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Hometown: Houston, B.C.
Program: Master of Occupational Therapy – Prince George

What attracted you to your field?

During my undergrad I volunteered in the rehab unit at Kelowna General Hospital. I really enjoyed interacting with patients and learning about occupational therapy (OT). I heard many stories from patients about the positive impact an OT had on their lives and recovery, and as soon as I started looking more into the profession I knew it was for me. I loved the idea of being able to help people regain their independence and achieve meaningful goals. It is incredibly rewarding to be a part of people’s journey and helping to improve their quality of life.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?

I was part of UBC’s first Northern OT cohort in Prince George. Our small cohort of 16 is a really amazing group of people. Aside from making some great friendships, my favorite moment was our class get together near the end of the program where we got to celebrate our hard work and future careers!

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?

It will go by so fast! Give yourself grace when school gets hard and remember to take care of yourself first. Don’t hesitate to reach out to classmates and faculty when you need to—they are always there to help. Also, don’t hesitate to ask your professors and preceptors questions; their knowledge and experience is so valuable.

What’s next for you?

I recently started my first job at the Northwest Child Development Centre in Vanderhoof. I am working in early intervention with children and families in three different northern B.C. communities. Pediatrics wasn’t on my radar when I started school, but I am really enjoying it and looking forward to the future!

Program: PhD in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

What attracted you to your field?

My interest in pathology and laboratory medicine was sparked by a strong desire to bridge scientific discovery and real-world patient care. I was drawn to the idea of advancing clinical diagnostics and therapeutic techniques that have a tangible impact on patient outcomes. Understanding how complex diseases like cancer operate at a molecular level, and using that knowledge to develop innovative solutions for diagnosis and treatment has always been deeply fulfilling for me. The opportunity to contribute to diagnostic precision and, ultimately, to help patients receive timely and effective treatments is what motivates me every day in this field.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?

One favorite moment at UBC was receiving the Laurel L. Watters Research Fellowship for my work on breast cancer. This recognition was particularly meaningful because it came from those who had closely followed my research and understood its potential impact. Receiving the fellowship validated the years of dedication I had put into exploring innovative therapies for breast cancer and reinforced my commitment to advancing the field. It was a reminder of the importance of perseverance and collaboration, and it inspired me to continue striving for excellence in both my research and mentorship.

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?

Build a solid foundation in both theory and practical skills. This field is constantly evolving, so having a strong understanding of the fundamentals will allow you to adapt to new techniques and technologies. Don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone, whether it’s taking on challenging projects, collaborating with others or exploring interdisciplinary approaches. Most importantly, stay patient and resilient—breakthroughs often come after overcoming setbacks. Every experience is a stepping stone, so keep pushing forward and stay open to learning.

Tell us briefly about your research and the impact you hope it will have.

My research focuses on oncolytic viruses, which are engineered to target and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. These viruses not only kill tumor cells directly but also stimulate the immune system to fight the cancer more effectively. The goal is to make oncolytic virus treatments safer and more effective, offering patients a powerful therapy with fewer side effects.

What’s next for you?

Next for me is to pursue postdoctoral research, where I can build on my work in cancer therapy and explore new avenues in oncolytic virotherapy, targeted drug delivery and cancer immunotherapy. I am eager to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop personalized treatment strategies that could have a significant impact on patients’ lives. Ultimately, my goal is to translate my research into real-world applications, advancing cancer treatment and contributing to the ongoing fight against the disease.

Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
Program: Master of Science in Audiology

What attracted you to your field?

I was attracted to audiology from a young age because I was diagnosed with hearing loss at four years old. I started with two hearing aids, and then my hearing loss progressed in my left ear so I received a cochlear implant which stimulates the auditory nerve directly. I grew up attending numerous audiology appointments and due to the hard work of my audiologists and advancements in technology, I am where I am today. What inspired me to pursue the profession was my educational audiologist in Calgary, who had hearing aids. The younger me thought she was the most extraordinary person. I have also been involved with the Deaf community through the National Deaf Volleyball team. Now, I want to inspire the next generations of kids with hearing loss and help them reach their full potential.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?

We travelled to Ottawa for the 2023 Canadian Audiology Conference as a class and we got to see the current research and technologies that are up and coming in our field. We also got to have a dinner with audiology students from other Canadian universities. The best part for me was connecting with other hard-of-hearing audiology students and sharing our experiences. 

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?

The perk of this program is that we are a small cohort. You will become close with your classmates, so use that advantage to study for exams and prep for labs. The best advice I received was that learning never stops and some skills take years to develop. Even as a graduate, I am learning and developing my clinical skills every day. 

What’s next for you?

I currently work at the Nanaimo Public Health Audiology Unit as a pediatric audiologist. It’s inspiring to see the impact our work is having on children and their families.

Hometown: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Program: Master of Health Science

What attracted you to your field?

I got into clinical research to help close the healthcare gaps I saw every day working in Mexico as a doctor. Seeing firsthand how hard it can be for people to access quality care pushed me to find ways to make a real difference on a larger scale.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?

It is difficult to choose only one. My favorite moments at UBC have to be experiencing the changing seasons—seeing the cherry blossoms bloom, the autumn leaves turning vibrant orange and my first snowfall. These moments made the campus feel alive and brought a new sense of wonder to my everyday studies.

