New Student Leaders at the GCI are fostering Community, Connection, and Inclusion

As another academic year begins at the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI), a dedicated group of students are stepping forward to build a stronger, more connected, and inclusive community. This year the Goodman Cancer Student Society (GCSS) is being led by Co-Presidents Phillipe Hutton and Paulina Varela, with support from Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Representative Ellie Massey and a dynamic team of other members.

Phillipe, a Biochemistry PhD student in Prof. Vincent Giguère’s lab, studies the role of nuclear receptors in the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a major driver of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. His commitment to research is matched by his passion for student engagement. “I’m excited to organize our many initiatives that support and celebrate our trainees such as Research Day, DÉFI Canderel, and the Spotlight Seminars,” he says. “I’m also excited to be involved in organizing both student-tailored and institute-wide events that aim to foster a sense of community at the GCI,” he explains—these events include the annual GCI welcome BBQ, a bi-weekly journal club, and the GCI holiday party among others.

Joining Phillipe as Co-President is Paulina Varela, a first-year PhD student in Experimental Medicine under the supervision of Prof. Xiang-Jiao Yang. Her research explores how lysine histone acetyltransferases (KATs) influence brain development and human disease. Paulina discovered the power of community early in her GCI journey, taking part in fundraising events and helping to organize Research Day. “Getting involved in these groups has shown me how valuable it is to connect with the student community.” she says. “It really makes you feel part of something bigger, which I think is just as important as what we do in the lab.” As Co-President, Paulina is eager to expand the GCSS’s impact by creating a more connected, welcoming, and supportive space for all trainees.

Crucial to that vision is Ellie, a third-year PhD student in Prof. William Muller’s lab, who is serving as the GCSS’s EDI Representative. Ellie’s mission is to ensure that all student events are inclusive, respectful, and accessible to everyone in the GCI community. She sits on both the GCSS and the GCI’s institute-wide EDI Committee, where she represents student voices alongside faculty, staff, and researchers. She wants all students to know she is committed to listening and advocating: “You can always reach out to me with any concerns at edi.gcss.gci@gmail.com!”

Together with the other members of the GCSS, student leaders at the GCI are binging energy, empathy, and fresh ideas to their roles. From celebrating scientific achievement to fostering a sense of community, their leadership is grounded in the belief that inclusivity is essential to scientific success.

With a calendar full of initiatives, the new GCSS leadership is ready to make this a vibrant, meaningful, and empowering year for every trainee at the GCI.