Shimosh Kurera
Lab affiliation: Bakker Lab
Degree(s) you hold: B.Sc. (Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology), M.Sc. (Experimental Biotechnology)
Degree being sought (M.Sc./Ph.D.): M.Sc.
Hometown (City, Country—list multiple if you have them!): Chilaw, Sri Lanka
Your research project in one sentence: Rapid identification of fungi using (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) MALDI-TOF MS
A picture of you:
Lab affiliation: Bakker Lab
Degree(s) you hold: B.Sc. (Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology), M.Sc. (Experimental Biotechnology)
Degree being sought (M.Sc./Ph.D.): M.Sc.
Hometown (City, Country—list multiple if you have them!): Chilaw, Sri Lanka
Your research project in one sentence: Rapid identification of fungi using (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) MALDI-TOF MS
A picture of you:
What do you do to relax when you have a lazy day at home?
I play video games and develop mobile games. When I’m bored doing neither of them, I watch Netflix.
What are you most excited about for 2022? Goals?
I’m excited to gain good progress in my research. I hope to attend conferences and present my research findings.
What techniques do you/will you most often use in your project?
Molecular biological techniques (DNA extraction, PCR and, sequencing) and mass spectrometry.
What's one silly mistake you've made in the lab?
Once I wanted to prepare a glycerol stock. Even though I did the calculation correctly, I switched water and glycerol volumes when I measure them. I realized that after I prepared them. Then, I calculated again how much water was needed to prepare the correct concentration. Of course, now I have a big stock of diluted glycerol. Anyway, it is useful for everyone in my lab now. 😉
What are any current problems you are having with your research?
I am developing a rapid method to identify fungi using mass spectrometry. The current method of introducing mycelium into the mass spectrometry instrument doesn’t work with every filamentous fungus. Trying to develop a universal method.
What did you hope to get out of grad school in the beginning compared to now? Or (if you’ve just begun) what are you looking forward to?
I’m still at the beginning of my program. I am looking forward to improving myself with techniques, knowledge, and experience while meeting new people, making professional connections and, learning about different cultures.
I play video games and develop mobile games. When I’m bored doing neither of them, I watch Netflix.
What are you most excited about for 2022? Goals?
I’m excited to gain good progress in my research. I hope to attend conferences and present my research findings.
What techniques do you/will you most often use in your project?
Molecular biological techniques (DNA extraction, PCR and, sequencing) and mass spectrometry.
What's one silly mistake you've made in the lab?
Once I wanted to prepare a glycerol stock. Even though I did the calculation correctly, I switched water and glycerol volumes when I measure them. I realized that after I prepared them. Then, I calculated again how much water was needed to prepare the correct concentration. Of course, now I have a big stock of diluted glycerol. Anyway, it is useful for everyone in my lab now. 😉
What are any current problems you are having with your research?
I am developing a rapid method to identify fungi using mass spectrometry. The current method of introducing mycelium into the mass spectrometry instrument doesn’t work with every filamentous fungus. Trying to develop a universal method.
What did you hope to get out of grad school in the beginning compared to now? Or (if you’ve just begun) what are you looking forward to?
I’m still at the beginning of my program. I am looking forward to improving myself with techniques, knowledge, and experience while meeting new people, making professional connections and, learning about different cultures.