Vincent Lam

Professional Background

I was born and raised in the Chicago metropolitan area and completed my undergraduate education at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. I received a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering with an emphasis on Cell & Tissue Engineering and a minor in Chemistry. My early clinical experiences at a dermatology clinic showed me the profound impact that compassionate, evidence-based medicine can have on individuals, while my undergraduate research revealed the potential of science to address complex health problems. These formative experiences inspired me to pursue a career as a physician-scientist, dedicated to translating laboratory findings into meaningful clinical advances.

As an undergraduate, I gained diverse research experience in two laboratories. In the Dr. Jennifer Amos Research Lab, I developed interactive tools for visualizing student assessment data and investigated health literacy related to colorectal and cervical cancer screening among historically underserved populations in Chicago. In the Dr. Brendan Harley Lab, I gained foundational experience in biomaterials and stem cell biology. There, I contributed to the development of a granular hydrogel platform for hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cell expansion. I further broadened my expertise in regenerative science through a summer undergraduate research fellowship in Dr. Quinn Peterson’s laboratory at Mayo Clinic, where I studied mitochondrial heteroplasmy and endocrine signaling in induced pluripotent stem cell–derived pancreatic islet cells.

These experiences sparked my interest in cell signaling and disease modeling, ultimately leading me to pursue PhD training under Dr. Michael VanSaun at the University of Kansas Medical Center in the Department of Cancer Biology. My current research investigates how mutations in TGF-beta signaling pathways influence pancreatic tumor phenotype and metastasis, particularly in the context of obesity. Through this work, I have expanded my technical expertise in molecular biology and mouse models of cancer, while strengthening my skills in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication.

Outside of my studies and research, I enjoy biking, fishing, and playing basketball and soccer. I have played the piano since the age of five, and I explore my artistic side through digital modeling and sculpting for interactive AI experiences, such as Snapchat Lenses. I also enjoy discovering new eateries and adding food photography to my Google Maps collection.

Mentor: Michael VanSaun, Ph.D.; Cancer Biology