BHSc Alumni Spotlight

What is your favorite BHSc memory?

My favourite BHSc memory is definitely from my second year in the program. With an intense first semester packed with difficult classes, our semester ended with a brutal 7 PM Genetics Final Exam. But after collectively struggling and making it through to the winter break, our group of 10-15 friends headed over to Moose McGuires to share some wings and drinks to celebrate. This memory encompasses the essence of the BHSc: grinding hard together and celebrating even harder together at the end of each sprint.

Looking back, what advice would you give yourself as an undergraduate student?

The advice I would give to myself would be strive for continuous growth and improvement. Looking back, I entered my first year of BHSc with feelings of validation for my hard work that got me admission into this competitive program, but this self-assurance was also coupled with a sense of complacency. Although it is important to celebrate reaching these big milestones, it is equally important to continue setting new goals for yourself to work towards rather than allowing yourself to become overly comfortable with your accomplishments.

What are you currently working on?

After finishing the Master of Management program in June, I have been working at Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) on a summer internship as a Venture Analyst, where I get the opportunity to work with world-renowned scientists and entrepreneurs as they provide mentorship to deep science and technology-based start-ups. I have also been working on a consulting project with The Children’s Link Society, which is a non-profit organization in Calgary that works with disabled children and their families. My project involves supporting their process of adopting of a social enterprise model while ensuring their services remain accessible for their clients.

How did you choose your graduate program/supervisor?

I enrolled in the Master of Management program with the aim of strengthening my business skills and a curiosity of how my sciences background could be applied in this industry. With an interest in life sciences start-ups and management consulting, this graduate program seemed like the perfect opportunity to develop foundational skills and expand my professional network in these areas. Throughout the program, I was involved with a consulting project with the University of Calgary Association (formerly Haskayne Consulting Club), mentoring youth participating in the Junior Achievement program and working part-time with CDL. These hands-on experiences played a key role in providing the opportunity to apply what I was learning into professional environments.

What are your future plans?

I hope to continue working with CDL as a Venture Analyst to continue learning about the local and global entrepreneurial ecosystems, while also getting some experience managing selected ventures for the CDL program as they work alongside the mentors in our network to scale their businesses. The opportunity to directly engage with the entrepreneurs responsible for disruptive innovations in the health care, energy and agriculture industries is the perfect area for me to combine my health sciences and business backgrounds.

What is the best piece of advice you have received during your educational journey?

Everyone faces obstacles and hurdles in their lives, whether these are personal or professional. My most memorable piece of advice comes from my father who always told me, “Do your best, and forget the rest.” This sentiment has been commonly echoed by my research supervisors and mentors, and I try my best to adhere this motto even in the most stressful times. I realized that rather than stressing about the future, the best thing to do is to give it your all in the moment and finding satisfaction in the fact that you tried your hardest.