This summer, 21 undergraduate students from across Canada participated in a BioCanRx-funded research internship focused on cancer immunotherapy. We are proud of the progress they made and the knowledge they gained during their internships, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors!
Their reflections provide valuable insights into what it’s like to take part in a research internship—why they chose this experience, what they learned, and the significance of the work they were involved in. These accounts offer a thoughtful perspective on the realities and rewards of contributing to cancer research.
To learn more about our Summer Student Internship and Indigenous Student Summer Internship programs, visit: https://biocanrx.com/training/opportunities/internships
Nora Abdelsamie, Summer Student Internship Recipient
Supervisor(s)/Institution: Dr. Kednapa Thavorn, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Project Title: Early Economic Modeling of CAR-T to Optimize the Value of Cancer Therapy for Patients with Hematological Malignancies
1. Who are you? Where did you go to school? What’s your program?
Hi everyone! My name is Nora Abdelsamie, and I am pursuing a Bachelor of Economics with a concentration in Data Science and a minor in Health Science at Carleton. I am currently in my third year. A fun fact about me is that I love hiking, reading, running, and yoga. You’ll always find me doing one of those things in my free time!
2. Why did you want to do cancer research this summer?
Cancer has deeply affected my family, and witnessing the challenges they faced inspired me to focus on improving access to life-saving treatments. The opportunity to work on making CAR-T therapy—an innovative immunotherapy for blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma—more accessible resonated deeply with me. I’m driven by the belief that advancing the reach of such life-changing treatments is essential, and I’m passionate about contributing to efforts that can make a real difference in patient’s lives.
3. What did you work on this summer? What did you discover?
This summer, I analyzed the costs associated with CAR-T therapy production, focusing on how these costs vary based on patient characteristics. I collaborated with Canadian healthcare facilities to gather real-world data and engaged with various stakeholders, including physicians, manufacturers, health economists, and patients. Through this research, I uncovered significant cost variations at different clinical trial stages, providing insights that could lead to more cost-effectiveness and make it more accessible.
4. What was one memorable moment from this past summer during your studentship?
A memorable moment was shadowing physicians and nurse practitioners, observing the patient’s journey through the clinical trial process. This experience deepened my understanding of the disease and connected me with colleagues whose experiences and advice will significantly influence my future goals.
5. How did this research experience impact your career development?
This experience reinforced my passion for cancer research and confirmed my desire to further my education in Translational Medicine. It has sharpened my focus on bridging the gap between innovative research and its practical application in healthcare, specifically aiming to enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of new treatments for patients.
6. What is your hope for cancer treatment/care in the future?
I hope for a future where immunotherapies, like CAR-T therapy, are not only innovative but also widely accessible, ensuring that all patients, regardless of their background or the progression of their disease, can benefit from the latest advancements in cancer care. My vision is to see a healthcare system where cutting-edge treatments are seamlessly integrated into standard care, improving outcomes for everyone.
Akshay Ajit Kamath, Summer Student Internship Recipient
Supervisor(s)/Institution: Dr. Scott McComb, University of Ottawa
Project Title: Advancing solid tumor immunotherapy using a combinatorial approach to develop BiTE-activated CAR-T cells (BAT-CAR)
1. Tell us about yourself. Where did you go to school? What’s your program?
Hey! I am Akshay, and I am going to enter my third year at Carleton University where I am studying a double major in Neuroscience & biology. In my free time, I enjoy reading and playing soccer with my friends.
2. Why did you want to do cancer research this summer?
Cancer research offered me the chance to explore my growing interest in pharmaceuticals and therapeutics. It was an exciting opportunity to apply my scientific skills in a new setting—transitioning from a molecular neuroscience lab to an immunology lab—and to expand my skillset.
3. What did you work on this summer? What did you discover?
My project involved combining two immunotherapeutics, Bi-specific T cell engagers (BiTEs) and Chimeric Antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T), into one model called the BiTE-activated CAR-T (BAT-CAR) to address challenges that limit BiTE / CAR use in solid tumors. This summer I worked on investigating BAT-CAR efficacy by investigating its effects on T cell activation using Jurkat cells, an immortalized T cell line, through various functional assays, in-vitro experiments and flow cytometry. Since the development of the BAT-CAR is in its early stages, further experiments using primary T cell lines and in-vivo models need to be conducted to fully inform us on BAT-CAR’s effectiveness against solid tumors.
4. What was one memorable moment from this past summer during your studentship?
That would be the NRC life science student competition which was a 3-minute-thesis style event where I had to present & explain my project to a scientific and general audience within 3 minutes. Although it was anxiety-inducing to speak in front of many people, it was a great opportunity to communicate my research and practice public speaking / science communication skills.
5. How did this research experience impact your career development?
This research experience has helped me develop a robust foundation of transferable skills that I can rely on for future research projects. It has also solidified my interest in working within the broader life science & healthcare ecosystem. I hope to complement the skills in preclinical R&D and science communication that I gained from this experience with business / finance expertise in the future to meaningfully contribute to biotech / life science companies.
6. What is your hope for cancer treatment/care in the future?
My hope would be a future where cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease but a manageable and potentially curable condition. Also, where treatments are both affordable and effective for our patients regardless of cancer type or stage.
Searra Warnock, Indigenous Student Summer Internship Recipient
Supervisor(s)/Institution: Dr. Sabine Kuss, University of Manitoba
Project Title: Chemoresistance Detection by Electrochemistry
1. Tell us about yourself. Where did you go to school? What’s your program?
Hello, my name is Searra Warnock and I am a recent undergraduate from University of Manitoba with a degree in Bachelor of Science. In September, I will be pursuing my second degree in Radiation Therapy at University of Winnipeg. When not immersed in academia, I find joy in maintaining an active lifestyle through weight training and exploring nature with my dog by my side. Equally cherished are the quieter moments spent relaxing with my cats.
2. Why did you want to do cancer research this summer?
This opportunity was offered through Inspire: Rivers to Success Indigenous Mentorship program.
3. What did you work on this summer? What did you discover?
This summer I conducted research under the supervision of Dr. Dhesmon Lima at Laboratory for Bioanalytics and Electrochemical Sensing. I researched ultra-resistant ovarian cancer cells using a Scanning Electrochemical Microscope to detect current changes under antibiotic stress. This advanced technique helps identify cancer biomarkers, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell metabolites, by measuring real-time molecule exchange. It has the potential to improve rapid cancer detection and understanding of chemoresistance.
4. What was one memorable moment from this past summer during your studentship?
I am thrilled to have gained hands-on experience and specialized training in cancer research this summer! Working with living patient cancer cells has ignited a deep passion for helping those affected by this disease. This opportunity has had an unprecedented impact on my future, inspiring me to dive even deeper into the world of science and discovery. Grateful for the chance to contribute to the fight against cancer!
