Dr. Lianna Wat completed her PhD in 2021.
During her PhD, she published two high-impact first-author papers in PLoS Biology and eLife, and was a co-author on additional papers from the lab. This research excellence was recognized nationally by receiving three awards, including the top prize, from a CIHR conference for student health researchers. Dr. Wat’s excellence has also been recognized internationally by winning the Elizabeth Young New Investigator Award from the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences. Given that Dr. Wat is on the shortlist for the best 2021 thesis focused on Drosophila research run by the Genetics Society of America, these accomplishments together show widespread recognition of her outstanding drive and brilliance.
Importantly, these exceptional research achievements have occurred against a backdrop of excellence in teaching in the CAPS 390 course, and an active role as the director/president for a graduate student society (CPhyGS) and the LSI trainee society (SoLIT). In recognition of outstanding teaching and service contributions, Dr. Watt was awarded a Laura Jasch award in 2021.
Dr. Watt will start her postdoctoral work at Stanford University soon. The Department of cellular & Physiological Science looks forward to watching her research flourish in the new chapter of her career.
She will present a seminar for the CPS Clee memorial Seminar Series on Thursday February 24th at 1:00pm, “Sex-specific regulation of fat metabolism in Drosophila”.
Registration Link: https://ubc.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5IsdOytrzsuG90LFvZ4POMjUVomn2LRxNJo