Lim, Leah

Lim, Leah
Faculty:
Faculty of Science
Country:
Canada
Home town: 
Calgary
Started program at UBC in: 
2009

Student Video

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Research

Research topic: 

Intrinsic antibiotic resistance of Myocbacterium tuberculosis

Research group: 
Centre for Tuberculosis Research
Research supervisor: 
Charles J. Thompson
Research location: 
Life Sciences Centre, UBC (Point Grey Campus)
Research description: 

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis is naturally resistant to many antibiotics. We propose that drugs that act in synergy together can be more effective against an M. tuberculosis infection than current therapy. Synergy is when "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts", or when 2+2=5. We are screening combinations of antibiotics in vitro to find pairs that work synergistically against M. tuberculosis. Future work will test these combinations in a mouse model of infection and eventually in human clinical trials.

What impact do you hope your research will have?: 

I hope our work leads to new therapeutic options to treat tuberculosis – especially multi-drug resistant and extensively-drug resistant tuberculosis.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?: 

I wanted more experience in the laboratory and I wanted to specialize beyond my B. Sc.

Why did you choose to come to British Columbia and study at UBC?: 

I really liked the work Charles was doing and I was impressed with the lab facilities and opportunities for learning and scholarships that UBC offered.

What has been your most memorable Vancouver experience so far?: 

Volunteering for the 2010 Olympic Games! I worked in the Athlete's Village and I got to see the world-class athletes on their way to compete. I worked with wonderful people who came from all over the world to work the Games – it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Personal interests / Hobbies: 

I curl during the winter and I golf in the summer!

What are your future career goals?: 

I love science and I would like a career where I promote science in our society. I don't know what that job is called yet – but I hope my impact is to educate the public to have a greater scientific knowledge and garner more public support for science.


 

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Did You Know That?

Iconic Canadian Landmark Buildings

Two Vancouver landmarks - the Museum of Anthropology and Robson Square, both on UBC campus - are among four buildings that won the 2011 Prix du XXe Siècle Award for 'enduring excellence in Canadian architecture'. Both buildings house teaching facilities such as the Laboratory of Archaeology.