ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Maranda van Oirschot is an author on ‘ Freeze-tolerant crickets fortify their actin cytoskeleton in fat body tissue’, published in JEB. Maranda conducted the research described in this article while a Undergraduate researcher in Jantina Toxopeus's lab at St Francis Xavier University, Canada. Maranda is now a Research Assistant in the lab of Jackie Lebenzon at the University of Calgary, Canada, investigating the molecular physiology of ectotherms (i.e. insects) at low temperatures.
Maranda van Oirschot
How did you become interested in biology?
My interest in biology started as a kid on a dairy farm surrounded by nature in small town Nova Scotia, Canada. When I was growing up, my dad instilled in me the importance of understanding things at the fundamental level before trying to understand the big picture. He promoted my curiosity in how things work by humouring my many questions. The questions were often answered with ‘Google it’, which was frustrating at the time but gave me the opportunity to independently study various subjects. This transferred to my interest in molecular physiology as an attempt to understand how living things function. My passion for molecular physiology was further enhanced by my mentor Dr Jantina Toxopeus, who I approached after hearing about her research in a lecture. Jantina took a chance on me and gave me opportunities to conduct research I am truly passionate about, brought me to conferences where I learned the importance of scientific communication and supported my goal of becoming a scientist.
Describe your scientific journey and your current research focus
My scientific journey started as an undergraduate student where I spent most of my time researching how the molecular physiology of freeze-tolerant crickets changes to allow them to survive freezing, with Dr Jantina Toxopeus at St Francis Xavier University (StFX). During my time in the Toxopeus lab, I also had the opportunity to research the cold tolerance strategy of ticks, which solidified my interest in the low temperature molecular physiology of ectotherms. After graduating with a BSc in Biology, I wanted to get experience doing field research and worked with Dr Russell Wyeth at StFX on a marine biofouling and low-toxicity antifouling project. Currently, I am a research technician for Dr Jackie Lebenzon at the University of Calgary, where we study the molecular physiology of Colorado potato beetles in regard to muscle atrophy and regrowth as well as cold tolerance. I will start my Master's in the Lebenzon lab later this year where I will study the functional role and metabolic cost of the cellular chaperone response in overwintering Colorado potato beetles.
How would you explain the main findings of your paper to a member of the public?
The spring field cricket is an impressive animal because it can survive freezing. Surviving freezing is difficult and can cause damage to cells, which negatively impacts an animal's ability to survive. How these crickets are able to survive freezing is unknown, but one theory suggests that they could be strengthening their cells before freezing. Our research supports the idea that these crickets do strengthen their cells at least in specific organs to survive freezing. Further research needs to be done to understand how the spring field cricket survives freezing, which would provide insight into cryopreservation.
What do you enjoy most about research, and why?
I have always enjoyed strategic games and logic puzzles, which I believe transferred to my love of methods development and troubleshooting in research. As many researchers know, projects do not always work exactly as expected so, being able to make adaptations and problem solve is quite useful. Troubleshooting can be frustrating and take time but it is extremely satisfying when it does work. I enjoy the challenge of finding methods that will answer my questions and understanding them at a fundamental level. This allows me to adjust protocols to create the most effective and efficient protocol that gives me the most accurate results.
What is the most important piece of equipment for your research, what does it do and what question did it help you address?
The most important piece of equipment for this research is a confocal microscope. A confocal microscope uses a laser with specific wavelengths of light to optically section tissue samples and excite florescent molecules bound to certain proteins. This allowed us to capture 3D images of tissue samples showing the location of specific proteins within cells. We analysed these images and quantified the relative abundance of certain cytoskeletal proteins. The confocal microscope allowed us to investigate the question ‘do freeze tolerant crickets fortify their cytoskeleton to resist damage caused by chilling or freezing?’.
Do you have a top tip for others just starting out at your career stage?
You should get involved in research while an undergraduate student whether you want a career in it or not. A great way to get involved is to reach out to professors or other researchers who study in areas of your interests. Participating in research has taught me many useful skills transferable to other careers, including time management, critical thinking, teamwork and various practical skills like Microsoft Office. Research gave me opportunities to network with professionals in a lot of different fields, providing insight into what interests me. I am very grateful for the experiences research has given me and for the community I am now a part of.
Maranda van Oirschot's contact details: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2N 1N4.
E-mail: [email protected]
