Mohamed Weday, Research Assistant
Basic Facts
Employer: CanAm Bioresearch
Typical Education: University Degree
Salary Range: $25,000-$40,000
Skill Type: Science & Technology (NOC 2)
Industry Sector: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (NAICS 54)
NOC Code: 2112
NOC Occupation: Physical Science Professionals
Useful High School Subjects:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Math
- English
Creating Medicines
Creating Medicines(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)
"The purpose of the company is to come up with the new drugs, especially for cardiovascular, and our job is to synthesize compounds that are good in this field.
"We focus a lot in cardiovascular medicines and research in that area."
My Job
MY JOBTitle: Chemist/Laboratory Research Assistant
Key Tasks & Responsibilities:
- implement research project instructions
- set up chemical experiments as directed
- operate purifying and testing equipment
- record experiment results
- manage and maintain the physical and electronic chemical compound library
Started Job: 2002
Works with:
- research scientists he says scientists in his transcript
- three laboratory assistants
Reports to: Director of Chemistry TOC
Great Lab
Great LabI don’t have an office because I spend most of my time in the lab. This lab is much bigger than the lab I studied in at University and the equipment is newer.
Besides the other equipment I use, like the HPLC High Performance Liquid Chromatography machine and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance machine, I can sometimes spend as much as two or three hours on the lab computers.
Following a Recipe
Following a Recipe(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)
"An instruction is given to me. A Ph D guy will propose final compounds and procedures,what goes.
"And a paper is given to me with the procedure, and I just follow that procedure step by step from A to Z, come up with a new product that would be tested in our facilities."
Other Tasks
Other TasksI maintain the chemical library where we store compounds vials. There's a computer database of information on the location and the amount of each drug stored in our facility. There is also some paper work and filing involved.
There are other assistants responsible for maintaining equipment like the nitrogen tanks or the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) machine or managing supplies like solvents and chemicals.
Research Projects
Research ProjectsI was hired right out of school, not as a chemist, but as an assistant. Research projects proposing a new chemical structure are researched by the Scientists (who have a doctorate degree (PhD).
My main task is to help them complete their projects. Now that I have a little more experience, the Director of Chemistry assigns me to one, two or three Scientists at any time and I report to all of them.
Where I Work
Where I WorkMedicure Inc. is a biotechnology company that develops drugs for cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Medicure International contracts all research to CanAm Bioresearch Inc., a private Winnipeg company supplying laboratory facilities, equipment and technical personnel to assist their Drug Discovery Program.
Since forming in 1998, Medicure's Drug Discovery Program has worked to design, synthesize, and evaluate a library of new compounds with potential cardiovascular and cerebrovascular benefits.
About Me
ABOUT MEBackground
- born in Oromo province of Ethiopia
- grew up in Italy
- attended high school and university in Manitoba
Interests/Activities
- providing resettlement assistance and translation services to newcomers to Canada
- participating in Oromo cultural events
- volunteering in local Oromo community
- working out at the gym TOC
Immigrating
ImmigratingSome of my family immigrated here from Oromo. When I came to Canada, I was adopted by my uncle, who has five other kids. I lived with him through high school from Grade X to XII and then I moved out on my own.
No Stress
No StressI have enjoyed spending my first year of full time work since school at CanAm Bioresearch. It's so small I can get to know everyone.
Working at CanAm Bioresearch isn’t stressful because if you can’t solve a problem, someone will help you.
I don’t have to worry about work when I am at home either.
Why Winnipeg?
Why Winnipeg?(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)
"I love this place. I tried to move out of Winnipeg once. Four months out of Winnipeg and I couldn't stay away.
"When you move out of here you start your life zero. I don't think it's worth it."
Settling In
Settling InThe Oromo community in Winnipeg is very small - about 150 people. We'd like to sponsor more people to come to Canada, but it takes time.
There can be some problems being a minority in Winnipeg, but compared to other places it is 10 times better here.
