Tell us about your role at UHN.
I am a post-doctoral fellow in Dr. Gang Zheng’s lab at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. My work is focused on developing new treatments for infections and cancer using light-activated molecules and nanoparticles. Aside from my own research, I also spend my time supervising and training students and fostering community through the UHN Postdoc Association.
What are you passionate about in your role at UHN and how do you help advance research?
There are two aspects of my research that I am most passionate about. The first is developing technology and contributing knowledge that can treat disease and have a tangible impact on people’s lives and the world. The second is mentoring and empowering the next generation of researchers and thinkers so that they can continue making an impact.
How does your work help to advance UHN's vision of A Healthier World?
My work is focused on developing and testing new treatments for cancer and infections. This work advances UHN's vision of A Healthier World by creating more effective treatments, helping reduce side effects, shortening the length of treatment, and ultimately lowering costs to the public health care system.
What makes UHN an ideal place to advance health research?
UHN is uniquely positioned for collaborative health research. You can easily access the expertise and perspective of other researchers, clinicians, patients, and industry connections. I particularly appreciate the shared facilities and the strong culture of collaboration, where people are genuinely invested in solving research problems together.
Do you have any interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I am passionate about traveling, learning about other cultures, and connecting with nature. I have been to over 30 countries and have attempted to learn seven languages—with varying degrees of success. And karaoke—I never miss an opportunity to sing, and people count on me to bring the karaoke machine to every lab function.
What do you see for the future of health research, and what gets you excited about it?
My hope for the future of health research is to see scientists from across the world work together to solve big problems. It is easy to feel pessimistic about the future in the face of climate change, but I want to believe one thing we have learned from the COVID pandemic is that when the scientific community comes together and invests in the right priorities, incredible things can happen.
How to Participate in You @TeamUHN
You @TeamUHN is a campaign to highlight the important scientific contributions that research lab staff, trainees and learners, administrative staff, core facilities staff, Research Solutions & Services staff, and volunteers make toward A Healthier World through discovery and innovation. If you’re interested in sharing your story, we invite you to complete this form here (Open to UHN staff, trainees and volunteers).