Denis Firsanov
Research Associate, Gorbunova/Seluanov Lab
You work in a laboratory. What are you currently researching?
My work focuses on understanding the exceptional longevity and cancer resistance of long-lived animals like the bowhead whale, and how we can use this knowledge to improve human health.
For example, after discovering unusually high levels of the protein CIRBP in whale cells, we used human cells as a proof of principle to test whether increasing CIRBP could improve DNA repair. It did, suggesting that nature’s longevity strategies may offer valuable clues for improving human health.
What was it that originally sparked your interest in biology?
When I was young, I was simply curious about how life works. Biology felt like a giant puzzle I wanted to understand. Today, I like to think of genes as Lego bricks - the pieces are mostly the same, but how they’re put together makes all the difference. That curiosity is what pulled me into biology and still keeps me excited about my research.
What do you enjoy most about working here at the U of R?
The collaborative and supportive culture. People are generous with their ideas and time, and mentorship truly matters here. It’s an environment that encourages curiosity, interdisciplinary thinking, and asking big scientific questions.
What advice would you give to prospective students looking to study in our department?
Don’t be discouraged when experiments don’t work - because most of them won’t, at least not at first. Sometimes not the second or even the third time either. That’s normal in biology. What matters is learning how to analyze what went wrong, troubleshoot thoughtfully, and keep going. If you stay curious, persistent, and open to learning from failure, you will be rewarded.
How do you unwind when you’re not in the lab?
I enjoy playing the ukulele and sometimes writing songs, even about science. I also love spending time with my family, hiking, and going to the gym. Another hobby of mine is cooking - I enjoy exploring new recipes. All of these things help me recharge and keep a healthy balance outside of the lab.