McMaster University biochemistry student Suky Zheng attended OICR’s 2024 Translational Research conference and was inspired by the people she met and their efforts to help people affected by cancer.
It has been said that if you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room.
As one of the youngest attendees at the biennial OICR Translational Research Conference, I can attest that there were a lot of smart people in the room. About 250 of Ontario and Canada’s top cancer researchers, students and trainees gathered together to share their work and discuss some of the most recent advances in cancer detection, therapeutics and diagnostic strategies.
Topics included everything from new cancer targets to powerful imaging and sequencing technology, to the exciting potential of liquid biopsies. Speakers also discussed how AI and machine learning can be harnessed for precision medicine and how to improve clinical trials to better meet patient needs. This year’s conference program gave attendees a panoramic view of all the cutting-edge research work that makes Ontario one of the best places for cancer care in the country.
Through my two days at the TRC, I watched incredible presentations and lively discussions from all sorts of experts, including two phenomenal keynotes from Dr. George Kassiotis (Francis Crick Institute, London UK), and Dr. Daphne Koller (CEO of Insitro). However, one of the main highlights for me was getting to hear from all of our patient partners, and learning about how OICR works with its partner, FACIT, to commercialize research so that scientific innovations can flourish in Ontario. OICR is truly unique for how it engages patients in all aspects of research, and for how it emphasizes bringing research from the lab into the clinic so that it can benefit those who need it most.
A very big shout-out to the conference organizing committee for such an unforgettable and memorable experience! I had the privilege of presenting some of our research with my co-presenter Minsheng Hung, another research student working with me in Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi’s lab. We were very honoured to have our poster win a presentation award as well. Being that this is my very first time attending an in-person conference, this memory will definitely be extra special.
Many of my colleagues and bosses still smile a little and tease at my bright-eyed ‘newbie’ attitude, since I get excited over basically anything and everything. But I have to say, isn’t this all so worth being excited for?
While being in a room full of smart people will always feel intimidating, it is also what continues to fuel my passion for science and ambition to strive in becoming a better researcher. So, a huge thank you to all the smart people I met last week — you have opened up my eyes to what it means to bring research to life.
Suky Zheng is a student in McMaster University’s Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences program, and a research co-op student in Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi’s immuno-oncology lab at OICR.
