has presented her work at various conferences; receiving multiple prizes and awards for her presentations. In fact, Naz contributes her success in her presentations at conferences and teaching sessions to one of the most influential courses in her training, ‘presentations in current topics’. Led by Drs. Godolphin and Bradley in the BMLSc program, this is a course focused on providing students with the skills of effective presentations.
Naz would advise prospective and current BMLSc students that she feels this is one of the best programs at UBC, which prepares and trains students for many different career avenues. She urges students to think outside the box and take advantage of the mentorship they have access to through the program. Lastly, she would advise that the BMLSc program isn’t just for medical school or for the sciences; however it provides students with a strong background to pursue many different opportunities and paths. The program is currently led by Dr. Amanda Bradley, a personal mentor to Nazgol, and someone she holds in very high regard. “Dr. Bradley is very dedicated not only to making this the best program at UBC, but someone who has the vast amount of experience and compassion it takes to lead students to their ultimate goals. You cannot ask for a better program director.”
Reflecting on her favourite memories from the BMLSc program, Naz recalls the connections she made with her classmates. With small class sizes and a hands-on, team based approach to learning, she was able to get to know her peers on a social level, some of whom she still continues to stay close to.
As a resident physician, she has an impressive background of honours and awards, in her research work, community initiatives and her teachings. When she’s not at the hospital or on rotation, she enjoys spending time with friends and family. A self-proclaimed foodie, an item on her bucket list is to go to culinary school and open a farm to table restaurant when she retires. She enjoys staying active through snowboarding, running and traveling.
Xinya Wang BMLSc’15
Interested in seeing what you can do with a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science degree? Meet Xinya, who is now a first year law student at University of Ottawa:
Name: Xinya Wang
Degree and Grad Year: BMLSc’15
Current City: Ottawa
Current Job Title: Law Student (Common Law, English); University of Ottawa, Ottawa ON
1. Today in healthcare it’s important to…
Be empathetic! It’s so important (in healthcare and law) not to disregard or trivialize our individual experiences. Just because the scope of our understanding is limited, doesn’t preclude us from relating or showing compassion to someone else.
2. What initially made you interested in the BMLSc program?
I love understanding the underlying mechanism(s) of different diseases. Through a microscope, it’s an entirely different landscape; there’s something special about being able to interpret something of value from all that chaos.
3. What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?
Small beans, but I’m proud of myself for picking up and moving to Ottawa! I miss Vancouver, but I’m happy for this change of pace.
4. Name the last book you couldn’t put down.
“Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” by David Sedaris.
5. Who was your favourite UBC Faculty of Medicine professor?
Dr. Amanda Bradley was one of the most kind, empathetic, and supportive professors that I’ve ever had. I am so grateful to have been one of her students.
6. What advice would you give to current BMLSc students?
I would advise students to take advantage of the exceptional academic and experiential opportunities that this program offers.
7. What is the best professional advice you’ve received?
Not “professional” advice, per se, but I once read a blog that suggested picturing your life as the Grand Canyon, and dropping your worries into it. Whatever it is, will be barely visible. “Suddenly your problem will seem much, much smaller in comparison to the grand course of your huge, rich, long life”
8. What is your favourite UBC memory?
In fourth year, I joined the planning committee of the UBC Student Leadership Conference. The experience was transformative, in many ways, but I’m most thankful for the friendships. It was an amazing experience to work with so many brilliant, accomplished, and diversely talented individuals.
9. Biggest risk you’ve taken to date?
To take the LSAT – sending me down the rabbit hole to wherever I’ll end up, which is still to be determined.
10. What profession might you have pursued, if not for medical laboratory science?
A liberal arts degree; most likely in Classical/Religious studies.
11. Please name a few of your favourite hobbies and activities
Being in Ottawa, I miss going for runs in Minoru Park (Richmond, BC). I also love making handmade gifts for my friends, and writing extensively verbose birthday and/or holiday cards.
12. What are the best aspects of your career?
By being in the capital city, University of Ottawa offers a lot of unique opportunities. Through Public & Constitutional Law class, I was able to attend the town hall for Justice Malcolm Rowe – and the Supreme Court is only a short bus-ride away!
13. What are the most challenging aspects of your career?
So far, it has been challenging to acclimate to a different learning style. I’m not used to doing so many readings!
14. Bucket List Item?
Adopt a dog!
15. What is one question you’re often asked about your career?
I often get asked the following question: “Law school… That’s quite different from Science, isn’t it?”
Subsequently, I often get asked what I want to specialize in, to which I’m still undecided.
