He completed his medical school at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, followed by internal medicine residency at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, medical oncology fellowship at the British Columbia Cancer Agency, and supportive/palliative oncology clinical research fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center under the mentorship of Dr. Eduardo Bruera. He also has 2 Master’s degrees (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Patient Based Biological Research). His research interests include symptom management clinical trials, prognostication, integration between palliative care and oncology, and research methodology. He has authored and/or co-authored over 100 scientific papers, 3 books and multiple book chapters. He is active clinically in palliative care and medical oncology.