As the world continues to navigate life in a pandemic, it has become increasingly clear that science matters.

High school students approaching graduation and pondering their future, may be considering a career in this field, but knowing what area to specialize in can be a challenging decision with so many options.

Okanagan College alumna Jacqueline Barnett started her journey in sciences through the college害羞草研究所檚 Associate of Science degree program. She害羞草研究所檚 now chasing her dreams, following not just her head and her heart, but also her gut, as she works on a Ph.D. thesis with real-world application in the world seeking to know more about the gut-brain connection.

害羞草研究所淏eginning at the college allowed me to remain close to home, which was essential to me as I wanted to be close to my aging parents. More importantly, my time at OC allowed me to experience various scientific fields 害羞草研究所� I was able to determine which disciplines I enjoyed,害羞草研究所� says Barnett, who started at the Vernon campus.

Okanagan College makes it an easy transition into post-secondary by allowing students the option to start the first two years of their Science degree at an OC campus before transferring to a larger lniversity. This also allows students to really delve into the sciences before declaring a major.

害羞草研究所淓veryone always talks about the benefits of the small class sizes at OC, but it is such an incredible opportunity. I was able to form strong bonds with my peers and make friendships that persist to this day. I also got to know my teachers and learn more about their career paths which opened my eyes to many new opportunities within science I had never heard of or considered,害羞草研究所� says Barnett.

害羞草研究所淭he skills and opportunities that I learned at OC gave me such an advantage in both my undergraduate and graduate student careers. I was able to walk into a research lab at UBC Okanagan (UBCO) after transferring from OC and say, yes, I害羞草研究所檝e used a single-channel pipette before, and yes, I害羞草研究所檝e used Qiagen kits before. That害羞草研究所檚 practically unheard of at the second-year level. That helped me get into a research lab as soon as I arrived at UBCO 害羞草研究所� which led to my receiving a summer research award, completing an undergraduate honours thesis and pursuing graduate studies.害羞草研究所�

Barnett is now a Ph.D. Candidate at UBCO.

害羞草研究所淢y thesis examines the effects of the herbicide glyphosate on the gut microbiome and its impact on behaviour through the gut-brain-microbiome axis. I took all of those passions and interests I discovered at Okanagan College and tied them together in this fantastic research project,害羞草研究所� says Barnett. 害羞草研究所淚 can unequivocally state that I would not be where I am today if not for my time at the College.害羞草研究所�

Barnett credits the fantastic instructors and professors that she has had over the years for her passion to continue learning.

害羞草研究所淚 hope to become a college instructor. I love the small class sizes and the ability to get to know each of my students and help them see their potential and find their place in science.害羞草研究所�

Barnett received the Irving K. Barber Transfer Scholarship during her time at OC which helped make her transition to UBCO possible. The $5,000 award from the Irving K. Barber Scholarship Society is awarded annually to undergraduate students who have completed at least one year at a public post-secondary institution in B.C. and are transferring to another degree-granting institution to complete their studies.

害羞草研究所淭hat was the first scholarship that I received that I was encouraged to apply for by one of my many influential instructors, Stacey Sakakibara,害羞草研究所� says Barnett.

Sakakibara is a science professor and the chair of Biology at OC, and is also an alumna of the science program herself.

害羞草研究所淚 chose OC because it allowed me to stay local and transition to the rigor of first year science courses in a smaller setting. I did not know at the time that the decision would have such an impact on my career,害羞草研究所� says Sakakibara.

害羞草研究所淭aking first-year science in Vernon challenged me to learn to critically think in a supportive environment that set me up for success when I transferred to university. While biology was the course that made me want to delve deeper and learn more, my calculus and physics courses really began to train me to think analytically and creatively. These were all benefits that came from starting at OC.害羞草研究所�

Sakakibara went on to study a Masters of Science in Genetics at UBC Vancouver before becoming a research assistant at OUC and eventually becoming an instructor at the college.

害羞草研究所淚 had always been interested in teaching but I thought I would end up as an elementary school teacher. At the end of my first year, I had had such a profound experience that I remember thinking how amazing it would be to teach at the college level, but I never dreamed that I would ever return in that capacity. It wasn害羞草研究所檛 until I had finished my MSc and was working in research that I started to realize that a career in teaching at that level was possible.害羞草研究所�

For students considering a path within the sciences, Sakakibara will be hosting an Info Session on May 20 to answer questions about the Associate of Science degree program at OC. For more information on the session and the Associate of Science degree program, visit .

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