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"Placental biology, and the more general field of developmental origins of health and disease, certainly fall into both of those categories and there is so much still to learn and discover."
Jess Hercus
Biological Sciences doctoral student in the Faculty of Science
Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field
I am interested in under-researched fields that hold a lot of complexity. Placental biology, and the more general field of developmental origins of health and disease, certainly fall into both of those categories and there is so much still to learn and discover.
Why did you choose to come to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV?
I initially chose ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV as an undergraduate transfer student because of their Biology program and the capacity for interdisciplinary learning.
How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?
I study how the placenta is impacted by stressors experienced by the mother, how those stressors experienced during pregnancy impact the offspring throughout the lifespan, and how sex plays a role.
What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?
Placenta, sex, development
How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?
My TA-ships allowed me to learn along with students I was teaching, and have let me develop skills in science communication that I otherwise may not have gained.
Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research
NSERC CGS-M- this gave me time and funding to ultimately develop my ideas into a doctoral project and transfer from the Master's program into the PhD program.
How do you approach networking and building connections in and outside of your academic community?
I approach networking and building connections simply as making friends. I am so excited to hear about everyone's research and work, whether or not it's my field, and so I often unintentionally build real connections with other academics.
If you could dedicate your research to anyone (past, present and/or future), who would that be and why?
I would dedicate my research to my maternal grandmother. She was a nurse who had the opportunity to do some research, which she adored. Through her passion for her work, she showed me the value of science and curiosity.
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Contact Jess:hercus@sfu.ca