Program: Medical Genetics
I am fascinated by the complexities of human genetics and development, and I have always wanted to work in a field where I could contribute to improving the health, wellness, and care of others. Studying human medical genetics provided the perfect blend of these two passions, allowing me to follow my curiosities through scientific research while also improving our understanding of human health and disease.
All of my favourite memories at UBC have been from time spent with friends and lab-mates. In particular, our annual departmental Research Day was always a favourite event of mine. Our department is spread across several research sites, so it was one of the few times in the year where we could all gather to showcase our work and catch up over some wine and cheese!
It’s easy to get caught up with your own research and school work, but try to take time for yourself and take advantage of what Vancouver and B.C. have to offer! Also, taking opportunities to get out of your comfort zone by attending seminars, workshops, or networking events beyond your research area to connect with new people and expand your interests can be very rewarding and help you make the most of your experience at UBC.
I recently started a new position as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa working with the Care4Rare Canada Consortium, a research program that applies state-of-the-art genetic technologies to improve the diagnosis and discovery of rare genetic diseases. I am very excited to expand on what I learned in my PhD and contribute directly to patient care in Canada and worldwide.