Meet Adam — A neuroscience student who is fascinated by the brain and fueled by a love of sports and the outdoors.
Q: What is your role in health research?
A: As an MD/PhD student at the Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies (NINET) laboratory, I aim to bridge the gap between medical challenges and scientific discovery, focusing on research that moves seamlessly from the lab to the clinic. My work spans both clinical and computational domains, including conducting patient interviews and exploring new machine learning models. The blend of human connection and data-driven discovery means that there is never a dull moment.
Q: What is your research area of interest, and what led you to that interest?
A: My research focuses on applying machine learning and neuroinformatics to better understand and personalize depression treatment. I work with both anatomical and functional neuroimaging data as inputs to these predictive models. My fascination with the brain began during my undergraduate studies, when my first independent project explored neuroimaging predictors of creativity. That experience sparked my curiosity about how brain structure and function give rise to the complexities of human thought and behaviour.
Q: What is one of the biggest accomplishments of your career so far?
A: Publishing my first-authored manuscript in NeuroImage was a major milestone. At the time, I was juggling extracurricular sports, medical school test preparation and a lab research position. Writing the manuscript and responding to reviewers was a steep learning curve, but receiving the acceptance email months later felt like the ultimate form of delayed gratification. It was rewarding to see how perseverance translates into tangible results.
Q: What would you do if you were not in health research?
A: I would likely pursue a career in economics or finance. I find capital markets fascinating, and successful investing involves psychological principles. In many ways, the mindset of a good investor is similar to that of a scientist: both require patience, curiosity and the ability to make sense of complex systems.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
A: I have always dreamt of scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. I learned to dive as a teenager, and this location has been at the top of my list ever since. I would love to experience its beauty firsthand, especially before climate change threatens this incredible ecosystem further.
Q: What is one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
A: I started a YouTube channel during the COVID-19 pandemic as a creative outlet and a way to prepare for medical school interviews. Initially, I focused on finance and investing topics, but as I began medical school, the channel evolved into a lifestyle and vlog-style space where I share glimpses of life as an MD/PhD student. I also act on the side and have appeared in a few commercials!
Q: Who inspires you?
A: My parents took a huge gamble moving to Canada so my sister and I could have a better life, leaving behind our family and support network in Slovakia. They worked long hours in minimum-wage jobs while attending teacher’s college, all while raising two young kids. When things get hard, I think about their resilience and sacrifice. They inspire me to never give up.
Q: What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
A: I used to be shy and hesitant to go after opportunities, fearing rejection. I have learned that the fear of failure is often worse than failure itself, and that every failure is an opportunity to learn. Growth lives on the other side of risk.
