Dr Basheer Waziri, a postgraduate Society member, Bayero University Kano Nigeria
Dr Basheer Waziri, a postgraduate Society member from Bayero University Kano Nigeria, received a Professional Development Award of £750 from The Society to attend a one-week lab training course at Inqaba Biotec West Africa in Nigeria.
The Professional Development Award provides funding for both postgraduate members and full members not yet in a permanent post. It enables a laboratory visit, or attendance at a training course for the development of a specific skill or technique to support their current physiology research project or teaching and to enhance their academic skills portfolio.
Developing lab techniques in molecular physiology
I am in my final year of my PhD in molecular physiology, working on KCNH2 gene expression in myocardial injury model. During my time working in the lab I have been growing my skills in techniques, including nucleic acid extraction and qRT-PCR, to carry out my research. However, one vital technique to explore genome sequencing and variation is Sanger sequencing, a method used to determine the nucleotide sequence of DNA. Unfortunately, this technique is not taught at our Centre for Biotechnology Research.
I applied for the Professional Development Award to attend a one-week training course about Sanger sequencing at Inqaba Biotec West Africa, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
During the lab visit I was guided through the stages of DNA sequencing and I learnt how to conduct 1) Terminating cycle sequencing, 2) Purification and 3) Capillary electrophoresis using Genetic Analyzer 3500-XL.
I also learnt how to use bioinformatics software to visualise and analyse the DNA sequence and its various applications. As well as the techniques I learnt, I enjoyed networking with colleagues and other professionals that came from various institutions to conduct their research at the lab. I also established a good relationship with the lab management team, with whom I am frequently in contact as we are working together to establish a molecular unit in our Human Physiology department at Bayero University. This unit would improve the career development and research opportunities for our students and staff. Leading these discussions with senior figures and management teams in my own and other institutes is improving my leadership skills, which will help me progress my career as a lecturer and researcher in physiology.
Mentoring young researchers
I am grateful for the funding and opportunity provided by The Society. The lab visit not only developed my lab techniques, which I can apply to my own research, but the knowledge gained will enable me to guide and mentor others on how to conduct the Sanger sequencing method. Teaching the procedure to others, will advance the capacity of our department in offering the training and research in molecular physiology. As I further my career, I hope to supervise and inspire many generations of young researchers in the field of molecular physiology.
Apply for funding to enhance your academic skills
The professional development awards are available to postgraduate, and early career full members. This includes membership transitions, i.e. a member six months into their postgraduate membership when they had previously been an undergraduate or Masters member in the period immediately before. Members should have had at least one year of continuous membership prior to application.
If you are interested in applying to our next funding round please visit https://www.physoc.org/grants-and-prizes/grants/professional-development-award/. The next round closes on 17 May 2023.