Name: Albina Tskhay
Degree: PhD in Family Medicine and Primary Care
Hometown: Astana, Kazakhstan
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What did you love most about studying at 91涩漫 and/or in the Department of Family Medicine?
What I loved most was how this place, and mainly its people, transformed the way I think about science, research, and healthcare. No book, lecture, or paper can replicate what full immersion in this kind of environment does to you.
If you could change one thing in the world to make it better, what would you choose?
I would make incurable childhood diseases and disorders disappear. The suffering of young children and their families is something I find very hard to accept.
Please share a particularly proud or challenging moment from your degree?
Defending my thesis was something I had feared for all five years of my PhD. But once I was there, I could answer every question, and that moment made me realize I truly know what I'm talking about. It did a lot for my sense of identity as a researcher.
Any shoutouts?
My supervisors Professors Tibor Schuster and Cristina Longo, for their enormous support and everything they taught me. My advisory committee, Professors Celia Greenwood, Roxana Behruzi, and Stan Kubow, for their guidance throughout. Mrs Cheryl Bethelmy, our program manager, for making every administrative step smooth and genuinely pleasant. And my family, for their love and patience.
Top tip for incoming students in your program?
Don't be afraid to spend extra time exploring different topics and research directions before committing. It matters that you feel genuinely passionate, the kind that follows you outside the department walls.
What's next for you?
I'm pursuing postdoctoral opportunities in Boston, MA. My goal is to continue building an academic career and contribute to a better understanding of human health and disease.
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To learn more about Albina, please visit:听
