Ryan Morin
Identifying biomarkers and cancer drivers in non Hodgkin lymphoma using sequencing
Marco Marra
Cumberland
Canada
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
The most exciting science is conducted and directed by people with post-graduate degrees. I did not feel properly prepared to do research with only a BSc.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
I wanted to stay in Vancouver and UBC has a great reputation and a great training program for bioinformatics. The BCCA is an awesome place to do such research owing to the presence of the Genome Sciences Centre.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
I hadn't realized what an amazing academic research community there was here.
What do you hope to accomplish with your research?
I hope to find multiple genes that drive lymphoma and potentially other cancers that present new treatment options for patients afflicted with cancer. Such genes may allow our lab and others to design new therapies to directly and rationally target individual cases of cancer. I hope that in the long run, my research helps lead to the discovery of new treatments that will extend the lives of cancer patients.
What has winning a major award meant to you?
It has affirmed my belief that the research I am conducting is worthwhile and important to the community and our government. It has also granted me the freedom to focus on my research without the distraction of teaching assistantships and the general stress most graduate students face due to the lack of sufficient funds.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
If you are interested in the health sciences, be sure to consider off-campus (i.e. adjunct) faculty as well. In my opinion, some of the best supervisory and research opportunities exist in the BC Cancer Agency.