National Denim Day: Mariam Ali, CURE Foundation Fellowship in Breast Cancer Research Recipient

The CURE Foundation has been powering the fight against breast cancer since 1997. National Denim Day, their annual fundraiser will be held on May 14^th, 2024, with this year’s proceeds supporting both metastatic breast cancer research and CURE’s patient financial assistance program. The Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) is proud to be supported by the CURE Foundation through their Fellowship in Breast Cancer Research, awarded this year to Mariam Ali. Read more about her research below, and how the CURE Foundation Fellowship has impacted her student experience:

Describe your research.

My research at Dr. Logan Walsh’s lab focuses on understanding how genes, the basic units of information in our cells, can lead to the development and progression of breast cancer, specifically triple-negative breast cancer. Our research consists of searching cancer patient databases to identify unexplored genes predicted to exacerbate triple-negative cancer outcomes and investigate their specific roles using biological models. We discovered that changes in certain genes can affect both the cancer cell itself as well as the surrounding cells making up the tumor, illustrating that understanding the tumor environment during cancer development could be the key to identifying new targets for therapy.

How does your research contribute to the fight against cancer? 

One in eight women in Canada will develop breast cancer within their lifetime, with 10-20% of those cancers being triple-negative, an aggressive and highly therapy-resistant subtype.  There is an urgent need to better understand the biology behind triple-negative breast cancer and finding targets to exploit for new treatments. We hope our research contributes to the fight against breast cancer through identifying new targets for therapy.

How has the studentship made a difference in your life? What does it mean to you to be a recipient of this studentship?

I am incredibly grateful and honoured to have received this studentship and be supported by the CURE Foundation. The fellowship has been instrumental in allowing me to focus wholeheartedly on my research and to delve into understanding the intricate complexities of breast cancer. This support has granted me the opportunity and flexibility to spend a portion of my time presenting my work at research conferences in Montreal and working expert researchers in the field of cancer biology.

How could your research potentially help future patients?

Now more than ever, scientists and doctors see the value of translating research from the “bench” to the “bedside” Understanding the molecular and genetic factors underlying triple-negative breast cancer can lead to tailored treatments, reducing unnecessary side effects and improving the overall quality of life for patients. Furthermore, findings from triple-negative breast cancer research can inform public health initiatives, screening programs, and healthcare policies, leading to better preventive measures and early intervention strategies for breast cancer.

To support the CURE foundation and research like Miriam’s for National Denim Day, donate here.