Name

Michelle Chan

School

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Degree Program

Fifth year PhD student in Computational and Systems Biology

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from University of British Columbia, 2007; Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from University of British Columbia, 2007

Dissertation Topic

Evolution and process of DNA methylation during pre-implantation development

Research Interests

Epigenetics; genetics; DNA methylation

Advisor

Aviv Regev

Advisor’s Research Focus

Evolution of transcriptional regulation and transcriptional modules

Hobbies

Guitar, swimming, running

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I chose Massachusetts Institute of Technology for my PhD in computational and systems biology because of its reputation and location. My undergraduate degrees came from a relatively obscure undergraduate institution, so I knew that for the sake of my career, I would need to find a well-known school for my doctoral work. As a Canadian, I also preferred to pursue my doctoral work in a world-class American city like Boston.

But the design of the program attracted me to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well. Systems biology is an emerging science with applications in multiple fields such as computer science and engineering. I liked that Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s program was designed to bring me into contact with people from these other fields who could add to my knowledge.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I prepared myself for graduate school by using Canada’s cooperative education program, which allows students to alternate academic terms with work terms. As a result, I was able to show on my application that I had worked in 4 prestigious labs, including 2 labs at Massachusetts Institute of Technology itself.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, my application required me to submit GRE scores. I did not apply to programs that required both the GREs and a subject test, however, because in my experience, few schools look at subject test scores if students have excellent letters of recommendation.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

My personal statement included information on my research and academic background, as well as a list of benefits that I felt I could bring to the program and its students.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

I chose to approach faculty that I had done research with for my letters of recommendation. I was fortunate to have worked with 3 different professors who could give strong and specific references for my performance, which is critical for doctoral programs in the sciences.

What types of questions were asked in your admissions interview?

The types of questions asked for my admissions interview were mostly conversational. The interviewers and I discussed our research interests and I asked them questions about areas of their work that I did not understand. Candidates often worry that they will look stupid to their interviewers if they ask questions, but in reality, I think that the interviewers are looking for this sort of curiosity.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in systems biology?

Yes, my tip for students who are considering applying to graduate school in systems biology is that they should consult their undergraduate advisors about which graduate schools to attend. The advisors can offer suggestions about what criteria to use to find programs and help students revise their personal statements.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My systems biology PhD program takes 7 or 8 years to complete, although some finish in 5 to 6 years. The first year of the program entails 6 classes, but the second year requires 1 class, preliminary dissertation research and a teaching assistantship, which lasts no more than a year. At this point, students in my program can take their qualifying exams and begin formal research for their dissertations.

What is the focus of your dissertation research?

The focus of my dissertation research is DNA methylation during development, so it is closely related to microbiology and epigenetics. I chose to pursue this specific area of research because it would require me to learn several practical skills, such as sequencing data and working in mammalian systems.

This topic fell into my lap after my advisor referred me to a researcher who needed someone to analyze his experiment results. I liked that the project did not require me to commit to a long period of study but would expose me to a new area of the field. To my surprise, I also found that I loved the work.

One lesson that I have learned from this process has been the importance of researching different areas of the field before making any decisions. Although finding a specific topic can be frustrating, I think that doctoral students must take the time to choose a topic will hold their interest.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your dissertation?

Yes, my process for researching and writing my dissertation has been surprisingly easy. I was lucky to have an advisor who could point me to a topic that fits my interests perfectly.

Does your program have an internship component?

No, my program does not have an internship component, but it does require a 1-year teaching assistantship in students’ second years. Students who plan to teach can choose to extend this teaching assistantship, but most will end up devoting the remainder of their time in the program to dissertation research.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

The role of my advisor in my education is to support my dissertation process. I initially selected her because her research interests matched my own and we seemed to share a similar scientific approach to our work. Over time, however, she has become an emotional as well as an academic support for me.

Her specific role has been to help me research and revise my dissertation and assess my progress. She may give me advice about some challenging aspect of my research, or offer to listen to me practice a presentation. And once I finish my dissertation, she will sit on the dissertation committee at my defense.

I would caution people in the process of selecting their advisors not to make the same mistake I almost did, however. I almost overlooked my advisor because I believed that female advisors treat their female students much more harshly. Instead, my advisor has been the most caring and helpful person I could hope for.

Does your doctoral program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

Yes, my doctoral program requires its students to take an oral qualifying exam at the end of their second years. I presented my dissertation before a committee who asked me a series of questions about my knowledge of the area and the research methods I planned to use. I had prepared for the exam by practicing in front of my friends and advisor.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your PhD program cost?

My PhD in systems biology program is fully funded by my university and costs me nothing. Without this funding, which most if not all of the PhD students in my program receive, I think that the tuition would cost around $40,000.

Secondary costs for a PhD program typically include books, rent and health insurance, but my program covers these costs directly or uses a stipend to offset them.

How are you funding your education?

I am funding my education through the tuition waiver and stipend that my program offers me, although I am encouraged to apply for fellowships to supplement my stipend. However, because I am a Canadian citizen, I find that my options for fellowships in the US are limited.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD in computational and systems biology?

The time commitments for a PhD in my systems biology program depends on a student’s year of study. In my first year, for example, I spent 9 to 10 hours a week in class and an additional 20 hours studying outside of class. In my second year, I split research for my dissertation with a single class and a teaching assistantship. Throughout both of those years, I was rotating in and out of labs.

For my dissertation, I have recently been working 12-hour days, although that is not typical for me. When I do not have to prepare manuscripts, I can take off weekends and spend several hours away from my research each day.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Graduate school has not affected my personal life very much. Generally speaking, my systems biology program leaves me enough time to play my guitar or go for a run. My friends are also not seriously affected by graduate school. Most of the people in my life are also in doctoral programs and understand the demands.

One method I use to free up more personal time is maintaining my health. Exercise makes me more productive while I am at work, and likewise, I find that getting enough sleep helps me to stay focused on my research, even during long afternoons.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I hope to be finishing up some postdoctoral work and pursuing a professorship at a university. But I am also considering entering the private sector and skipping postdoctoral work altogether.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in computational and systems biology?

One insight I have for anyone considering a PhD program is that you will get as much out of your program as you choose to put in. Depending on your topic, you may need to work more than 40 hours each week. While so much research can be exhausting in the short-term, I think that it is rewarding professionally and personally in the long-term.

I also advise you to look at the stipends of the programs that you are considering. The stipend at my school is very generous, but others may be so small that students feel pressured to find jobs or take out loans to cover their costs. These sorts of concerns can get in the way of research.

Finally, I want students to know that they may have to revise their research interests, and seek out new topics to keep themselves engaged. As doctoral students, we often face dead ends and disappointments, but these are the sacrifices we make to find our passions and ultimately succeed.