• 2023 – 2027 (expected)
  Doctor of Medicine (MD) Candidate

  University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

• 2021 – 2023
  Master of Science, Biochemistry

  McGill University, Montréal, QC · Supervisor: Dr. Morag Park

  Thesis: Targeting chemotherapy-induced senescence escape to reduce breast cancer cell survival

• 2017 – 2021
  Bachelor of Science, Physiology and Pharmacology

  University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

  3.99 cumulative GPA

  Minor in Economics. Additional coursework in Python, bioinformatics, and statistics

Peer-reviewed publications

1. Zeng D, Bondok M, Tao B, Al-Ghoul A, Pintwala R. Ocular adverse events associated with taxane chemotherapy: a disproportionality analysis of pharmacovigilance data. Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Accepted for publication Sept 29, 2026.

2. Zeng D, Bates A, Zhang Y, Cook O, Raman S, Leung B, Ho C, Nunez JJ. The impact of social isolation and psychological distress on overall survival in cancer: a population-based cohort study. JCO Oncology Practice. Accepted for publication Aug 24, 2026.

3. Sagorin Z, Zeng D, Nguyen N, Yorke E, Sampath S. Intracorporeal anastomosis versus extracorporeal anastomosis for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: short-term and long-term outcomes. Surgical Endoscopy. Published online Jul 13, 2026.

   doi.org/10.1007/s00464-026-13128-2

4. Yang K, Li M, Skinner T, Zeng D, Sosa G, Han JY, Jafarian F. A dietary approach to skin cancer prevention in solid organ transplant recipients: a perspective. Frontiers in Transplantation. Accepted for publication Sept 24, 2026.

5. Yang K, Mircescu A, Okusanya D, Mohsen S, Zeng D, Czyz S, Vallerand I, Damiani G, Bunick C, Jafarian F. Understanding the atopic dermatitis–psoriasis phenotypic switch through a pharmacovigilance-based approach. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Published online Jun 1, 2026.

   doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2026.05.012

Manuscripts under review

1. Kang M, Dhesa P, Dhillon R, Zeng D, Dhillon H, Uppal M, Gill K, Tao B, Navajas E. Regional trends in ophthalmic surgical wait times 2009–2024 in British Columbia, Canada: a retrospective study of the BC Surgical Wait Times dataset. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology. Submitted Aug 2026.

2. Zeng D, Wu E, Derocher H, Lin A, Siever J, Rao S, Lin T, Sit D, Murchison S, Sauciuc D, Atrchian S. Long-term outcomes and patterns of care in thymoma: a provincial cohort study. Lung Cancer. Submitted Sept 2026.

   Preprint

3. Zeng D, Ho A, Bondy S, Kong P, Cunningham J, Sidi S, Lee G, Kapoor V, Nakajima L, Sapkota D. Improving sexual and reproductive health knowledge in a low-income rural community: the adolescent health program. Global Health: Science and Practice. Submitted Sept 2026.

4. Sagorin Z, Zeng D, Nguyen N, Yorke E, Sampath S. Pfannenstiel versus midline extraction in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis: association with ileus, hernia, and infection risk. BMC Surgery. Submitted May 2026.

   Preprint

5. Li K, Zeng D, Thapar A, Belayneh M. Managing neuropathic cancer breakthrough pain for patients on methadone: a retrospective cohort study. Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy. Submitted Jul 2026.

6. Yuan L, Zeng D, Atrchian S, Clarke K, Sulpher J. Clinical outcomes of rectal squamous cell carcinoma in British Columbia, Canada. Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer. Submitted Jun 2026.

7. Sheikh-Oleslami S, Daniels W, Zeng D, Abraha B, Tang D. Determinants of digit survival after replantation: injury topography and the complication cascade outweigh venous technique. Journal of Hand Surgery. Submitted Sept 2026.

8. Lee AH, Kruger HJ, Chen J, Zeng D, Narayanan D, Oosthuizen G, Hameed SM. Current priorities and gaps in artificial intelligence for global trauma care. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. Submitted Aug 2026.

Oral

1. Zeng D, Wong VT, Pintwala R. Acute angle-closure glaucoma and non-ophthalmic anticholinergics: a sex-stratified pharmacovigilance disproportionality analysis.

   • European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) Congress, London, UK, Sept 2026 5-min oral ESCRS Bursary Award

2. Zeng D, Bondok M, Tao B, Al-Ghoul A, Pintwala R. Ocular adverse events associated with taxane chemotherapy: a disproportionality analysis of pharmacovigilance data and a literature review.

   • Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO) Research Day, Virtual, Aug 2026 3-min oral

3. Zeng D, Bates A, Zhang Y, Cook O, Raman S, Leung B, Ho C, Nunez JJ. Association of social isolation with overall survival in cancer patients.

