Health Science Reviews

by Ziqi Zhao

This year has been quite a unique, stimulating journey for me. Previously being a medical student, I wasn’t sure how ready I was for this different road ahead, or how I would cope with all the pipetting and journal clubbing. Entering this year as my first official step to becoming a clinician scientist, I was excited and nervous. I feel fortunate and grateful for having this opportunity to experience the realm of basic science and research full-time. This experience has made me realise again the importance of intimate interactions between the clinical space and the research space, and appreciate how the two fields stimulate each other, nourish each other, and together pave the way to the better health of human beings.

One thing out of many that I learned from this year is patience. The patience to sit with my laptop for hours to decode a paper into pretty slides, to wait for incubation time to pass, to wait for an order of reagents to arrive, and to troubleshoot an experiment again and again. The lab work really does build character. I’ve unlocked more perseverance and a stronger heart to better stand stress and uncertainty against a ticking clock. I also learned more about time management and planning my life with an ever-changing lab work schedule.

Another improvement I gained from this year is about public speaking and reading skills, from journal club presentations. I also admire the critical-thinking mindset that my colleagues and supervisors have when facing a paper. An independent clear mind with the courage to question “the answer”. Furthermore, it is really inspiring and lucky to be surrounded by people who radiate great passion for what they are doing, who are always hungry and “foolish” for more knowledge, who are always so kind to offer mentorship, and from whom I have so much to learn. Moving forward, I’d like to stay optimistic alongside them and continue exploring the multiverse of medical science.