William Yip is the 2022–23 UBC Alumni Builder Award – Faculty of Medicine Recipient.
William (he/him) is a community builder who champions UBC’s values. As the inaugural Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) program alumni ambassador, William continues to be an advocate and excellent spokesperson for the BMLSc program. He is an avid supporter of the UBC community and continues to engage in meaningful conversations with current and prospective students looking to join the growing BMLSc family. As a life-long learner, William is now pursuing a Master of Business Administration and is interested in innovating solutions for a more sustainable future.
What drew you to the BMLSc program at UBC?
It had to be BMLSc’s curriculum. I have always had an interest in health and medical sciences, so naturally it seemed like a good fit. Not to mention, the small class size was another incentive for me. I knew a small class size would allow me to engage more actively with other students in the program as well as the teaching staff and faculty members.
What is your favorite memory from your time at UBC?
My time in the BMLSc program is one long favourite memory from my time at UBC. I met some amazing human beings. If I were to pick one memory, it would have to be when I created a graduation video for my graduating cohort. Sharing the final product with the students and the faculty members was a very special moment for me.
What has been your journey since graduating from the BMLSc program at UBC?
After graduating from the BMLSc program, I went on to complete a UBC Master in Applied Science with Dr. Kelly McNagny and Dr. Don Sin where I studied complex host immune-microbiome relationships in chronic inflammatory lung diseases like allergic asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Currently, I am on the Raw Materials Innovation team at lululemon. While, my day-to-day work is not exactly what I studied, I am still able to utilize my research abilities and apply other transferable skills to my daily practice.
Since your BMLSc graduation, tell us about your connection with the BMLSc community.
Whenever I am in the UBC area, I always drop by the BMLSc program to visit and catch-up with the core teaching staff. They all played a big role in my development.
Why are you inspired to give back to your communities?
I am just passing along the favour and generosity that many wonderful human beings in the past few years have extended to me.
What advice would you give to alumni who want to get more involved with UBC?
There is always an opportunity to get involved. Reflect on what you are uniquely qualified at from both a hard and soft-skill perspective and think about how you can bring this to your UBC community.
How did your education in BMLSc, lead you to a Master in Applied Science and now a Master of Business Administration?
I always knew I had an entrepreneurial side. My decision to pursue an MBA was not led by my past education per se but rather a desire for self-growth and development.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next 10 years?
To organize a 10-year reunion for my BMLSc cohort.
What does a healthy society mean to you?
To me, a healthy society means and looks like a support system. A society that is grounded in the idea of lifting each other up.
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