While completing the BMLSc program, Xinya held positions in research at the Vancouver Prostate Centre and the UBC Biodiversity Research Centre. She also held several volunteer positions including Vice President, Communications at UBC Women in Science Club, Board Member, Richmond Women’s Resource Centre and volunteered at the UBC Student Leadership Conference in 2015.
Saaranga Sasitharan BMLSc’14
Interested in seeing what you can do with a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science degree? Meet Saaranga, who is now at Nurse Next Door as a Procura Product Specialist:
Name: Saaranga Sasitharan
Degree and Grad Year: BMLSc’14
Current City: Vancouver
Saaranga works at Nurse Next Door where she is a Procura Product Specialist. Nurse Next Door provides home care services such as personal care, nursing care, 24/7 care and palliative care. As a Procura Product Specialist, Saaranga evaluates central technology systems to see how Nurse Next Door can improve their processes and better leverage resources. Saaranga works to evaluate the system and improve workflows, to increase overall efficiencies.
1. Today in healthcare it’s important to…
Remain innovative. It’s also important to be collaborative and be open to different perspectives.
2. What made you interested in medical laboratory science?
I enjoyed the topics that were covered in the BMLSc program and found them generally interesting. For example, some of the topics covered included studying diseases with a focus on human anatomy. I also enjoyed the small class sizes. With fewer than 25 students in my class, I was able to get to know my classmates on a personal level.
3. What are you hoping to change in the field?
Eventually I hope to be in a position where I’m working in health policy development and looking at how we can improve our inter-professional communication and expertise in certain areas.
4. Name the last book you couldn’t put down.
I’m currently reading Dark Places by Gillian Flynn.
5. Who was your favourite professor from the BMLSc program?
Dr. Nimmo taught Pathology 375 in third year. He was an excellent professor, who taught us about different diseases and how they’re diagnosed. The clinical aspects of the course were very interesting.
6. What is your favourite UBC memory?
One of my favourite memories is of going to a potluck dinner hosted by Dr. Walker (a professor from the BMSLc program) in third year. Dr. Walker was very much invested and interested in the students learning of the program. This was a great team and colleague bonding experience.
7. Biggest risk you’ve taken to date?
One risk that comes to mind was pursuing my Master’s degree straight from the BMLSc program. Typically, candidates of the MHA program are well seasoned in the field. Pursuing my Master’s degree straight from my undergraduate degree has set me up well to grow in my current career path. It’s also provided me with a network of people from all different fields of healthcare.
8. What advice would you give to current BMLSc students?
I would advise students of the importance of getting work experience or some practical experience outside of your academics. This will enable you to graduate with both a degree and work experience. I would also encourage students to use the opportunity of being in the BMLSc program to build connections and leverage your network.
9. What are the best aspects of your career?
I enjoy the investigative side of my current role – being presented with a problem and figuring out what the solution could be, and if it could improve the overall system. I enjoy that no two problems are ever the same, which keeps me on my toes.
I’m also currently working on the roll out of a caregiver portal, a one stop shop for employees to find information. This project enables me to communicate with many different stakeholders such as franchise partners of Nurse Next Door across Canada and the US, as well as nurses, caregivers and leadership.
10. What are the most challenging aspects of your career?
Some of the more challenging aspects include urgent requests. For example, finding an appropriate caregiver for clients who require care within 24 hours can be challenging.
Another challenge I face is implementing the processes that help make all of our stakeholders’ lives better. There is always a give and take, but trying to find a balance where you can gain adequate buy-in from all parties in regards to process implementation has been a learning curve for me.
11. What is one question you’re often asked about your career?
Being in such a specific role, I often get asked what my exact role entails. However, I find my current position as an opportunity to do as many things as possible, and learn about the company as much as possible.
12. Please name a few of your favourite hobbies and activities
I’ve been practicing both Indian Classical and Bollywood dancing styles since I was 9 years old and continue to do so today.
13. Bucket List Item?
I hope to go Skydiving at some point in my life!
Since completing her BMLSc degree, Saaranga has studied Health Administration and is completing her MHA at UBC. While completing both undergraduate and graduate programs, Saaranga held various volunteer positions as a Welcome and Wayfinding Volunteer and Cardiac Patient Volunteer Visitor. She also co-founded and developed a mentorship program for young BC Tamil students, Paying It Forward, Vancouver Tamil Mentorship Program. In 2015, Saaranga was recognized for her volunteerism when she was awarded the UBC External Graduate Award- Fraser Health’s Volunteer Award Program.
