Hometown: Surrey, BC
Program: Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
What attracted you to your field?
The opportunity to learn how the body works, what goes wrong to cause disease and how to effectively test for illnesses drove me to pursue a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science degree. I was drawn to the idea of delving into the complexities of human pathology, histology, clinical chemistry, molecular biology and more, all within a single program. Additionally, the tight-knit community of students and instructors made this program the perfect fit for me!
What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?
Some of my favourite moments at UBC were the quick visits to Rain or Shine Ice Cream. Trying out seasonal flavours with my friends after a busy day of classes was a big highlight from my time at UBC. Plus, it made the 90-minute commute back home much better!
What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Do not be afraid to seek guidance and support from your instructors and fellow students. Collaboration and communication are key to success in this program.
Tell us briefly about your research in layperson’s terms, and the impact you hope it will have?
Over the past few months, I investigated different Opal fluorescent dyes at the Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core. These dyes were compared and characterized based on their efficacy, measured through factors like intensity and bleed-through, which happens when fluorescent dyes from one area of tissue are also seen in another area during fluorescence imaging. This research aims to enhance the development and optimization of multiplex immunofluorescence assays, a technology widely used in tissue pathology to detect multiple biomarkers in a single tissue section all at once. This can aid in diagnosing certain diseases like cancer, understanding disease progression and developing targeted treatment strategies.
What’s next for you?
This year, I am committed to advancing my health advocacy work with the Youth Health Literacy Network in Surrey, B.C. I will also be applying to graduate and professional programs, aspiring to become a proficient and compassionate contributor to the field of healthcare.