Award-winning student-scientist credits supportive learning environment as key to success

Connie Le is the winner of the 2020 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) Award.

Edmonton-raised MD/PhD student Connie Le has nothing but gratitude for those who have helped guide her toward a health science career. At 12 years old, she attended a Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology (WISEST) summer science camp at the University of Alberta, and her innate curiosity about the world sparked an early interest in science that remained with her, thanks to mentors such as the late Margaret-Ann Armour, who encouraged her to pursue a career in science. 

Le is the winner of the 2020 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) Award, a prestigious national award that counts her among the top-ranking medical students in the country. With ten publications and numerous awards already under her belt, including the Vanier Canada Scholarship, Le takes little credit for her successes, choosing instead to acknowledge the encouragement and instruction she has received from others. 

Le says she is grateful to members of her PhD supervisory committee David Evans, James Smiley, and Maya Shmulevitz of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology; Alan Underhill, program director of the MD/PhD program and Sarah Forgie, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. 

Among her list of supporters are her graduate supervisor Lorne Tyrrell, co-founder of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology and CMHF laureate; and 2020 Nobel laureate Michael Houghton.   

“One piece of the application was to talk about a CMHF laureate who really inspires us, so obviously that was an easy pick,” Le said. “Lorne Tyrrell is a legend at the U of A and beyond. He’s a former dean of our faculty who has made major scientific discoveries, and he currently serves the public on the Canadian COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force. He genuinely cares about the future of medicine in Alberta and Canada.”

Le adds that nothing makes her happier than hearing that Houghton is getting the high-level recognition of a Nobel Prize, noting his down-to-earth and inclusive demeanour.

“I am so incredibly honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Houghton's team. He's an extraordinarily inspiring mentor with exceptional kindness and integrity,” Le said. 

Outside of the busy world of medical school and graduate studies, Le has volunteered for nearly a decade with the U of A Peer Support Centre, advocating for grad student mental-health support on campus. She notes that the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry’s Office of Advocacy and Wellbeing (OAW) is a wonderful resource for students. 

“Dr. Mel Lewis and the entire team do a lot to support the students through stressful times,” Le said. “Lisa Purdy is there for the graduate students as well, because that can be a very stressful ride. It's so wonderful that the faculty provides those resources for students.” 

Having returned to her third year of medical school while finishing her PhD thesis on hepatitis B, Le has not chosen a clinical specialty yet. No matter what she decides, her goal is to improve patient well-being through translational research, like Tyrrell, who has modelled the bench-to-bedside approach that she hopes to emulate as a clinician-scientist. 

“Connie Le has been an exceptional student,” said Tyrrell. “She has unique skills in problem-solving, is an excellent communicator, and she is very compassionate and concerned with helping fellow students. She will be an outstanding clinician-scientist.” 

“I can’t ask for more,” Le adds. “I'm very thankful.”