My Day
MY DAY8:00 am: Arrive, determine tasks for the day
8:15 am: Go over procedure for new project
9:00 am: Set chemicals for new experiment
10:30 am: Research information on lab computers
11:30 am: Assist Scientist with project
12:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm: Continue with project
3:00 pm: Process chemical library request
3:30 pm: Update library database
4:00 pm: Resume lab project
5:00 pm: Go home! TOC
Ten Stages
Ten Stages(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)
"There's no specific thing that I have to do in the morning, something I do in the afternoon. It's different all the time.
"To come up with your final product you have to go through 10 stages, minimum: you oxidize, you reduce, you column; you do this, you do that.
"So if I did one yesterday, I'm going to do the next tomorrow. I just keep continuing this one until I get to my final product."
Technology
TechnologyWe use a computer program to draw the shape and structure of a chemical and to draw molecules. The computer programs we use in the lab are very easy. Anyone who is familiar with a mouse can use it.
The HPLC used to purify compounds and check the purity level is computer controlled as well. I had experience using the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance equipment at university. We use it here to analyse chemicals and graph the results.
Pace and Pressure
Pace and PressureThe pace for the research assistants is not fast or slow. The pace of work depends on experience: the more experience you have the more quickly the work gets done. I am told to go at my own speed, so it’s all up to me how fast or slow I go.
We’re not put under pressure because the work must be done carefully because we are making compound that could become medicine someday.
Chemical Library
Chemical LibraryIt's easy to schedule my project work around my responsibilities in the chemical compound library. Requests to deposit or withdraw compounds don’t come very often - maybe about once every week or two.
So I may work one afternoon to update the library database with the changes.
Proud of Product
Proud of ProductOver the past six months I have been I’ve been able to do more work by myself and I feel really good about that. When I work through the steps of a project and hand in my work at the end it feels good.
Since the work on a compound I have done now may not become a medicine for a long time, I will have to wait for some time before I can point to some medicine and say, 'I’m proud that I worked on that'.
Me and My Job
ME AND MY JOBLikes
- work is close to home
- nice people at work
- zero stress
Challenges
- work is often repetitive
- good work on a project can have disappointing results TOC
Magic
Magic(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)
"Chemistry is like a magic, you know? You mix two things, colour changes. You make up medicines right there with your own hands. It's very interesting.
"We used to believe that old people only get heart attacks, but you can have a heart attack as young as 24, 23 nowadays. We are working in that area, so if you can save even one person's life…nice."
Global Techniques
Global TechniquesTo do this job you need practical and technical laboratory skills. I work with three people who have PhDs and each of them has different techniques to purify compounds: the American, the Chinese and the Canadian technique.
Each one is unique. It’s easy to get confused so you have to be careful. Which ever technique is used, you need to be fast and clean.
Team Skills
Team SkillsNo matter how educated you are you may need someone’s help to complete a project when time is short. Working together is vital for safety because we work with dangerous chemicals here so it is necessary that we have the best information on them.
We depend on each other to share this information. We work together as a team so getting along with people is very important.
My Resume
MY RESUMEEducation
2002: Bachelor of Science -Chemistry and Mathematics, U of W
1997: Graduated from Pierre Radisson Collegiate
Experience
2002: CanAm Bioresearch Research
1997-2001: Cashier/Asst. Manager, Mac's
1996: Compressor/Receiver, Multi-Screen Ltd. TOC
Advice
AdviceI would tell someone who wanted to do a job like mine to take lots of chemistry course at university.
I would also recommend that they go to a university that has a large laboratory because a large lab will give students more options.
To get a job in research, stay in school and finish a Masters degree right away.
On a Dare
On a Dare(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)
"I like chemistry. I didn't know what was chemistry until I was introduced in Grade XI by one of my good teachers.
"And in Grade XII I wrote a national exam. My teacher, he dared me if I can pass he will give me the whole mark.
