Montreal RIOT

Hailey completed her BMSc degree in Biochemistry and Cancer Biology at Western University, researching epithelial ovarian cancer throughout her undergraduate degree. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry at McGill, studying how the immune system interacts with breast cancer to promote resistance to therapy. Hailey currently is the Co-Lead of the Montreal chapter of CCS’s Research Information Outreach Team (R.I.O.T.), spearheading patient and youth initiatives to help spread knowledge of ongoing cancer research. 

Brandon completed his BSc degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University, where he studied a rare blood cancer. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Experimental Medicine at McGill University. His research focuses on how proteins involved in reproduction contribute to cancer development and drug resistance in skin and oral cancers, as well as how new drug combinations can be leveraged to overcome drug resistance. After serving as community outreach co-lead, Brandon assumed the role of  co-chair of Montreal RIOT in 2024. As a lifelong Montrealer, Brandon is committed to using his scientific training to bring understanding and hope to cancer patients and the broader community.  

Julia is a fourth-year McGill student majoring in Microbiology and Immunology. She is currently an undergraduate researcher at the Goodman Cancer Institute, and is the only undergraduate researcher at Sonenberg Lab.  Her current project focuses on using endocannabinoids to inhibit glioblastoma in-vitro, and she has past experience engineering a novel, CRISPR-inspired pancreatic cancer therapeutic (part of iGEM McGill). Julia is new to R.I.O.T., but says her passion for cancer biology and research stems from her father's multiple myeloma diagnosis in 2014. She will be part of our patient outreach teams, as well as VP social media, and says that she is thrilled to make an impact on the greater community.

Caitlynn completed her BMSc degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Western University. Her undergraduate thesis project involved characterising the role of the protein CK2 and developing new tools to study its function and regulation in cancer. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Experimental Medicine at McGill, where her project focuses on understanding the mechanisms used by aggressive breast tumours that allow them to overcome stressors, such as chemotherapy. Caitlynn is new to R.I.O.T and passionate about making research accessible to the public. She believes in the benefits of patient-researcher collaboration and transparency and is eager to work with R.I.O.T to bridge the gap between patients and cancer research. 

Liam did his B.Sc at McGill University studying Physiology, where he studies the role of macrophages arising from different developmental lineages in the context of glioblastoma. Liam is now an MD/PhD student at McGill co-supervised by Drs. Logan Walsh and Daniela Quail in the Department of Human genetics, where he studies the spatial immune landscape of low and high-grade gliomas. 

Aris completed his B.Sc in Microbiology and Immunology at Université de Montréal. He is now pursuing a doctorate in biochemistry in Dr. Ian Watson’s lab at the GCI where his research focuses on targeted therapy in hard-to-treat melanoma and mechanisms of resistance. Aris is passionate about connecting patients and youth with cancer research through talks, presentations and outreach activities. Aris serves as the Co-Lead of Youth Outreach for the Montreal chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Research Information Outreach Team (RIOT), leading initiatives to educate youth about cancer research and advancements. 

Louis completed his bachelor's degree in Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University, where he studied how KRAS mutations in non-small cell lung cancer influence neutrophil infiltration into tumors. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Biochemistry at McGill, focusing on personalized therapy approaches for melanoma through microfluidic platforms to address treatment resistance. Louis serves as the Co-Lead of Youth Outreach for the Montreal chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Research Information Outreach Team (RIOT), leading initiatives to educate youth about cancer research and advancements. 

Ellie completed her undergraduate and masters degree in the UK at Durham University, where her masters project specialized in characterizing lung-specific p53 mutants and their role in lung cancer progression. She is now pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry at McGill, studying how epigenetic regulation in breast cancer can determine cellular fate and cancer progression. She was inspired to join R.I.O.T after hearing about their work from other members and is passionate about sharing the cutting-edge cancer research performed in Montreal and making it accessible to the wider community.  

​My name is Elena Goretti, I'm a second year PhD student at the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (IRCM) and the Biochemistry Department at McGill. I completed my BSc degree in biotechnology (Italy) and MSc degree in cellular and molecular biotechnology with a focus on cancer biology (Italy). During my master’s thesis, I investigated the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in different cancer contexts, which gave me the opportunity to complete internships abroad, first at the University of Montreal and later at the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore. These experiences motivated me to investigate the topic further in my PhD, where I’m now characterizing the role of lncRNAs in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends. I’m excited to join the RIOT team, especially the communication outreach group, hoping to share my passion for cancer research in an accessible and engaging way. 

Chloe is a PhD student in Biochemistry at McGill University, studying the development of cancer to improve early diagnosis hence early intervention of aggressive prostate cancer. From her experience in research that involves partnerships with clinicians and patients, Chloe is inspired to join RIOT to help encourage patients through education and comradeship. 

