Immunology Interview Questions Flashcards
What would your process be for identifying a new pathogen in a patient?
My process for identifying a new pathogen begins with an initial assessment of the patient’s symptoms. I look at their medical history and any other relevant information to determine if there is a potential infectious agent present.
Once this has been established, I then move on to laboratory testing. This includes collecting samples from the patient, such as blood or tissue, and performing tests such as PCR, ELISA, or culture-based assays to identify the presence of pathogens.
Finally, I use bioinformatics tools to analyse the data collected in order to make an accurate diagnosis. (Bioinformatics is analysing data using genetic codes).
Why do you want to be an immunologist?
Immunology is fundamental to the life sciences industry; it is core to the development of modern antibody therapies and vaccines.
I am excited to contribute to the treatment and eradication of disease for both an animals and humans!
Contribute to treatment for cancer, AIDS and allergies = better quality of life.
I like working in a fast paced challenging environment as I have discovered from my year in industry placement - lab work suits me.
Versatile - can have positive impact on both human and animal health at the same time. Human + veterinary sciences. Improve quality of life for both animals and humans.
Self motivated and a proficient multi-tasker (e.g. during placement it was critical I took control of planning my day in liaison with my supervisor to ensure deadlines were met between both departments), driven, and focused. I enjoy a challenge and want to make a difference / be at the forefront of research.
Provide an example of a time when you had to present to a group of peers.
I recently had the opportunity to present to my work colleagues. I was excited for the chance to develop my communication and presentation skills and I made sure I prepared really well.
In order to ensure that my presentation was clear and concise, I created visual aids to accompany my talk. This included tables and charts to illustrate key points as well as images to demonstrate the results of experiments. I also rehearsed my presentation multiple times so that I could deliver it confidently and accurately.
I spoke clearly and slowly, making sure to pause often to allow questions from the audience.
At the end of the presentation, I received positive feedback from my peers. They were impressed by how organized and knowledgeable I was about my project. It was a great experience, and I am proud of the way I represented my work.
If you had to choose an area of immunology to focus your research on, what would it be and why?
(Cancer)
If I had to choose an area of immunology to focus on, it would be research into cancer treatments. Cancer is caused by mutations in DNA that leads to complete loss of cell cycle control. It is life threatening and can be debilitating to someone’s quality of life.
I am passionate about cancer / disease research because it affects so many people around the world. By understanding how the immune system works and why it goes awry, we can develop better treatments and potentially even cures diseases such as this.
My year in industry experience has given me skills and confidence for working in a controlled environment and how to conduct experiments. It also introduced me to a variety of lab equipment and quality measures that I would not have experienced at university.
Increased my critical thinking skills and has taught me how to handle challenges and overcome difficulties in the lab - for example plate washer issue.
What would you do if you noticed a discrepancy in your research data?
If I noticed a discrepancy in my data, the first thing I would do is take a step back and assess the situation.
I would review all of the data to determine what caused the discrepancy and if it was an isolated incident or part of a larger pattern.
Once I had identified the source of the discrepancy, I would then work to find a solution. Depending on the nature of the issue, this could involve re-running experiments, revising protocols / MBRs, or further analysing the data.
During my time on placement, I have encountered a few data discrepancies and learnt how to identify and resolve them.
EXAMPLE > Squarate data with first experiment: there was no conjugate peak attained on the post purification trace, suggesting that conjugation did not work. As a result, a second experiment was devised.
My attention to detail and problem-solving skills make me well-suited for this role.
How well do you think you can work in a team to achieve goals?
I believe I am well-suited to work in a team setting.
Throughout my placement and at university I have had the opportunity to collaborate with peers on various projects. I understand the importance of working together to reach our common goal, while also respecting each individual’s unique contributions.
My experience has taught me that effective communication is key when working in a team environment. I make sure to listen carefully to all ideas and perspectives, and take into account everyone’s input before making decisions. I also strive to be open-minded and flexible in order to accommodate different approaches and strategies.
EXAMPLE: numerous group projects at uni > have always received positive feedback > planning in advance, delegating roles, scheduling in team meetings and staying up to date with other uni work at the same time.
In addition, I’m highly organized and detail-oriented. I can easily break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable pieces, and delegate them accordingly. I’m also able to prioritise tasks based on their urgency and importance, which helps ensure that deadlines are met.
EXAMPLE: On placement I learnt to prioritise my tasks according to deadlines, e.g. making buffers in order of urgency.
Do you have experience of quality measures used in a lab environment?
Yes, it is important that health and safety regulations are met in a controlled environment.
I understand the importance and have experience of following safety protocols / MBRs and using proper protective equipment when dealing with hazardous materials, such as infectious agents or chemicals.
In addition, I have knowledge gained from placement of the correct methods to dispose of hazardous laboratory chemicals.
