Lily Takeuchi, 2017
Lily is currently in her first year of Graduate Studies in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UBC
What attracted you to your field?
I wanted to study a discipline that encompassed both creative and analytical thinking, and, through pathology, I gained a strong appreciation for the many ways diagnostic medicine can be both an art and a science.Many of our classes involved understanding pathophysiology and applying creative solutions to complex diagnostic cases. Histological examination was like interpreting a work of art. We were taught to pick up on small details and recognize visual patterns in disease states. Histochemical experimentation was the science behind making that art and applying meaning to it. Clinical chemistry involved making deductions based off what was seen at the bench and at the patient bed side.
What I enjoyed most about the Pathology program at UBC was the holistic approach to teaching. Learning a breadth of material and being exposed to the many sub-disciplines in medicine was vital for me to be a better researcher by gaining an understanding of the important players in patient assessment, the current solutions, and the promising directions of diagnostic medicine.
In 10 years, what UBC moment will you still be talking about?
Going to San Francisco with the UBC team for the Biomolecular Design competition (BIOMOD)! Meeting many passionate students around the globe who were driven by the pursuit for new knowledge was incredibly inspiring and definitely affirmed my love for research.
What’s next for you?
In the Fall, I will be off to graduate school to research targeted therapeutics delivery. I hope to eventually pursue a career as a research scientist, but not before doing some travelling of course!
As you look ahead, what inspires you?
Stories. As a bookworm and a podcast enthusiast I am continually inspired by stories about philosophy, law, the history of science, and even the mundane quirks of life. Stories from passionate people always inspire me.
Name one thing on your bucket list.
Go back to school one day to study astronomy. Wherever I go, I always visit the observatories and planetariums in the area. In my old age, I would love to spend a few years learning about the universe.