FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
DR. PETER GIACOBBE MD, MSc, FRCP(C) Photo Credit: Dorsa Derakhshan
According to Dr. Giacobbe, given that psychiatric diagnoses are very heterogeneous, a way forward is to deconstruct the inherent heterogeneity through the application of innovative technologies. Blood tests and brain scans hold the promise of helping to stratify different depression subtypes. Thus, similar to how breast cancer gene identification leads to specific treatments, Dr. Giacobbe wants to do the same for depression. "Brain imaging and eyetracking tests could supplement the
clinical wisdom and help us make the essential decisions about treatments for our patients. This is the way forward! One-size-fits-all treatments may not work for everyone, therefore by adding these technologies to our diagnostic toolbox, we can personalize treatments for depression based on the subtypes."
When asked “how to become a good researcher?” Dr. Giacobbe encouraged students to be open to feedback, continue to perserve, and develop resilience to rejection. "Good feedback is supposed to make you better, not bitter. You have to develop good communication skills to be able to work with multidisciplinary teams."
For some working in clinical research and recruiting human subjects, Dr. Giacobbe reminded us that the study participants might have a tremendous fear of the unknown when enrolled in clinical studies. "We must partner with them and treat them as collaborators, whose medical situation we are trying to understand so that we could enhance their outcomes." As graduate students, Dr. Giacobbe suggested that we give back to the scientific enterprise by participating in clinical studies ourselves. Only by becoming research participants, we can begin to understand how it feels to be a subject in a research study. "To be successful in recruiting participants," Dr. Giacobbe added, "be personable, develop good communication skills, and be open to being wrong. Be honest in revealing to potential participants that the treatment offered in a clinical trial may not work. Instead of overpromising and under-delivering, openness and honesty go a long way."
Furthermore, Dr. Giacobbe advised about the essence of cultivating our questions and, most notably, being passionate about our research. "It is important to pursue your own intellectual freedom and be in the research environment that supports your curiosity and the development of your path. Thus, it is vital to find a supervisor who will challenge you, drive you, and guide you. The relationship should be a dialogue with the openness to feedback. The strength of being an IMS student is that it is a large department where students can always find a scientist who researches the topic that interests them."
IMS MAGAZINE FALL 2021 GI & GUT MICROBIOME | 31
