Interview with Lejie Zheng
 | Lejie Zheng is a PhD student at the Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland. Her PhD project involves studying how people react psychologically when they are diagnosed with early stage melanoma, the coping strategies they use to stay mentally healthy, and the factors that affect their psychosocial well-being. Her PhD is supervised by Prof Monika Janda, Prof Peter Soyer, and Dr Soraia De Camargo Catapan. |
What experiences or background influenced your decision to pursue a PhD?
Prior to my PhD, I worked in various pharmaceutical companies, supporting new drug applications across multiple phases of clinical trials. Most of the trials I was involved in focused on cancer research. During this time, I was inspired by the diverse approaches to trial design and the range of study outcomes we achieved. This experience sparked a strong desire to gain systematic training in research to enhance my understanding of the scientific process. This aspiration, coupled with my goal to refine my research skills, made pursuing a PhD the natural next step in my journey.
What is the focus of your PhD research?
My PhD project is to investigate the psychosocial reactions of people upon receiving a diagnosis of melanoma in situ, evaluate the coping strategies adopted to recover or maintain psychological wellbeing, and identify key characteristics contributing to variations in the psychological status within this patient population, through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches.
What has been the most rewarding part of your PhD journey so far?
The most rewarding part of my PhD journey so far has been the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research with the potential to improve patient needs. Specifically, conducting various studies on melanoma has been incredibly fulfilling, as it has allowed me to explore different approaches to participant communication and outcomes. This experience has not only expanded my understanding of the disease but also reinforced my passion for translating complex research into practical solutions. It would be highly rewarding to see how my work may ultimately contribute to a deeper understanding of patients' needs and how we can better address them.
What challenges have you faced during your PhD, and how did you overcome them?
One significant challenge I faced, which I hadn’t anticipated, during my PhD was managing competing deadlines while balancing my studies with childcare responsibilities. My son was born at the end of my 1st year PhD, and returning from maternity leave, I often found it overwhelming to juggle childcare responsibilities with maintaining the quality of my work. My supervisors were incredibly supportive and flexible with the delivery of my work, which made a significant difference. I also sought help from my family to ensure I could manage both my academic and personal commitments. This experience taught me the importance of work-life balance and the value of support networks during challenging times. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and admire all working or studying mothers—they truly excel at balancing their professional responsibilities while caring for their loved ones.
What skills have you gained during your PhD that you didn’t expect to develop?
One skill I didn’t expect to develop during my PhD was effective project management. Initially, I thought my focus would solely be on research and writing, but I gradually realized that coordinating research tasks, managing timelines, and collaborating with different people were key components of the process. As my research progressed, I had to balance multiple tasks and ensure that everything was completed on time. This experience has significantly boosted my confidence in managing complex tasks - a skill that will be invaluable in my future career.
Have you had the opportunity to collaborate with other researchers, locally or internationally?
Yes, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from other universities. For instance, I worked with a team from the University of Sydney on a scoping review of cancer screening. My role involved summarizing the data extracted from existing literature and contributing to the writing and publication of the review. This collaboration provided me with the opportunity to learn new research methodologies and gain valuable insights into how cancer screening programs are designed and implemented worldwide. It has greatly expanded my perspective and allowed me to refine my research skills.
What’s one piece of advice you’ve received during your PhD that really stuck with you?
One piece of advice that really stuck with me during my PhD was to 'embrace the process, not just the outcome.' Previously, I was very focused on achieving specific results, but I found that I was getting frustrated when things didn’t go as planned. This advice reminded me to value the learning and growth that comes from the research process itself, rather than just focusing on the ‘end product’. It helped me shift my mindset to see setbacks as opportunities to refine my approach. As a result, I became more resilient and focused on enjoying the journey of discovery.