Seung Soo earned his HBSc in Gene, genetics, and biotechnology from the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at McGill University, focusing on nanomedicine for cancer treatment. He is passionate about making scientific information accessible to the general public and looks forward to joining the RIOT team to help bridge the gap between individuals and healthcare professionals/scientists. 

Anastasia is a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Cancer Sciences at McGill University, specializing in liquid biopsy technology for osteosarcoma. With a strong academic foundation, Anastasia holds an M.Sc. from York University, where she conducted research on muscle cancer biology, focusing on TAZ protein interactions in rhabdomyosarcoma. Anastasia's work is driven by a passion for advancing precision medicine in cancer research and patient care, demonstrated by her extensive experience in pediatric tumor research at The Hospital for Sick Children. A dedicated volunteer and advocate for health and wellness, she aims to push the boundaries of cancer treatment through innovative molecular approaches. 

Anaïs is a PhD candidate in systems biology at IRIC, Université de Montréal, where her research aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms behind antiestrogenic drugs used to treat breast cancer. Since hormones like estrogen and their signalling drive the pathological growth and proliferation of most breast tumors, controlling their activity is essential for effective treatment. In the lab, Anaïs investigates how antiestrogens achieve this through various pathways. Previously, she earned a master's degree in cell and molecular biology from the Université de Nantes, where she focused on identifying biomarkers to predict chronic rejection in kidney transplant recipients before irreversible symptoms arise. Anaïs is passionate about sharing scientific knowledge, in cancerology as well as immunology, engaging with the public on current research topics, and making science more accessible to everyone. 

Ruomeng is a second-year PhD student in the Division of Experimental Medicine at McGill University, specializing in the molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer, with a focus on classical and basal-like subtypes and their coexistence within tumors. Her research aims to unravel the complex interplay between these two subtypes to improve patient stratification and inform personalized treatment approaches. She completed her BSc in Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University, gaining a solid foundation in biomedical sciences. With a strong passion for science communication, Ruomeng is committed to making scientific knowledge accessible to a broader audience and translating research findings into meaningful outcomes for patients and healthcare providers. 

Caitlyn completed her Bachelor of Science in Translational and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa with an honors project on cytoskeletal dynamics in melanoma. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Experimental Medicine at McGill University. Her project is focused on characterizing molecular crosstalk of cancer cells that have colonized the brain from other sites, termed brain metastasis. Brain metastases are the most common type of brain tumor and can arise from lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. Caitlyn has enjoyed connecting with patients and youth through science communication initiatives as a volunteer with RIOT since 2022.  

Maëlle completed her Bachelor of Science in Physiology at McGill University. She is now a second-year M.Sc student in experimental medicine at McGill, trying to find biomarkers that could indicate a risk of resistance to Tamoxifen in estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. She wishes to make cancer science more accessible, and help patients understand the research that is happening worldwide. She is also looking forward to talking to youth about research and her path to make them interested in science. 

Carol is a U3 honours biochemistry student at McGill University, researching triple-negative breast cancer in the lab of Dr. Morag Park at the Goodman Cancer Institute. She is a new member of RIOT and is excited to share current cancer research with patients, youth, and the local Montreal community! 

Hannah has an HBSc in Molecular Genetics and Global Health from the University of Toronto and is currently in the second year of her MSc in Biochemistry at McGill University studying developmental epigenetics. Hannah is excited to get involved in science communication and outreach as a member of RIOT, particularly for patients and youth. She also hopes to learn about patients’ questions and experiences, and work to address them in future endeavors in cancer research. 

Sonali is a PhD student in the Experimental Medicine program at McGill University and her research focuses on improving natural killer cell based cancer therapy. Previously, she has worked at Queen’s university where she developed staining and imaging pipelines to study the tumor microenvironment in clinical biopsies from patients enrolled in clinical trials, to discover predictive and prognostic biomarkers. As a new R.I.O.T member she is enthusiastic about science outreach and empowering patients, youth and the general public with accessible and easy to understand science and research knowledge.  

Vrinda completed her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia, and is currently pursuing her master’s in Experimental Medicine at McGill University, focusing on postpartum breast cancer and multiplexed imaging for characterization of the tumour microenvironment. She is new to R.I.O.T this year and is passionate about making scientific research accessible to the public. She is looking forward to working with the patient outreach and communications teams to bridge the gap between patients and research by demystifying cancer research and providing clear and relevant information to foster a greater understanding and sense of agency around cancer and its treatment.  

IAngie completed her Bachelor of Science in Physiology at McGill University. She is now a first-year M.Sc. student in Experimental Medicine at McGill, investigating how major signalling pathways influence the tumour microenvironment in metastatic breast cancer. Her newfound passion for cancer biology fuels a dedication to sharing knowledge beyond the lab. She hopes to transform complex science into accessible insights for patients and the public, keeping them informed on the latest advancements in cancer research. As a new member of R.I.O.T., she is excited to participate in outreach activities that strengthen the connection between the public and cancer research.