I joined Dr. Geoffrey Liu’s lab from November 2025 to November 2026 as a postdoctoral research fellow, supported by a fellowship grant from the Swiss Cancer League. Building on my previous research experience in small cell lung cancer, I had the opportunity to take on the role of trainee project lead for a large real-world data project in this field. Using data from the International Lung Cancer Consortium (ILCCO) and the Canadian Small Cell Database (CASCADE), we investigated how the treatment landscape for small cell lung cancer has evolved with the introduction of immunotherapy and how these changes have impacted patient outcomes.

This type of real-world research is particularly valuable because patients enrolled in pivotal clinical trials often represent a highly selected population that may not fully reflect those seen in routine clinical practice. It is therefore essential to better understand which factors influence patient outcomes, which subgroups may derive particularly strong benefit, and which patients may be especially vulnerable to poorer treatment responses. Such insights not only support oncologists in their daily clinical decision-making but may also contribute to future treatment development and regulatory processes.

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Through this project, I had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Liu and his team and learning from their extensive expertise in leading and conducting large international research collaborations. This included gaining experience in engaging collaborators, supporting multi-site data contribution, integrating and updating local datasets, planning analyses, and ultimately translating complex data into meaningful clinical narratives.

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In addition to my main project, I also contributed to a research initiative investigating the combined impact of cardiovascular/metabolic and respiratory comorbidities on survival outcomes in lung cancer patients. This work addressed clinically relevant questions regarding risk assessment and the management of patient-related factors that may influence prognosis and survival.

As a physician, it was also important for me to gain insight into oncology care in the Canadian healthcare system. Joining Dr. Liu and his fellows in clinic for half a day each week allowed me to remain connected to patient care while learning how oncology is practiced in a healthcare environment that was new to me. This was not only an intellectually enriching experience, but it also further strengthened my commitment to continuing my training and career in medical oncology.

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Throughout my fellowship, I met with Dr. Liu on a bi-weekly basis. While it was often a challenge to fit all ongoing discussions into the available time, these meetings consistently provided invaluable opportunities to seek advice, discuss project progress, and explore new research ideas. In addition, I participated in several regular meetings related to the various projects and collaborative groups I was involved with.

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Benefiting from Dr. Liu’s extensive experience in real-world research was immensely valuable. His commitment to improving our understanding of what truly works in everyday clinical practice and how treatments shape patients’ journeys, was inspiring and motivating. As my work involved large, international, multi-centre collaborations, I also gained valuable insight into the dynamics of conducting research in this complex and rapidly evolving field, including the collaborative and strategic aspects of international research partnerships. These experiences will be highly valuable for my future career as a medical oncologist and clinical researcher.

In conclusion, this research fellowship was an exceptional opportunity to broaden my horizons, contribute to ongoing and new research initiatives, learn from an experienced and inspiring team, and establish connections for future collaborations. I am very grateful to Dr. Liu for giving me this opportunity and for his guidance and support throughout the many challenges and rewarding moments that come with a research fellowship.