Suky Zheng is getting paid to have the time of her life

“If I can make it through organic chemistry, I can do anything,” said Suky Zheng, fourth year Honours Biochemistry student. And she really is doing it all.

She’s a co-op student, volunteer, baker, reader, writer, painter, and musician. Suky says it’s all necessary for her to balance out the “hard-core science lifestyle”.

As a co-op student at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), Suky is working closely with a team of researchers and scientists. Together, they design and run a variety of experiments related to the field of immuno-oncology. Her research specifically focuses on the role of endogenous retroviral elements (EREs) in cancer initiation and progression.

Suky’s journey into research began in her second year of studies when she joined Dr. Sigal Balshine’s lab at McMaster, sparking a passion that drove her to explore research opportunities. Suky recalls the pivotal moment when she walked into the lab on her second day of work.  She had to conduct an experiment that she knew and studied, but now, there was no TA to guide her. “Even though I learned about it in class, I still felt a bit lost. But that’s exactly what I was there for: to see and learn about the world of science in a professional setting.”

Suky knew the workplace would be wildly different from school, but she truly believed that co-op would open up a whole new world for her. And it did. “Co-op has been an unforgettable learning experience where I’ve met incredible mentors and lifelong friends. And the best part? I’m being paid to have the time of my life.”

Suky has participated in tons of professional development activities. She attended and presented at the OICR Translational Research Conference in March 2024, where she got to learn about the most recent advances in cancer research from scientists. Suky said it was eye opening to hear from patient partners about real-life cancer stories. She also attended the annual Falcons’ Fortunes Pitch Competition in April, where she got to learn about commercialization and how it helps to bring research and scientific innovations to patients in need.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Suky is committed to community service. She’s a volunteer at the Centre for New Immigrant Well-Being, where she conducts research on the impact of COVID-19 on Chinese Immigrants. She also led a summer research camp for Chinese youth.

As a part-time student at George Brown College, Suky is mastering the art of baking. During the week, she spends time in a wet lab, and on the weekends, in a baking lab. When she has free time, Suky plays the flute and the piano, and immerses herself in art and poetry. “Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am always all over the place. There’s just too much I want to do and never enough time.”

Suky will be returning to school in the Fall after she wraps up her first eight-month co-op work term, but she’s continuing at OICR as a part-time research student. Coincidentally, she met her thesis supervisor, Dr. Sheila Singh, at OICR, and will be starting her fourth-year thesis project in Dr. Singh’s lab this September. Looking ahead, Suky hopes to continue building and broadening her research profile by gaining some international experience – perhaps for her next co-op work term.

“My experience at McMaster so far has been incredible. The main reason I chose Mac was because I knew I was going to get stellar support,” said Suky, who often brags to friends and family that there are people on campus whose literal job is to help students with anything they could possibly imagine.

“Of course, I have to thank Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi, Dr. Valentina Evdokimova, and everyone at OICR who has made my first co-op experience an unforgettable one. But a special thank you goes to my professors, TA’s, and course instructors for their knowledge, guidance and patience; my counsellor at SWC who always welcomes me with open arms; Dr. Sigal Balshine and my mentor Sina for an exceptional first research experience; and a huge thank you to my Career Development and Relationship Manager at SCCE, Andreea, for getting me through everything related to co-op,” expressed Suky. “I am a creation of all their love, and I can’t be who and where I am today without them.”