Say hello to Daphne Olivia Jawai Anak Sadai, one of our newest joiners at Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY). Born and raised in Sarawak, Daphne is a true science enthusiast. She studied Biotechnology, went on to do a Master’s in Genetics at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and now she’s diving headfirst into the world of cancer research with us.

So why CRMY? For Daphne, it was the chance to be part of something meaningful. She wanted her work to contribute to patients, and CRMY’s focus on cancer research felt like the perfect fit.

Even though she’s based at Sarawak General Hospital rather than CRMY’s headquarters, Daphne felt welcomed right from the start. “Even from a distance, I could feel the support and openness of the people at CRMY,” she said.

In her role as Study Coordinator in the Core Lab Science Unit, Daphne is excited to make things happen behind the scenes. She knows she’s not directly at the lab bench, but she’s motivated by the fact that her work helps move research forward and contributes to better patient outcomes. And with her past experience in patient recruitment and biospecimen collection, she’s got the skills to back it up.

If she had to describe the culture at CRMY, Daphne calls it “supportive, collaborative, and very driven by purpose.”

Her advice to students or young professionals who want to work in cancer research is simple but powerful, “don’t be afraid to start small, every experience counts. Be curious, learn from those around you, and always remember why you’re doing it, because at the end of the day, it’s about helping patients.”

But Daphne isn’t all work and no play. When she’s not busy supporting research, you’ll probably catch her watching movies or belting out karaoke songs. Simple joys that keep her recharged and grounded.

With her passion for science and drive to make a difference, Daphne is ready to take on this new chapter with CRMY.

Stay tuned to MONJ (Meet Our New Joiners) as we continue to introduce more of the fresh faces shaping the future of cancer research with us.