Canderel Fundraising Impact: An Investment in Talent with a National Reach

Every year, the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) recruits students from across the country through recruitment awards. These awards are funded by the Canderel Foundation, in line with their mission to invest in the next generation of cancer researchers. In light of recent changes to tuition structures which impact students from outside of Quebec, these awards are especially important in maintaining the national reach of talent recruited to training programs at the GCI. Read our profiles of 2023 recruitment awardees to learn more about how this funding supports their research careers.

Megan Katz

Megan’s research aims to understand gene regulation which plays a role in both healthy embryo development and prostate cancer progression. Her enthusiasm for research is supported by her award: “I plan to pursue research for as long as I can! Seeing as I hope to pursue a career in research, the opportunity that the scholarship presents me to study at the GCI is invaluable,” she shared.

Joselyn Steyer

Transitioning from her undergraduate studies at the University of Alberta to McGill was a big change for Joselyn, but she shared “I received this GCI Recruitment award, and it made this opportunity seem possible.” Her research aims to unravel the mystery behind a gene with a dual role in cancer, which paradoxically suppresses tumors and drives their development.

Farah Ali

Farah acknowledges the importance of the financial support from her recruitment award, sharing, “This scholarship has allowed me to focus on my research, dedicating many hours in the lab towards my project.” Her project investigates a potential drug target in COVID-19 infections, which also has the potential to improve cancer therapies which use viruses to target tumors.

Isabella Pecora

Exemplifying the role of this funding in supporting the next generation of leaders, Isabella explained, “In the future, I envision myself as a university professor with my own laboratory, contributing to the growing field of cancer research. Receiving this scholarship was both an honor and a privilege, providing me with a solid foundation to embark on this journey with confidence and determination.” She is currently studying a mutation that occurs in non-small cell lung cancer to guide the development of precision therapies.

Juliette Wilson Sanchez

Juliette’s work investigates how  diet influences cancer progression and interactions with the immune system, to understand how it could be leveraged to improve therapy response. She described the current importance of funding young researchers: “With the rising cost of living, scholarships such as the GCI recruitment award allow students to continue their graduate studies and focus their efforts on their research instead of their second or third job.”

Binadi Diddeniya

Binadi’s research focuses on determining optimal combinations of cancer therapies for a subtype of breast cancer that currently has limited treatment options called triple negative breast cancer. She explained her passion for cancer research with us: “I aspire to pursue a career as a research scientist, focused on developing innovative approaches to cancer therapy. I aim to make meaningful contributions to advance the knowledge of cancer research to ultimately improve patient outcomes and quality of life.”

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