Class of 2018: Lifelong love of science leads neuroscience grad to prestigious award

• Above: Nicole Burma, recipient of the Governor General's Gold Medal, recently defended her PhD in neuroscience and started medical school at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine.

Imagine you are 80 years old. What do you want to be remembered for? 

This was a key question that helped guide Nicole Burma, PhD, toward the educational and career path she is on today. 

Burma is the recipient of this year’s Governor General’s Gold Medal at the doctorate level at the University of Calgary, an award recognizing the graduate student who achieves the highest academic standing. Encouraging outstanding scholarship across the nation, the Governor General’s Gold Medal has become one of the most prestigious awards available to post-secondary students in Canada, and will be awarded to Burma at UCalgary’s fall convocation ceremony. 

Interest in science began early 

A lifelong passion for science has been a constant in Burma’s life, even though she says there have been times when she faced indecision about her educational path and her future career. 

“That question, ‘What should I do with my life?’ hasn’t always been easy for me to answer,” says Burma. 

This year, Burma defended her PhD in neuroscience and started medical school at UCalgary’s Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) in July as part of the Leaders in Medicine program. 

From a very young age, her attraction to science was inspired by and shared with her dad, an engineer who loves science. “We bonded over science. My dad always encouraged me to go for it, in all areas.” 

The path from undergrad to PhD 

As part of her undergraduate program in biological sciences at the University of Victoria, Burma entered a co-op program that sparked her interest in neuroscience. An opportunity to study neuroscience at the master’s level at UCalgary brought her to Dr. Tuan Trang’s lab, where she and Trang, PhD, and his research team focused on opioid withdrawal. Burma’s master’s project soon evolved into a PhD because of her passion for research, allowing the scope of her project to grow beyond the realm of a master’s thesis.  

“Working with Dr. Trang was a fantastic opportunity,” she says. “Dr. Trang recognized my potential from early on. He encouraged me to be involved in multiple projects and present my research on many occasions, and helped foster my success in graduate school.” 

Ground-breaking discovery 

In 2017, Trang — a chronic pain researcher with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine — Burma and the Trang Lab discovered that an existing anti-gout medication is effective in reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent rodents. This research launched the development of a clinical trial at the Calgary Pain Clinic. 

“I love the study of neuroscience — researching the brain. I find it fascinating because there are so many unanswered questions; you can go in many different directions of inquiry and analysis, and there is always more to explore.” 

Keeping life balanced 

Beyond her enthusiasm for neuroscience, what does Burma say is the secret to her success? On balancing school, stress and life, her best tips are these: 

• “Be as prepared as possible. I know it sounds obvious, but it makes such a difference. And you can apply this to any situation, whether it’s a quick meeting or an interview for medical school. Being prepared helps the stress dissipate quickly." 

• “Also, make time for yourself — your down time/fun time.” 

Burma admits it can be challenging to squeeze in “self” time, but identifying the things that keep her grounded and investing time in those activities has helped her achieve goals and simultaneously keep her life balanced. When she’s not publishing articles or spending hours in the lab, she enjoys cross-country skiing, playing volleyball and dabbling in creative work like throwing pottery and computer graphic design work. 

Her newest endeavour — studying medicine at UCalgary’s CSM — is a path she is still adjusting to. But she is thrilled to have been accepted into the program at the CSM, her number-one choice for medical school. 

“The program at the CSM attracts a community of like-minded individuals; everyone supports each other. And I am so pleased to stay at UCalgary for medical school, as this allows me to maintain activity in research projects still ongoing from my PhD, and stay connected with Dr. Trang and my lab colleagues,” she says.

A bright future ahead 

As the recipient of the Governor General’s Gold Medal, Burma beams and says it’s quite an honour. “To have my research acknowledged at this prestigious level by the university is absolutely astounding, and while it presents some pressure to live up to greatness associated with this award, it also pushes me in the right direction and gives me confidence that I am on the path that I am meant to be on.” 

When asked where she ultimately sees herself, she says the answer to that key question — Imagine you  are 80 years old. What do you want to be remembered for? — helps her stay focused. 

“In an ideal world I hope to cure a disease, or markedly improve outcomes for patients with persistent conditions. However, I also recognize that factors such as diligence and empathy can go a long way for patients, too. My goal is to ultimately make a difference in people’s lives, no matter how large or small.”

Tuan Trang is associate professor, Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Cumming School of Medicine, and a member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.

The Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) at the University of Calgary consists of more than 150 scientists and clinician-scientists who are dedicated to advancing brain and mental health research and education. The institute’s research strengths, in Brain and Behaviour, Neural Injury and Repair, and Healthy Brain Aging, are leading to a better understanding of the brain and nervous system and new treatments for neurological and mental health disorders, aimed at improving quality of life and patient care. 

Brain and Mental Health is one of six research strategies guiding the University of Calgary toward its Eyes High goals. Led by the HBI, the strategy provides a unifying direction for brain and mental health research at the university and positions researchers to unlock new discoveries and treatments for brain health in our community.