HLI’s Alumni Night on May 1 brought together former trainees and current students for an evening of career reflections, panel discussion and networking focused on paths in academia, industry, and more.
Former trainees at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI) returned to St. Paul’s Hospital on Thursday, May 1, for the 2025 Alumni Night hosted by the Trainee Association at HLI (TAHLI) and the TAHLI Mentorship Committee. The event featured a panel discussion followed by a sushi dinner, bringing together 36 attendees — including current trainees, research staff, and five alumni who each made HLI part of their scientific career.
The panelists – Drs. Tillie Hackett, Dorota Stefanowicz, Kauna Usman, Kang Dong and Joshua Dubland – spoke candidly about their career journeys, the detours they encountered, and the soft skills that helped them succeed.
Dr. Dorota Stefanowicz shared her decision to move from academia to industry, driven by a need for better work-life balance. Dr. Tillie Hackett, now an HLI Principal Investigator and former HLI postdoc, highlighted the value of strong writing skills, not just for grant applications, but even in navigating everyday life, like supporting her child’s preschool journey.
Dr. Kauna Usman, who recently began a postdoctoral fellowship, described the excitement of stepping into a new research chapter: “It feels like having so many toys to play with,” she said.
Dr. Kang Dong, now a data scientist at Olink Proteomics, spoke about the importance of knowing when to move on from projects that no longer serve their purpose.
Dr. Joshua Dubland, a clinical assistant professor at UBC, reflected on his nontraditional journey, from studying music to working in industry to becoming a clinical scientist, and emphasized the power of persistence in the face of rejection.
When asked what soft skills are most important to them, the panelists offered various responses: writing and communication, adaptability, resilience, and knowing when to pause or pivot. Even with their different paths, they agreed that passion was the driving force behind their success, and that they are willing to work long hours when they are doing what they love with people they enjoy working with.
The evening left many attendees inspired and reassured that there is no single, correct roadmap to a fulfilling career in science.
As co-chair of TAHLI, Eric Xiang reflected:
“Navigating graduate training and job searching can be a challenging and non-linear journey, often filled with ups and downs. However, hearing the inspiring stories of our alumni fills me with optimism and motivation for the path ahead.”
“Navigating graduate training and job searching can be a challenging and non-linear journey, often filled with ups and downs. However, hearing the inspiring stories of our alumni fills me with optimism and motivation for the path ahead.”
— Eric Xiang, Co-Chair of TAHLI
Upcoming Events
The TAHLI Mentorship Committee is hosting an Early Career Night on Aug. 21 from 5–7 PM at the JHCC, one day before HLI Research Day. This event is a follow-up to Alumni Night, offering a second chance for those who missed it, and a new opportunity to connect with peers and returning alumni.