Simon's research: Tailoring neutrophil-targeting cancer treatment to the circadian rhythm
My research project is focused on the role of neutrophils, a type of granulocyte of the innate immune system. Despite being essential to combat infections, neutrophils have been linked to lung cancer progression and metastasis.
Recent studies indicate that neutrophil activity is closely regulated by the circadian rhythm, the body鈥檚 24hr clock. This suggests that cancer therapies targeting neutrophils may be effective only during specific periods of the day.
The goal of my research project is to determine whether the propagation of metastases is dependent on the time of day. I also aim to identify a time window during which treatments targeting neutrophils are the most effective at blocking lung cancer progression. This exciting research project has given me a unique opportunity to explore this under-appreciated aspect of cancer biology, which will maximize the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies. Tailoring treatment strategies to the circadian rhythm could potentially increase the number of therapeutic options available to patients.
An avid interest in science communications
During my undergraduate studies and high school, I acted in several plays, which sparked my interest in oral communication and storytelling. As I continued to learn and advance in the field of sciences, improving my ability to communicate and share my findings engagingly is something that I felt was essential; not only to efficiently transmit my excitement for my research projects but also to increase the impact and influence of the innovative research ideas coming from my lab. However, as I have completed my听B.Sc.,听M.Sc. and Ph.D. at 69热视频, I never had the occasion to present my data in French, my mother tongue.听
Attending the ACFAS meeting was an exceptional opportunity to present my findings to a vast community of local and international French-speaking experts with diverse scientific expertise that I rarely have the chance to interact with. Attending the ACFAS Annual Meeting was very important to me as I believe that increased participation of students and academics in scientific activities in various languages can democratize access to knowledge.
Attending the 90th ACFAS Annual Meeting
During this 5-day meeting, I had the opportunity to present my recent findings about the role of the circadian rhythm in the immune response to cancer. My oral communication was well received and I was able to connect with local experts in the fields of oncology and computer sciences who gave me thoughtful suggestions about my work. I had the chance to attend fascinating talks from professors and graduate students with diverse backgrounds; not only in biology, but also astronomy and psychology which broadened my perspective towards my research project.
These inspiring talks gave me a boost in motivation and additional confidence about my data. Hopefully, I will be able to publish the findings I presented at ACFAS soon, which will help me find a post-doctoral fellowship that will propel my career as a principal investigator.
Acknowledgements
Completion of the work presented at ACFAS would have never been possible without the help from my incredibly supportive GCI lab mates: Valerie Breton, Mark Sorin, Miranda Yu, Lysanne Desharnais, Samuel Dor茅, Malcolm Ryan, Liam Wilson, Laura Wu, Ozgun Varol, Alyssa Cristea, Theodore Fazeli, Aline Atallah, Annika Swaby and my amazing supervisors Daniela Quail and Jonathan Spicer.