"Lillian has been going much beyond her responsibilities in the lab for years as a PhD student. She takes the time out of her busy schedule to help others at various levels inside and outside our lab. She has trained and advised a number of junior, intermediate, and senior graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, volunteer researchers, and visiting scientists. Lillian strives for quality work not only in her own project, but constantly takes the time to think of important details and advice for others’ work in the lab. She is a motivating force that drives the enthusiasm for science for others around. Even when experimental progress is slow, Lillian never fails to smile through the frustration that science may be at times. She is always willing to take a walk with colleague students and fellows to grab coffee, discuss projects, and to see how life is going in general. She genuinely cares for other people’s well-being in the lab environment and outside as well. As she prepares for her thesis defense in the coming year, our lab members are taking the time to learn the valuable techniques that Lillian has learned to master over the years, such as direct ventricular catherization for pressure-volume measurements (not an easy task!). Although our lab is not ready to lose such a great student, we are confident that Lillian will be a fantastic addition to any environment she is in. Lillian is a true team player. Without her, our lab would not function the same. She is truly a key asset in our lab and neighboring labs as well; as such, our lab with the neighbors highly enthusiastically nominates Lillian as a Lab Hero."

Nominated by Yong-Xiao Wang, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, USA