CPS Grad Spotlight - Faisal Halabeya
Name: Faisal Halabeya
MSc or PhD Candidate: PhD Candidate
Location of Undergraduate Education: BA in Physics, Boston University
Name of the Lab at CPS: Milstein Lab
Selected Awards: CPS Teaching Fellowship, June Scott Teaching Excellence Award for Teaching Assistants
Selected Research Contributions: Second author on a paper titled Mechanics limits ecological diversity and promotes heterogeneity in confined bacterial communities - https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2322321121
Faisal, please tell us about yourself and your journey as a PhD Candidate!
How did you come to UTM? What interested you to join a lab here?
I wanted to pursue a biophysics research program with a strong interdisciplinary culture. When I applied to UofT, I didn’t immediately realize that most of the biophysics labs were at UTM, but after visiting the campus and meeting faculty, staff, and current graduate students, I felt so welcomed and knew I had found my academic home for my graduate studies.
When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a graduate study?
Honestly, I came to the decision gradually, as I realized that I really enjoyed being in an academic setting and I felt like I wanted to keep learning more about biophysics. Additionally, I wasn’t sure what career I wanted to pursue, but I knew that having a graduate degree could help me navigate the scientific job market with more ease. All these factors made graduate school an attractive option for me.
What are your research interests? Tell us few exciting things about your research.
I study the behaviour of bacteria in micro-sized environments, including how bacterial cells compete with each other, how their physical attributes affect their survival capability, and how we might find new ways to kill them in hard-to-reach places. What I love about my research is that it combines a physics-based quantitative approach with very biologically relevant questions. As antibiotic resistance becomes a more pressing problem in the world and we increasingly recognize the role that our microbiota play in health and wellness, it’s important that we thoroughly investigate how bacteria behave at the smallest scales. I see my research as a part of this growing branch of biophysics.
What is your goal when you finish your degree?
I hope to either find a job as a teaching-focused professor or pursue another type of career hopefully related to science in an academic/university setting. My passion lies in working with people and supporting their learning and growth in a variety of areas, from research to personal and academic development.
What are some of your achievements you'd like to share?
I was recently granted the June Scott Teaching Excellence Award. This award recognized my skills as a Teaching Assistant, a job which I take a lot of pride in. I love working with students and watching them grow into scientists as they learn about physics and about themselves. It was an honour to be recognized for this work.
Do you have any advice for students considering to pursue graduate studies in research?
If you’re unsure about whether you want to pursue research, the number one way to find out is to try it! Reach out to professors who work in fields that you find interesting and ask if they can point you to some opportunities. If you already know that you want to do a Master’s or PhD, my advice is to prioritize an environment where you will feel supported and empowered to do the kind of work that most excites you. Choosing a research supervisor who you feel comfortable approaching now will make challenges less daunting. And a topic that fascinates you will keep you going when the work gets tough. Most importantly, remember that roadblocks are a feature of graduate school, not a bug. It’s supposed to be challenging, because being challenged is the best way to learn. However, you should always rely on your community and take time away to rest and recharge. Having a life outside of work will keep you grounded. Above all else, be kind to yourself and proud of your accomplishments.
