DÉSIR Montréal

Caitlynn completed her BMSc degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Western University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Experimental Medicine at McGill, focusing on breast tumour adaptation to cellular stress and the mechanisms tumour cells employ to sustain themselves and act aggressively. Caitlynn is passionate about bridging the gap between people with lived experiences and cancer researchers, and is a strong advocate for patient-researcher collaboration. She is currently the RIOT Montréal Chapter Co-Lead, overseeing the Community Outreach and Social Media programs to find new innovative ways to engage the public and improve research accessibility.

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.

Sarah completed her BSc in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill and is now pursuing a PhD in Experimental Medicine, using computational approaches to study advanced skin cancer and triple-negative breast cancer. She believes everyone deserves access to clear, trustworthy information about cancer, particularly communities historically left out of the conversation, and serves as Co-Lead of Community Outreach for Montreal’s CCS RIOT program. When not in the lab, you can find her crocheting, at a drag show, or deep in a Real Housewives marathon.

Angie completed her Bachelor of Science in Physiology at McGill University. She is now a second-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 returning member of R.I.O.T., she is excited to participate in outreach activities that strengthen the connection between the public and cancer research.

Chiara completed her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from the University of Ottawa. She is currently a second-year master student in Microbiology and Immunology where she investigates the genetic mechanisms underlying natural killer cells’ ability to target and kill cancer. As Patient Outreach Co-Lead, Chiara is dedicated to fostering a meaningful connection between research advancements and patient knowledge. She is excited to engage with the community, empowering patients and the public with clear, accessible information to facilitate the understanding of scientific research, therapeutic developments, and cancer care options.

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.

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. 

Claire is a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Cancer Sciences Program at McGill University, where she studies strategies to improve immunotherapy responses in melanoma. She previously completed a Master’s in Biochemistry at McMaster University and an Honours B.Sc. in Chemistry (Biological) at Memorial University. Having studied and worked across multiple institutions and provinces, Claire brings a broad perspective to her research and outreach. Beyond the lab, she has been actively engaged in mentoring, community volunteering, and graduate student leadership. As Social Media Co-Lead for RIOT Montréal, she is excited to share cancer research with the public and strengthen connections between researchers and the community.

Marjan Shayegan is a biophysicist with extensive experience in both academic and medical research. She earned her PhD in biophysics from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver and conducted research programs as a postdoctoral fellow at McGill University and Harvard University, focusing on developing novel approaches for early disease detection. Marjan is currently serving as a Research Development Advisor at Concordia University, where she offers expert guidance and advice to fellow researchers for their grant developments. She is also involved in patient communities and advocacy organizations, where she volunteers her time to promote patient education and knowledge transfer before, during, and after clinical trials. Marjan’s personal experience of losing her mother in this battle has further strengthened her commitment to delivering impactful research and translating breakthrough scientific discoveries into new and improved treatment and early detection screening approaches.

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.

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 cancer progression and relapse. 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. 

Elena Goretti is a fourth-year PhD candidate at the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (IRCM) and in the Department of Biochemistry at McGill University. She holds a BSc in Biotechnology and an MSc in Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology from Italy, where she focused on cancer biology. Her research on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) during her master’s led to internships at the University of Montreal and the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore. In her PhD, she is investigating the role of lncRNAs in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer. Outside the lab, Elena enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends. She is excited to join the RIOT team’s communication outreach group to share her passion for cancer research in an accessible way.

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.

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. 

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!

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 a returning member of 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 and community outreach teams to bridge the gap between patients, the public, 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. 

Elizabeth Podleszanski is a second year Ph.D. student at the Goodman Cancer Institute in Montreal, completing her degree in Biochemistry. She is currently investigating the mechanisms of breast cancer progression in HER2+ patients. Elizabeth previously completed her bachelor’s degree at McMaster University, specializing in Molecular Biology and Genetics. Elizabeth is excited to be a new member of RIOT and looks forward to contributing to outreach initiatives that promote awareness and understanding of cancer research. 

Lauren completed her BSc degree in Biochemistry at the University of Alberta, where she completed an honours project researching breast cancer. She is currently pursuing her MSc in Biochemistry at the McGill University, where she works at the Goodman Cancer Institute researching ER+ breast cancer. Lauren is new to R.I.O.T. and she looks forward to engaging in outreach efforts that help bridge the gap between the public and cancer research.

Clarisse completed her BSc degree in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia, during which she was introduced to the field of drug discovery when she interned at Zymeworks Inc. as part of the high-throughput assays group. After completing her undergraduate degree, Clarisse worked at STEMCELL Technologies, focusing on stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells. She is now in the second year of her MSc in Biochemistry at McGill University studying Luminal B breast cancer progression and metastasis. Clarisse is super excited to be joining RIOT this year and looks forward to interacting with members of the community at upcoming events. 

Carson earned his BSc degree in Biochemistry at the University of Victoria before earning a Master’s degree at McGill University, where he examined DNA damage repair mechanisms in breast cancer following radiation therapy. Currently, he is working on his doctorate at McGill by studying the dysregulation of cellular signalling pathways that can lead to tumorigenesis. As a new member of R.I.O.T Montreal, Carson looks forward to sharing the latest scientific developments with the local community in an accessible manner. 

Emily completed her BSc at McGill University in the Honours Immunology program and is now in her second year of the MSc in Experimental Medicine program at McGill University. Her masters project investigates the role of inflammation in breast cancer under different cellular stresses. She is a new RIOT member who looks forward to taking part in outreach events and wants to play a part in making science research more accessible to the public.

Alice completed her undergraduate degree in the Department of Biochemistry at McGill, during which she conducted research in various fields from pediatric brain cancer and renal cancer to stem cell biology. She is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Biochemistry at McGill and the Goodman Cancer Institute, studying how cellular signaling pathways are perturbed and influence the microenvironment in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. Outside the lab, she is passionate about science communication and increasing research accessibility in the community.

Ruihang is completing her undergraduate degree in Statistics and Computer Science at McGill University, where she conducted research spanning immunology, neurogenetics, and developmental biology. Her research investigates the genetic and non-genetic mechanisms driving therapy resistance and metastasis in bone sarcomas, with a focus on pediatric osteosarcoma. Beyond her research, she is committed to promoting scientific literacy and engaging the community in biomedical research.