Attention to detail: Important to double check the cat codes / lot numbers before you use raw materials > if wrong could impact pH > effects conjugation and quality of final product > not what customers would expect. Also line clearances and checks are vital to ensure quality.
Do you have a process for organising and prioritising your tasks?
Absolutely! I have developed an organized and efficient process for carrying out daily tasks.
First, I identify the key / most important tasks for the week.
Then, I create a timeline with milestones and deadlines to ensure that I stay on track. Next, I prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency.
Finally, I break down each task into smaller steps so that I can focus on one step at a time. This process has helped me to stay focused and productive. It also allows me to adjust my schedule if needed if unexpected challenges arise.
I have used this method successfully at both uni and on placement.
Describe your experience with using lab equipment and analysing data.
I have experience with using lab equipment and analysing data.
During my time on placement, I have worked in a controlled environment. I was responsible for setting up the necessary equipment, calibrating it correctly (pH meter, balances, pipettes) and running experiments.
I am also very familiar with common laboratory software such as Excel and which I used to analyse data and create spreadsheets.
In addition, I have had the opportunity to work on several research projects that required me to analyse datasets and draw meaningful conclusions from them.
For example, I assisted with a project for a company called Wellfish which used ELISAs to identify potential biomarkers in Salmon and see if they are disease specific. I learnt how this would help to develop specific treatments and prevent disease spreading in farmed fish populations to promote their welfare.
If you had to choose one area of immunology to focus your research on, what would it be and why?
(Autoimmune diseases)
If I had to choose one area of immunology to focus my research on, it would be the study of autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases are caused by an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body. This can lead to a variety of chronic and debilitating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
I am passionate about researching these conditions because they affect so many people around the world. By understanding how the immune system works and why it goes awry, we can develop better treatments and potentially even cures for these diseases to help future generations.
Furthermore, I am eager to collaborate with experienced researchers to further our knowledge of autoimmune diseases.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I believe I am the best candidate for this position because I have some experience and knowledge in the field.
My placement introduced me to practical application of immunology and university has reinforced my passion through academic teaching and motivating me to do own research.
During this time, I have developed a simple understanding of the immune system and its various components. I would love this opportunity to get the chance to gain a deeper understanding of how the immune system works and to help identify new treatments and therapies to improve patient outcomes.
What immunology research interests you the most and why / what interests you most about this role?
Immunology is a fascinating field of research that I am passionate about. My placement made me realise that it is the area of science I want to pursue and that lab-based work is for me.
My primary interest lies in understanding how the immune system works to protect us from disease and infection.
Specifically, I am interested in studying the mechanisms by which the body recognizes foreign antigens and mounts an effective response against them. This includes exploring how different components of the immune system interact with each other and how they can be manipulated to create more effective treatments for various diseases such as cancer, HIV and allergies.
Finally, I am also eager to learn more about emerging technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and its potential applications in immunology > It makes it possible to correct errors in the genome and turn on or off genes in cells and organisms quickly
What do you think is the most important skill for an immunologist to have?
I believe the most important skill for an immunologist to have is a understanding of the immune system.
This includes knowledge of how it functions, its components, and how different diseases affect it. Having this knowledge allows us to better understand why certain treatments work or don’t work in various cases. It also helps us develop new treatments that can be more effective at treating specific illnesses.
In addition to having a strong understanding of the immune system, I think it’s essential for an immunologist to have excellent communication skills.
We need to be able to effectively communicate our findings to other healthcare professionals and patients so they can make informed decisions about their care and ensure quality care.
There is a discrepancy in your immunology research data. How would you handle it?
If I encountered a discrepancy in my immunology research data, the first thing I would do is to carefully review the data and analyse it for any errors.
I would then consult with colleagues and experts in the field to ensure that I had not overlooked anything. If necessary, I would also conduct additional experiments or tests to verify the results.
Once I have determined the cause of the discrepancy, I would develop a plan to address it. This could include revising the experimental design, re-running the experiment, or collecting more data to support the findings.
Finally, I would document all steps taken to resolve the issue and communicate the results to my team.
Ultimately, this will result in more accurate and reliable results in the long term and reiterates importance of being flexible and open-minded when conducting scientific research.
It is important to be able to think critically and objectively about complex situations. (SQUARATE PROJECT)
I believe these qualities are essential for any successful immunologist!
How do you think advances in technology are changing the field of immunology?
Immunology is a rapidly changing field, and advances in technology are playing an important role in driving this change.
In recent years, we have seen the development of new technologies that allow us to better understand the immune system and its response to various stimuli.
For example, high-throughput sequencing has enabled us to identify novel molecules involved in immunity, while single-cell analysis has allowed us to gain insight into how individual cells respond to different signals.
These technologies have also opened up new avenues for research, such as the study of immunometabolism, which looks at how metabolic changes affect the immune system.
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