Eric Lee
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
Graduate school was always one of those exciting things that I had in my life bucket list — in which the struggle was more on deciding whether to leave with a master's or to pursue a doctorate. Prior to my graduate studies, my exposure to biomedical and computational training with Drs. Wyeth Wasserman and Steven Hallam at UBC has allowed me to appreciate the significance of scientific discovery and interdisciplinary research. I was fortunate to have access to a network of researchers through domestic and international collaborations who mentored and inspired me to discover my own passion, paving the way for my graduate journey. In 2020, I began my training under Dr. Andrew Roth, who introduced me to cutting-edge computational biology and cancer research. During the course of my masters, I created a novel spatially-aware cell annotation method that has led me to publish a manuscript and present talks at conferences. I found myself being devoted to not only science but also the profound impact that our work can make in the lives of many people. This solidified my belief that pursuing a PhD was the right next step for me!
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
It's incredibly fulfilling to make a meaningful difference in the world, starting right from your hometown. I have lived across the world in many major cities, and nothing compares to Vancouver — the food, the lifestyle and the vibrant colours of nature. With family in Vancouver, moving away is not worth the opportunity cost for me. We are fortunate that UBC and BC Cancer are among the world’s leading research institutions offering students in Vancouver abundant opportunities to collaborate internationally.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
I am currently conducting my doctoral research in the Department of Molecular Oncology at BC Cancer Research Institute under Drs. Andrew Roth and Samuel Aparicio. Our Bioinformatics program is one of the interdisciplinary programs at UBC that allows you to design your own experience. In my research work, I have the opportunity to learn from world-class computation biologists as well as medical scientists who strive for research excellence in the field of oncology. Working with Andrew, I have designed and published machine-learning methods that assist in investigating cancer evolution. Under Samuel’s guidance, I have been able to lead spatial omics research and dive into challenges in digital pathology. Internationally, I am involved in cross-institutional projects such as the Imaging and Molecular Annotation of Xenografts and Tumours consortium. With a plethora of resources and an extensive network, I believe that the comprehensive bioinformatics training and networking opportunities allow me to become a well-rounded researcher.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
This is a hard question for any Vancouverite to answer, I would imagine. I would say that most of my surprises come from the weather — the climate is shifting closer to that of Los Angeles year after year, warmer and warmer.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
Interestingly, I think there are bits and pieces from both life and academics that have brought this puzzle together to my commitment to a graduate journey. Engaging in research rotations, internships and graduate level coursework have all contributed to laying the foundational groundwork for my graduate research topic. Taking a part in community leadership positions has drilled my skills in managing projects and working with people. Attending conferences abroad has introduced me to the diversity of thoughts and inspired me to think outside of the research culture and methods we have here at UBC.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
Traveling is how I re-energize and re-ignite my research motivation! I love exploring new avenues in different cities, going on gastronomic adventures and learning new languages and cultures. There’s so much to see around the world!
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
I guess there are three things that come to mind. First, “expect the unexpected”; be excited for every opportunity and every encounter, because you never know what’s going to happen the next second. Second, “seize the day”; every second counts, so don’t let opportunities slide by and be proactive in your student life. Third, “your network is your net worth”; research is a team sport, and we all have to collaborate in order to achieve great outcomes in our leagues.
