YOUNG scientist Roshell Muir says venturing outside the academic sphere in Jamaica is one of the best decisions she has ever made. Not only has the 29-year-old — who is currently in her final year at Queens University Belfast in the United Kingdom — been given the opportunity to pursue numerous medical research projects, but she has been able to work alongside established scientists while pursuing a PhD in virology.

“My work now involves investigating the role of lymphocytes during the immune response in a model of acute lung injury and how these cells can be exploited for therapeutic use,” Muir, who is extremely excited about her scientific career choice, told Career & Education.

“My work is a collaborative effort with immunologists, microbiologists and clinicians. Although challenging, it has brought forth new and exciting findings that I’m currently putting together for submission and publication.”

Muir is now based at the Centre for Infection and Immunity in the respiratory immunology group at Queens University.

After completing her bachelor of science in experimental biology at the University of the West Indies (UWI), and majoring in both zoology and botany in 2004, she applied to Imperial College London and was accepted. Since beginning her studies overseas, Muir has spearheaded numerous scientific projects and attained her master’s in virology.

The graduate of Immaculate Conception High School said that her passion for science was first sparked while she was pursuing secondary level studies.

“I always enjoyed the biological sciences in high school and that influenced my choice to do an undergraduate degree in experimental biology at UWI,” she said.

“I undertook my research project at the National Heart and Lung Institute in the lab of Professor Peter Openshaw, working on viral respiratory infections and the immune response. Being a part of this lab really piqued my interest in research, specifically in immunology.”

After completing her master’s, she worked with GlaxoSmithKline, developing biological drug therapies. She said based on her experience there, she has grasped the concept of being innovative with her research projects, which multimillion-dollar pharmaceutical companies do demand.

“I do believe many students are not aware of careers in scientific research, especially [those] students that do science subjects in high school and during their undergraduate degree go on to medicine, engineering or teaching,” she said, commenting on the reality of students in Jamaica not being exposed to the inexhaustive career opportunities which exist outside of Jamaica.

“I don’t think science and careers in science are highlighted enough in Jamaica,” she added. “I’m not laying the blame on the Government or the universities as science demands extensive funding and investment. These funding opportunities are few and far between in Jamaica, and so it becomes hard for researchers to set up cutting-edge laboratories and be able to offer post-doctoral and post-graduate posts within their labs to train researchers.”

She said for this to happen, investment from outside Jamaica would be necessary.

“The universities would need to make more collaborative efforts with other universities internationally and even large pharmaceutical companies which are known to be generous investors in biological research,” she noted.

What’s next for the scientist?

“After finishing my PhD, I have plans to do postdoctoral research. I would love to have the experience of working in the US. My more long-term goal involves going back to the pharmaceutical industry where I truly believe scientific research has an impact and you are able to see your work benefiting patients,” she said.