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It is commonly believed that experiences shape people's lives, which is more than true for Dr. Valerie Reeves. Coming from Salisbury, New Brunswick, Dr. Reeves chose to start her professional career at the University of New Brunswick Fredericton Campus. Enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program, she had her sights set on pursuing a biology degree with the hopes of someday becoming a Marine Biologist. However, not dissimilar to many students, her path took a different route after her first year of university. She recalls certain professors having a profound impact on her learning experiences by creating a different atmosphere in her labs, ultimately influencing her future career path. The problem-solving aspect of chemistry coupled with an inspiring chemistry laboratory professor led Dr. Reeves to change her major to chemistry, and at the end of her undergraduate degree, to continue her studies as a PhD student at UNB.
Dr. Valerie Reeves - submitted by Dr. Reeves
Research
During Dr. Reeves time as a forestry graduate student, she studied tree health using the molecule, coniferin as an indicator. In softwood trees, coniferin accumulates in the cambium of conifers which are trees found in Canada having cones and needles. Cambium helps to depict the health of the tree in the growing season. Dr. Reeves studied this by artificially stressing approximately 400 white pine trees in different ways while measuring the coniferin content in the cambium following a delayed period after the trials. These results were then compared to coniferin content in healthy trees, producing a relative scale off of which tested trees could compare their physical stature to. The removal of a sample of wood was done with a carpet punch, which is simply a special punch used when installing carpets. The punch would be tapped into the tree and extracted before the wood was hit. The cambium would then be scraped off and the bark plug would be inserted back into the tree for protection. This was an extremely labour-intensive process with the removal of the bark of the tree, scraping and extracting the cambium in the lab, and running an NMR spectrum. Due to this labour-intensive method, a new in-field method was developed to solve this problem. A vial filled with methanol to extract the cambium, and several other reagents, was brought into the field and any cambium would be scraped into the vial. From there the solution would turn colour based on the amount of coniferin in the tree. A deep purple colour signified a healthy amount of coniferin in the tree, while a yellow colour represented no coniferin in the tree. This was an important topic of research because, like many living things, a tree can appear healthy on the outside, but on the inside, it can be disease-ridden with symptoms not showing for prolonged periods of time. Dr. Reeves main purpose of this research was to identify and alert people of potentially dangerous diseases in a stand of trees before it was rendered unhealthy and therefore unusable. The problem with this approach is the method for quantifying results is subjective as what one person sees as purple another may see it as deep purple. At the time of this research, she began teaching more and more and eventually had to place it on hold. For these reasons Dr. Reeves never published her research. Congruent to her research, she studied more on coniferin, such as what stimulates it, the enzymes associated with it, along with other aspects.
During the time of Dr. Reeves research and teaching tutorials, a position within the Department of Chemistry became vacant. Helping out, she agreed to pick up the class, while also having the opportunity to teach courses at the newly opened Renaissance College. While teaching in the fall and winter terms, her summers were filled with her PhD thesis work, and after teaching under contract for two years, the position was eventually posted and Dr. Reeves was the successful applicant in the fall of 2005. Dr. Reeves completed her thesis graduating in early 2007. After teaching at the school for three years, she became an Academic Advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, as well as devoting time to curriculum work. Dr. Reeves tries to pull on her past experiences of feeling overwhelmed and insignificant, “I think my own experiences really shape how I try to be in the classroom.”
As a forestry grad student, she had the opportunity to teach tutorials for a chemistry course geared for forestry students, who were previously placed in the engineering chemistry course. From her perspective, it was clear to Dr. Reeves that forestry students had nothing to gain from the material featured in the engineering chemistry course. Once she began teaching, she brought forestry students into general chemistry lectures. Although it was a better fit for the students, it still wasn’t a maximum benefit to forestry students. Dr. Reeves was a key part of creating the forestry-focused chemistry course at UNB. Since its inception, there has been an overwhelmingly positive response to the class as it has improved the quality of learning for forestry students.
Dr. Reeves shared one favourite aspect of her job is teaching students: “I like the people aspect of it.” She loves hearing the unique stories and experiences of her students. When students present a problem in her office and leave with a better understanding, it is a personal highlight for her. Reeves strive to make people comfortable through her teaching, “I try to at least make people feel like they are important. There are a lot of people here who genuinely care.”
To the Aspiring Researchers
Dr. Reeves number one piece of advice for aspiring researchers is to just talk to people. Not every professor is looking for students to employ or has the available funding, but many would gladly accept the help of a volunteer. “There are ways to get in,” she explains. Another program that can also be overlooked is the work-study program here at UNB. Once again, not every professor or researcher has the time to apply, but when shown there is interest in their research by a student, some may reconsider. For upper-level students, there are also mini-research classes that can be very beneficial. Regardless of students aspiring career paths and interests, research is a great way to gain valuable experience that will contribute to their future at university and in jobs.
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