A successful 2025 Doctoral Research Award season at the GCI

This year, we are proud to recognize four trainees from the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) who have been awarded the prestigious Doctoral Research Award from the Cancer Research Society (CRS).

The CRS Doctoral Research Award is one of Canada’s most competitive distinctions for emerging cancer researchers, recognizing doctoral students whose innovative work is advancing our understanding of cancer.

Advancing breast cancer research

Alice Nam is a 4th year Biochemistry Ph.D. candidate pursuing her degree in Professor William Muller, Ph.D.’s laboratory. Her work focuses on the mechanisms of breast cancer initiation and progression, more specifically the several major underlying pathways of cellular growth and proliferation, and their interplay with the tumour microenvironment. By understanding how signals coming from inside or outside the cells feed into each other, Alice is aiming to better identify therapeutic targets for patients at different stages of the disease.

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women in Canada and one of the most studied cancers at the GCI. Ariadna Pollato, a 3rd year Biochemistry Ph.D. candidate supervised by Professors Arnim Pause, Ph.D., and William Muller, Ph.D., studies the role of the tumour-suppressor protein FLCN in luminal breast cancers, and the mechanisms of how loss of FLCN leads to tumour growth, cell survival and therapy resistance. She is hoping to uncover the mechanisms underlying therapy resistance and tumour progression, which ultimately would contribute to the development of more effective and targeted treatment strategies.

A better understanding of immunity and cancer

The immune system is one of the body’s first lines of defense against cancer, yet it can also play complex roles in how cancers develop and progress. Sonali Uttam, a second-year Ph.D. student in Experimental Medicine supervised by Professor Michel Tremblay, Ph.D., studies Natural Killer (NK) cells, the immune system’s frontline cancer fighters, and why their effectiveness varies so dramatically from person to person. By targeting proteins called PTPN1 and PTPN2, which act as brakes on NK cell activity, Sonali aims to “supercharge” these cells into more powerful cancer killers. Her work paves the way for safer, more effective NK cell-based immunotherapies for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

Rachel Catterall is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Interdisciplinary Cancer Sciences Program, supervised by Professors Luke McCaffrey, Ph.D., and Heather Melichar, Ph.D. Her research explores the role of the immune system in early-stage, hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, a subtype where immune activity has historically been poorly understood. By identifying regions where immune cells are enriched in breast cancer tissues, Rachel aims to uncover how these microenvironments influence disease progression. Her findings could open the door to immunotherapy options that have long been underexplored in this cancer type, ultimately expanding treatment choices for patients.

A testament to excellence

Having four GCI trainees hold this award in a single year is a remarkable achievement, especially considering only 50 scholarships were awarded in Canada in 2025. It speaks to the depth of mentorship, the collaborative spirit, and the world-class environment our institute fosters.

Alice, Rachel, Sonali and Ariadna – congratulations! Your work is bringing us closer to better treatments and, ultimately, a future without cancer.