Balancing science and motherhood: İmge Ozügergin’s journey to transform global health
Concordia alum İmge Ozügergin’s story is one of passion, perseverance and a deep commitment to advancing public health. Recently awarded the prestigious Lady Mireille and Sir Dennis Gillings Global Public Health Fellowship, she joins a select group of scholars whose work has the potential to reshape the future of global health.
Ozügergin, MSc 19, PhD 24, journeyed to this point driven by deep curiosity about the intricacies of life at the cellular level. From her early days as a graduate student in Concordia’s Department of Biology, where she delved into the complexities of cytokinesis, to her current role as a postdoctoral researcher, her work has consistently focused on understanding how cells divide — a process fundamental to both life and disease.
Her research has implications for treating glioblastoma, a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord. It is now poised to make even greater strides thanks to the unparalleled resources and support provided by the Lady Mireille Fellowship.
‘I get to do science for the sake of science and curiosity, which is the dream’
Tell us about your academic journey and what brought you to where you are now.
İmge Ozügergin: I’m a postdoc and a new mom, which are the two most defining aspects of my life right now. I did my master's and PhD at Concordia, where I fell in love with science. My research focuses on cytokinesis, the final step of cell division where one cell physically separates into two. I’ll be diving back into that research thanks to this incredible fellowship.
Sounds complex. Can you break it down for us non-biologists?
IO: Imagine you started as one cell. You’re now made up of around 37 trillion cells. That process of going from one to trillions of cells is cell division. Cytokinesis is the crucial step where the cell actually splits. If it goes wrong, it can lead to problems like miscarriages or cancer. So, understanding this process is vital for understanding life and disease.
What makes understanding this process so vital?
IO: The goal is to understand the differences in how healthy and cancerous brain cells divide. Glioblastoma is a deadly and hard-to-treat cancer. By identifying what goes wrong during cell division in these cancerous cells, we hope to find new targets for treatment. It’s a simple approach, but no one’s done it quite this way before.
What excites you about conducting this research at the Institut Pasteur in Paris?
IO: I get to do science for the sake of science and curiosity, which is literally the dream. The equipment is top notch, and there’s a strong sense of camaraderie. Everyone helps each other out, which is crucial in research. I’m particularly excited to use some of the best microscopes in the world to see these cells in action.
What does the Lady Mireille Fellowship mean to you professionally and personally?
IO: This fellowship is life changing. As a new mom, it allows me to balance my career and family in a way that many researchers can’t. I’ll be able to pursue my passion for science while watching my son grow up — something I’m incredibly grateful for. The fellowship provides the funding and freedom to explore my research without the usual pressures. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
More about the fellowship
The two-year Lady Mireille and Sir Dennis Gillings Global Public Health Fellowship grants young scientists the resources to undertake world-class public health research at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France.
Fellows are also trained in leadership and management skills, enabling them to maximize the health impacts of their research.
Lady Mireille and Sir Dennis Gillings Global Public Health Fellows are available to PhD graduates from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill and Concordia.