   • American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, May 2026 6-min oral Conquer Cancer Merit Award

4. Zeng D, Ho A, Bondy S, Kong P, Cunningham J, Sidi S, Lee G, Kapoor V, Nakajima L, Sapkota D. Improving sexual and reproductive health literacy among adolescent girls in rural Nepal.

   • Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, CA, Jan 2025 10-min oral
   • UBC FLEX Activity Day, Vancouver, BC, Jan 2025 1-min oral

5. Sagorin Z, Zeng D, Nguyen N, Yorke E, Sampath S. Intracorporeal versus extracorporeal anastomosis for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: short-term and long-term outcomes.

   • British Columbia Surgical Society, Victoria, BC, May 2024 15-min oral
   • UBC Department of Surgery Chung Research Day, Vancouver, BC, Nov 2024 4-min oral

6. Li K, Zeng D, Thapar A, Belayneh M. Managing neuropathic cancer breakthrough pain for patients on methadone: a retrospective cohort study.

   • Canadian Society of Palliative Medicine, Virtual, Sept 2025 10-min oral
   • UBC Division of Palliative Care Research Day, Vancouver, BC, Jun 2025 15-min oral

7. Sagorin Z, Zeng D, Nguyen N, Yorke E, Sampath S. Postoperative incisional hernia rates comparing midline versus Pfannenstiel extraction site for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis.

   • British Columbia Surgical Society, Kelowna, BC, Apr 2025 15-min oral

8. Yuan L, Zeng D, Atrchian S, Clarke K, Sulpher J. Clinical outcomes of rectal squamous cell carcinoma in British Columbia, Canada.

   • Western Medical Students Summit, Calgary, AB, Feb 2025 7-min oral

9. Zeng D, Fortier AM, Park M. Targeting chemo-resistant triple-negative breast cancer.

   • Biochemistry Graduate Student Society Research Day, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Apr 2022 3-min oral

10. Lee G, Cunningham J, Sidi S, Zeng D, Kong P, Ho A, Bondy S, Chambers A, Loughton S, Nakajima L, Kapoor V, Sapkota D, Kumal S. Participant attitudes towards a mixed-gender sexual health education program in rural Nepal.

    • Western Medical Students Summit, Calgary, AB, Feb 2025 7-min oral

11. Sidi S, Kong P, Lee G, Zeng D, Ho A, Bondy S, Cunningham J, Chambers A, Loughton S, Sapkota D, Kumal S, Kapoor V, Nakajima L. Understanding adolescent mental health in rural Nepal: results of a mental health literacy needs assessment.

    • Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, CA, Jan 2025 10-min oral

Poster

1. Zeng D, Wong VT, Pintwala R. Acute angle-closure glaucoma risk with non-ophthalmic anticholinergics: sex-stratified pharmacovigilance analysis.

   • American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), New Orleans, LA, Oct 2026 Poster panel discussion · 3-min oral

2. Zeng D, Bondok M, Tao B, Al-Ghoul A, Pintwala R. Ocular adverse events associated with taxane chemotherapy: a disproportionality analysis of pharmacovigilance data.

   • Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS), Montréal, QC, Jun 2026
   • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Denver, CO, May 2026

3. Zeng D, Wong VT, Popovic M, Muni R, Pintwala R. Intraocular hemorrhage risk with antiplatelet agents: a pharmacovigilance analysis.

   • American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), New Orleans, LA, Oct 2026

4. Zeng D, Murray N. Orbital trauma on CT: a systematic checklist to reduce missed vision-threatening injuries.

   • American Society of Emergency Radiology (ASER), Nashville, TN, Oct 2026

5. Zeng D, Bates A, Zhang Y, Cook O, Raman S, Leung B, Ho C, Nunez JJ. Cumulative social isolation burden and overall survival in patients with cancer: a population-based cohort study.

   • American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Quality Care Symposium, Boston, MA, Oct 2026 Conquer Cancer Merit Award

6. Yuan L, Zeng D, Atrchian S, Clarke K, Sulpher J. Clinical outcomes of rectal squamous cell carcinoma in British Columbia, Canada.

   • European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress, Barcelona, Spain, Jul 2025
   • BC Cancer Summit, Vancouver, BC, Nov 2025

7. Sagorin Z, Zeng D, Nguyen N, Yorke E, Sampath S. Postoperative ileus and incisional hernia: midline versus Pfannenstiel extraction site for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis.

   • Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Long Beach, CA, Mar 2025
   • Western Medical Students Summit, Calgary, AB, Feb 2025

8. Li K, Zeng D, Thapar A, Belayneh M. Managing neuropathic cancer breakthrough pain for patients on methadone: a retrospective cohort study.