"So I wrote it and I passed and since then I just said, chemistry."
Science and Math
Science and MathThe best courses I took in high school to prepare me for a science degree were mathematics ones like calculus, physics and of course science courses like chemistry and biology.
Choosing a school where the Grade XII courses are counted as first year university was a benefit too.
My Future
MY FUTUREExperience and More Education
I will stay in research because that is my focus. I see myself becoming a scientist by upgrading to an MSc and then getting five or six years of experience.
With that education and experience, I would be capable of managing a project on my own. TOC
Quality Control Option
Quality Control OptionThere are not too many companies in Manitoba that do the same chemical research that CanAm Bioresearch does. However some of my graduating class got jobs in Quality Control.
Companies that manufacture health care products or food products would need a chemist in quality control. Some universities may hire students to work on their research projects after graduation.
Masters Degree
Masters Degree(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)
"I'm planning to upgrade my educational level. That's my plan now. I hope the time will permit me.
"Upgrade this from B Sc to M Sc to go into reasearch. Research is where my main focus is in."
Like a Family
Like a FamilyI see myself 10 years down the road still in Winnipeg and probably at CanAm Bioresearch.
The people I work with at CanAm Bioresearch have become almost like a family to me.
If I worked in a larger company I might not be able to make these kinds of friends.
Starting With Chemistry
Starting With ChemistryGetting a degree in chemistry can be the main route to going off to specialize in biochemistry or biology.
There are biochemistry and biological research opportunities in Winnipeg at places like St. Boniface Research Centre, Health Sciences Centre, and the Federal Virology Lab.
Useful Links
MORE INFOTo be a physical science professional you need a degree in your science or a related field. To conduct research you usually need a master’s or doctoral degree.
With an educational background like Mohamed’s, combined with several years job experience, you could choose to move out of the laboratory into other occupations like plant manager or technical sales in a pharmaceutical development company.
Working with industry regulators in developing and managing industry regulations is also an alternate career path. TOC
Job Market Info
Job Market InfoThe links below take you to federal and regional government information on employment, education, salary ranges and long range prospects for this career.
The official name for Mohamed's occupation is "Chemist" and its *NOC code is 2112.
Manitoba Job Futures
Manitoba Labour Market Information
(Select Manitoba, the Area in Manitoba, NOC code 2112, then click Search)
Human Resources Development Canada
*Each occupation has an official name and unique number called the ‘National Occupational Classification’ code or 'NOC'.
Education
Education
Useful High School Subjects*
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Math
- English
*Source: Job Futures.ca
Below are links to various programs and courses that will put you on the path to a career in Chemistry and Research.
University of Manitoba
Department of Chemistry
Department of Microbiology
Department of Biochemistry
University of Winnipeg
Department of Chemistry
Red River College
Full Time Programs
From this link, access more information on:
- Applied Biology
- Applied Chemistry
- Chemical and Biosciences Technology
Collège Saint Boniface
Faculté des sciences - Microbiology and Biochemistry
Brandon University
Faculty of Chemistry
Industry Association
Industry AssociationThe Health Care Products Association of Manitoba - HCPAM focuses on the development of the Biotech and Pharmaceutical Medical Device industry in the province.
They provide training, networking and information on many issues and programs that create opportunities for better market access and the achievement of quality standards.
Related Careers
Related CareersSome related careers from Human Resources Development Canada web sites:
Technical Occupations in Physical Sciences (Chemical Technologist and Technicians) (NOC 221)
Supervisors, Processing Occupations(NOC 921)
Professional Associations
Professional AssociationsThe Chemical Institute of Canada is an umbrella organization for three Constituent Societies:
- Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC)
- Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE)
- Canadian Society for Chemical Technology (CSCT).
The purpose of the Institute is to promote common scientific and technical interests and to provide service to its members (individual chemists, chemical engineers and chemical technologists).