What are your favorite memories of your time here as a graduate student?
As a first-year graduate student, I took on a challenging project while doing my lab rotations. The school offered me many opportunities with other research institutes in New York City. My first breakthrough in research came with much help from Rockefeller University. I was truly amazed by what we can achieve together as a coherent and collaborative group.
How did WCGS prepare you for your current position at Hillhouse Capital Management?
The solid scientific training at WCGS really enabled me to quickly dive into the science and clinical data and analyze the advantages of certain technologies and drugs over others. The professional network at WCGS has also allowed me to access the top minds in the industry and triangulate my own analysis. In addition, the unparalleled reputations of Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has allowed me to more easily gain others’ trust.
Innovation and entrepreneurship are big buzzwords. What does this mean for students today and for the future of medical science graduate education?
WCGS offers wonderful opportunities for students to understand the fundamental scientific and clinical needs. “Innovation really means connecting those two concepts, in order to find a solution that is better than what we currently have. I would encourage today’s students to get some exposure to the clinical side by talking with physicians and medical students, since many great ideas may come from these conversations.
What is your greatest takeaway as a graduate student at WCGS?
I learned that critical thinking and having a team-oriented mindset are invaluable assets for life. The scientific training we received at WCGS is not only about the detailed knowledge in our specific fields, but also involves how we approach a problem, how we dissect a problem, and how we find resources to solve that problem.
Do you have any words to share with today’s WCGS student?
Spend time thinking about who you are and who you want to be. Then just go for it and have fun!