Wei Zhang, Director of the Center for Cancer Genomics and Precision Oncology, Hanes and Willis Family Professor in Cancer at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“While I rarely enjoy looking back at photos from my younger years – preferring not to be reminded of those aimless, uncertain days – this particular picture is an exception I hold dear. It captures me alongside my PhD mentor, Dr. Albert Deisseroth, on the day of my graduation.
Dr. Deisseroth, who passed away a few months ago, was the catalyst for my career; he led me into cancer research and fundamentally altered the trajectory of my life.
My dissertation work on the tumor suppressor p53 became the gateway to my lifelong dedication to cancer genomics, molecular markers, and translational research. Under his guidance, the aimless wandering of my youth vanished, replaced by a profound sense of mission. Because of him, I was no longer searching for direction – I had found my purpose.
Through his mentorship, research became my passion and discovery became my calling. He taught me that a life in science is not a pursuit of material comfort, but a quest for something infinitely more meaningful. I love science, and I love being a scientist.
Thank you, Dr. Deisseroth, for setting me on this path and giving me a lifetime of purpose.”
Other articles featuring Wei Zhang on OncoDaily.