Hometown: Geneva, Switzerland
Program: Interdisciplinary Oncology Program
Year in Program: 2
What inspired you to pursue your program?
As an undergraduate student, I was given the opportunity to work in a variety of labs, ranging from chemical engineering, aquatic toxicology, to nano materials. Although the lab experiences covered diverse disciplines, I enjoyed taking away insights from each one and using them to solve problems that I encountered in new lab settings. From these experiences, I realized that I wanted a PhD program that would give me the flexibility to explore and develop ideas from a range of disciplines.
The Interdisciplinary Oncology Program (IOP) embodied these features. IOP has given me the opportunity to take courses that highlight the translational aspects of cancer research, such as clinical radiation techniques, as well as those that feature fundamental sciences. It’s this breadth and diversity, as well as the diversity between the specialties of each student within the program, that drew me to the program. Overall, the program has led me to become more creative in my research and has promoted collaborations within a variety of disciplines.
What are you looking forward to most this upcoming year?
I’m most looking forward to writing up a manuscript this year. In doing so, I’m hoping to attend more local and international conferences to not only share my work, but to also get further exposure to all of the cutting-edge research that is going on in the nanomedicine and cancer therapy fields. Lastly, outside of my doctoral research, I’m also excited to see the continuing progression of my consulting startup company.
Best piece of advice
Focus on life learning experiences and look for opportunities outside of the lab. There are so many initiatives, including graduate networks and mentorship programs, that can provide enriching experiences to complement your research learnings. This will not only keep you well rounded as an individual but will also give you the opportunity to meet other students and to give back to UBC and the surrounding community.
First job
My first job was at a kennel taking care of cats and dogs. The most rewarding part of my day was when the owners would come back from vacation to pick up their pets. Seeing how happy pets were when they were reunited with their owners always made me smile!
What’s next on your BC bucket list?
Since I’m fairly new to this beautiful province, I would love to travel to Victoria next year to walk along the inner harbor and surrounding gardens. Going to the parliament buildings and Royal BC Museum are also on my BC bucket list!