Q&A with Aastha: Geriatrics Research, an Aspiring Clinician-Scientist, & more 🏥
Learn about Aastha's passion for geriatrics research, through her experiences at the Geras Centre for Aging Research
Welcome to the Invite Health newsletter. These newsletters highlight students pursuing careers in healthcare, and the experiential learning opportunities they've had. From startups to nonprofits to pathobiology research, my goal with this newsletter is to introduce you to the various pathways that students can pursue in healthcare.
Whether you’re reading this first thing in the morning or in the evening, I hope you enjoy reading today’s newsletter.
- Sachi
This week, I invited Aastha to share her experiences as a Research Trainee at the Geras Centre for Aging Research, to help create the Fit-Frality app. Learn about how Aastha’s professional journey has inspired her to pursue a Master’s in Health Research Methodology and her aspirations for becoming a clinician-scientist. Read on to learn more about her experiences.
Q&A with Aastha, Researcher at Geras Centre for Aging Research & Incoming Health Research Methodology Master’s Student at McMaster University 🏥
First off, tell us about your journey so far. Where do you study, what inspired you to pursue this, and what’s next? What else do you like to do outside of studying?
Hi there 👋 My name is Aastha (she/her) and I recently graduated from the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program at McMaster University. I am grateful to be continuing my journey at Mac as I pursue my Master of Science in Health Research Methodology.
I like to say that I’ve been working full-time for over a decade filling in for the role of my own pancreas. As a type 1 diabetic, I’ve witnessed firsthand how health care, research, advocacy, and education have shaped and continue to shape my own quality of life. I quite literally wouldn’t be alive and writing this if it weren’t for the discovery of insulin by Banting et al. Through all the highs and lows of managing diabetes (yes, pun intended), I’ve realized that to be healthy doesn’t necessarily mean to live in the absence of illness, but to thrive even in the face of it. This lived experience is what ultimately drives my desire to empower others to remain resilient while optimizing their wellbeing.
Although my vision is always evolving, I am currently interested in geriatrics, chronic disease management, and digital health technology. Our population is rapidly aging but it is said that older adults seek care because of the number of chronic diseases, not age. As an aspiring clinician scientist, I want to play a role in addressing these complex needs and promote healthier aging, that is, not just living longer but living well.
For me, part of living well means making time for the little things that fuel my soul. This includes: chasing sunsets, good eats, playing piano, Bollywood dance fitness workouts, and exploring the great outdoors. Oh and I serve as the self-proclaimed family DJ. I also stay connected with the Diabetes Hope Foundation community through their circle of mentorship.
Tell us about your experience as a Research Trainee at Geras Centre for Aging Research
The Geras Centre for Aging Research, affiliated with Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and McMaster University, is dedicated to advancing health care of older adults by accelerating the uptake of evidence to implement new programs, technology, education and health promotion models. The interdisciplinary team includes scientists, administrative staff, postdoctoral fellows, medical students and residents, graduate and undergraduate students, research assistants, and volunteers.
I was on boarded as a volunteer in May 2021 which led to joining the Fit-Frailty App project, a tool aiming to improve the efficiency of identifying and monitoring frailty, for my 3rd year project course (8 hours/week) and 4th year thesis (20 hours/week) during both Fall and Winter terms in those respective years. Since this was during the COVID-19 pandemic, all of my work was conducted virtually. I made over 100 follow-up phone assessments to participants enrolled at a partner clinic to validate virtual administration of the App. I had many lovely conversations with these older adults but during the most memorable one, I asked “How many times have you fallen in the past 6 months?” to which they chuckled “Fallen in love?” 😆
After data collection, I was responsible for piloting and managing the REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) database. REDCap is a secure web-based application that is used to collect and store data for research studies and operations. After downloading all the entered data from REDCap, I assisted in data cleaning and analysis using software programs like SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) and Excel. Don’t feel discouraged if you’re unfamiliar with these tools – I had very little prior experience and knowledge but found them relatively intuitive with help from mentors and good ol’ YouTube!
