Seoyoon Lee
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Seoyoon and I’m a fourth-year honours biochemistry and music minor student at UVic. I was born in Incheon, South Korea and have lived in Victoria since I was 8 years old.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I once walked across a highway in Hungary! This was on one of the weekend trips I was taking while completing a research internship in central Germany as a part of my co-op program following second year of university.
How did you first get involved with UVic Women in Science?
I started with UVic Women in Science in September 2023 as a Communications Executive helping out with our social media initiatives and contributing to the newsletter. I heard wonderful things about the program in my first two years at UVic during Course and Clubs Unions Day, but it took me several terms to actually get involved.
What are your future career goals?
I am currently in the process of applying to medical schools and just waiting to hear about results for this upcoming school year. As for a specific specialty, I have no idea! However, I did really enjoy genetics in second year, so that is one field I’m hoping to explore.
Outside of specific occupational interests, I would love to have a career that stimulates me intellectually while still getting that 1-on-1 human interaction.
Is there any field of research you are particularly interested in?
Two research interests I have are in infectious diseases and nanotechnology. My current honours project involves researching the relationship between the human microbiota and the pathogenesis behind Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis.
However, I owe it to my past self to acknowledge my research interests in nanomedicine—my first two research projects investigated drug delivery via polymeric nanoparticles. I would love to delve back into this field of research if an opportunity arises.
How did you discover your interest in science?
I was always interested in science from a young age, but a pivotal experience for me was learning about the periodic table in grade 9. I loved the intricate organization behind the periodic table, and I appreciated how logical chemistry seemed to be. It seems so mundane and silly looking back, but I remember being just so fascinated by the concept.
What is your favourite non-stem hobby/activity?
Unfortunately, I have too many things I adore about the world, but music is my all-time favourite activity. I grew up surrounded by music and have played piano for 17 years. A lot of my most cherished memories and friends from childhood/adolescence come from the various music ensembles I participated in throughout middle and high school.
I would like to add an honourable mention to learning languages and travelling!
What advice do you have for people looking to get into your field?
One advice I can give prospective biochemists and science students in general is to explore different aspects of your field. Being in biochemistry, I had a lot of friends who were interested in only healthcare, but in hindsight, I’m extremely thankful for having branched out beyond just this interest. I didn’t think I would love participating in research so much, and exploring industry applications like pharmaceutics and drug discovery was also fascinating. Initially, it can be hard to find research/job opportunities, and the best advice I have for this is just to take your chances. Apply for positions even if you’re not 100% confident that you’re the best candidate, cold email different people, and attend events for networking in your field of study/interest.
What is your favourite way to relieve stress and recharge after a long day?
Walking around our beautiful shoreline with some music plugged in seems to be pretty effective for me.
What media have you been consuming recently? Music, films, books etc…
For the past few months, I have been obsessed with the 2009 Broadway Revival of West Side Story. The music is exquisite, the lyricism is brilliant, but I especially love how this version incorporated Spanish into the soundtrack.
As for visual media, I’ve watched one too many 2000s rom-coms recently and have also been enjoying the TV show Psych!
Who is someone that inspires you and why?
I am constantly inspired and amazed by my friends. They are down-to-earth, optimistic, and truly want to make the world a more equitable, kinder place.
What do you find most challenging about your degree?
The most challenging part of my degree has been learning to balance all my interests and recognizing you that truly cannot know everything. Yet, what makes science so exciting is the unlimited potential we have for new innovations and discovery. I also had a lot of difficulty finding the motivation to study and still struggle to, but what really helped was trying to take a general interest in the material that I learned about. Having practical applications and lab courses that put knowledge into action was also extremely helpful.
What do you feel you have gained by being a part of UVic Women in Science?
I am eternally grateful for UVic Women in Science as I have met a diverse array of incredible individuals. Being part of the Communications team has allowed me to not only connect with WIS members, but also with UVic Faculty, STEM students, and community members who are all devoted to making STEM more inclusive, welcoming, and empowering.