Ashley Arnold (she/her)

About me

I was born/grew up in: I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I grew up in the neighbouring city of Burnaby, British Columbia,.

I now live in: I live in Vancouver, British Columbia.

I completed my training/education at: I have a BSc in Integrated Sciences and an MSc in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of British Columbia.

What I do at work

I provide technical and scientific support to customers who use equipment and instruments sold by STEMCELL. My main duties are to install scientific instruments in labs and provide hands-on training to customers. To do this, I need a solid understanding of how the instruments work and the type of work the lab is doing. This way I can provide the right recommendations and support.

I use the science knowledge I’ve learned from school and work experiences to support our customers. But there are times when I don’t know the answer. In these moments, I need to problem-solve and think critically to find the best solution.

Sometimes, I need to research a topic to find answers. I ask questions to clarify the problem or get more information. Luckily, I work on a team with very knowledgeable and kind people. We work together to solve problems. This is helpful because we approach the problem from different perspectives. Working together allows us to come up with solutions we may not have thought of by ourselves.

My career path is

When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in science. But I didn’t really know what was out there, besides medicine. Once I started university, I was exposed to different areas of science.

I became interested in scientific research because I liked delving deep into a topic. In my third year, I started volunteering in a research lab studying microbial ecology. There, I met mentors who supported and pushed me to challenge myself. Without them, I wouldn’t have known about certain opportunities. And I wouldn’t have met people who inspired me to pursue this type of career. I’m incredibly thankful to my mentors.

I am motivated by

Interacting with customers and providing hands-on training are my favourite parts of the job. I get to talk about science! This is one of my favourite things to do. I also get to learn about their research, and what they’re hoping to achieve. I’m always learning in this job. This is something I really enjoy. It keeps things exciting and helps me become a better communicator and scientist.

How I affect peoples’ lives

Customers use the instruments I install to research topics like cancer biology, stem cell biology, Immunology, and gene therapy. The work these labs are doing is important and inspiring. So, any part I can play in helping them achieve their scientific goals is fulfilling. Seeing these instruments being used to further research and discoveries is exciting. It reminds me why I love science.

Outside of work I

Outside of work, I enjoy kickboxing, yoga, pottery and reading. Kickboxing is a new hobby for me. It’s a great way to release stress. I enjoy how it combines technique, strength, discipline, and cardio. I’m also lucky to train at a gym with kind and supportive people. It makes the whole experience that much better.

My advice to others

Stay curious and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. Often, you don’t know where an idea, a conversation or a volunteer opportunity can lead. So, it’s good to stay curious and ask questions. It can lead you to some incredible places. Places you may not have even known existed!