My cohort is made up of a uniquely diverse group of fellows that I always look forward to meeting every week. Our research interests vary from genomics to economics to history and even neuroscience. We all have our own perspectives on problems that are a product of our academic environment and our sphere of influence. This fellowship provides us all a platform to bounce our differing perspectives off one another and enhance them for a broad audience.

One of my cohort members is studying the variations in the UK housing markets in relation to sea level rise which is an idea I had never thought about. His explanation as to why this is so relevant to study changed my own perspective about the housing market and even got me thinking about how economic factors can play a role in complex diseases.

In my research I look at genetic predispositions for disease risk. In the complex diseases that I study, there are usually multiple factors that play a role in disease proliferation. Some of these factors include socio-economic status, access to healthcare and even environmental triggers. Having some added insight after speaking with my fellow cohort member gives me a bigger picture of how I can tie it all together.

Overall I enjoy speaking and sharing ideas with my cohort members. They are a highly intellectual group who are able to understand my research problems and methods and their opinions on how I should view the problem have given me a lot of clarity!

Here is a photo of the 5 of us as we completed the “amazing race” organized by Christina and Dr Say during our fellowship meeting!