Donors Make a Difference- Ruomeng Fang

Thanks to donor generosity, emerging cancer researchers at the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) are developing tools that may one day transform patient care. One of them is Ruomeng Fang, a second-year PhD candidate in Experimental Medicine working under the supervision of Dr. George Zogopoulos. She is the 2025 recipient of the Donner Studentship Award, which supports outstanding trainees investigating the genetics of cancer initiation and progression. This award is directly accelerating Ruomeng’s work to improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)—a cancer with some of the poorest survival rates worldwide.

Why this research matters

According to the 2025 Canadian Cancer Statistics report, pancreatic cancer, though not among the most commonly diagnosed cancers, is projected to be the third leading cause of cancer death in Canada. It is expected to account for 7% of all cancer deaths in 2025, and its mortality rate has remained largely unchanged for 40 years, even as survival has improved for many other cancers. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for new approaches—exactly the kind of innovation donor support makes possible.

A donor-supported project with real potential

Ruomeng’s research focuses on developing a practical tool to better classify PDAC tumours and guide treatment decisions. While transcriptomic profiling can distinguish PDAC subtypes with different responses to therapy, it remains too complex and expensive for routine clinical use. Ruomeng’s project instead relies on two proteins: GATA6 and KRT17. The expression levels of these proteins can help predict disease aggressiveness and patient survival. By integrating these biomarkers with clinical factors, she and the Zogopoulos team are building a simpler, more accessible test that could help physicians tailor therapies, select appropriate surgical candidates, and detect recurrence earlier.

A personal motivation to make a difference

Her commitment to cancer research is deeply personal. Ruomeng’s passion for understanding disease biology began when her grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Witnessing his declining health and the helplessness her family felt left a profound impact on her. As she explored research opportunities, she was drawn to oncology, another field where limited treatment options force patients and families to confront difficult prognoses. Her drive is fuelled by the desire to help create more personalized, effective care for people facing devastating illnesses like pancreatic cancer.

Your support makes this work possible

The Donner Studentship Award empowers trainees like Ruomeng to pursue ambitious projects that push cancer research forward. With this support, and through her work at the GCI, she is advancing precision oncology approaches that could one day improve survival and quality of life for patients who currently have few options.