Maria Stephenson
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I discovered my love for cancer research while working in translational research labs during my undergrad. Not only was the process of analyzing data and making small discoveries rewarding in itself; the knowledge that the projects I worked on could potentially have real impact on patients' lives was incredibly motivating. Because of this, I decided to continue working on cancer research projects and grow my skills as a researcher through a PhD.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
Not only is UBC situated in a great city; it is also associated with a plethora of world-class cancer research labs. In my opinion, if you would like to pursue graduate studies in cancer research, this is one of the best places in Canada to do so.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
My program gives students the opportunity to rotate in different research labs before choosing one to do their thesis project in. I really liked being given this opportunity, as it not only exposed me to multiple different research projects and techniques, but it also showed me how different academic labs are structured. I ended up choosing to work in Dr. Wyatt's lab because it was highly collaborative, friendly and multi-disciplinary. While I had heard great things about the lab's culture, I didn't appreciate how uniquely supportive and comradely it was until my rotation, and this was a key deciding factor in joining the lab.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
I love the combination of city life and nature that Vancouver has to offer. You can enjoy the hustle and bustle of downtown, hike a mountain and watch a sunset at the beach all in the same day. There aren't many places in the world where you can do that, and I love that Vancouver offers that duality.
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
What I enjoy the most is discussing interesting, and at times perplexing, findings with my lab-mates. Science can be a bit of a roller coaster, and regardless of whether your result is really cool, confusing, supporting your hypothesis or refuting it, it is always entertaining to discuss with people who are passionate about your field of study.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
During my undergrad, I participated in UBC's co-op program. Through this program, I got to work in multiple research labs and eventually discovered my love for cancer research. I also learned key computational, writing, time management and general research skills that I use everyday as a PhD student. Without the co-op program, I definitely wouldn't have had as strong a research foundation to build off of when entering my PhD and may not have even thought that a PhD was something I was capable of or wanted to do.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
Like your typical Vancouverite, I enjoy hiking, running, spending time with my friends and checking out new places to eat!
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Remember to have fun! Grad school is a marathon, not a sprint, and it's important to maintain a work-life balance. While UBC and Vancouver have a lot of academic opportunities to offer, they have a lot of social opportunities too! Attend graduate student events, meet new people, explore the city and take breaks. Additionally, while you may be tempted to pick a research lab based on project alone, the lab environment is often more important than the project you work on. You'll be spending a lot of time in your research lab, so it's important that you like the lab culture and that you feel like you have easy access to mentors who will help you learn and grow as a researcher. Talk to past and present lab members to learn about what working as a student in the lab is like and do rotations if your program offers them!
Learn more about Maria's research
Metastatic bladder cancer is an aggressive and deadly disease. While there are many treatment options available, patients will often not respond to a given treatment, and we have little understanding as to why. My research focuses on developing ways to predict who will respond to a treatment and who will not, so that patients can receive therapies that are effective against their cancer. I do this by examining both tumour tissue and blood samples from patients with metastatic bladder cancer. When tumour cells die, they release their DNA into the bloodstream. Thus, by collecting blood and tumour tissue from patients, we can characterize the genetics of their cancer and use that information to predict treatment response.
