University of Melbourne student Jiajun Zhan recently completed an internship with the Clinical Cancer Genomics team at the Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine (CCGCM), part of The Advanced Genomics Collaboration (TAGC). Working under the guidance of Dr. Sehrish Kanwal, Dr. Ruining Dong, and Professor Sean Grimmond, Jiajun contributed to an ambitious project aimed at uncovering novel genetic drivers in pancreatic cancer.

“Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate of just 9-12%,” Jiajun explained. “My project focused on identifying rare and uncharacterised driver genes that could help explain tumour development.” By analysing hundreds of patient genomes and transcriptomic datasets, Jiajun not only confirmed known cancer drivers but also uncovered new candidates for further investigation. His key contribution was the development of a “Driver Score” framework that measures the downstream impact of specific tumour mutations.

Jiajun, a Master of Science (Bioinformatics) student, described his time with TAGC as transformative: “This experience deepened my technical and analytical skills and showed me how innovative thinking can lead to real clinical advances.” He highlighted the value of working in a multidisciplinary environment where collaboration, continuous learning, and creative problem-solving were central to success.

A typical day during his internship involved a mix of literature review, data analysis, and regular discussions with supervisors. “I was constantly learning—not just about cancer biology, but also about how to communicate results, test hypotheses, and contribute meaningfully to a larger scientific mission.”

The internship also broadened his perspective on genomics. “Before this, I thought of genomics mainly as a data science field. But this experience helped me see its clinical potential—how understanding the function and impact of mutations can directly influence patient outcomes.”

Looking ahead, Jiajun plans to continue his work in cancer genomics, and the internship has already opened doors. “The experience inspired me to pursue academic research and led to an opportunity to work with the CCGCM team as a research assistant.”

For other students considering an internship with TAGC, Jiajun offers enthusiastic advice: “If you’re passionate about genomics, cancer research, or precision medicine, this is an incredibly motivating and fulfilling environment. You’ll grow immensely—technically, intellectually, and professionally.”

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