Who am I?

I'm from North Vancouver, BC, Canada. I graduated from Simon Fraser University (SFU) with a degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, a Minor in Cultural Anthropology, and a Certificate in Liberal Arts.

In 2000, I started at
Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre
as a Cancer Genomics Researcher.
I’m first author on 2 publications in scientific journals and co-author on 56 other refereed articles including 5 on brain cancer.

I love to hike, bike, play ice hockey (well I used to!), mindful meditation and practice yoga. I am an acrylic painter of portraits, landscape and surreal scenes. And a father to an amazing beautiful girl who brings more joy and energy to my life than I could ever have imagined.

In 2016, I graduated from SFU's Writer's Studio with a
Certificate in Creative Writing.

I am also a long-term survivor of a devastating form of brain cancer. I have been volunteering in a number of capacities in health care and the brain cancer community for over 15 years now.

I am writing my memoir of my incredible experience.
MY STORY
Picture
Jasper, Alberta, Canada
All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.       
All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life
​lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence      
and leading the individual towards freedom. 
                                                                              - Albert Einstein
Yaron S Butterfield
Cancer Genomics Researcher
and Patient Advocate
​
BC Cancer - Genome Sciences Centre
currently on leave

Situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.