Through Her Lens: Precision in the Lab, Passion in Every Frame

The story of Puteri, a laboratory technician who balances science with creativity.

Not every journey into science begins with a carefully mapped plan. For Puteri, the path to becoming a Laboratory Technician at Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) unfolded gradually; shaped by curiosity, unexpected opportunities and the courage to try something new.

Years ago, if someone had asked her what she wanted to become, her answer would have been clear: a mathematics teacher. Molecular biology and medical genetics were not exactly her favourite subjects during her studies. In fact, they were the very subjects she struggled with the most.

Life, however, had other plans.

Her turning point came during an internship at a diagnostic laboratory. That was when she discovered something surprising: she genuinely enjoyed working in a laboratory environment. While some people are naturally drawn to constant interaction with others, Puteri realised she was happiest working behind the scenes, concentrating on the technical aspects of scientific work.

After graduating, like many fresh graduates, she found herself navigating a period of uncertainty. Friends were moving forward confidently in their careers while she was still figuring out her next step.

Then one day, while scrolling through LinkedIn, she came across a vacancy at Cancer Research Malaysia.

The name sounded familiar. Something about it felt meaningful.

She applied.

During the interview, one question stayed with her: “What matters most to you in a workplace?”

Her answer came almost instantly.

“The environment.”

What she truly meant was the people. Even during the interview itself, she could already sense the warmth of the team.

Looking back now, she is grateful that she can say she belongs to that very team today.

Finding Her Rhythm in the Lab

Puteri describes her three years at CRMY as a journey of learning and growth.

Her first year was largely about adapting. As a fresh graduate stepping into her first job, she spent much of her time strengthening her technical foundation and learning the standard procedures of laboratory work.

By the second year, new responsibilities began to follow. Handling additional tasks helped her gain confidence and improve her ability to manage time effectively.

Now approaching her third year, she feels she has found her rhythm.

“There were many ups and downs,” she reflects. “But one thing I know for sure, I can always count on my team members whenever I need support.”

A typical day for Puteri begins with careful preparation. She starts by reviewing the day’s schedule and preparing the necessary samples, reagents and equipment.

Much of the day is spent performing routine laboratory work such as processing samples, running assays like PCR, or sectioning tissues. Some days involve research-related tasks, including primer design or organising biobank samples.

One of the skills she is particularly proud of developing is tissue sectioning. With consistent practice and guidance from senior colleagues, she gradually became more confident and precise in handling different tissue types.

Many people assume laboratory work is repetitive or straightforward. Puteri explains that even small tasks require patience and attention to detail because a tiny mistake can affect the results of an experiment.

For her, the motivation to continue working in cancer research comes from knowing that every process she handles contributes to a larger purpose; improving cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Stepping Beyond Her Comfort Zone

One of Puteri’s proudest moments at CRMY happened when she introduced histology and conducted a laboratory demonstration for students from Taylor’s University as part of the AIESEC programme.

Public speaking was not something she usually did, but seeing the students’ curiosity helped her relax and enjoy the experience. Since then, she has repeated the session several times, each time growing more confident.

The Photographer Behind the Scientist

Beyond the laboratory, Puteri has another passion, photography.

Her interest began during the COVID-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) in 2020 when she decided to explore a creative outlet while staying at home. She later created an Instagram account, @cepcorona, to share her photographs.

“Cep” is her nickname, while “Corona” marks the period during the pandemic when her photography journey began.

Today, she particularly enjoys street photography, capturing candid expressions, everyday interactions and genuine moments between people.

Seeing the World Through a Different Lens

Interestingly, her work in research has influenced how she approaches photography. Science trains her to notice small details, and that same attentiveness helps her capture subtle and meaningful moments through her camera.

If she could capture one photograph that represents her journey at CRMY, it would be a picture of herself standing beside her AACRoC poster presentation.

“A little in disbelief,” she says with a smile, “how I ended up being called one of the scientists here.”

A Touch of Humour

Despite working in a serious research environment, Puteri enjoys humour. In her biodata, she once wrote that she can “sleep with her eyes closed”, simply as a playful remark to add a light-hearted touch.

Looking Ahead

Experiments may fail, results may not turn out as expected, and sometimes procedures must be repeated. Through these experiences, Puteri has learned resilience and often reminds herself of a phrase she has carried since her undergraduate days: “Expect the unexpected.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue balancing both of her passions. Science remains central to her career, while photography may continue growing as a creative pursuit, perhaps even as a small side venture in the future.

The work you’ve just read about is only possible through the generosity of supporters like you. Your donation to Cancer Research Malaysia helps bring us closer to a future where cancer is detected earlier, treated better, and more lives are saved. This kind generosity from you helps us ensure that capable, dedicated scientists like Puteri continue to get funded for the chance to research and make discoveries to Save Asian Lives.