Donors Make a Difference: Alexander Nowakowski, recipient of the distinguished CIHR Master’s award

Describe your research in a few lines

My research focuses on brain metastases, which is when cancer cells spread to the brain. Particularly, I study the dynamic life of a cancer cell within the environment of a brain. Using imaging techniques such as microscopy, I capture movies of cancer cells moving within brain tissue and use this information to try and understand what drives brain metastasis invasiveness. Most recently, I am interested in how cancer cells interact with blood vessels as they migrate through the brain.

Through my research, I hope to understand some of the processes which drive different patterns of cancer cell movement in brain metastases and its impact on patient outcomes.

How does your research help patients and who does it help?

Brain metastases remain a very unfortunate diagnosis for patients with advanced cancers. Treatment options are still to this day quite limited and carry significant side effects. My research aims to better understand the underlying biology of brain metastases. The goal is that my work and that of others will contribute to our knowledge of brain metastases and identify new ways to treat patients.

How has the studentship made a difference in your life?

I am very fortunate to have been the recipient of several studentships such as the CIHR Master’s award in 2022, and the Canderel travel award. Currently, I am funded by a research bursary for medical students, through McGill’s Faculty of Medicine. These awards have provided me with the financial stability to pursue my interests in both research and medicine. Moreover, my awards have given me the opportunity to travel to conferences, speak to peers from all over the world, and learn new ways to improve my own science. I am grateful every day that I get to work on research that I am truly passionate about.

Anything else you would like to mention?

While I am currently working towards my master’s degree, I am also enrolled as a medical student in the McGill MDCM program. It excites me to have the opportunity to work with patients, while simultaneously pursuing research in clinical and fundamental science. My goal is that my career as a physician integrates research to better the care of my patients.

I am also one of the many students at the GCI and McGill part of the Research Initiative Outreach Team (RIOT). Together, we are a group of students who work to bring the exciting world of cancer research to everyone. My role is to organize talks with patient and survivors, including seminars on clinical trials and genetic testing.