At UBC Okanagan, research extends beyond traditional learning, offering hands-on experiences where students actively participate in groundbreaking discoveries. For Janaeya Baher, an undergraduate biochemistry student, this journey began unexpectedly with an email.

“I never had any classes with Dr. Emmanuel Osei, but I was fascinated by his research on artificial disease models,” explains Baher, who sought a meaningful research opportunity during her undergraduate studies.

The engineered structures-known as 3D organoids and bioprinted models-have been crucial in recent drug research that will impact future clinical practice.

For example, lung organoids were some of the main models used for vaccine and therapeutic research during the COVID-19 pandemic; other ongoing research explores how the application of organoids and 3D bioprinted tissue can repair and rebuild damaged or injured lung tissue in the clinic.

This cell culture bright field microscope is essential for the close examination of the health, growth and behaviour of living cells used in the models.

Close-Knit Community Fosters opportunities

For Dr. Osei and baaler, UBC OCanagan’s Community has been Key to their success.

Dr. Osei was drawn to the Okanagan campus for its collaborative atmosphere.

“I wanted to work on a smaller campus but still have the support of a big institution, so I was attracted to UBC Okanagan. It was one of the first places I applied, and thankfully, you asked me to come!”

“I find that I’m able to build relationships with my professors here in a way that I might not have been able to at a larger university.”

Dr.Emmanuel Osei appreciates UBC Okanagan’s close-knit campus, which he believes has been key to his success.

He adds, “Here, your office neighbour could be researching somthing different that complements your work.That fosters new ideas.”

For Baher,the size of the campus made it easier to connect with faculty members.

“I find that I’m able to build relationships with my professors here in a way that I might not have been able to at a larger university,” she says.

Baher admits that even though she initially faced a steep learning curve, the support from Dr. Osei and lab colleagues made all the difference.

Hands-On Learning and Skill Development

When she first joined Dr. Osei’s lab, baher faced a steep learning curve.

“I had never been in a lab before,” she admits. “Then all of a sudden, I was asked to conduct experiments I had no experience with.”

With the help of Dr. Osei and his graduate students, Baher quickly learned the fundamentals of lab work-cell culturing, making gels and working with reagents. In addition to her technical skills, she also developed the ability to troubleshoot problems, think critically, and work within a team.

Baher credits her undergraduate research experience with teaching her a host of technical and soft skills that will be useful in any endeavour.

“All thes experiences will be invaluable for whatever I do next in life.”

Now, as a work-study student in the lab, Baher balances lab work with a full course load-an experience she describes as both rewarding and challenging.

“It’s exhausting going from four hours of lectures straight into the lab. There are days I don’t want to go in because I’ve had exams and I’m tired. But I push through as I know this work is valuable.”

For Dr. Osei, facilitating these opportunities to students like Baher is one of the most rewarding aspects of his work.

“I tell my students, if you’re interested in research, don’t give up. Keep knocking on doors. Just as the door was opened for me as a student, someone will open one for you. Who knows, it could very well be a good fit for you to work with someone to achieve scientific knowledge and success.”