The Genome of Faith: A Life Unfolding Between Heaven and Earth (A Scientist’s Testament Beyond the Timeline)” by Dr. Ulysses Labilles has received acclaim from Michael Radon of the US Review of Books. Radon highlighted that “In this memoir, the author details the crossroads of his life after being diagnosed with stage four non-small cell lung cancer. On the one hand, his training and experience as a cancer researcher and epidemiologist working with the CDC equip him with a clear understanding of what to expect and how to realistically assess his prognosis.”
Though cancer is a terrifying and dangerous prospect for anyone whose life it appears in, the perspective is completely different when you’ve spent a career studying it and hoping to defeat it. In this memoir, the author details the crossroads of his life after being diagnosed with stage four non-small cell lung cancer. On the one hand, his training and experience as a cancer researcher and epidemiologist working with the CDC equip him with a clear understanding of what to expect and how to realistically assess his prognosis. At the same time, this crisis brings him more in touch with his spiritual side, turning to his faith and Christianity to give him the strength each day to endure the next treatment, the next diagnosis, and every small victory and devastating blow.
The Genome of Faith is a profoundly moving and deeply human memoir that weaves together science, suffering, and spirituality. At the heart of the book is Dr. Ulysses Labilles, an epidemiologist, clinician, and public health leader, who finds himself on the other side of the diagnosis after being told he has stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases. With honesty and grace, he documents his journey not only as a scientist but as a patient, father, believer, and community member.
What makes this work especially powerful is the way Dr. Labilles balances technical understanding with emotional vulnerability. He explains complex concepts like precision oncology and genomic sequencing with clarity, showing how his cancer’s genetic profile shaped his treatment path. But he never loses sight of the person behind science. He reflects candidly on the physical and emotional toll of chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy, and even more so, on the fears and hopes tied to facing mortality.
Dr. Labilles also brings a rich cultural and spiritual dimension to his story. Born in the Philippines and shaped by both Eastern and Western traditions, his faith is not passive or abstract, it’s a lived, breathing force. Whether praying in hospital rooms or finding peace during MRIs, his connection with God becomes a steady presence that helps carry him through despair, uncertainty, and loss.
What stands out is his unwavering belief in the power of both science and grace. Rather than positioning them as opposites, he treats them as partners in healing. For him, the genome of faith is not written in DNA alone, but in community, love, courage, and surrender. The narrative is filled with heartfelt tributes, to family members, fellow public health workers, faith communities, and patients he’s served, underscoring that healing is not a solitary act, but a collective one.
This is not just a book about illness. It’s about what it means to live with intention, to find meaning beyond prognosis, and to leave behind not just research, but a legacy of love, purpose, and hope.
Dr. Labilles doesn’t ask for admiration; instead, he invites readers to walk alongside him, to ask the hard questions, and to hold space for grace, especially when answers are few. His voice is gentle, steady, and unpretentious. In the end, The Genome of Faith is more than a memoir; it’s a testament to the sacred intersection of intellect and heart, body and spirit.
The US Review of Books (USRB) recommends The Genome of Faith: A Life Unfolding Between Heaven and Earth (A Scientist’s Testament Beyond the Timeline)” by Dr. Ulysses Labilles. Here’s the review from the USRB that highlights:
“The two sides of the cancer journey, presented from the same narrator and perspective, are a powerful reminder of just how much it takes to survive a diagnosis and keep hope alive, or at least make the most of what time remains. The author’s deft blending of realism, hard science, belief, and hope into one toolbox will likely inspire readers who are dealing with this terrible disease or caring for a loved one who is to use everything at their disposal to carry on day after day. The author makes full use of this opportunity not only to provide as much information and firsthand wisdom as possible, but also to candidly share his own life story, rife with setbacks and triumphs. This is a powerful read that can offer a great deal of light to those who can relate and need it most.”