Toronto RIOT

Megan George is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Medical Science and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Megan’s research focuses on the implementation of CALM (Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully), particularly its feasibility in improving psychological distress for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. After seeing family members battle late-stage cancer, Megan found her calling in advocacy work. Today, she leads as Co-Chair of the Canadian Cancer Society's Research Information Outreach Team in Toronto, where she channels her personal motivation into community service. With a keen interest in both clinical and cultural dimensions of psychological care, she is committed to advancing the understanding and standardization of psychological interventions to improve outcomes for patients with advanced cancer.

Brandon Dickson is a medical student at the University of Toronto and acting Co-Chair of the Research Information Outreach Team in Toronto. Previously, Brandon was a coordinator for Toronto RIOT’s Community Talks initiative, where he had delivered scientific outreach programs to libraries and schools across the GTA. Brandon’s research background was strongly focused on the immune system, which is becoming increasingly understood as a major player in the clearance of tumours from the body. This led him to pursue a brief role in the biotech industry, where he was a part of an operations team that manufactured next-generation therapies designed to engage the immune system. Now in medical school, Brandon plans to draw on his research experience, industry knowledge, and medical training to help the public better understand cancer treatment and care. His goal is to make cancer-related information more accessible for patients and caregivers as they navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. 

Nicole Rapallo is currently completing her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Toronto. With nearly two years’ experience in cancer research, she is passionate about raising awareness for discoveries in cancer biology and therapeutics. Academically, Nicole’s interests include radiation biology and immunotherapy. Outside of academics, Nicole enjoys reading, creative writing, and playing soccer. 

Udani De Silva holds a MSc in Public Health Sciences and an MPH from the Universities of Waterloo and Edinburgh, respectively. She has vast experience in epidemiology and systematic review methodology primarily in infectious diseases, having produced evidence reviews for stakeholders such as the World Health Organization, Scottish Government and the UK Health Security Agency.

Tala completed her Bachelor of Science in Forensic Biology at the University of Toronto, where she researched NPS drug surveillance tools and its implications for public health harm reduction strategies and forensic toxicology cases. She is currently pursuing her MHSc in Translational Research at the University of Toronto and actively contributes to patient care through her role as a Medical Assistant. She is dedicated to advancing healthcare by bridging gaps in access and quality of care for underserved communities. Her interests focus on patient care and medicine, and she aims to become involved with humanitarian aid organizations. She joined RIOT in 2025 as a co-coordinator of the high school talks.

Bryn Livingston is a Ph.D. candidate studying the molecular drivers of childhood brain cancer at the SickKids Research Institute. She has a strong interest in accurate and accessible science communication and through volunteering with RIOT she has written and presented talks on the basics of cancer biology to diverse audiences including community members impacted by cancer, as well as high school students. She has also written pieces for the RIOT blog and social media, introducing lay audiences to cancer biology topics in accessible language. Bryn also has experience communicating about science for policy, as former Co-President of the Toronto Science Policy Network, and as an executive council member of the grassroots advocacy organization Support Our Science.

Cassie Elises is a Master of Public Health candidate at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, specializing in Occupational and Environmental Health. Her research interests emerged from profound personal experience—watching close family members navigate cancer both as healthcare providers and as patients themselves. Cassie brings frontline experience from healthcare settings during the COVID-19 pandemic and from long-term care facilities.

Nathan Symss is a Master of Science candidate at the University of Toronto in the Department of Medical Biophysics. He studies a rare but aggressive form of soft tissue sarcoma called undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma using genetically engineered mouse models, where his primary research focus is on understanding how low oxygen levels in these tumors make them prone to metastasize (spread) to the lungs. Outside of research, he enjoys playing and coaching soccer, reading, and finding the best
espresso in the city.

Vernon Fong is a PhD candidate in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto, conducting research at the Hospital for Sick Children. His work centers on medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children, with a particular focus on how the lipid-like tumor-associated microenvironment in the leptomeninges contribute to metastatic progression. Driven by a strong interest in both the clinical implications and the underlying biology of tumor dissemination, Vernon is dedicated to developing novel precision-based interventions aimed at improving outcomes for children affected by metastatic medulloblastoma.

