From SAS to Biochemistry and Back
Passion, enthusiasm and some deep science—That’s what JL Jackson students received when they witnessed an actual scientist presenting to them this week—just steps away from where he once sat learning science as a high school student.
David Bakker visited Dave Hollatz’s Science 10 class and Sharlette Purves Science 6/7 class at Shuswap Middle School as part of an “Ask a Scientist” session sponsored by Let’s Talk Science Outreach at UBC Okanagan. Let’s Talk Science is a national, charitable organization committed to prepare Canadian youth for future careers in science. Two other scientists will visit other SMS classes next month as part of the series.
Bakker graduated from SAS in 2016. He’s now a third year Ph.D student at UBC-Okanagan working on his thesis that involves the biophysics of DNA. Bakker told students he didn’t have a clue what he wanted to do for a career when he graduated from high school but he did know he still wanted to learn. His bachelor’s degree is in biochemistry.
“I never set out to be a scientist,” said the former competitive Larch Hills Ski Team member. “Now, I build invisible lasers using cardboard and duct tape to view DNA roughly 1/50th the size of a single strand of hair.”
Bakker explained to students what his research entails in the simplelist of terms. He says DNA sometimes gets knots in its strings and that blocks enzymes from moving freely. Bakker says nobody knows why those strings have knots and what the results might be because they are knotted. “Does it cause disease? If we can untighten those knots, can we change the way these strings behave?” Bakker told the students he’s trying to answer questions even AI programs can’t answer. Bakker uses what he calls an “optical tweezer” which uses light, lasers, cardboard and duct tape to capture movement of DNA and then code them into deep math computer programs to check his theories.
His advise to students—“keep your options open in high school.” He says take all the math and sciences courses you can to ensure if you change your mind, you can then pivot without having to go back to get upgrading courses, something he says he’s seen some of his grad friends do. As for his own career, Bakker says “I honestly don’t know what I will do” once he completes his thesis. He says his options include working for a large company as a biophysicist or biochemist, continue research at a university or teach science at a university or college.
Do you have career or know someone whose job uses science? If so and you like talking to students, feel free to contact SD83 Career Education Coordinator George Richard at 778-824-1188 via text or phone or you can email grichard@sd83.bc.ca.