Jefferson Frisbee | Directeur et professeur du département de biophysique médicale de l'Université Western Ontario

Jefferson Frisbee

Chair and Professor

Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario

Created On: March 22, 2018
Sector:
Healthcare
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Biology,  Anatomy,  Chemistry,  Health

Learn About My Career

Jefferson Frisbee is the a chair and professor for the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Western Ontario.

I was born/grew up in: Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, Illinois. Grew Up: New York, New England, and Ontario

I now live in: London, Ontario

I completed my training/education at: BSc, PhD University of Guelph; postdoctoral fellowship University of Washington; postdoctoral fellowship and first faculty position Medical College of Wisconsin; Cardiovascular Research Center Director at West Virginia University HSC; then recruited to Western

We do a lot of different research using models of human disease (I need to be a bit vague for obvious reasons). My job requires I know about biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, chaos theory, biostatistics, pharmacology, etc. We use specialized surgical equipment, microscopes, equipment to measure cardiovascular function, imaging equipment (it is a very long list). I enjoy very difficult, abstract problems. Things where a lot of variables are changing in both space and time. I have to make decisions constantly. The process is simple...take what you know, what you "think" and then take your best shot. If you are wrong, try again. I work as part of a team and as an individual investigator as well. Different approaches for different problems, but clear and free communication is always vital.

Mostly, I made sure to never close doors and never made a decision I could not reverse. In my education I completed an undergraduate degree in science and two graduate degrees. This was followed by two postdoctoral fellowships, and then 20 years of "training and education". Unusual Twists and Turns: of course. All do. I NEVER thought I would be back in Canada but some opportunities just develop out of nowhere. How I ended up in this career is a bit interesting. This was my 2nd backup plan. Once pro football was out, I wanted to be a cosmologist. But couldn't handle the math. Since I have always loved biology I started down that path instead. I’ve had a number of challenges and failures along the way – we all do. But you pick yourself up and start fighting again. What other choice do you have - to accept failure???

I love the freedom and flexibility to use my creativity and imagination to learn and understand how systems work (and fail). I hate structure and do not particularly enjoy sitting in classrooms. My career has allowed me to operate almost entirely within my own flexibility.

We work to identify how we can correct the symptoms and poor health outcomes associated with cardiovascular disease risk. This impacts a large number of people and we are working to try to reduce that.

I used to run the hockey program at a major American University before coming here. That was fun. I hike, golf, and travel to my kid's unending sports activities.... I like to travel with my family (National Parks). I volunteer when asked, but am looking for more opportunities. It can be hard to jam that into a day.

Stick with it. It is a very long and hard road to get here, but it is totally worth it if you can make it through. It really is a great career if you are the right person.

What I do at work

We do a lot of different research using models of human disease (I need to be a bit vague for obvious reasons). My job requires I know about biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, chaos theory, biostatistics, pharmacology, etc. We use specialized surgical equipment, microscopes, equipment to measure cardiovascular function, imaging equipment (it is a very long list). I enjoy very difficult, abstract problems. Things where a lot of variables are changing in both space and time. I have to make decisions constantly. The process is simple...take what you know, what you "think" and then take your best shot. If you are wrong, try again. I work as part of a team and as an individual investigator as well. Different approaches for different problems, but clear and free communication is always vital.

My career path is

Mostly, I made sure to never close doors and never made a decision I could not reverse. In my education I completed an undergraduate degree in science and two graduate degrees. This was followed by two postdoctoral fellowships, and then 20 years of "training and education". Unusual Twists and Turns: of course. All do. I NEVER thought I would be back in Canada but some opportunities just develop out of nowhere. How I ended up in this career is a bit interesting. This was my 2nd backup plan. Once pro football was out, I wanted to be a cosmologist. But couldn't handle the math. Since I have always loved biology I started down that path instead. I’ve had a number of challenges and failures along the way – we all do. But you pick yourself up and start fighting again. What other choice do you have - to accept failure???

I am motivated by

I love the freedom and flexibility to use my creativity and imagination to learn and understand how systems work (and fail). I hate structure and do not particularly enjoy sitting in classrooms. My career has allowed me to operate almost entirely within my own flexibility.

How I affect peoples’ lives

We work to identify how we can correct the symptoms and poor health outcomes associated with cardiovascular disease risk. This impacts a large number of people and we are working to try to reduce that.

Outside of work I

I used to run the hockey program at a major American University before coming here. That was fun. I hike, golf, and travel to my kid's unending sports activities.... I like to travel with my family (National Parks). I volunteer when asked, but am looking for more opportunities. It can be hard to jam that into a day.

My advice to others

Stick with it. It is a very long and hard road to get here, but it is totally worth it if you can make it through. It really is a great career if you are the right person.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Math
  • Physical Education/Health
  • Science

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Enjoyed doing things on my own
  • Always wanted to be outside
  • Played on a sports team
  • Enjoyed working with my hands
  • Liked being given free range to explore my ideas
  • Liked reading
  • Was really creative
  • Never wanted to be in the classroom
  • Didn’t really care about grades
  • Wasn’t sure what I wanted to do

Related Topics

Careers Heart Disease Medicine

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