The Breast Cancer Canada Translational Breast Cancer Research Unit (TBCRU) at the London Health Sciences Centre is delighted to announce eleven new graduate student scholarships at Western University for the 2023-2024 academic year. These awards are driven by support from Breast Cancer Canada’s tremendous and ongoing commitment to accelerating progress through breast cancer research in London.
Trainees compete annually for these awards. Applications are assessed by a scientific review committee based on the quality and translational potential of their project, their academic record, and the strength of their mentor and training environment.
Six MSc students (Harjot Athwal, Nitara Fernando, Zachary Freeman, Zi Huai [Matthew] Huang, Noor Rizvi, Alyssa Wu) and three PhD students (Sawyer Badiuk, Aybars Nazlica, Jared Wootten) were awarded full TBCRU scholarships this year. Two additional students were awarded partial scholarships in combination with external Ontario Graduate Scholarships, including Natalie Grindrod (MSc) and Sean McRae (PhD). Finally, we are delighted to welcome two previous TBCRU award winners, Urvi Patel (MSc) and David Susman (MSc) back to the Program as participants with full external funding support from CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarships.
These talented students are conducting their breast cancer research in laboratories located at the London Health Sciences Centre and at Western University, and are enrolled in five different academic departments/programs at Western including Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Medical Biophysics, and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. Their translational research projects are broadly focused on the understanding, prevention, tracking and/or treatment of metastatic breast cancer, the deadliest aspect of breast cancer, as well as precision medicine approaches for improving breast cancer outcomes. Further details about the TBCRU scholarship recipients and descriptions of their projects can be found on the TBCRU website.
“Breast Cancer Canada is proud to support LHSC and to have shared in their breast cancer progress and accomplishments for the last 25 years. The scholarships for the year ahead are not only an investment in breast cancer research; they are also an investment in bright minds that will shape the future”.
Kimberly Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada
Over the coming year, we encourage you to support Breast Cancer Canada’s fundraising and community events including their Raise More Challenge in October and Mother’s Day events in the Spring. You can also read about our students and their research progress throughout the year via their blog postings on the Breast Cancer Canada website.
Congratulations to our trainees and best wishes to them as they contribute to breast cancer research in London!