What is your favourite enzyme, and why?

Carboxypeptidase D. I had cloned the CPD-N gene in lymphoma cells. It’s found in the plasma membrane and releases arginine from its extracellular substrates. Arginine enters the cells and is a substrate for NO production. NO can promote cell proliferation or increase cell viability.

 

What is your favourite book?

I love whodunit murder mysteries! Basically, I have enjoyed all books by Michael Connelly. He writes them so that characters and themes remain through the series. For example, the Lincoln Lawyer in one of his books is the half-brother of the detective in the first book. I’ve also enjoyed Agatha Christie books when I was a school kid.

 

What is the most recent book you’ve read?

Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris. It takes place in a British private school for boys where a person was killed, and it follows the history of the students and instructors.

 

What is your favourite amino acid, and why?

Glycine- it’s the simplest and an example I use to teach students how to calculate or estimate molecular weight! I also like tryptophan this time of year- it’s a soporific amino acid in turkey, apparently!

 

What are some of your hobbies?

I like reading and dancing. I’ve taken ballroom dancing classes for the last seven years, and it’s a nice break!

 

What is your dream vacation?

I’ve been to various places, but I enjoy watersports so I like going to places with warm beaches. I would probably like to go to Hawaii again. It’s where I did my PhD degree and it was my first time away from Malaysia. The Hawaiian culture is unique, and the population is so diverse, plus warm weather - I like the feeling of sand between my toes! I’ve been back quite a few times, and I’ve experienced the diverse climatic zones- 10 of the world’s 14 climatic zones!

 

What is the coolest project you’ve ever worked on?

Basically, anything since I’ve had in my own lab! I study how cells react to hormones and hormone-receptor interactions. My focus is on the prolactin receptor in breast and prostate cancers, which is involved in tumour progression. I like the endocrine aspect, because I have a background in endocrinology.

 

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in lab?

You think I’m going to tell you that?

I have made a lot of mistakes- the important part is the troubleshooting thereafter!

The hardest part of my research was when I was working with pregnant rats, because I had to kill the mothers and newborns after I used them- I found it very traumatic and upsetting, but I suppose it had to be done.

 

Do you have any advice or anything else you want to say?

You have to be passionate - if you’re excited about your work, go for it! Research is a long road, but if you have passion and drive, pursue it. Do what you enjoy, and when opportunities arise, take them!