da Silva, Rosa
BSc, 2004
What undergraduate program you did at UTM and year of completion?
I completed an Honours Bachelor of Science back in June 2004, with a Major in Biology and a Minor in Italian.
What, if any, additional degrees you have earned?
Subsequently, I completed my PhD in Cell and Systems Biology in 2010 under the supervision of my former physiology instructor and long-time mentor, Dr. Angela Lange. From 2012-2013, I carried out postdoctoral research with Dr. Rene Harrison at the University of Toronto Scarborough
How you have progressed to your current profession?
Throughout my time as an undergrad, I was always fascinated by a number of course instructors who had an incredible ability to teach science in the most engaging way. In particular, my second year physiology professor Dr. Angela Lange, who would later on become my PhD advisor. I remember sitting in Angela's class, turning to my friend and saying “one day, I want to be like her!”. Given my passion for teaching, I was happy to take on a number of teaching assistant opportunities throughout both my undergraduate and graduate training at UTM. In 2010, I took on my first sessional lecturer position at UTM, followed by various other teaching opportunities across all three UofT campuses, and at the University of Guelph. In 2013, a 3-year contractually-limited teaching track position in cell and molecular biology opened up at McMaster University. I nearly did not apply… in fact, after much persuasion from my family, I only submitted my application on the very last day! It has been an amazing adventure to this day. This included a renewal of my 3-year contract, and most recently, my ability to secure a tenure-track teaching stream faculty position in 2019. Currently, I am an Associate Professor and the current Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies within the Department of Biology at McMaster University.
Do you have any advice to undergraduate women who are interested in pursuing a career in STEM?
I was very fortunate to have been taught by amazing instructors throughout my journey at UTM. In particular, I was tremendously fortunate to have been one of Dr. Angela Lange’s students in many courses, eventually pursuing research and my PhD in her lab. She has and continues to be an amazing role model that has played a huge role in my professional development.
What advice would give to undergraduate women who are interested in pursuing a career in STEM?
My best advice to any undergraduate who is interested in pursuing a career in STEM, is to talk to your professors, your TAs, or anyone who is teaching you in your science classroom. Go to office hours, inquire about career options - they are all here to help!