Brian Kirz
Graduate Student, The Chen Lab
You work in a laboratory. What are you currently researching?
I'm a second year PhD student with Prof. Nancy Chen. I'm helping her introduce a new study system to the lab and the field of population genomics: the North American red squirrel. I'm currently assembling its curiously large reference genome - the first step in an effort that aims to sequence a multi-generational dataset of thousands of squirrels. I'm interested in what this new resource might reveal about how fluctuating selection impacts genomic variation and rapid adaptation.
What do you enjoy most about working here at the U of R?
In my experience, people here are friendly, open, and incredibly generous with their time. The rotation system for first-years helped me establish closer connections with colleagues and faculty in other labs that I deeply value.
What advice would you give to prospective students looking to study in the department?
Say hi. Sign up. Grab lunch together. Knock on doors. Volunteer for everything. Take advantage of every opportunity you can, and if it doesn’t exist, ask around to see if you can make it yourself. Seeking out ways to help other people and defaulting to saying yes has been a great investment and only pays off more as time goes on.
How do you unwind when you're not in the lab?
I’ve been trying out creative writing, but I think I would be much better at it if I stopped playing those games where you stare at a map and micromanage the economy of a medieval fiefdom over the course of several centuries.
What is one thing about yourself that you’d like more people to know?
Most Thursday evenings, you can find me at Social Services (normally held at Dicky’s Corner Pub), getting dinner and/or drinks with other graduate students and faculty. We’d love for you to join us: it’s a casual, relaxed environment where we chat and have a good time together outside of work. Please reach out if you’d like to join the mailing list and receive my satirical Services invitations!