Erica Carvalho is the Community Talks Co-Coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Research Information Outreach Team (RIOT) in Toronto. She is dedicated to making cancer research more accessible and understandable to the public. A passionate and community driven health advocate, Erica holds a degree in Psychology from Toronto Metropolitan University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Health Science and Biology at York University. Motivated by her family’s personal experiences with cancer, she also volunteers as a Run Director for both the CIBC Run for the Cure and Relay For Life, and serves as an ACT Lead with the Voices for Change advocacy program. In these roles, she leads community outreach efforts, organizes volunteer teams, and manages event logistics to support awareness and fundraising for cancer research. Erica’s work is rooted in a strong foundation in healthcare and driven by a commitment to empowering communities with clear, evidence based information and fostering greater understanding around cancer .

Marah is a Master of Health Science candidate at the University of Toronto in the Department of Physiology. Her research focuses on non-invasive brain stimulation and neuromodulation, studying how targeted electrical currents can modulate neural activity to improve cognition, memory, and mood. She is especially interested in advancing the clinical translation of these technologies for patients with neurodegenerative disorders and mental health conditions. Beyond academics, Marah serves as Communications Lead for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Run for the Cure, where she develops community engagement strategies. She is also passionate about mentorship and community health initiatives, and enjoys playing volleyball, baking, as well as exploring GTA's food scene.

Anisha is a PhD candidate in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology whose research focuses on how cells repair damaged DNA. Errors in this process are a major driver of cancer, and by uncovering how cells use their structural machinery to repair DNA, her work aims to identify new protein targets to help limit the growth of aggressive cancers. She is passionate about science communication and, through RIOT Toronto, strives to make cancer research accessible and inspire the next generation of scientists.

Raisa is a second year student at The Univeristy of Toronto studying a double major in Neuroscience and Molecular Genetics and Microbiology.  She is passionate about science communication, advocacy and equitable access to healthcare and resources. Through her involvement with RIOT, she aims to raise awareness about cancer research, increase accessibility to resources, and inspire others to pursue science.

Anushka Deshmukh is a Master of Health Science student in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto who is naturally curious about how things connect between genes, brains, and people. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University and thrives in interdisciplinary spaces where biology, computation, and humanity overlap.

Anushka is driven by the goal of translating complex genomic data into insights that genuinely help people. Whether she is analyzing single-cell RNA-seq data to understand brain development or designing communication tools for clinicians and families at SickKids, she focuses on connecting the science back to the human context.

Her strengths are systems thinking, clear communication, and integrity. Having lived and worked across seven countries, she has learned to stay calm in uncertain environments and adapt quickly. Above all, Anushka is a scientist who values meaning as much as precision, someone who bridges data and humanity through curiosity, clarity, and care.

Defne is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind nuclear  remodeling in the event of DNA damage. She aims for her research to uncover new ways to target cancer cells that rely on this remodeling mechanism more than normal cells. She has been passionate about the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind cancer formation and progression since high school, so she is excited to potentially inspire high school students and community members to be passionate about cancer biology as well.

Megana is a 3rd year PhD student in the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on the genetics underlying treatment response in mental health disorders, and how this can be used to personalize treatment. Megana is passionate about communicating science in an accessible way to improve science literacy in the general public. Through RIOT, she hopes to help families dealing with cancer better understand research and what it means for them and their loved ones.

Amanda Dy is a Vanier Scholar and PhD candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University. She develops robust AI tools for computational pathology to advance the clinical translation of AI in healthcare. She also contributes to the Pathology Innovation Collaborative Community to improve regulatory science for AI as a medical device.

Hammad Umar is a 5th year Bachelor of Science student at the University of Toronto. He is completing a major in Human Biology and minors in Immunology and Physiology. As a cancer survivor, Hammad developed a strong interest in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Looking ahead, Hammad is hoping to pursue an MSc in immunology. With a strong background in scientific research, as a general member at RIOT, Hammad is looking to raise awareness about cancer research, inspire the younger generation to pursue it, and make advancements and cancer research more accessible for the general public and those affected by cancer.

Anne-Marie is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UofT, completing a specialist in Pathobiology and a minor in Psychology. She has worked on research in the field of transplant immunology, and is hoping to expand on this experience by studying cancer immunology in the future. She is passionate about communicating scientific topics to the public and improving scientific literacy, especially through social media.