What sparked your interest in healthcare?
I’ve always been passionate about learning. I find that healthcare being a well-established interdisciplinary field allows me to explore many different topics and continue to broaden my knowledge.
What interests you most about the area of research you’re working in and why?
The cause of Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is currently unknown. The research team at WCH is working on figuring out solutions to diagnose PsA earlier and to possibly try to prevent it. They are analyzing various aspects of a person such as, sex, gender, diet and more. As the research develops, there can be individualized treatment plans which cater to individuals’ specific needs. I find it very fascinating that we can incorporate many pieces of a puzzle in the form of research to find a solution to a big question.
What has been your favourite/most enjoyable part about being in ESSP?
My favourite part has been working with my team! The PsA clinic team is a group of amazing people, and they’ve made me feel welcome since the first day. I’m grateful for their mentorship, support, and guidance throughout the summer.
Share a fun fact or surprising discovery you stumbled upon during research that made you say, “Wow, I didn’t see that coming!”
I didn’t know Psoriatic Arthritis was a condition until I started here! I was also surprised to learn that 1/3 of patients with Psoriasis develop Psoriatic Arthritis.
What are your goals for the future and how do you envision leveraging your experiences from this program to contribute to that?
In the future, I plan on pursuing medicine. I’m interested in exploring a lot of areas. If I had to pick a few, I’d say my top interests are neurology, genetics, infectious disease, and chronic conditions. This summer at WCH has been an amazing opportunity to get a taste of research. I’ve learned a lot of transferrable skills here, which will help me in medicine and research. In the future, I hope to continue learning and exploring new ideas through research.