Hannah Illing

Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
Program: Master of Science in Medical Genetics

What attracted you to your field?

At the end of my undergraduate degree, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next but I knew that I wanted more research experience. Genetics interested me because it is very interdisciplinary, combining biology, health and statistics. During my master’s research, I enjoyed applying diverse methods, including epidemiology, computer science and laboratory work. I am still amazed at how diverse and dynamic the field of genetics is, and how it continues to advance personalized medical diagnoses and treatments.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?

Near the end of my degree, I presented my research at an international genetics conference in Italy. It was both exciting and nerve-wracking to attend my first conference — especially such a large one abroad. I was amazed by the number of researchers and how welcoming everyone was. I felt proud to share my work and see it recognized within the field. And of course, I also loved the free gelato stand at the conference — one of the perks of being in Italy!

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

I encourage new students to really get to know their peers. I made incredible friends both within my program and across other graduate programs, which made classes more enjoyable and led to research collaborations. Beyond academics, those friendships helped create balance. We had so much fun during beach days, hikes and dinners that helped us unwind and laugh. Building that community made my graduate experience so much richer, both personally and professionally.

Tell us about your research.

My master’s research was on placental genetics. The placenta has many important jobs during pregnancy such as removing waste and delivering oxygen and nutrients from the pregnant person to the baby. Placental dysfunction means that the placenta is not doing its job as well as it should and this can impact both the pregnant person’s and the baby’s health. I explored DNA methylation (a molecular mark associated with turning genes on/off) associations with pathology, sex and advanced maternal age. Improving our understanding of the molecular changes associated with placental dysfunction will hopefully lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy complications like preeclampsia.

What’s next for you?

I’m back in school! In September 2025, I started medical school at UBC. During my master’s degree I realized that while I loved research, I wanted to be more directly involved in patient care. I’m excited to combine both interests through clinical and research work. I’m particularly interested in obstetric and pediatric care.