Physiology Graduate Student Spotlight - Meet Midhat Rizvi

Midhat is originally from Pakistan and she is pursuing her MSc degree under the supervision of Dr. Emmanuelle Cordat.

01 October 2019

Midhat was born in Pakistan, but she completed all of her schooling in Canada. Currently, she is in her first year of Graduate studies in Dr. Emmanuelle Cordat's Physiology lab.

How would you describe your research (brief)?

Put simply, my field is renal physiology and specifically, my work involves studying mechanisms underlying distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA).

What inspired you to pursue your current research?

I love learning about human physiology and the renal system is a complex topic. I also like a good challenge.

What impact(s) will your research have outside of your lab?

dRTA impacts many individuals worldwide therefore understanding its underlying mechanisms may pave the way for the development of novel therapies.

What advice would you give to someone that is just starting graduate studies?

Be comfortable with uncertainty so make room for error. Don't punish yourself for small setbacks. Have fun; explore the university, look out for special events and take advantage of the clubs offered by the university. Finally, seek help from professionals when you need to, because your health comes first. Speaking up is usually the hardest part but it's necessary.