What’s new at the Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute?

In 2025, researchers at the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute advanced discoveries tackling therapy resistance, metastasis, immunotherapy response, and rare cancers—translating fundamental molecular insight into new therapeutic directions.

In 2025, GCI trainees played a leading role in shaping outreach, inclusion, and community engagement—from Research Day and Science-meets-Art to major fundraising and public-facing initiatives. Together, these efforts extend the impact of cancer research far beyond the lab.

From the discovery of the world’s first cancer biomarker to the recruitment of rising research leaders, the GCI marks 60 years of scientific excellence—while investing in the discoveries and people shaping the future of cancer care.

As we close 2025, we highlight two defining milestones for the GCI: a transformative $10 million gift from the Courtois Foundation and the appointment of Professor John Stagg as Director. Together, these developments signal a new era of leadership, momentum, and impact for cancer research at McGill University and beyond.

Professor Nahum Sonenberg’s pioneering mRNA work has transformed molecular medicine, advancing cancer therapies and the COVID-19 vaccine. We proudly honour his legacy by supporting the next generation of researchers.

In this alumni spotlight, we catch up with Alison Hirukawa, Ph.D., a former member of the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI), who has taken her research expertise and transformed it into a dynamic career in the biotech industry.

Inspired by a heart of gold and a passion for making a difference, 12-year-old Tamara Rojo decided to embark on a fundraising journey. After raising $100 for cancer research, she, accompanied by her proud father, recently visited the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) to see firsthand the impact of her efforts.

Brown fat is specialized to undergo thermogenesis, a process where it burns energy. Our prior research has shown that creatine participates in an energy-wasting (futile) cycle within brown fat, and a key effector of this pathway is a protein named tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP).

My research focuses on brain metastases, which is when cancer cells spread to the brain. Particularly, I study the dynamic life of a cancer cell within the environment of a brain.