Curiosity & Camaraderie Drives Research Assistant at MSK

Transforming the future of cancer care requires more than technology and talent – it requires passion, curiosity, and persistence.

All these qualities and more drew research assistant Chin-Tung (Tommy) Chen to a career at MSK.

“What I find fascinating is the sense of curiosity that drives a scientist to question the how and why of an observed event and how they used scientific reasoning to advance their understanding of said phenomenon,” Tommy said.

Tommy graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor’s in Biology and received a Master of Science degree from New York University. He worked at a pharmaceutical company and an academic research lab before a friend working at MSK suggested he join the team.

 

“I was well prepared by my prior mentors to be an independent thinker who can conduct research experiments with minimal supervision. They taught me to be resourceful in tackling research aims where the answers were hard-earned and not freely given,” said Tommy. “Those lessons continue to serve me well as I entered MSK as a researcher and helped me to make meaningful contributions in colorectal research with the support of the principal investigators.”

Research Life @ MSK

Tommy joined the Colorectal Cancer Service as a researcher in 2004, where he conducts experiments that support the research aims of several principal investigators. He also manages the Colorectal Research Lab to ensure operational effectiveness, assist other lab members with research projects, and oversee inter-departmental and external institutional research collaborations.

He remains committed to his role nearly 20 years later because he gets to witness “the research that I contribute to being applied in a clinical setting to benefit cancer patients.”

His colleagues also fuel his passion for his work.

“What I enjoy the most about my job at MSK are the people that I work with every day,” he said. “Over the years, I have met and worked with numerous people, not just within Colorectal Service but with other departments within MSK as well. The camaraderie and support continue to be a source of satisfaction that is the main reason for my employment longevity here at MSK.”

Tommy’s proudest moment to date was when his Principal Investigator encouraged him to be the main investigator for his own project.

“I had to formulate my own hypotheses, devise experiments to test them, interpret the experimental data and organize the results into a manuscript that was subsequently published in a peer-reviewed journal,” he said.

The flexibility and benefits at MSK also help Tommy explore interests and hobbies outside of work, such as biking and film.

“Since 2015, I spent a week of my vacation time each year working as a staff at a film festival where I get to watch a lot of narrative films /documentaries,” he said.

Advice for Candidates

MSK fosters a culture of collaboration that Tommy says is key to their success. While he considers himself an introvert, he said he’s comfortable coming out of his shell at work.

“That is all owing to how open and supportive my coworkers are,” he said. “Without them, the research projects that I have worked on at MSK would not have been as productive as they have been.”

Networking, collaboration and being willing to learn from others in the field can help you make a positive difference, Tommy said.

“Be willing to interact with colleagues not just within your own lab but throughout the whole MSK institution,” he said. “MSK has a plethora of researchers with extensive knowledge and skillsets that are willing to share their expertise with you if you are open to reaching out for support.”