Making a mark in immunology research

Year 3 Pharmaceutical Science student Zhai Weiting has a single-minded focus - to make meaningful contributions that advance science and human health. Specifically, she plans to pursue a research career in immunology, in the hope of uncovering the possibilities of targeted immunotherapies for various diseases.

She has therefore carefully crafted her academic journey at the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) with this in mind.

She says, “It has always been my goal to build a strong foundation in the science behind drug discovery and development. I chose my major because of my interest in immunodrug discovery research.”

Weiting’s interest lies in cancer proteomics, or studying the full repertoire of proteins through large-scale profiling. In her Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS) project, she decided to investigate the surfaceome (cell surface proteins) across 10 different breast cell lines to identify biomarkers for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive and hard-to-treat form of breast cancer.

By successfully identifying novel diagnostic and therapeutic candidates for TNBC through her work, Weiting says, “It is extremely gratifying that I am able to contribute to the urgent pursuit for better diagnoses and treatments for TNBC.”

Weiting also had the unique opportunity to deepen her understanding of protein structural biology through a Summer Research Programme at the Bio-X Research Centre at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). Here, she got to explore applications lying at the intersection of proteomics and protein structural biology.

She did not only gain hands-on experience in structural protein studies by conducting her own experiments. Under her professor’s guidance, she wrote review papers which, she says, “led to a more in-depth understanding of protein mechanisms in neurological diseases. This broadened my research foundations beyond cancer.”

She adds, “China is a big country full of opportunities…the summer programme allowed me to immerse myself in its vibrant culture and gain fresh perspectives from one of Asia’s leading academic hubs.”

Weiting is also part of the Special Programme in Science (SPS), which has opened doors to rich opportunities in multidisciplinary science research. She says, “I’ve always been inspired by working alongside driven, intellectually curious individuals. SPS is the perfect platform to engage with my peers from diverse fields in the pursuit of research and growth through inquiry, collaboration and mentorship.”

Collectively, these experiences are “deeply enriching” and have had a significant impact in shaping her career aspirations.

She says, “They have reinforced my passion for scientific inquiry. More than ever, I am convinced that a long-term career in research is the pathway for me. Being involved in real-world investigations and contributing to meaningful discoveries has given me a clearer sense of purpose.”