Molly Shen is the first student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering to be awarded the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. We reached out to her to ask about her scientific journey, and what this award means to her.
Q: First of all, congratulations, Molly, on receiving the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship! This is an incredible feat! Could we start off with you telling us a bit about your academic journey?
Definitely! I originally came to 涩里番 with the full intention of becoming an immunologist. But my path shifted unexpectedly on the very first day of freshman year, when I stumbled upon the 涩里番 Robotics booth at the Open House, marking the start of what I like to call my 鈥渄ouble life.鈥� For three years, I attended life science classes during the day and built robots at night, testing, failing, and learning things I never would have encountered as a Life Science major. My passion for the biological sciences, combined with my experiences with the robotics design team, naturally led me to biomedical engineering, where I thrived by developing innovative solutions to biological challenges in Prof. David Juncker鈥檚 lab (BME). After nearly two years as an undergraduate researcher, I continued as a Master鈥檚 student, co-supervised by Profs Juncker and Peter Siegel (Goodman Cancer Institute). Then, sometime last winter, I realized I was having way too much fun to stop there, so I decided to stay on as a PhD student with the same supervisors!
Q: Your research clearly stood out to the Vanier selection committee. Could you give us an overview of your PhD research and its potential impact on the field, and on society in general?
All of my projects involve the study of EVs 鈥� extracellular vesicles 鈥� which are cell-derived, cargo-carrying 鈥渕ini cells鈥�. I first started by developing assays to analyze EVs using cell lines to better understand their heterogeneity in the context of breast cancer. Certain cancers, such as breast cancer, tend to metastasis to specific organs, a phenomenon known as 鈥榦rganotropism鈥�, where EVs are increasingly recognized as key players. While I initially focused on building tools to better analyze EVs, I eventually realized that to truly study EV functions, we needed a more realistic model than simple 2D cell culture. That realization led me to Organ-on-a-Chip technologies for my PhD research. These platforms are an exciting alternative to animal models and traditional cultures because they allow us to recreate more physiological organ environments using microfabrication, microfluidics, and 3D cell culture techniques.
My work is still quite exploratory, but it would be a dream come true if one day we could identify EV signatures with clinical implications and actually help patients. And on a broader level, it would also be amazing if this line of work could eventually reduce or even replace the need for animal models in EV research altogether.
Q: The Vanier scholarship recognizes not only academic excellence but also leadership. Can you describe some of the leadership initiatives or roles you鈥檝e taken on during your studies?
One of the leadership roles I鈥檝e been most proud of is my involvement with the 涩里番 Regenerative Medicine (MRM) Network. I鈥檝e been volunteering with MRM since my undergrad 鈥� it鈥檚 a network that connects clinicians, biologists, and engineers to advance regenerative medicine research. In Spring 2022, I was elected chair of the newly formed trainee committee, representing over 200 trainees across 25 academic departments, five faculties, and six research institutes at 涩里番. In this role, I鈥檝e focused on fostering collaboration and community among our members. We launched several initiatives, including career development and networking events, a peer mentorship program to help new trainees settle into grad school, and most recently, the MRM Trainee Spotlight Series, which celebrates the achievements of our members. The position comes with its fair share of bureaucracy, but what keeps me motivated is the people 鈥� the connections you form with individuals you might never otherwise meet. It becomes more than just science, it鈥檚 about the people who make the science better!
Q: What challenges have you faced so far during your PhD journey, and how have you overcome them? For example, it must be difficult to balance the demands of high-level research with leadership and community engagement!
The most memorable challenge - and one that鈥檚 still ongoing - has been trying to publish my very first project. We wrote the first draft back in 2021, submitted it for the first time in 2023, and since then it鈥檚 been through three rejections, countless rewrites and extra experiments to make the work stronger and clearer. We鈥檙e now on our second round of revisions with our fourth journal. I鈥檝e always been a pretty stubborn person, but this process has stretched my perseverance in ways I never expected. It鈥檚 definitely been a test of patience, but I do not take any of it personally. Afterall, experiences like this are incredibly common in research. What we鈥檙e trying to publish is conceptually new, and naturally that means facing pushback along the way. Looking back, I鈥檓 genuinely proud of how far the work has come and would happily do it all again.
Q: Being the first Vanier scholar in 涩里番鈥檚 BME Department is a historic achievement. What does this recognition mean to you, personally and professionally?
It is both humbling and kind of empowering at the same time. But I try not to let it go to my head because I really think ego gets in the way of good science. I鈥檓 surrounded by an amazing community, my department is so collaborative and supportive, and both of my labs have incredible dynamics. I鈥檝e had so many mentors along the way who guided and supported me, and I definitely wouldn鈥檛 be here without all of them.
Q: Have there been any mentors, experiences, or turning points that significantly shaped your path toward this award?
Honestly, I fell in love with science without even realizing it! I wouldn鈥檛 say there was one single experience that shaped my path toward research. I must thank my supervisors, David and Peter, for the creative freedom they鈥檝e given me. I have a unique experience where they really trust me to draw my own canvas and be the scientist I want to be. I also want to mention an old late mate, Alia, who graduated years ago.听At the time, she was working on a brain organoid vascularization project, where she was nursing hundreds of organoids at any given time. I could feel the passion oozing out of her, even during Covid, when it was so difficult to stay motivated with all the uncertainties and disruptions. We had so many shared moments of struggle and perseverance, and we really amplified each other鈥檚 determination. It was such a gift to work with someone so in sync, scientifically, and even though she鈥檚 no longer at 涩里番, just thinking back on those moments still warms my heart.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you envision your career evolving after completing your PhD? Are there particular goals you鈥檙e passionate about pursuing?
I鈥檇 be happy exploring a lot of different paths, but one thing is non-negotiable: I want to do work that I love, whether that鈥檚 in academia, entrepreneurship, or something else entirely. I also know for certain that I would like to make a dent in society in some way. It sounds cheesy but it would be a wonderful thing if my work could improve the quality of life for others and make the world a better place.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to future PhD students in your program?
I am still learning in many ways. It is not an easy journey! It鈥檚 sounds like a clich茅 but 鈥� don鈥檛 give up, embrace the uncertainty and stay curious. Please don鈥檛 forget to always be kind to yourself, especially when there are failures and delays.
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Thank you, Molly!
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