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?

Approach every challenge with curiosity and resilience. The program will push you to think critically about problems with complex solutions. Don’t be afraid to be creative, and embrace your mistakes; they often lead to the most insightful learning experiences.

Tell us briefly about your research and the impact you hope it will have.

I’m working on a wide-range of studies focused on multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer. In these studies, we’re using real-world registry data to improve our ability to predict patient outcomes and determine the effect of factors experienced during their disease journey. The ultimate goal is to improve patients’ and doctors’ decision-making and quality of life.

What’s next for you?

I plan to build on my clinical research skills through data-driven projects, pursue a PhD in multidisciplinary oncology and eventually become certified to practice in Canada. And, of course, taking in the scenic route from time to time and fitting in some much-needed travel.

Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
Program: UBC Master of Physical Therapy – Fraser Valley Cohort

What attracted you to your field?

Growing up, I was thankful that my grandparents, Beeji (grandma) and Daarji (grandpa), took care of me while my parents were working. They were a pivotal part of my journey in becoming a physiotherapist. When I was walking to school with them one day, my Beeji unfortunately tripped over a branch and fell, sustaining a fracture. She couldn’t walk for three months. I remember seeing how a physiotherapist transformed her rehabilitation journey from not being able to take a step to becoming confident walking with a four-wheeled walker, all while navigating a language barrier because Beeji only spoke Punjabi. Due to the impact of physiotherapy, my Beeji was able to return to her favourite activity of the day – picking me and my brother up from school with my Daarji.

This experience made me recognize the crucial role that physiotherapy plays within our communities as it reconnects families with the activities they love through functional mobility, communication and empowering people to achieve their full potential. Witnessing how much more comfortable my Beeji felt working with a physiotherapist who spoke her language really impacted me. It wasn’t just about the exercises they did, but about the connection they built, and it made me want to provide that same sense of trust and motivation for others.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?

My favourite moments on campus were the late-night study sessions with my friends. Even though it was stressful, the bond we built during those long nights sharing laughs and motivating each other made the skills seem attainable and, better yet, made the experience unforgettable. The stress may be gone, but the memories we made will always remain with me.

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?

Remember that success looks different for everyone. Whether you’re studying for an exam, worrying about your next practicum, or preparing for an objective structured clinical exam, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the stress. What’s most important is recognizing the hard work you put in along the way. Whether your effort on a given day amounts to 10 per cent of what you’re capable of, you’re still giving 100 per cent of what you can do in that moment. Allow yourself the room to grow and learn through the process while also celebrating the milestones you accomplish along the way—and remember why you chose the profession in the first place. Most importantly, don’t let imposter syndrome get to you—you belong!

What’s next for you?

After graduation, I plan to work within the Fraser Valley with elderly patients in an outpatient hospital setting, as well as within an orthopaedics practice. I’m particularly excited about a research initiative with the University of the Fraser Valley Kinesiology Program, where I aim to introduce a walking program for older adults who face mobility challenges in Chilliwack and Abbotsford. I will also continue my part-time role as a supervisor with the Vancouver Canucks, blending my passion for sports in relation to health. Looking ahead, I hope to teach as a professor and advocate for enhanced access to movement for communities. I believe my experiences at UBC have prepared me well for this next chapter and aligns with my goal of helping others improve their quality of life through movement.

Hometown: Halfmoon Bay, B.C.
Program: Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

What attracted you to your field?

I was first introduced to the field while tutoring in the special education classroom as a high school student. I was moved by the speech-language pathologist’s enthusiasm to advocate for communication as a universal human right. Her creativity enabled students with developmental disorders—such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder—to become confident, competent communicators through alternative methods including individualized gestures and text-to-speech apps. She inspired me to enter this field and help others learn or rediscover the gift of communication, no matter their physical or cognitive challenges.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?

My favourite moment was when almost 50 people showed up to my first dance class for UBC Recreation’s Free Week! I was filled with gratitude that so many students chose to spend their study breaks with me, forget about their stresses for an hour and share their passion for dance. Teaching for UBC Recreation during my time at UBC is one of my fondest memories, and I highly recommend becoming involved with campus clubs and organizations. Extracurricular involvement at UBC is a fabulous way to meet like-minded people and find your community on campus.

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?

One piece of advice is to rediscover your joy of learning. As students, we’re often so focused on our grades that we can lose sight of the purpose of our learning—which is to become proficient in our future careers. If you care deeply about your learning, your grades will come naturally. Think about how you can apply the concepts of an assignment to a future patient or save the resources your professors provide you for when you begin your career. Once you start thinking like a clinician, rather than a student, you’ll become more invested in your learning and spend less time feeling anxious over your grades.

What’s next for you?

I recently moved back to my beautiful hometown of Halfmoon Bay to begin my career as a speech-language pathologist with the TIDES Rural/Remote Rehab Team. In my role, I provide short-term rehabilitation for adults living with neurological conditions such as stroke or acquired brain injuries. I plan to pursue my advanced competency in Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies to better assess and manage dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) in the adult patients I work with. I am passionate about helping people with communication and swallowing disorders lead fulfilling lives and I look forward to a life-long career in this rewarding field.