   • BC Cancer Summit, Vancouver, BC, Nov 2025

9. Zeng D, Fortier AM, Park M. Targeting chemo-resistant triple-negative breast cancer.

   • Celebration of Research and Training in Oncology, Montréal, QC, May 2022

10. Lee G, Cunningham J, Sidi S, Zeng D, Kong P, Ho A, Bondy S, Chambers A, Loughton S, Nakajima L, Kapoor V, Sapkota D, Kumal S. Participant attitudes towards a mixed-gender sexual health education program in rural Nepal.

    • Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, CA, Jan 2025

11. Qureshi Q, Geyer A, Tan D, Chen S, Feng N, Zeng D, Delaney G, Garden FL, McKenzie P, Yap ML, Chan J. Global patterns in actual radiotherapy utilization for cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    • Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO), St. John’s, NL, Sept 2026

Ophthalmology

• Feb 2026 – present
  Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma (ACG) & Non-Ophthalmic Anticholinergics

  Supervisors: Dr. Vincent Tony Wong, Dr. Rob Pintwala

  Leading a sex-stratified disproportionality analysis of ACG reporting in patients on non-ophthalmic anticholinergics; independently learned and applied R to conduct sensitivity analyses

• Feb 2026 – present
  Intraocular Hemorrhage & Antiplatelet Use

  Supervisors: Dr. Vincent Tony Wong, Dr. Rob Pintwala

  Integrating disproportional signals with existing evidence to draft a manuscript raising awareness of intraocular bleeding risk especially with clopidogrel and aspirin, independent of anticoagulant use

• Sept 2025 – Aug 2026
  Taxane Chemotherapy-Associated Ocular Adverse Events

  Supervisors: Dr. Rob Pintwala, Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghoul

  Calculated odds ratios, chi-square, and Bayesian information criterion for 258 ophthalmic outcomes

  Critically evaluated gaps in evidence, sources of bias, and study limitations for a structured literature review to support rigorous interpretation of significant FAERS signals

• Apr 2026 – Jul 2026
  Ophthalmic Surgical Wait Times

  Supervisor: Dr. Eduardo Navajas

  Investigated regional trends in ophthalmic surgical wait times across BC, with an emphasis on disparities in access for Indigenous communities

  Advocated for resource allocation to support more ophthalmic care in Indigenous communities

• Jun 2026 – present
  Intraocular Malignancy

  Collaborating with two medical students to screen 5,561 studies for a systematic review, resolving discrepancies by delegating tasks and communicating our decision-making process clearly

• Aug 2026 – present
  Visual Outcomes after Craniopharyngioma Surgery

  Screening 1,818 studies to determine predictors of visual improvement and deterioration after craniopharyngioma surgery; synthesizing findings for a systematic review

Oncology care

• Sept 2025 – Jul 2026
  Social Isolation & Cancer Survival

  Supervisor: Dr. John-Jose Nunez

  Recent cancer diagnosis in my mother motivated me to research the effects of psychosocial factors such as the many dimensions of social isolation on cancer survival

  Led an analysis of a population cohort of 45,651 patients using Python; found that living alone, no regular social contact, and depressive or anxiety symptoms significantly increase mortality in cancer

• Oct 2025 – Sept 2026
  Thymoma Survival & Recurrence

  Supervisor: Dr. Siavash Atrchian

  Using competing risks analysis, estimated the long-term survival and recurrence of thymoma in a population-based cohort in BC followed for up to 21 years

• Sept 2025 – Jun 2026
  Global Radiotherapy Utilization

  Supervisor: Dr. Jessica Chan

  Screened 3,948 studies for a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing evidence-based radiotherapy need with real-world utilization

  Extracting detailed information to characterize global inequities in access to cancer care

• Nov 2024 – Sept 2026
  Methadone for Breakthrough Neuropathic Cancer Pain

  Supervisor: Dr. Mathieos Belayneh

  Led a standardized chart review of 706 patients; identified methadone as the second-most common analgesic in BC for breakthrough neuropathic cancer pain

  Data supported continued use of methadone as there were no documented severe adverse events

• Apr 2024 – Jan 2026
  Rectal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (rSCC) in BC

  Supervisor: Dr. Jeffrey Sulpher

  Collaborated with another medical student to analyze rSCC treatment patterns and outcomes in BC by standardizing data extraction and meeting regularly to resolve chart-review conflicts

• Dec 2025 – Jul 2026
  Chemoprevention Strategies in Transplant Recipients

  Supervisor: Dr. Fatemeh Jafarian

  Investigated strategies associated with reduced cutaneous malignancy in solid organ transplant recipients

  Coordinated literature review and data extraction across a team of 5 medical students, delegating individual tasks to ensure smooth synthesis of evidence

Surgery

• Feb 2024 – May 2026
  Surgical Technique & Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy Outcomes

