Students

Convocation ‘25: Adrien Lam, BSc Honors Immunology and Infection

Donna McKinnon - 6 June 2025

 

As the world dealt with COVID-19 and its ongoing repercussions, Adrien Lam, fresh from high school and a first year university student, looked at the broader landscape of infectious diseases and wondered how she could make an impact in this challenging field. 

She chose to study immunology, but it wasn’t an easy road. The combination of online and in person classes in her first year was a disruptive process, making her question her abilities. The difference maker was a professor who recognized her determination and invited her to join his research group. It was at that point that her passion for learning was reignited.

Adrien’s initiative wasn’t solely driven by academics. Committed to serving her community, she took on numerous leadership roles on and off campus. One of her favourites was a humanitarian medical mission to Guatemala with the student group VIDA (Volunteers in Development Abroad) where she learned to care for those in medical need while bridging language barriers. She also took on a demanding schedule of student governance roles and board memberships, driven in part by her determination to ensure equitable representation.     

For these reasons, Adrien was awarded the Chancellor’s Leadership Medal in recognition of her academic excellence and exceptional leadership. 

“A good friend once reminded me to never stop dreaming, because I had once stopped,” she says. “My advice to any student is to hold on to your ambitions and remember what excites you —  it’s what will help you push through setbacks no matter how ridiculous the odds may seem.”

This fall, Adrien will begin graduate studies in pediatric heart research at the U of A under the supervision of cardiac surgeon Darren Freed.

Congratulations Adrien!


What program are you graduating from?

Bachelor of Science Honors in Immunology and Infection, Certificate in Biomedical Research.

What led you to choose your current area of study, and why the U of A for your studies?

After having graduated high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, I became fascinated by how a virus could lockdown the world and how the scientific community was able to develop vaccines so quickly in response. I never could've imagined myself in a position where I could one day contribute to research with that kind of impact. I chose to study immunology and infection because it let me explore infectious diseases in ways directly tied to clinical care and new therapies.

As someone from the Asian community, seeing the rise in discrimination in my own community motivated me to pursue a career that would enable me to fight misinformation through scientific understanding. From the beginning I knew the University of Alberta was my institution because I wanted to follow in my mother's footsteps who is an alumna. The U of A maintains a superior infectious disease research environment alongside its legacy of pioneering discoveries which includes Michael Houghton’s Hepatitis C breakthrough [for which he won the Nobel Prize and Lorne Tyrrell’s groundbreaking Hepatitis B research.

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at the U of A?

One of my favourite memories was joining a humanitarian medical mission to Guatemala with our student group VIDA. The mobile clinic operated by our team delivered free medical care to hundreds of patients while providing free medication to communities that lacked proper access to healthcare. While the first-hand experience was incredible, what made it so special to me was the personal connections I formed with the kiddos there. Despite the language barriers, we found ways to connect through play and cartoon stickers! 

Tell us about your favourite professor and/or class.

My favourite class was MMI 436 (Inflammation) — though I would describe it more as a love-hate relationship in the best way possible. It was by far the most difficult course I took at the U of A, but that challenge was exactly what made it so rewarding. We explored inflammation across a wide range of diseases, from infection and cancer to autoimmunity and neuroinflammation. What I liked about this class the most was the chance to engage deeply with research articles and having to deliver a one hour presentation on a given research paper. Even though it pushed my limits, it became one of the most valuable learning experiences of my degree.

Did you take on any leadership roles while you were a student? 

I took on several leadership roles across several clubs during my undergraduate degree, including being president of BrainWaves, VIDA, Student Parents on Campus, and the Centre for Autism Students’ Association. But the role that challenged me the most by far was running in the student elections and serving as the Undergraduate Board of Governors Representative.

Running in student elections was not something I was the most comfortable doing, but I had decided to run because I realized that no woman had held this seat since 2004. I wanted to help bring forward new and diverse perspectives to ensure students were meaningfully represented.

In that role, I worked to ensure the voices of all three campuses, North Campus, Campus Saint-Jean and Augustana were all equally heard at the university’s highest decision-making table. I focused on bridging the relationship between students and administration, making sure student concerns were not just raised but there was some sort of tangible change. One of the most meaningful projects I led was creating and coding an anonymous survey platform that allowed students to share their feedback with me anonymously. I gathered over a thousand qualitative responses and brought those insights directly into board discussions, where they helped shape initiatives like the Student Experience Action Plan. This work also gave me the chance to meet with Ravina Sanghera, Dean of Students, collaborate with university leaders and engage with government officials and ministers to advocate for what students truly needed. 

Alongside the board role, I served on several key committees through the Students Union, including the Aboriginal Relations & Reconciliation Committee, the Health and Dental Plan Committee, the Alberta Public Interest Research Group Board (APIRG), the Dedicated Fee Unit Board and the World University Services of Canada Board of Directors. I was also proud to represent students as the equity, diversity and inclusion undergraduate representative on the Department of Biomedical Sciences committee. 

Did you face any significant obstacles or challenges during your program?

One of the biggest challenges I faced during my program was adapting to university after graduating high school in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. My entire first year was fully online and although I worked hard, it just didn't seem to pay off. The transition back to in-person didn't help either after I had gotten so comfortable with online learning. There were moments where I questioned whether I was cut out to pursue my program or not. But what made all the difference was the moment my professor saw my determination and gave me the chance to join their research team. Research helped me rediscover my passion for learning and reminded me why I chose my field. From that point forward, I engaged in many different research opportunities and steadily built the skills and confidence I carry with me in my practice and classes today. 

What advice do you have for current and future students?

A good friend once reminded me to never stop dreaming, because I had once stopped. My advice to any student is to hold on to your ambitions and remember what excites you —  it’s what will help you push through setbacks no matter how ridiculous the odds may seem.

How do you plan on celebrating convocation?

I am excited to spend time with my family and friends, and maybe get ready for the next convocation! I also would love to see Oil Country finally win the Stanley Cup, that would be a big bonus!

What's next after graduation?

I am heading into my master’s degree in surgery at the U of A, where I will be focusing on pediatric heart research under cardiac surgeon Darren Freed. I am very interested in taking the path of a physician-scientist one day and look forward to seeing how this work shapes that journey.

Adrien joins fellow medal recipients Chenoa Kaufman (Governor General's Silver Medal and the Lieutenant-Governor's Gold Medal in Science), Rachael Chew (Dean’s Gold Medal in Science) and Emily Liu (Gold Medal in Science).