Students' Take: Excellerator Leadership Training Programme

By Yin Ruoyu, PhD student at LKCMedicine

In March 2023, I received an email from LKCMedicine about a leadership forum at University of Cambridge held by Global Biotech Revolution (GBR), a non-profit organisation in the UK. It called for “passionate, high-achieving students, early career researchers, and young professionals who are interested in becoming leaders in their field and making real-world impact”.

As a PhD student passionate about biomedical research, I was excited to develop my leadership skills and expand my knowledge in the advancement of the biotechnology and healthcare field. It would also allow me to learn from accomplished researchers and professionals, each offering unique and diverse perspectives. They would be my role models, and their valuable suggestions would help shape my future career.

I also appreciated GBR’s dedication to providing equal opportunities by exempting registration fees, covering catering and accommodation costs for all participants, and offering travel grants. To participate in this programme, I completed an application form and went through an interview. I was honoured to be selected as one of its 100 participants.

The programme has two components: Excellerator Academy (an 8-week online course) and Excellerator Forum (an in-person event). In May and June, we participated in a series of online masterclasses and self-guided learning, covering a diverse range of topics, including communication, culture, links, negotiation, scales, adaptation, style, and ethics. These classes aim to provide us with the tools and resources essential for leadership.

Formal dinner at Trinity College

The in-person event in Cambridge gave us the opportunity to interact and engage with world-renowned leaders in biotech, healthcare and life sciences, such as Nobel laureate Sir Gregory Winter, industry executives, CEOs, policymakers, etc. Besides the seminars, panel discussions and workshops, there were also biotech and pharmaceutical company booths during lunch, and networking events, including a cocktail dinner, and a formal dinner at Trinity College.

Sir Gregory Winter and Dr Alexandra Zemp

There were two key takeaways from my experience in the programme. The first takeaway was shared by Sir Gregory Winter, Nobel laureate for the therapeutic use of monoclonal antibodies. He said we often think science is collaborative, but it is also competitive. I clearly remember his analogy, “Being a group leader is like being a captain of a pirate ship. You are out for the gold. But you have to be fair with distributing the gold.” This urges me to act proactively and seize the “gold” in science.

The other takeaway is to have a longer view. Alexander Hardy, CEO of Genentech, compared scientific research to building cathedrals. It can take more than 600 years to build a cathedral, so the people who started the work never got to see it. Sometimes, our daily work may not seem to be as groundbreaking as we expected, but as time goes on, the impact we accumulate will make a difference. Such belief has further deepened my dedication to my PhD project, and I am enthusiastic about making ongoing contributions to the biomedical community.

Several female leaders in the forum mentioned the need to break the stereotype that leadership is associated with the sense of being strong, powerful and extroverted. They emphasised that we don’t need to change ourselves to fit into that stereotype and leadership styles can be diverse. To illustrate, Dr Alexandra Zemp from McKinsey & Company highlighted how her personality became a strength by being an attentive and empathetic listener to her team members. This has changed my view of leadership and greatly inspired me as an introverted person.

After attending the programme, I started to reflect more on the translation and implementation of research. It reminds me that research itself is not enough, and I should keep asking myself, “What is next?”. In the future, I will seek more opportunities to turn my research findings into tangible solutions that can have a real-life impact. The experiences shared by many speakers also encouraged me to explore different career options. There is no “one-size-fits-all” career path, and in fact, the journey often has twists and turns.

Later on, I had the honour of attending the MYSIR Annual Scientific Meeting 2022 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with my batchmate Lee Kay Jin. Presenting in front of a diverse and knowledgeable audience, most of whom were established consultants in Interventional Radiology, was a nerve-wrecking yet exhilarating experience.

We eventually won the first and second positions for Best Oral Presentation award which was a testament to the collective effort and dedication of all our mentors. The recognition reaffirmed the importance of our research and its potential impact on clinical practice, motivating me to continue pursuing research endeavours in the future.

LKCMedicine's faculty and staff played an instrumental role in guiding me through the entire research process. They provided resources, including access to the medical library, databases, and statistical software, which were essential for a robust literature review and data analysis. We were also guided on how we could shape the research methodology and refine the research questions.

The School's commitment to supporting students in the international medical and research community was evident in the ease of applying for leave of absence during the school term and financial assistance provided for my trip to Malaysia. This significantly alleviated the financial burden associated with international travel and accommodation, even more so for my peers who opted for conferences out of Asia.

To my juniors embarking on their own Scholarly Project journey, I offer the following advice:  

Firstly, choose a topic that genuinely intrigues you. Research is a demanding endeavour, and your passion for the subject matter will sustain you through the inevitable challenges. Secondly, seek mentorship early on. Experienced researchers who share the same passion can provide invaluable guidance and help you navigate the complexities of research.

Thirdly, be patient and embrace the journey. Research can be a long and sometimes frustrating process, but the rewards of discovery and personal growth are well worth the effort.

Lastly, embrace opportunities for presentation and publication. Sharing your findings not only contributes to the academic community but also enhances your own learning and visibility.