Women In Science: Interview with Dr Ying Wong

To celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2024, hear from Dr Ying Wong, Post-doctoral researcher in the Molecular Immunology Group, about her journey as a researcher, what drives her ambition, and what unique challenges she has faced.

What are you aspiring to achieve in your area of research?   

"My research ambition is to further our understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in children. By identifying early gene drivers and understanding their interactions, I hope my work could pave the way for new therapies and contribute to prevention or more effective management of T1D. "

What drives your motivation to be a researcher? 

"I am driven by curiosity and opportunities to apply my skills to make advancements in this field. For me the process of problem solving and the potential to positively impact lives through this work are incredibly rewarding. ."

“Believe in your potential, let your curiosity guide you and never underestimate the impact you can make!” Dr Ying Wong

What is the best thing about your job? ... and the hardest? 

"What I find most rewarding or fulfilling are the moments of successful troubleshooting during experiments and data analysis, and when experimental results lead to new understanding in the field. The hardest part would be dealing with the uncertainty and setbacks as experiments don’t always work as planned." 

A moment, decision, discovery or achievement in your career that you are proud of, is.... 

"It's humbling to have received the JDRF International Fellowship which gives me the opportunity to advance my T1D immunogenomics work for the next three years! I am deeply grateful, it is a result of commitment and the invaluable mentorship I have been fortunate to receive at the Molecular Immunology Lab of Professor Simon Barry."

What support do you wish you had had along the way that wasn’t available to you? 

"Looking back, I wish there had been more support, especially in the area of genomics data analysis. While I've mostly learned to navigate this on my own, having access to more guidance in this area would have been extremely helpful."  

What is your message to girls or young women contemplating a career in science? 

"Believe in your potential, let your curiosity guide you and never underestimate the impact you can make!"