I am currently assisting with manuscript writing and development of other knowledge translation materials. It was so rewarding to present a poster summarizing 2 years of this research in-person at BHSc Poster Day, to HHS leaders visiting the Geras Centre, and at the 2023 HHS Research Building Bridges Symposium (where it placed 2nd in the Population Health Category open to all levels of training!). This was so unexpected because I had gone into the poster competition with the mindset to learn, not win, because “I’m just an undergrad”, which in a way helped me detach from the outcome and focus on the process.
Liaising with our team of health professionals, biostatisticians, app developers, and clinical researchers was an incredibly rich learning experience. I got to see how the things I learned in my Epidemiology, Statistics, and Critical Appraisal of Medical Literature courses were applicable in the real world. Initially I was intimidated by others’ expertise and honestly unsure of what I could offer as an undergrad; however, staying curious and relentlessly problem-solving built my confidence in adapting outside my comfort zone. Being able to see this study through its different stages of the research process also helped me gain a better sense of what clinical research entails, and recognize my aptitude for it.
How did you come across this opportunity? What did the application process entail?
I distinctly remember the struggle of finding a research supervisor for my 3rd year project course. I spent months sending cold emails with either no response or ones saying that they could not take on more students. I was casually telling my Statistics TA about this and she kindly offered to refer me to her research centre (Geras) coordinator. That’s how I joined Geras and met my godsend undergraduate supervisor who took a chance on me. The rest is history but I still think about how this one conversation profoundly shaped my interests and aspirations… this is your sign that there is no fault in the stars, they align as they are meant to so keep going!
The volunteer onboarding process consisted of several stages including emailing the research coordinator my CV, transcript, and references, an interview, and completing training programs from CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) and TCPS 2: CORE (Tri-Council Policy Statement: Course on Research Ethics). Most research positions have similar steps and it’s beneficial if you’ve already completed these certifications beforehand.
Did this experience lead you to pursue any other related opportunities?
YES! This experience and the inspiring mentors I met along the way are actually what led me to the Health Research Methodology graduate program. I was able to apply with a strong reference from my undergraduate supervisor and secure a graduate supervisor I had previously interacted with on the team.
I honestly can’t say enough good things about the people at Geras – their human-centered approach to care doesn’t just apply to their patients, but their students too! It’s so important to reflect on work culture and whether the research centre’s mission and values align with yours. I tried several different healthcare fields and positions before I ended up at Geras. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them while further developing my clinical research skills, now as a master’s student through thesis and internship related tasks!
Where can students go if they want to learn more about this experience?
Feel free to connect with and/or message me @aastharelan on social media – my DMs are always open! You can also follow @GerasCentre to stay updated on emerging research in healthy aging & geriatric medicine.
In my experience, networking has been the best way to get my foot in the door when it comes to opportunities like this! This could be in the form of reaching out to friends, upper years, TAs, profs, strangers on LinkedIn 😉 and any other community members you’re connected to.
Aastha’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aastharelan/
Is there anything else that you would like to add for Invite Health readers?
There’s this quote one of my BHSc facilitators shared that really stuck with me: “We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell
I never imagined myself doing clinical research or going to grad school until very recently. This experience was a turning point for me and a testament to the importance of exploring new things. I always wanted to go to med school right after undergrad (and still want to eventually) however, I’ve realized the value in forging your own path. This detour has just begun and has already helped me broaden my vision of the impact I want to make in healthcare. Research is one way. Clinical practice, education, and advocacy are others. I think the magic happens at the intersection of all these so I asked myself – why choose when you can do it all and then more?
About Invite Health 💌
Invite Health newsletters highlight students pursuing careers in healthcare, and the experiential learning opportunities they've had. Invite Health can also be the start of building a network, learning a new skill, or finding your next opportunity.
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