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Volume 1 Issue 7
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I
ssues and
P
eople
Clinician-Scientist in the Making :
DR. ZEESHANSHEIKH
CDA:
Why did you choose research over
private practice?
Dr. Zeeshan Sheikh:
When I was working
as a full-time clinician, it didn’t take me
long to realize that I was not entirely
satisfied with my job. Being in research and
academia provides me with the intellectual
stimulation that I was missing in a purely
clinical setting. I’ve been an inquisitive soul
since childhood. Nothing makes me more
excited than the prospect of a question that
needs pondering. My aim is to become a
researcher/academic/clinician and promote
dental health research and education across
Canada.
What do you think are the key factors
determining success in a research career?
Hard work and perseverance always pay off.
But, in our competitive times, success cannot
be ensured by merely putting in hours. Every
candidate applying for a professorship has
degrees and publications; you should bring
other attributes to the table to give you
and edge over the other candidates. I feel
that the Network for Canadian Oral Health
Research (NCOHR) plays an important role
in this, as it provides a great platform for
students and young researchers to build their
network and start collaborations.
Educated in Karachi, Pakistan, and London, England, Dr. Zeeshan Sheikh worked for two years as a clinician before
deciding to pursue his interests in dental research (on the fabrication and characterization of bone grafts) in Canada. He
recently completed his PhD at McGill University’s faculty of dentistry and is poised to begin a postdoctoral fellowship at the
University of Toronto. CDA spoke with Dr. Sheikh about his decision to follow a career in research.
Zeeshan Sheikh
BDS, PhD
Why aren’t more young dentists pursuing
careers in research?
Financial security is the primary reason, in my
opinion. After graduation, the opportunity
to work in a clinic and make money to pay
off student loans is probably one of the main
reasons that young dentists don’t follow a
career in research.
Secondly, not everyone is cut out to be in
research. It requires hours of dedication
and hard work, and sometimes there are no
results to show for it.
And thirdly, there is a lack of awareness and
knowledge among young dentists about
careers in full- or part-time research. The
annual NCOHR workshops provide dental
undergraduate students with an opportunity
to meet and be inspired by clinicians who are
in research.
Who have been your most important
career mentors?
I have been blessed with having great
mentors who have always guided me in the
right direction: my MSc supervisor,
Dr. Ihtesham ur Rehman; my PhD supervisor,
Dr. Jake Barralet; Dr. Faleh Tamimi; and
Dr. Walter Siqueira have all played a critical
role in my professional development.
The annual NCOHR workshops provide dental
undergraduate students with an opportunity to meet
and be inspired by clinicians who are in research.
Hear the full
audio interview at
oasisdiscussions.ca/2014/09/17/res-3