Pei-Chi Wei

Pei-Chi Wei, Junior Group Leader of Helmholtz Young Investigator Group Brain Mosaicism and Tumorigenesis, talks about her research at DKFZ, her career and women in science in general. 

I #EmbraceEquity by empowering young female talents to be confident in who they are.

WHAT IS YOUR FIELD OF RESEARCH AND WHAT FASCINATES YOU MOST ABOUT IT?
As a high school student, I was captivated by the idea that all forms of life are controlled by just four simple letters: A, T, C, and G. These letters are found in the genome, which is like a big code book that needs to be transcribed and translated. Every living being has its own genome that tells us how each cell works within that organism. Humans also have their own genome book, and the sentences within it, except under special circumstances that lead to functional immunity, don't change or get deleted over time.

However, if you take a look at the genome of cancer cells, it's a different story. It's like someone has deliberately cut and pasted different parts of the code. You can find duplicates of certain sections, or even missing pieces. These changes to the genes and chromosomes can alter cell behavior and lead to the development of cancer. I'm fascinated by how and why these changes occur. For example, we know that exposure to carcinogens is a risk factor for genome damage. But, in many cases of cancer, the changes in the genome can't be explained by known risk factors or the presence of known cancer-causing genes.

My research focuses on understanding when, how, and why these genomic damages happen. I'm particularly interested in studying genome integrity in the developing brain, combining my passion for both genome science and developmental biology. I hope that by developing new tools and theories, we can identify risk factors and contribute to preventive medicine in the future.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS AND WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, making research progress in a semi-established lab was a successful yet extremely challenging chapter in my professional life. My lab was founded in July 2019 and shortly after, Vivien, the first Ph.D. student joined. However, the pandemic hit Germany and the world soon after, and I was tasked with transferring important experimental procedures and know-how to Vivien, and Lorenzo, who was a master student at the time and currently a Ph.D. student.

As the only experienced scientist in the lab, I faced the challenge of teaching these cutting-edge technologies while also being a parent to two young children. Due to COVID-19 measures and the closure of childcare facilities, I couldn't be present at the laboratory full time, which resulted in not being able to offer quality mentorship to both students. I was deeply sorry for these first trainees who chose to come to an empty lab with a big heart.

However, this story has a happy ending. Vivien and Lorenzo are about to finalize a manuscript and Vivien will defend her thesis this year. This bittersweet experience will be one of the most memorable highlights in my professional life.

WHAT HAS HELPED YOU MOST TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND WHAT CHANGES, IF ANY, ARE NEEDED IN THE SCIENCE SYSTEM TO MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE TO WOMEN IN SCIENCE ?
Having role models and support from mentors and family is essential for achieving my own success. My mentors challenged me to push beyond my comfort zone and helped me to build confidence in expressing my ideas. Their guidance and support during my career transitions has been invaluable. My studies also allowed me to work with female scientists, who showed me that it is possible to excel in science and parenting. I recognize, however, that not all women have access to such experiences or support.

It is vital that we recognize the importance of increasing female leadership and breaking down gender stereotypes in STEM careers. To tackle this issue, we must work hard to increase the representation of female role models in leadership positions. A short-term solution would be to provide attractive packages for outstanding women to take on executive positions. For the long-term, we should actively identify talented women from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and socioeconomic status at their early career stage. These women should be encouraged to form mentor-mentee relationships, developing resilience that would help them to adapt to the career framework. Mentors should become knowledgeable with career development tools and guide trainees on their path to success.