Describe your research
Oncolytic viral therapy is the use of genetically-attenuated viruses to selectively kill tumour cells, for instance by direct lysis. One problem with this cancer treatment is that, given that viruses are recognized as foreign by the body, the immune system is activated and prematurely clears the virus from the host before it has a chance at effectively killing the tumour. My research focuses on developing novel oncolytic viruses that expresses a protein made by SARS-CoV-2 and therefore harnesses its immunosuppressive functions. This will enable the virus to better withstand the immune system’s antiviral response and facilitate better replication and tumour cell lysis.
How does your research help patients and who does it help?
Oncolytic viral therapy is a branch of immunotherapy, which is a relatively new form of cancer therapy. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, although effective, do have their limitations of being non-selective and quite debilitating to patient health due to off-target effects. My research may give rise to a new treatment option for patients with different types of cancers.
How has the studentship made a difference in your life?
I’m super grateful to be a recipient of the Canadian Graduate Scholarship for Master’s students by CIHR. Thanks to this scholarship, I can maintain a healthy work-life balance between an intensive research schedule while pursuing my other interests outside the lab, including to explore my passion for photography () and give back to the community, such as through my involvements with Kids Help Phone and Youreka Canada, a national student-run organization that offers a unique 10-week research program to high school youth. Additionally, being awarded with this scholarship has imbued me with a new level of self-confidence towards research. It is always motivating to be recognized for your efforts and ideas, and it is a huge honour to have been awarded such a prestigious studentship.