Psychology Learner’s Surgical Research Journey

Jesse Kim, psychology learner and surgical researcher

From learning to navigate new cultures to building critical protocols in the lab, University of Alberta psychology student Jesse Kim has turned every challenge into an opportunity for growth. Working at the Ray Rajotte Surgical-Medical Research Institute (RRSMRI), Jesse has evolved from an undergraduate trainee with no prior research experience into a key collaborator, surgical technician, and mentor in translational surgery.

In Conversation with Jesse Kim

The Turnaround: What is one major challenge you successfully overcame on this journey?

Learning to begin again across foreign countries, languages, and unfamiliar spaces taught me to turn discomfort into discipline and curiosity rather than allowing it to shrink who I am.

The Pivot: What was a definitive turning point in your development as a professional?

The pivot came when research stopped feeling like a space I was trying to enter and became a responsibility I could help carry, organize, and strengthen for others.

The Breakthrough: What major achievement or milestone are you proudest of?

I am proudest of becoming someone who doesn't just generate results, but builds the protocols and lab infrastructure that let the next person move further than I did.

The Shift: When did you first realize you were gaining true mastery over your craft?

I realized I was gaining mastery when I became more focused on helping others become capable than on proving I was capable myself.

A Journey of Growth and Impact

Jesse’s research journey began in the Department of Surgery in Dr. Gina Rayat’s lab. Starting without prior research experience, Jesse quickly immersed in translational research spanning gastric cancer and diabetes-related projects. Showing early initiative, Jesse built a translational surgery project from the ground up, exploring stem-cell-based approaches for hypoparathyroidism—a venture that required developing the initial project direction, workflows, and protocols. For this project, Jesse performed surgical isolation and processing of adipose tissue into adipose-derived stem-cell populations, followed by cell culture and differentiation work.

Over the past four years, Jesse has been a constant presence at the Ray Rajotte Surgical-Medical Research Institute (RRSMRI) as a surgical technician, supporting surgical research workflows and gaining deep exposure to the broader surgical research environment. That commitment continues full-time over the summer, with Jesse taking on increasing responsibility within the Institute.

Jesse’s work at RRSMRI extends directly into surgical education and interdisciplinary collaboration. By preparing for and working alongside medical students and residents during simulation training, Jesse plays an active role in learner development. Leveraging a background in regenerative medicine and connections made through RRSMRI, Jesse also contributed to Cardiac Resident Dr. Jimmy Kang’s tissue-engineered heart valve project by preparing and supplying stem cells.

Today, as an experienced member of the Department, Jesse spends time developing protocols, troubleshooting complex procedures, and mentoring newer students entering the lab and surgical research environment—ensuring the team's collective success goes far beyond individual achievement.