A budding research-clinician?

I went into the lab today. For those of you who do not know, I am now an employee of the University Health Network and I will be doing lab research for the next 12 months.

I am working with a Neurosurgeon named Dr. Fehlings and he is quite the character. I don't think I have ever come across someone who exudes so much confidence and pride in his work. Not a meeting goes by where he doesn't mention the fine caliber of his lab and his lab workers. I guess having a lab that is recognized by the Christopher Reeve's Foundation will do that to a person.

Regardless, I came into this research project quite hesitantly. The reasons for this are because I didn't know if I had the time to commit to a year long research placement, and I didn't even know if research was for me. In truth, I still don't know. But I must admit that whenever I am in the lab, I get excited. I get excited about the possibilities and I get excited about the work itself. I wonder what this means? Perhaps I am destined to be a clinician-scientist after all?

It also dawned on me just how valuable my past lab experiences have been. I worked in both Dr. Tsang and Dr. Wynne-Edwards' labs and I find myself recalling a lot of the skills I had picked up at those places. I also never fully appreciated them as role models in my life. I am not sure if they will ever see this posting, but I want to thank them here and now for their support and training. I really feel very strongly that their incredibly positive contributions to my life need to be made known. If not for them, for me.