#  Chris Etienne 

 

 



   ![Man standing with a bike in front of a body of water](/sites/g/files/omnuum5431/files/styles/hwp_4_5__320x400/public/2024-09/download%20%281%29.jpeg?itok=35YRivOJ) 

 



 





 

**Program:** Chemical Biology  
**Lab:** Gad Getz

Chris is a graduate student in the Chemical Biology PhD program at Harvard Medical School, which he joined in Fall 2021. He is advised by Professor Gaddy Getz, PhD at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. His main research interest is to understand the molecular mechanisms driving somatic evolution in healthy and pathological conditions, with a particular focus on their clinical implications. Towards this goal, Chris uses a mixture of theoretical, biological, and quantitative approaches to analyze experimental and clinical data. His work involves mathematical modeling and building computational tools to map the evolutionary landscape of somatic evolution, especially in primary and metastatic human cancers. Prior to starting his doctoral studies at Harvard University, Chris worked for two Biopharmaceutical companies conducting functional genomics research to help identify novel cancer targets and biomarkers, and guide the development of next generation cancer immunotherapy drugs. Chris earned a M.Sc. in Bioinformatics from Johns Hopkins University in 2018. He also graduated with two B.Sc.s in Chemistry and Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2015. In his free time, Chris enjoys reading, cycling, and dancing.

Chris became involved in the LCBC because of his strong interests in cancer-related research. He started attending LCBC events in his first year of graduate school to connect with other members of the community who also share his scientific interests. He is currently a member of the LCBC Student Steering Committee, in which he volunteers part-time to help with programming and continuing to build this community.



 

 

 



   

**If you weren’t a scientist, what would you be?** I’d probably be a sociologist/anthropologist: exploring new places, talking to people, learning the history of different cultures and trying to capture the small details that make each environment unique.  
  
**What is the best advice you have ever received?** “Progress is rarely linear, celebrate the twists and turns.” It’s helped me stay adaptable and enjoy the process instead of obsessing over perfect outcomes.  
  
**What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?** A genuinely good conversation. Whether it’s a quick laugh with a colleague or a check-in with a family or friend.

**What skill would you most like to learn?** I’d love to learn woodworking. There’s something incredibly satisfying about creating something tangible and lasting with your hands.  
  
**How do you spend your time outside of the lab?** Mostly exploring new neighborhoods, cooking ambitious recipes on weekends, and catching up on books I never seem to finish on time.  
  
**What inspired your career in science?** I’ve always loved the feeling of uncovering why and how things work. That curiosity, paired with mentors who showed me that discovery can be both rigorous and joyful, pulled me fully into science.  
  
**If you could magically become fluent in any language, what would it be?** Japanese. I’d love to be able to read Japanese literature and anime in their original form.  
  
**There are now 25 hours in a day! How do you spend your extra hour?** I’d use it as protected time for something non-work related: probably practicing a hobby.