A Career as a Research Scientist Q&A with Tinashe Chikowore

While doing his A levels, Tinashe Chikowore got fascinated by Nutrition. Today he is a research scientist whose work focuses on the interaction between genetics and lifestyle. In this Q&A with Thando Nkomo (TN), Tinashe (TC) shares insights on his career journey and the qualifications and skills needed for someone to be a research scientist.

TN: Please tell us about yourself and what you do?

TC: Thank you so much I am a research scientist based at the University of Witwatersrand. My research focuses on the interactions of our genes and lifestyle. Simply put, I am interested in understanding for example why it is that people of the same family may eat from the same plate but have different weights. So, I enjoy looking into the clues from our genes to explain the puzzling scenarios, or in other words I work to really see whether diabetes runs in families or just that no one runs in these families.

TN: Interesting. Where did your journey into scientific research begin?

TC: I was a bit of a late bloomer...I was initially not aware of research. I started off wanting to be a pharmacist, but I did not get the required 13 points. While doing my A levels I became a vegetarian and when I went to varsity I was keen to know more about Nutrition. Then one day one of lecturers asked us to design nutrition related research projects. This then sparked this interest and I proceeded to post grad leading to my PhD. In short sometimes it's difficult to know what your career will be, do not pressure yourself God will lead you into even of you are a late bloomer like me.

TN: What areas of scientific research have you found quite interesting to you and why?

TC: Nutrition and genetics are very fascinating. The great thing about research is there is too much freedom to explore a number of topics. Recently I have been working to develop polygenic risk scores that can help us to know when people are young whether they will develop diabetes. I am also fascinated by understanding why even in families that eat together girls are always fatter that boys.

TN: What would you say are your career highlights so far?

TC: I have been able to win a prestigious research grant to evaluate gene-lifestyle interactions in Africa. This has enabled me to publish high impact papers, present this work in international conferences, and visit and work with people from prestigious universities such as Harvard. We anticipate translating our work to hospitals such that this can benefit many in the future.

TN: Amazing. How important are scientific researchers in the world we live in today?

TC: Great question. COVID is a good example to use in responding to this question. We can see science is very important in helping to find answers and ways of providing effective treatments. It's just a pity that African countries do not prioritise this. That's why you could see that Africa never developed a vaccine. So we need to encourage many to get into scientific reserach.

TN: Looking back what were the major influences at primary or high school that shaped where you are today?

TC: Looking back I was not an intelligent student and looking back there are some points of bad influence I need to high light. Intelligence is in many forms. But sadly the people who have strong memories are the ones that excel during primary and A level and those who learn by doing or great thinkers fail yet to be a great scientist you need to like thinking deeply about issues and enjoying asking the not so common questions. As I look back from my Form 4 class only those average students who were deep thinkers were able to get PhDs but the crammers ended at undergrad. So in a nutshell please do not stress much about getting 20 points or many As...These are just good to get you to varsity. But postgraduate studies really need thinkers. If you are inquisitive please do not be deterred by low grades, your curiosity is what is required not cramming, and you can even one day work at Harvard through God grace.

TN: These are very interesting insights. Are there any people who have been quite influential in your career journey?

TC: This a good question. I have many. But maybe let me say that to be successful you need to be a people's person. I remember one good Professor who gave me a lift and he talked to me and showed me what he was working on and dropped me off at the bus station. I went home and told everyone that I sure need to be a Professor one day. My supervisors have mentored me very well and I am grateful for their guidance. I have also through God's grace have had people in my field who just like me and have opened doors for me to attend and present at international conferences in America. I also am learning from them and eager to motivate others and just be nice. Being nice is what makes people excel. So if anyone of you happens to come to SA you can reach out, I can show you around Wits and what we do.

TN: For someone wanting to be a Scientific Researcher, what would they need to do...any particular subjects to pursue at A level and Post A level, what should one do in order to be a scientific researcher?

TC: Great question. Science is broad but we can focus on health research. You just need to have any two of these subjects at A level: Chemistry/Physics, Geography Biology and Maths. You can just enrol for varsity and do am MSc in a field of interest such as Nutrition, Physiology , Microbiology, Genetics etc You can then select a health topic that you will focus on in you PhD.

TN: What is your general advice to those following this conversation?

TC: Like I said earlier about the different types of knowledge. Most people who do Physics, Biology and Maths at varsity are made to look down upon themselves and to believe they will be teachers only because they failed to pass and get places to be medical doctors or pharmacists. But the truth is Physics, Biology, Maths and Chemistry are the strongest science degrees...Everything, talk of machine learning, data science etc is based on the principles derived from these core subjects. So no one should make anyone feel inferior. Please, even if you get into these degrees just be a thinker strive to pass...And as much as possible please try apply for MSc in South Africa, American or any leading European country...You are the crea

m that people are looking for.