Medical professionals and health care providers continue to grow with the developments in the medical field to provide much needed attention to different health struggles.
A physician by the name of Lester Bryan Co had the opportunity to become a postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California through the assistance of the TYKFI-ABI Medical Specialty Scholarship Program. For one year, Dr. Co was able to practice his postdoctoral research fellowship in the Koong Lab at Stanford’s Radiation Oncology Department where they worked mainly on basic science research involving novel compounds combined with radiation in cells and mice.
A physician by the name of Lester Bryan Co had the opportunity to become a postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California through the assistance of the TYKFI-ABI Medical Specialty Scholarship Program. For one year, Dr. Co was able to practice his postdoctoral research fellowship in the Koong Lab at Stanford’s Radiation Oncology Department where they worked mainly on basic science research involving novel compounds combined with radiation in cells and mice.
Dr. Co pursued studies in radiation oncology which utilizes radiation therapy in targetting benign or malignant cells such as cancer. He was able to learn the use of many tools and techniques for cancer research and was trained with decision making skills necessary in treating cancer in patients. Given that a private research university such as Stanford University was one of the first establishments in the world to study radiation therapy for human diseases, Dr. Co was very fortunate that he was able to enhance his knowledge of radiation oncology in this prestigious institution.
Dr. Co describes his experience at Stanford University as eye-opening as he was able to experience living in a multicultural environment which contributed to his growth as a person through challenges, i.e. adapting to American culture. He also had to work collaboratively with people who were not directly involved in the medical field but were nonetheless passionate with their research and made significant contributions in sciences, particularly in the management of oncologic diseases. The field of radiation oncology was very appealing for Dr. Co because it developed many innovations in the treatment of cancer.
Dr. Co mentioned that he found out about the TYKFI-ABI scholarship as a medical student through the Asian Medical Scholars lay medical forums he attended wherein many of his professors were speakers. He was enticed by the testimonies of his professors and how the Foundation and ABI were instrumental in their growth as physicians through fellowship training overseas. The Tan Yan Kee Foundation assisted Dr. Co with his traveling expenses and provided him with a stipend that mitigated the high cost of living in the Bay Area where he stayed.
Aside from the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Dr. Co dedicates his success to his parents as they were the ones who initially inspired and supported him in the pursuit of his goals. For all the outpour of love and support he received from his parents, he will forever be grateful.
Dr. Co is currently undergoing his residency training in radiation oncology at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, and he aspires to pursue a combined clinical and research fellowship in the United States post residency training. Ultimately, he aims to have his research published and perhaps work with scientists in the Philippines for the improvement of cancer research in the country as well as to properly care for the many people and families that continuously battle cancer.
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