What projects have you worked on in Dr. Liu’s Lab? Could you please explain what specifically you did?

I am working on several projects with Geoff, including the VTE in ALK mutated lung cancer patients, smoking & drinking behaviours in Head and neck cancer patients, and cardiomyopathy caused by breast cancer chemotherapy. Based on my major in genetics, all projects I participated in above depend on the genetic analysis including GWAS, PRS, and Mendelian randomization. Therefore, in one word, my project following Geoff is using genotype data to predict phenotype risk and survival in cancer patients. 

 

Why is this research important? 

People usually think that observational phenotype data is good enough to predict risk and survival. For example, oncologists can infer whether the cancer patients will develop venous thrombosis or not based only on Virchow’s triad, such as PLT count, fibrosis level, and sedation behaviours. However, those phenotypes vary across different ages and conditions. There is something inside oneself that may consistently affect our health status, which are genes. Genes are like a bullet, while the phenotype is the trigger. Only when you have the bullets inside the gun and then pull the trigger, the diseases will happen. Since there are thousands of triggers (phenotypes of risk factors), if there no bullets, then no gunshot will happen. 

 

What did you enjoy most about working in Dr. Liu’s Lab?

I enjoy everything in Geoff’s Lab, such as the warm peer relationship, the exciting scientific discussion, and the great mentorship from Geoff. I can‘t tell which one is the best. 

 

What attracted you to your current occupation/job? 

In the beginning, it was because Geoff shared the same research interest with me. However, from now, things have changed. Frankly speaking, I believe that EVERY moment I study in his Lab attracts me, although it is with a lot of pressure.

 

What do you plan on doing in the future? 

I am trying apply for the clinical residency in the future, in either China, US, or Canada. I believe that making my research into clinical practice is pretty exciting. 

 

You have won the National Scholarship, congratulations! Could you tell me a little more about what this reward entails?

This scholarship is for PhD, master's, and undergrad students. I remember I won it once when I was studying my undergrad medicine school. At that time, I ranked the 1st of 344 medical students. It is 30000 CHY, which equals to 5800 CAD at one time award.