Whoah wow. I got mentioned in a post, haha. I'm not sure what prompted that.

Unfortunately I don't work in research (I'm just about done with my bachelor degree) but I plan to. I've got a few friends who finished honors (some getting first class) as well as one person on their PHD.

One was working on a study involving macrophages and how to convert them to a specific type that actively seeks out neoplasms and engulfs them. Cancerous cells have a tendency to turn macrophages into a more dormant version that doesn't really want to get rid of them. His field dealt with an aboriginal remedy involving some sort of plant that they would apply to sunburns/melanomas, there was some evidence that suggested it did have quite a profound effect on some types of melanomas.

He was working insane hours, in addition to going to university and working in a pathology lab. He'll go far for sure, he won some statewide award for his work.

From what I've seen there are few professions that require as much time and effort as research if you REALLY want to do well in it, especially when you're working on an honors/masters/PHD.

To be honest I may likely end up in Pathology at this point, but I'm definitely interested in working in research that involves histopathology or cytology at some point. The issue right now is whether I have the time and patience to do it.

I'd be curious how people's relationships held up through this, though my PHD friend is married and she seems to be doing quite well.

Speaking of funding, there's never enough of it, even for bachelor degrees in biomedical sciences. Our department is in the red while the commerce/business department (the money maker degrees) are all well and good.