Shirley Li
Describe your research in a few lines
My research is focused on studying Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common type of pediatric soft-tissue sarcoma, originating from muscle tissues. A lot of researchers look for treatment for RMS by looking at its cell of origin, which have been suspected to be transformed muscle stem cells, which are usually responsible for repairing muscle injury via differentiation. These transformed muscle stem cells are unable to differentiate properly and continue to proliferate leading to tumor formation. My research project will focus on identifying the molecular mechanisms that drives impaired differentiation in RMS by using unbiased high-throughput genetic screens. This will enable discovery of genes that can be targeted to restore differentiation in RMS and identification of pharmacological compounds that can be used to treat RMS.
How does your research help patients and who does it help?
RMS is a highly aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma mainly affecting children and young teenagers. Currently, there is a lack of targeted and effective therapy for RMS patients that does not lead significant side effects which greatly decreases patients鈥� quality of life. I hope to discover therapeutic agents that will specifically target RMS by looking at and targeting its cells of origin thus effectively eliminates the tumor without damaging other organs in the body.
How has the studentship made a difference in your life?
I am honoured to be a recipient of the Canderel Scholarship. This scholarship has allowed me to pursue my passion for research while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It has also allowed me to attend and present at various conferences hosted by 平特五不中 and other Quebec research institutions. This studentship also helped me strength my CV for future scholarship and funding applications as well as future academic positions. This upcoming year, I am honored to be a recipient of another scholarship and it would not have been possible without the support of this scholarship in the past year.
Rachel Kim
Describe your research in a few lines
My project involves characterizing tumor-associated macrophages in early breast cancer both descriptively and functionally. I am seeking to identify markers unique to novel macrophage populations that I have observed and tease apart each population's influence on tumor progression.
How does your research help patients and who does it help?
The information acquired through my project will contribute to a better understanding of the factors governing the transition from to benign breast lesions to invasive disease, and perhaps enable the development of biomarkers that can predict an individual's risk of undergoing this transition. This is especially important given increased concerns about overtreatment of pre-cancerous breast lesions, which may diminish a person's quality of life and impose undue stress. Exploring the influence of macrophages on breast cancer progression raises the possibility of harnessing these cells to develop new methods of stratifying and treating breast cancer patients.
How has the studentship made a difference in your life?
The Canderel studentship has bolstered my research by providing me with financial support throughout the second year of my Master's degree. Receiving this award also helped boost my confidence as a researcher, which contributed to my decision to fast-track to the PhD program this year and further pursue my research project :)