Hannah Derue is a Master's IPN student in the Ribeiro-da-Silva and Mogil labs. Her project, titled Effect of exercise on the neuropathic component of arthritis pain: characterization and therapeutic properties, falls under Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives' Research Theme 2—Mechanistic Models of Neurodegenerative Disorders.
What inspired you to pursue your current degree?
As a clinical mental health and addiction worker, I was puzzled by the complex and often poorly managed pain syndromes experienced by my clients. I also missed the excitement of conducting research during my bachelor's degree and felt compelled to return to research. My clinical experience inspired me with a new interest in understanding the mechanisms behind pain and led me to undertake a master's degree in the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (IPN) at McGill University under the supervision of Dr. Alfredo Ribeiro-da-Silva in 2021. I want to make science accessible to all and use my unique perspective as clinician-turned-basic-science trainee to promote interdisciplinary collaboration between research groups.
What is your area of research and what are the future implications of your project?
I started my master's degree by studying the impact of therapeutic movement interventions on a preclinical model of osteoarthritis. As a newly co-supervised trainee who will fast-track to the PhD program this semester, I’m shifting my attention to a new project which will investigate opioid withdrawal and tapering paradigms. The hope is to generate new findings that may have relevance to the same clinical environments that drove me to pain research in the first place.
What are some challenges that you face as a trainee or in your research? How do you try to overcome them?
As is the case with many graduate students, I’ve struggled with impostor syndrome. As a first-generation student I feel that this has played a significant role in my growth and philosophy as a young investigator. I want to do well for myself like any other graduate student but simultaneously feel the weight of future generations of young people from underrepresented groups in STEM on my shoulders. I’m still learning how to navigate these complex systems, but I look forward to removing obstacles faced by students from these groups who are interested in science. I try to contribute to the dismantling of systemic barriers in science education by being highly involved in academic committees, student leadership positions and science-communication initiatives. I hope that every other young person interested in science, regardless of their background, gender or other factors can feel welcome and have access to the same opportunity I’ve had.
What do you like best about (your) research?
I enjoy the intellectual challenge of being a graduate student. My work requires a tremendous amount of reading and independently led work that allows for reflection and personal growth, which is rarely possible in other work environments. Knowing that my research will have lasting and positive impacts the lives of others is a significant motivating factor for me. This year I began mentoring my first undergraduate student, joined professional associations, presented at conferences and traveled for my work. Being a graduate student is incredible because it allows you to meet so many other brilliant people, and along the way there are so many opportunities to bring other people into the conversation with you. It’s so much more than turning out data and publications. My research has given me the rare opportunity to impact the lives of others in positive ways. I want everyone interested in science to feel brave enough to pursue their interests and to have the opportunity I have to "geek out" alongside the best scientific minds in the world, here at McGill.
What non-science activity or hobby do you most enjoy?
I love cooking, so I’m always testing out new recipes. Maybe I'm just addicted to the same trial-and-error process required when conducting experiments. If I'm not trying out a new recipe, I'm probably reading true crime or maybe watching Star Trek or RuPaul's Drag Race.
What accomplishment are you most proud of this year?
I'm incredibly proud of the growth that I’ve seen in my undergraduate student. Giving her the time and mentorship she needs to succeed has been the most rewarding experience yet. I look forward to watching what she does when she moves on to a new lab for grad school!