  Supervisor: Dr. Sharadh Sampath

  Led a standardized review of 203 patient charts; examined associations of anastomotic technique and specimen-extraction site with short-term postoperative ileus and long-term incisional hernia

• Mar 2026 – Jul 2026
  Artificial Intelligence in Global Trauma Care

  Supervisor: Dr. Morad Hameed

  Spearheaded screening and data extraction of 1,046 studies for a systematic review of research priorities and gaps in artificial intelligence for trauma care in low-/middle-income countries

• Sept 2024 – Aug 2026
  Determinants of Digit Survival after Replantation

  Supervisor: Dr. David Tang

  Detailed chart review and analyses of all digital replantation patients in BC over 10 years revealed that injury topography and postoperative complications are predictive of digit outcomes

Basic & computational science

• Sept 2019 – Jun 2021
  Microglia in Neurodegeneration

  Supervisor: Dr. Julien Muffat

  Engineered doxycycline-inducible stem-cell models of microglial function using molecular cloning and CRISPR gene targeting, modelling mutant microglia with neurons

• May 2019 – Sept 2020
  Cytokines in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

  Supervisor: Dr. Connie Eaves

  Investigated cytokine-driven transformation to acute myeloid leukemia in vitro and in vivo

• Sept 2018 – Apr 2019
  Atherosclerosis COBWEB Model

  Supervisor: Dr. Brad Bass

  Developed 3 software models simulating blood-flow reduction across stages of atherosclerosis

Patient advocacy

• Jul 2026 – present
  Founder & Web Developer — Eyelingual

  Developed and launched Eyelingual, a web-based tool for conducting ophthalmic examinations across a language barrier when live interpreter services are unavailable

  Bridging inequities in access to ophthalmic care by supporting communication with patients who prefer care in a language other than English

• Sept 2025 – present
  Vision Mate — Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Foundation

  Supported a client living with complete vision loss through biweekly home visits

  Built close rapport through companionship and practical assistance — reading mail, running errands, grocery shopping, and accompaniment on outings

• Oct 2024 – present
  Patient Outreach & Interview — Patient Experience Project

  Co-produced short films with patients sharing their lived experiences of illness and care

  Advocated for and secured their integration into the UBC MD curriculum, to foster a holistic understanding of illness and strengthen empathy for what patients live through
• Sept 2023 – May 2025
  Newcomer Support — Refugee Health Initiative, UBC

  Organized and delivered annual refugee-health outreach presentations at local community centres

  Provided a safe space and longitudinal support to a refugee family through monthly meetings, holding open discussion of resettlement challenges and adjustment

• Aug 2021 – present
  Client Support — Shelter Movers

  Worked in teams of 4–5 volunteers to move clients out of homes where they had experienced intimate partner violence, holding trauma-informed conversations where the client wanted them

• Aug 2024 – May 2025
  Events Director — Women’s Health Initiative, UBC

  Designed and, with a physiotherapist, led a trauma-informed pelvic examination training session for medical students

Teaching & mentorship

• Feb 2026 – Jul 2026
  Educational Exhibit — Orbital Trauma on CT

  Worked with radiologist Dr. Nicolas Murray to develop a systematic checklist that ensures vision-threatening orbital injuries are recognized on trauma imaging; designed the formal exhibit

• Oct 2023 – present
  Sexual & Reproductive Health Program — Nepal Health Education, UBC

  Spearheaded changes to a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education programme for adolescents in rural Nepal, based on local educator feedback, so the curriculum is culturally appropriate

  Designed and facilitated the formal programme evaluation; advocated for delivery to early adolescents, where larger health-literacy gains were demonstrated in pre-menstruation females

  Drafted thoroughly researched responses to commonly asked SRH questions

• Sept 2024 – present
  Mentorship & Shadowing Executive — Oncology Interest Group, UBC

  Coordinated and facilitated numerous oncologist-led mentorship and clinical shadowing placements for other medical students

• Oct 2024 – Jun 2025
  Cultural Competency Training — Global Health Initiative, UBC

  Facilitated sessions engaging other medical students in conversations on cultural humility before their global health projects, drawing on what I took away from my own visit to rural Nepal

Skills and languages

• Statistical analysis

  R, Python, SPSS; survival analysis (Kaplan–Meier, Cox proportional hazards, competing risks); FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) disproportionality

• Languages

  English; Mandarin Chinese (native speaker)

• Interests

  Scuba diving — PADI Advanced Open Water, certified in Koh Tao, Thailand

  Running — completed half-marathons and the Vancouver Sun Run

  Karate — 20-minute skit with Karotid Chop, UBC’s karate club, at the Med Gala

  Photography

Professional memberships

• Ophthalmology

  Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)

  European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)

• Oncology

  American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)