Lily Santos O’Keefe

About

Finding Balance: Research, Leadership, and Pursuing Your Passions

 Lily is a 4^th year student in Food, Nutrition and Health (FNH) student double majoring in Food and Nutritional Sciences. What started as a strong connection in a small FNH 300 class in her third year turned into nearly two years of dedicated research in the Frostad Lab, where she’s followed her project from initial conception to manuscript preparation. Supported by two terms of NSERC USRA funding and working through both FNH 497 (Directed Studies) and FNH 499 (Undergraduate Thesis), Lily has gained a deep sense of ownership over her work at the intersection of Food Science and Chemical Engineering. 
Beyond the lab, Lily has spent four years as part of the UBC Dance Team, progressing from Treasurer to Co-President. Balancing advanced-level dance with rigorous research has taught her the value of pursuing multiple passions at a high level. As she prepares for graduate school applications, Lily’s journey shows that genuine connections in the classroom and consistent commitment, whether in research or on the dance floor, can take you far! 

What are your research experiences? Where are you involved? 
I have been an undergraduate researcher in the Frostad Lab since the summer following my third year! I was fortunate to receive NSERC USRA funding for two separate terms of research, as well as being able to work on my project through FNH 497 (Directed Studies) and FNH 499 (Undergraduate Thesis). 
 
What was the application process for NSERC like, and what advice would you give to students looking to apply? 
I applied in two separate years, once through Chemical and Biological Engineering and once through Land and Food Systems. Deadlines and application requirements differ between faculties/schools, but it generally involves finding an eligible supervisor, deciding on a project idea, and completing the online NSERC form to send to your Faculty coordinator. I would suggest exploring professors both internal and external to LFS, as you may find research you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Start early to discuss with your prospective supervisor as this gives you time to develop your research proposal and complete any Faculty-specific forms before the deadline. 

What steps did you take to find your research opportunity? 
I had known my supervisor, Dr. Frostad, from taking his course FNH 300 in the first semester of my third year. That particular year, the course was quite small, so I was lucky to be able to form a great connection with my classmates and professor. Due to the class size, I also felt quite comfortable to highly participate within class discussions. From there, an opportunity came up to discuss further about grad school and participation in his lab, so I organized an application for the upcoming NSERC deadline and have been able to continue working there since! 

What were the most rewarding and challenging aspects of your research experience, and what skills did you gain? 
By working on the same project for nearly two years, I was able to see it through from initial conception to manuscript preparation, which gave me a strong sense of ownership and responsibility. Being in the Frostad lab, at the intersection of Food Science and Chemical Engineering, also broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to approach complex problems from multiple angles. I developed skills in data analysis and interpretation, research communication through presentations, and independent problem-solving. The most challenging aspect was learning new data processing and analysis techniques while working largely independently, which required significant discipline but ultimately helped me grow technically and professionally. 

How did you tailor your application or approach to stand out to potential mentors? 
In my case in particular, I really learned how valuable networking can be, and making a good impression in your courses through participation and trying your best to understand the material is key, as these genuine connections are crucial later on when looking to find new opportunities or finding letters of recommendation. 

How has your experience in research influenced your academic and career trajectory? 
From my research experiences and ability to understand and view the full process of conducting a research study, I have been encouraged to pursue graduate studies and learn as much about research as I can! I am in the midst of completing graduate school applications, and having the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research has not only been invaluable in articulating my academic purpose and narrowing down the subject areas I would like to pursue in my further education, but provided me with valuable skills and experience that I will carry with me and highlight in my applications. 

Looking back, what do you wish you had known before starting your research journey? 
One key piece of advice I wish I could’ve known was that it is not expected for you to be an expert in the topic you study when starting out.! I was intimidated by the breadth of knowledge required  to be able to produce quality work but found that you will learn SO much during the experience. ,  Leveraging your strengths, combined with genuine enthusiasm, interest in the subject matter, and consistent hard work, can take you far.  
 
How do you balance research and leadership commitments? 
I would say that it definitely took a lot of time management skills, which I have been able to develop throughout my years at UBC! Having the determination to meet your goals and prioritizing what is important to you and what you would like to accomplish, I have found to be super important; but I also have tried my best to participate in activities and commitments that I enjoy wholeheartedly and that do not feel strenuous or inconvenient. In terms of leadership, it also involves building a great, supportive team, and vice versa, finding supportive mentors. Having the summers to devote more of my time to full-time research was also extremely helpful and is definitely something I would recommend to others if given the opportunity. 
 
What motivated you to join the UBC Dance Team and take on leadership roles? 
After spending my entire childhood in competitive dance, I was excited in my first year to join a space that aligned with my background and allowed me to connect with others who shared my interests. Being part of the Dance Team throughout my degree has reinforced how UBC’s vibrant campus life is and how it enables students to pursue their passions. Through my experience on the team, I’ve grown as a dancer, and developed valuable leadership skills, including team management and logistics coordination. I have been able to foster my teammates’ growth and success through creating an inclusive and welcoming team environment.  

What is your favourite memory from the Dance Team? 
I always love our performance days! Most recently, we performed at the UBC Dance Horizons Mid-Year Show, an event where all the different dance teams and clubs on campus come together and showcase what we have been working on thus far in the year. It is a great opportunity for the community to gather, show the variety of dance levels and styles at UBC., The event and performances give us an opportunity as a team to spend more time closely outside of our weekly practices.